
Music journalist and EIC of Shaad Magazine Shaad D’Souza joins Yasi to talk about the best new music coming out of the U.K. right now. They discuss how they find new artists, gimmicks vs. authenticity, the Windmill scene, and the importance of going to shows in the algorithm era.
Next, one of our favorite new U.K. bands, Mary in the Junkyard, sits down with Yasi to talk about coming up in south London, the not-very-secret identity of the old man on their album cover, and the benefits of tumbling. Plus, a reenactment of the very important phone call that brought the band together.
Episode Playlist
Listen to the Best New U.K. Music Playlist here
Subscribe on YouTube
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guests: Shaad D’Souza @shaad, Mary in the Junkyard @maryinthejunkyrd
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Adrian Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 10
2 hr 21 min

Whitmer Thomas ('Terminal Crew of Dudes,' 'Weapons') joins Yasi to break down "Iris," the Goo Goo Dolls hit that became one of the defining songs of the late ’90s. They discuss the song’s origins on the 'City of Angels' soundtrack, the band’s punk beginnings, John Rzeznik’s singular and deeply inspiring (to Whitmer) hairstyle, and that iconic, rain-drenched performance of "Iris" in their hometown of Buffalo that somehow made a perfect song even more perfect.
Subscribe on YouTube
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guest: Whitmer Thomas @whitmerthomas
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Adrian Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 3
1 hr 12 min

It's time for a loaded mailbag, and Yasi is handling this one solo. She’s tackling questions on skin-care routines, the importance of physical media, and the best venues for seeing a show. Plus: Learn whether 24 is too old. (Spoiler: It’s not.)
Next, Iceage’s Elias Bender Ronnenfelt and Johan Suurballe Wieth join Yasi to discuss their new album, 'For Love of Grace & the Hereafter.' They talk about the Copenhagen music scene, the epiphany of direction, scoring films, and befriending crows.
Check out Iceage’s ‘For Love of Grace & the Hereafter’ here
Subscribe on YouTube
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guest: Elias Bender Rønnenfelt and Johan Suurballe Wieth @iceage
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Adrien Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 20
2 hr 9 min

Sean Fennessey joins Yasi to build the Music Biopic Hall of Fame, from the 1940s to today. Along the way, they consider what makes a great music biopic, why rock and roll lends itself so well to the genre, and why a great central performance doesn’t always mean a great movie. Plus: Yasi’s cocurated Criterion Channel collection, the movies that belong in the trash, and the TV movie that ‘Odyssey’ star Matt Damon really deserved an Oscar for.
Check out the curated Criterion Channel collection here.
Plus: Yasi and Sean on 24 Hour Party People
And the Top 20 on Letterboxd
Subscribe on YouTube
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Sean Fennessey @seanfennesseyProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Jon JonesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 13
2 hr 38 min

Yasi is joined by returning guest Patrik Sandberg to revisit the soundtrack to 1980 cult film ‘Times Square.’ They cover the scrapped love story between its two leads, the producer’s efforts to turn the project into the next ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ and the decision to market its sprawling punk and new wave soundtrack ahead of the movie itself. Plus: Patrik’s mini deep dive on legendary producer Robert Stigwood and why the greatest influence 'Times Square’ had might be on the generation that followed it.
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guest: Patrik Sandberg @patriksandberg
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Adrian Bridges
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 6
1 hr 58 min

Rob Harvilla joins Yasi to revisit the music of the John Hughes coming-of-age classic ‘Pretty in Pink.’ They discuss the film’s defining mix of new wave and college rock, the eponymous Psychedelic Furs song and its misinterpretation, the ’80s classics that were written specifically for the movie, and why ‘Pretty in Pink’ remains one of the decade’s essential soundtracks.
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Rob Harvilla @harvillaProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30
1 hr 41 min

Amanda Dobbins joins Yasi to take on the Oscar-, Grammy-, and Golden Globe-winning soundtrack to 'Working Girl.' They trace Carly Simon’s path to penning “Let the River Run,” how the Eagles nearly provided the movie’s defining song instead, and the iconic sneakers-to-heels commuter transition. Plus: Who almost played the lead, how much did that apartment really cost, and gifts from Kansas.
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Amanda Dobbins @akdobbinsProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23
1 hr 26 min

Joanna Robinson joins Yasi to break down one of the defining soundtracks of the ’80s: 'Dirty Dancing.' They get into the real-life tension between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze that became undeniable on-screen chemistry, the soundtrack’s seamless blend of ’60s nostalgia and ’80s pop hits, Swayze’s surprise turn as a recording artist with the hit song ‘She’s Like the Wind,’ and how the music helped transform a modestly budgeted film into a full-blown cultural phenomenon.
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Joanna Robinson @jowrotethisProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 16
1 hr 44 min

Madonna Month icon Patrik Sandberg is back to help Yasi break down 'Confessions II,' Madonna’s return to the dance floor. They break down the album’s callbacks to New York nightlife, the name-checks from Debi Mazar and Mark Kamins to Basquiat and Keith Haring, and why Madonna is revisiting one of her most beloved eras. Plus, our review (we love it)!
CREDITS:
Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek
Guests: Patrik Sandberg @patriksandberg
Producer: Rob Sundermann
Editor: Jamie Yukich
Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles
Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 9
2 hr 49 min

Yasi and returning guest Bre Morell discuss their favorite new albums that came out this spring. Plus, the new singles from their most anticipated albums of the summer!
Next, Yasi talks with Domenic “Nicky” Palermo of Nothing about their latest album, ‘a short history of decay’, his Slide Away Music Festival and so, so much more.
Episode PlaylistListen to the Best New Music of Spring 2026 hereAnd in case you missed it, listen to the Best New Music of Winter 2026 episode with Chris Ryan here
CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuests: Bre Morell @bremorell, Domenic “Nicky” Palermo @bandofnothingProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25
2 hr 34 min
Load more
