Switched on Pop

Everyone should be in a band at some point—and Finneas and Ashe prove why. The Grammy-winning producer and rising singer-songwriter discuss how their friendship evolved into The Favors, a new band debuting their album The Dream on September 19th, 2025. We explore what it means to create as a band, how stepping back from confessional songwriting freed them creatively, and why sometimes the best way forward is embracing older ways of making music. SONGS DISCUSSED * The Favors - "The Little Mess You Made" * Ashe - "Moral of the Story" * Ashe & Finneas - "Till Forever Falls Apart" * Billie Eilish - "What Was I Made For?" * The Favors - "Home Sweet Home" * The Favors - "The Dream" * The Favors - "Lake George" * Billie Eilish - "bad guy" * Simon and Garfunkel - "Old Friends" * Simon and Garfunkel - "The Only Living Boy in New York" * Simon and Garfunkel - "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" * Simon and Garfunkel - "America" * Rick Springfield - "Jessie's Girl" * The Favors - "David's Brother" * The Favors - "The Hudson" * Fleetwood Mac - "Landslide" * Fleetwood Mac - "Dreams" * Kate Bush - "Running Up That Hill" * Olivia Rodrigo - "drivers license" * Sabrina Carpenter - "emails i can't send" * Miley Cyrus - "Flowers" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Fleetwood Mac has had a phenomenal resurgence in recent years, from TikTok viral fame to Broadway plays and streaming TV series inspired by the band. Their growing fandom among a new generation has created demand for the long out-of-print album Buckingham Nicks, the 1973 album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks recorded before they joined Fleetwood Mac. The vinyl record is a collector's item, as this pre-band album helped secure the duo their spot in Fleetwood Mac. Now after four decades, on September 19th, the album is being reissued by Rhino Records. A few months back we looked at the legacy of Fleetwood Mac and spoke with Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham about their reinterpretation of the beloved Buckingham Nicks. Given the timing, we want to share that episode with you now to help you get ready for the re-release of this adored album. I hope you enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

You've heard those shimmering disco strings in Miley Cyrus's "Flowers," the cinematic arrangements on Phoebe Bridgers' Punisher, and the orchestral flourishes across Taylor Swift's catalog, but you probably didn't know they're all the work of one person: Rob Moose. The violinist and multi-instrumentalist has contributed to nearly 1,000 albums, quietly becoming pop music's most prolific string architect. In this conversation, Moose reveals how he translates classical training into contemporary pop language, working with everyone from Sufjan Stevens to Bon Iver to create arrangements that feel both intimate and epic. We dive into his process, explore how he's reshaped what strings can do in popular music, and uncover the craft behind those arrangements you can't get out of your head. MORE Subscribe to our newsletter [https://switchedonpop.substack.com/] to receive your own bingo card! Songs Discussed * Miley Cyrus “Flowers” * Phoebe Bridgers “Punisher” * Phoebe Bridgers Copycat Killer (EP, includes re-arranged versions of “Punisher,” “Kyoto,” “Savior Complex,” “Chinese Satellite”) * Sufjan Stevens “Chicago” * Bon Iver “Everything Is Peaceful Love” * RINI “Miracle” * Bon Iver “Short Story” * Bon Iver “Speyside” * Phoebe Bridgers “Chinese Satellite” * Phoebe Bridgers “Savior Complex” * Phoebe Bridgers “Kyoto” * Lizzy McAlpine “Ceilings” * Gracie Abrams “I Love You, I’m Sorry” * Rob Moose “I Bend But Never Break” ft Brittany Howard * Alabama Shakes “Sound & Color” * Taylor Swift “Hoax” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The conversation around the new music this summer has been a dour one. Some of the biggest songs in the country right now are downtempo stomp-clap anthems and wistful Cranberries pastiche. Even on this very show, Nate and Charlie have asked: where's the fun? As it turns out, the party (as always) is happening in hip-hop, led by a formidable influence: Pharrell.. On this episode of Switched On Pop, producer Reanna and engineer Brandon join Charlie for a tour through rap music's latest sweaty offerings, including the new album by Tyler, the Creator, Clipse's return to music, and catchphrase worthy singles by Cardi B, PLUTO, and Drake. Songs discussed: * Tyler, The Creator, Pharrell Williams – Big Poe * Nelly – Hot in Herre * Noreaga – Superthug * Kelis – Milkshake * Tyler, The Creator, Cole Alexander – Deathcamp * N.E.R.D. – Rockstar * Tyler, The Creator – Ring Ring Ring * Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy – 911 / Mr. Lonely * Tyler, The Creator – I THINK * Mr. Fingers – Mystery of Love * Michael Jackson – Off the Wall * N.E.R.D., Nelly Furtado – Hot-n-Fun * N.E.R.D. – Things Are Getting Better * Pharrell, Nelly – Baby * Clipse – So Be It * Clipse – Virginia * Clipse – Intro * Talal Madah – Maza Akoulou * Beastie Boys – Paul Revere * Clipse – Ace Trumpets * Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire – The Birds Don't Sing * Cardi B – Outside * Cardi B – Bodak Yellow * Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin – I Like It * Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion – WAP * Cardi B – Up * PLUTO, YK Niece – WHIM WHAMIEE * OJ Da Juiceman, Gucci Mane – Make tha Trap Say Aye * Roxanne Shante – Roxanne's Revenge * Drake, Central Cee – Which One? * Drake, Rihanna – Too Good * Rihanna, Drake – Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Why do bad lyrics happen to good people? From "suckin' on a chili dog" to "making love to his tonic and gin," even the biggest hits from our favorite artists can feature lyrical turns that make us feel quizzical, offended, or even downright nauseated. With the help of Sam Sanders, brilliant host of The Sam Sanders Show [https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-sam-sanders-show], we plumb the depths of the worst pop lyrics of all time—culled from hundreds of submissions form Switched on Pop listeners—to try categorize, historicize, and, perhaps, celebrate the art of the lyrical faux pas. Follow Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/samsanders/?hl=en]  and check out The Sam Sanders Show for more hot takes on entertainment and culture. We recommend you start here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/escaping-heartbreak-with-musician-caroline-rose/id1771084688?i=1000694695200]. Songs Discussed Benson Boone - Mystical Magical Velvet Sundown - Rebel Shout Live - Lightning Crashes Captain and Tennille - Muskrat Love John Mellencamp - Jack and Diane Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry, London Bridge Katy Perry - Firework Billy Joel - Piano Man Richard Harris - MacArthur Park Imagine Dragons - Sharks Des'ree - Life, You Gotta Be One Direction - Don't Forget Where You Belong, Little Things Taylor Swift - Willow, Anti Hero, I Hate it Here, ME! Train - Hey Soul Sister, Meet Virginia, Drops of Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]