The 18 best music podcasts

Hosted by Canadian music expert Alan Cross, "Ongoing History of New Music" is a must for music nerds. Each episode digs deep into a hyper-specific topic — recent episodes include a history of distortion and feedback in music and a look back at protest songs — in incredible detail. It's a great way to learn more about the songs you love, and how they connect to the broader music universe. 

On this podcast hosted by Yasi Salek, listeners can learn about iconic, cult-favorite bands from the people who love them most: their fans. Acts from The Clash to Third Eye Blind get a deep dive, complete with lots of expert interviews and even more fan gushing. 

Hosted by NPR music guru Bob Boilen, this podcast is a great destination for new music finds, great interviews, and everything in between. Find it on NPR, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. 

Helmed by Tyler Mahan Coe, the son of country legend David Allan Coe, "Cocaine and Rhinestones" is the perfect podcast for a history buff that loves country music. Now in its second season, the show digs into the stories behind classic country tunes and the lives of the people who made them, including George Jones and Loretta Lynn. Stream via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 

Each episode of this podcast created by host Hrishikesh Hirway offers a deep dive into some of music's most iconic songs, including "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Wait For It" from Lin Manuel Miranda's smash-hit musical "Hamilton." It's an excellent choice for music buffs of all kinds, especially those that appreciate what goes into making a killer song. Stream via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

This Gimlet podcast is now in its second season, and focusing on the improbable fame of DJ Screw, a Houston-born musical genius responsible for popularizing the "chopped and screwed" sound. Stream via Spotify. 

This podcast from NPR affiliate KCRW has the self-described mission of telling "the greatest music stories never told." The topics explored within are broad, from the role that guns play in popular music to the life of singer Minnie Riperton, and always compelling. Stream via NPR, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. 

There's no pop culture figure more beloved than Dolly Parton, and this podcast seeks to find out exactly why. It tells the story of Parton's rise from a small-town girl in Tennessee to bonafide country star and cultural touchstone, along with examining some of the most fascinating tidbits from her decades-long career. Stream via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 

This Slate podcast, hosted by Chris Molanphy, asks a seriously important musical question: what is it that makes a song a hit? By looking at everything from Garth Brooks's meteoric rise in the '90s to the ins and outs of yacht rock, "Hit Parade" provides plenty of obscure factoids for even the nerdiest of music enthusiasts. 

This Spotify podcast brings together Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen, both towering figures with decidedly different perspectives on life. The topics of discussion here don't just include music, but it always features heavily. Listen via Spotify. 

Ever wanted to hear someone completely dump on your favorite band in the most hilarious way possible? Enter "Your Favorite Band Sucks," a podcast with strong thoughts on why every artist from Beethoven to Weezer are, well, terrible. Listen via the podcast's website or Apple Podcasts. 

Now in its eighth season, "Dissect" is a podcast for anyone that's obsessed with knowing everything about their favorite albums. As its name might indicate, the podcast focuses on a single album per season, dissecting each lyrical and sonic choice in classics like Beyonce's "Lemonade" and "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Stream via Spotify. 

Interviewing some of the most prominent figures in music, including Mark Ronson, Brian Eno, and Peter Frampton, "Broken Record" positions itself as the modern-day version of liner notes. Do you remember, those lyric-packed inserts that came with records, tapes, and CDs? Stream via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

It might get a bad rap among certain types of music snobs, but there's no denying the influence that pop music has had on the broader culture throughout the decades. This New York Times podcast digs into the genre's current stars, from Lil Nas X to Olivia Rodrigo. Listen via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 

Co-hosted by comedian Romesh Ranganathan and RuMaj, this podcast's title is pretty self-explanatory. Interviews with major hip-hop figures like Bun B and Dizzee Rascal combine charming personal stories and compelling music history tidbits into an endlessly listenable podcast that's perfect for even the most boring of commutes. Listen via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 

Even though it generally focuses on political topics, the third season of Slate podcast "Slow Burn" is all about the deadly beef between West Coast rapper Tupac and his East Coast rival, the Notorious B.I.G. Digging into the legendary feud that ended with both dead by 1997, the podcast is a compelling look into one of music's most notorious stories. 

This podcast blends music history, true crime, and fiction in a decidedly creative way. It tells music's most infamous tales, from the mysterious killing of Sam Cooke to the wild life (and death) of Gram Parsons, that you absolutely won't hear on the radio. 

Pretty much everyone's contemplated what music they'd bring if stranded on a desert island, and this iconic BBC show has been doing just that since 1942. Now a podcast, the show asks a different "castaway," from cellist Yo-Yo Ma to musician Elvis Costello, to identify the eight albums they'd bring on this hypothetical journey, plus a book and "luxury" item. Stream via Spotify, or listen to the entire archive via the BBC's website. 

Hosted by rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, this podcast features interviews with artists, strong debates about the hottest topics in music, and the industry's biggest news. Stream via Apple Podcasts, or check out the full archives on the Sound Opinions website. 

The Roots drummer Questlove hosts this super-fun podcast that tells the lesser-known stories of artists of all kinds, from riot grrl legends Sleater Kinney to soul queen Chaka Khan. Packed with interviews, hilarious anecdotes, and plenty of music history, it's perfect for hip-hop fans and anyone who wants to learn more about the genre. Stream via Apple Podcasts.