Oh my! Good lord. In this episode, Mat and Tim consider the state of country music in 2025 – what's working, what's not, and what you need to know about the genre everyone wants a piece of these days.

SONGS PLAYED:

Lainey Wilson - Country's Cool Again

Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Braxton Keith - Cozy

Ella Langley - you look like you love me (feat. Riley Green)

Post Malone - Pour Me a Drink (feat. Blake Shelton)

Jo Dee Messina - Heads Carolina, Tails California

Cole Swindell - She Had Me At Heads Carolina

Jake Owen - I Was Jack (You Were Diane)

Dustin Lynch - Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll)

Mackenzie Carpenter - Country Girls (Just Wanna Have Fun)

Kane Brown - I Can Feel It

Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight

Bear Bailey - Whiskey Burn

Thomas Rhett - Don't Wanna Dance

Various Artists - Wayfaring Stranger

mgk, Jelly Roll - Lonely Road

Lainey Wilson - 4x4xU

Riley Green - Rather Be

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

That's so true! In this episode, Mat and Tim use Gracie Abrams's recent SNL performance as a jumping off point to discuss proficiency and mastery among pop music's most prominent artists – and the way that fandom culture has enabled the erosion of our expectations. It's a bit of a grumpy one!

SONGS PLAYED:

Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry

Gracie Abrams - That's So True (Live)

Jacob Collier - Little Blue (A COLORS SHOW)

Taylor Swift - You're On Your Own, Kid (Live)

Van Halen - Eruption

Carpenters - Top of the World

Kenny G - Auld Lang Syne

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

Many happy returns! In this holiday episode, Mat and Tim consider why the Christmas music songbook has become so stagnant – then, after diagnosing the problems they see with the holiday music canon, they prescribe a solution that could finally thaw out the frozen genre.

SONGS PLAYED:

Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime

Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum

Traditional Choir - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Gene Autry - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters - Male Kalikimaka

Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

Dean Martin - Silver Bells

Michael Bublé - Santa Baby

Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus

Gayla Peevey - I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride

Ed Sheeran - Boat

Ed Sheeran - Shape of You

THE HEADLINERS:

Ed Sheeran on His New Song for ‘That Christmas’ and His Next Album: ‘I’m Getting Back Into Big Pop’

It’s Official: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Is History’s First $2 Billion Tour

'Wicked' Flies Past Another Huge Domestic Box Office Milestone

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Ya got a podcast! With a capital P and that rhymes with E and that stands for Earbuddies. In this episode, Mat and Tim reflect on the rich history of movie musicals––from the "golden age" of the 1940s and 50s to today. Then they weigh in on the new film adaptation of Wicked. Grab your broomsticks and hang on tight!

SONGS PLAYED:

Oklahoma! – from Oklahoma!

Don't Rain On My Parade – from Funny Girl

Sixteen Going On Seventeen – from The Sound of Music

Friend Like Me – from Aladdin

Tonight – from West Side Story

Sunrise, Sunset – from Fiddler on the Roof

Alexander Hamilton – from Hamilton: An American Musical

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Popular – from Wicked (2003)

No One Mourns the Wicked – from Wicked (2024)

The Wizard and I – from Wicked (2024)

One Short Day – from Wicked (2024)

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2003)

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Singin' in the Rain – from Singin' in the Rain

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Kendrick Lamar – squabble up

Kendrick Lamar – hey now

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

On October 29th, 2024, Pitchfork published Shaad D'Souza's lukewarm review of Halsey's new album, The Great Impersonator. The same day, Halsey took to social media and called attention to D'Souza's review, inviting their followers to come after him online.

This online moment inspired music journalist Grace Robins-Somerville to write about the worsening cultural climate around fans, "stans," and toxic fandom. Grace's work can be found in Stereogum, Paste Magazine, The Alternative, and in her newsletter, Our Band Could Be Your Wife.

Grace joined Mat and Tim to discuss toxic fan culture – and to consider what a brighter future for music criticism and fandom might look like.

Discussed:

Stans vs. Music Journalism (Again) by Grace Robins-Somerville

Chappell Roan and the Perils of Parasociality by Grace Robins-Somerville

Songs Played:

Halsey - Lucky

Camila Cabello - I LUV IT

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Charli XCX - apple

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

We're back! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on their time away from the pod – then they consider what the upcoming season of Earbuddies might look like thematically. Oh yeah, we're navel-gazing! Come along for the fun.

SONGS PLAYED:

Insane Clown Posse - Hokus Pokus

Alan Menken & Howard Ashman - Beauty and the Beast

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

Elton John - Circle of Life

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

Or is it... Pod Buddy Summer? In this ep, Mat and Tim suspend their summer hiatus to catch up on a momentous season for pop music, spearheaded by Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX. So many killer tunes in one summer! But where do Taylor Swift and Katy Perry fit into the mix?

This episode contains explicit language.

SONGS PLAYED:

Chappell Roan - HOT TO GO!

Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!

Chappell Roan - Red Wine Supernova

Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please

Charli XCX - 360

Taylor Swift - The Alchemy

Katy Perry - Woman's World

Charli XCX - Girl, so confusing

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this season finale, Mat and Tim read excerpts from an article by Leonard Bernstein for The Atlantic entitled "Speaking of Music," published in December of 1957. Leonard's words cause the buddies to consider: what's the point of this entire podcast?

We thank you for your continued support of Earbuddies. Regular episode releases will continue in the fall of 2024. You may also receive bonus episodes in your feed as the summer progresses. So please don't unsubscribe! Please.

SONGS PLAYED:

Ludwig von Beethoven - Eroica Symphony

Shenandoah (arr. Frank Ticheli)

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Orchestral Version)

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

The British are coming! In this episode, Mat and Tim lead the Earbuddies Army to the battlefield. On the other side: the "21st Century Mozart," Jacob Collier. Who is he? What's his deal? Why does he make music the way that he does – and what's the difference between good music and good songs?

SONGS PLAYED:

Jacob Collier - All Night Long (feat. Take 6)

Jacob Collier - Over You (feat. aespa & Chris Martin)

Lizzy McAlpine - erase me (feat. Jacob Collier)

Jacob Collier - Summer Rain (feat. Madison Cunningham & Chris Thile)

Jacob Collier - Isn't She Lovely

Jacob Collier - Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing

Jacob Collier - Flintstones

Jacob Collier - With the Love In My Heart

Jacob Collier - Moon River

Jacob Collier - 100,000 Voices

Jacob Collier - Do You Feel Love (feat. Steve Vai)

Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In the End

Jacob Collier - The Audience Choir (Live at O2 Academy Brixton, London)

Jacob Collier - Little Blue (feat. Brandi Carlile)

Bill Withers - Lean On Me

Nemo - The Code

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

Also, nobody actually sponsors Earbuddies. We're just joking.

Pucker up! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on a sub-sub-sub-genre of emo music that was, plain and simple, made for kissin'. (And for weeping over the kisses you'll no longer get.) Plus: circling back to the presidential canine situation.

SONGS PLAYED:

From First To Last - Emily

Secondhand Serenade - Fall For You

Taking Back Sunday - New American Classic

Something Corporate - As You Sleep

Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities

A Day To Remember - If It Means a Lot To You

Daphne Loves Derby - Hopeless Love

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel

Straylight Run - Existentialism On Prom Night

Boys Like Girls - Thunder

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

In this solo ep, Tim's thinking different! He recalls the remarkable history of the iPod and the rise of the digital music era – and suggests that the golden age of music consumption is in the rearview.

SONGS PLAYED:

Yuzzy - A Little Morning

Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Yuzzy - Running Wild

U2 - Vertigo

The Philadelphia Orchestra - Clair de Lune

Yuzzy - Elipse

Yuzzy - Thin Paper Hut

Yuzzy - Snow Morning

Prestige Podcast Background Music by Yuzzy: https://bit.ly/2nUbGqD

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.