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PODCAST

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music

Adam Scott Glasspool, Steve Murphy, Lucas Way

A podcast that dives deep into discographies - one artist per season. Hosts Adam, Steve, and Lucas go album by album, track by track, exploring how context shapes our experience of music, why fans become obsessed, and what music really is. With three hosts coming from wildly different levels of musical knowledge, expect sharp analysis, wild tangents, hot takes, and more information about the artists (and the hosts) than you ever asked for. Current focus: Björk. Previous seasons featured Manic Street

music music commentary

All Episodes

100:19

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (Pt. 1)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/02/02

The Big Mates discuss Cameron, Kubrick, Fellini, and Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin their dissection of the band's seixth album by talking about pianos, conspiracy theories, the desire to make a different kind of album, and how Alex overcame writer's block. They discuss the writing and initial recording of the album, explore the overall themes and sound, and begin their track-by-track analysis, exploring the composition, tone, l...

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96:15

Critical Thinking (Pt. 2)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/01/26

The Big Mates discuss longevity, cake, Paddington, and Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers. Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their very first season, Manic Street Preachers, in order to dissect and explore the band's fifteenth and most recent album, Critical Thinking. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analy...

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18:56

BREAKING NEWS: Arctic Monkeys - Opening Night

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/01/23

The Big Mates recieve BREAKING NEWS. Adam, Steve, and Lucas take the truth and make it fluid whilst giving their first reactions to the new song by Arctic Monkeys. Released on January 22nd as a single from the forthcoming charity album Help(2) in aid of War Child, Opening Night is a new/old/reworked/fresh song by the band and was released amidst rumours that it would be the final song released by the band before breaking up. We give our initial thoughts on the song, the rumours, and the...

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98:54

Critical Thinking (Pt. 1)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/01/19

The Big Mates discuss teachers, single edits, smart motorways, and Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers. Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their very first season, Manic Street Preachers, in order to dissect and explore the band's fifteenth and most recent album, Critical Thinking. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deepl...

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225:12

Album Club: Sigur Ros - Takk...

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/01/12

Now on our main feed, we present to you The WIM Album Club, with an episode we released on our Patreon last year. The episode is a classic WIM deep-dive into the album Takk... by Sigur Ros and features all of the usual discussion, analysis, commentary, history, insight, and tangents you've come to expect from the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our Patreon to hear more episodes on a range of different artists, in different genres, from different countries and eras. Going ...

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120:24

BONUS: Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2026/01/05

Ladies and gentlemen... We present to you, an episode from our Patreon! If you liked this, you can find plenty more like it by heading to https://www.patreon.com/whatismusicpod and signing up today! Free trials are available now for a limited time only! Join the conversation on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com Support our sho...

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90:42

Bigma''s

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/12/15

It is once again a time for reflection, rejoicing, and sharing. Lucas remembers the time he got an N64 from Santa, Steve shares his plans for a festive family get together, and Adam battles his darkest Christmas yet. We will return in the New Year! Join the conversation on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com Get access to ...

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70:03

We Went to See Radiohead

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/12/08

The Big Mates take a break from the current season to discuss the recent tour undertaken by Radiohead, some of the context surrounding it, and their own experiences of seeing them live at the O2 in London. Our next episode is out next Monday December 15th! Join the conversation on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com Get access to more...

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71:56

The Last Shadow Puppets 2016 Tour Commentary

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/12/01

The Big Mates provide legal but audacious audio commentary for a selection of videos of The Last Shadow Puppets on tour in 2016. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the band's onstage personas, how seriously to take their antics, and the evolution of Alex Turner as a performer. Head to YouTube to watch along with the playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRzMZT2JmJ1Ff80yJnWEqlv3gbyfbPMa3&si=tCeHtTETO12Hf_TM Or don't watch along - the episode works fine either way! Our ...

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114:19

Everything You've Come to Expect

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/11/24

The Big Mates discuss trilogy theory, cider flavours, the accidental discovery of stereo audio, and Everything You've Come to Expect by The Last Shadow Puppets. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys by stepping outside of it in order to examine the second album of the side project Alex Turner formed with Miles Kane. They discuss how the project came back together, the writing and recording of the album, and they explore the overall themes and ...

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92:12

Belladonna of Sadness

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/11/17

The Big Mates discuss Mike Wozniak, Paul F. Tompkins, Mike Wazowski, and Belladonna of Sadness by Alexandra Savior. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss how Alexandra Savior got started in music, the writing and recording process of her debut album, and they take a look at some of the songs from it. They explore the overall themes and sound, and talk about the composition, tone, lyrics, meaning, and context for each song in turn - all from three differing perspectives, from being deeply...

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86:50

Arctic Monkeys Live at PinkPop 2014 Commentary

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/11/10

The Big Mates provide planted and curious audio commentary for Arctic Monkeys Live at PinkPop 2014. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the 2014 concert and talk about the AM tour in general. Head to YouTube to watch along here: https://youtu.be/esAIGJnKg88?si=r6RU3sCc1TLYsi8l Or don't watch along - the episode works fine either way! Our next episode comes out Monday November 17th! Join the conversation on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www...

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78:29

AM (Pt. 3)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/11/03

The Big Mates discuss Angus Murray, Faces of the Cube, Roomuss, and Humbug by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys and conclude their track-by-track analysis of their fifth album. They explore the composition, tone, lyrics, meaning, and context for each song in turn - all from three differing perspectives, from being deeply into music and analysis, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between! They also l...

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76:59

AM (Pt. 2)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/10/27

The Big Mates discuss Drake, Black Sabbath, dancing through lasers to steal an egg, and AM by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys and their track-by-track analysis of their blockbuster fifth album. They explore the composition, tone, lyrics, meaning, and context for each song in turn - all from three differing perspectives, from being deeply into music and analysis, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in b...

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90:09

AM (Pt. 1)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/10/20

The Big Mates discuss the Olympics, Thunderbirds, The Lone Ranger, and AM by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin their dissection of the band's fifth album by talking about haircuts, jackets, the transitional period the band found themselves in, and how they entered the studio to record an 'experimental' album. They discuss the writing, rehearsal, and recording of the album, explore the overall themes and sound, and begin their track-by-track analysis, exploring the compo...

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85:36

Arctic Monkeys Live at Rock En Seine 2011 Commentary

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/10/13

The Big Mates provide strange and pointless audio commentary for Arctic Monkeys Live at Rock En Seine 2011. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the 2011 concert and talk about the Suck It and See tour in general, including what is a transitional period for the band! Head to YouTube to watch along here: https://youtu.be/AmCOx5igI3Y?si=TKhLLQiMBqSG5JOy Or don't watch along - the episode works fine either way! Our next episode comes out Monday October 20th! Join the conversation on: Bluesky...

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107:45

Suck It and See (Pt. 2)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/10/06

The Big Mates discuss Back to the Future, safety advice, Nuggets, and Suck It and See by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys and conclude their track-by-track analysis of their fourth album. They explore the composition, tone, lyrics, meaning, and context for each song in turn - all from three differing perspectives, from being deeply into music and analysis, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between!...

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108:35

Suck It and See (Pt. 1)

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/09/29

The Big Mates discuss Lucky Number Slevin, lyrical simplicity, Record Store Day, and Suck It and See by Arctic Monkeys. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys by diving into the band's fourth studio album. They discuss the writing and recording of the record, explore the overall themes and sound, and begin their track-by-track analysis, exploring the composition, tone, lyrics, meaning, and context for each song in turn - all from three differin...

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98:37

Submarine

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/09/22

The Big Mates discuss utilisation, Facebook, soundchecks, and Submarine by Alex Turner. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their exploration of the career of Arctic Monkeys by briefly stepping outside of it in order to examine the only solo release from Alex Turner - the soundtrack to Submarine. They discuss how the project came together, the writing and recording of the EP, and they explore the overall themes and sound, taking in the compositions, tones, lyrics, meaning, and context ...

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59:37

Recording Humbug with Alain Johannes

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music ·

2025/09/15

Adam sits down with Alain Johannes to discuss the recording of Humbug by Arctic Monkeys. Alain was the engineer working with the band, Josh Homme, and James Ford during the sessions for Humbug and in this episode he reveals the work that went into those sessions. Adam and Alain talk about the creative process, catching ideas, the role of engineering in music, the production of Humbug, and how the album took shape. They touch on the sessions at Rancho De La ...

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358 results

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