Song Smart

Dan and Jonathan are ready for the world's latest spring clean, tackling your questions and tidying up a few matters relating to the podcast more generally. Just where is Joe? Is it meaningless to analyse an artist's vocal performance in a modern pop song? Do we (Joe included) really hate deathcore? How will our new system for reviewing albums work? Roll up your sleeves and grab a duster to join us as we put this house in order and address some of your most pressing inquiries! (Recorded July 2026.)

Serial yappers (and marathon listeners) Dan and Jonathan are back to ponder a question which they are arguably least naturally disposed to answer: how important is that all too fleeting first impression when it comes to music? Is it inherently a good thing for songs to be catchy? How significant in the long run were the first impressions Dan and Jonathan had of some of their favourite artists? Just what is demoitis? Join us as we cover as many bases as possible - including our recollections of our first impressions of each other! - in our attempt to leave a dent in this hydra-headed question. (Recorded June 2026.)

Are you going up or down? Join Dan and Jonathan as they squeeze in to review Hamish Hawk's lofty lift album from the inside! Why does Heavy Elevator hold a special place in Dan's affections? What structural secret does Jonathan think lies behind 'Vivian Comma' being the album's opener? Can either of the guys figure out why 'Heavy Elevator' is the project's title track? Hop in before the doors close to explore an album full of dense lyricism, creeping uncertainty and tantalising obscurity. (Recorded May 2026.)

Dan and Jonathan are back with an entirely new format, armed to the teeth with some of their favourite songs of all time! Listen along to the tracks (Song Smart Ep #35: The Best Songs... Ever? - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and discover: why does Jonathan consider 'The Roof (Back In Time)' to be one of the best songs ever written from a lyrical perspective? What is it about Anaïs Mitchell's delivery in 'Young Man In America' which Dan finds so successful on the storytelling front? Is 'Diary' the right track to finally help Jonathan convince Dan of Alicia Keys's excellence? Sidestep the cynicism and snobbery as we share some of the music we love most with each other and all of you. (Recorded March 2026.)

It's finally happening - ! Join Joe on an investigation into Dan's relatively recent (and still developing) love of jazz. How did Dan navigate the labyrinthine world of jazz when he was first starting to explore it in earnest? What impact did World War II have on the history of jazz? Why is it that the titans of jazz played with so many different bands over the years? Whether you don't know your bebop from your elbow or you're head of the Miles Davis fan club, strap in for a joyful journey of passion, discovery and massive hands. (Recorded February 2026.)

The guys are finally back together and ready to weigh up the assorted values and demerits of musical reviews. What extra information does Jonathan think Metacritic scores can reveal about an artist's career? Why does Dan not consider reaction videos to be a form of review? Are negative reviews ever worth perusing? Ease back into Song Smart with us as we try and decide whether or not reviews are worth the paper on which they used to be printed! (Recorded February 2026.)

Finally, a short episode - ! This is just a quick update to let you know that we'll be back proper from next week, June 10th.

The Song Smart Awards are back! Join Dan, Joe and Jonathan as they shine a light on some of their top picks from 2025 in categories including 'Best Song', 'Best Album / EP' and 'The New Horizons Prize'. Whose song of the year connects them with their inner child? What gives the edge to Jonathan's pick for best album in a year with such stiff competition? Why is Joe generally wary of handing out 'The New Horizons Prize'? As 2026 looms large ahead of us, raise a toast and help us celebrate another year positively overflowing with excellent music! (Recorded December 2025.)

One man, 13 chart-toppers and no holds barred! Hang out with Jonathan as he sifts through the tracks which went to #1 in the UK this year and decides which of them - if any - are worth getting excited about. Why is he surprised that Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' managed to top the singles chart? Which two established British pop traditions does he think Lola Young exists somewhere between? How can he defend describing Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' as "a load of old rubbish"? From predictions of continued success to somewhat politely phrased criticisms brace for impact as Jonathan discloses what he really thinks about some of this year's biggest hits. (Recorded November 2025.)

Dan earns his Santa's helper stripes by getting Scrooge and The Grinch - Joe and Jonathan - to share their feelings towards Christmas music and music at Christmas. How is it that all 3 of us consider 'Driving Home For Christmas' a classic? Who fondly remembers growing up attending carol concerts by the local primarily euphonium (citation needed) brass band? What was Dan's starring role in the Nativity at school? Listen along to some of our Christmas favourites (Song Smart Ep #30: Christmas Music - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and raise a glass with us to what many insist is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. (Recorded October 2025.)

Card-carrying pop punk lovers Alex and Dan relive the genre's golden era (by their own reckoning circa 1994 - 2009), from Green Day and blink-182 to Sum 41, Avril Lavigne and beyond! Which artists does Alex use as the benchmarks on his 'is it just pop? is it just punk?' spectrum? Why does Dan think the genre felt a little past its prime by the end of the noughties? What important discovery has Alex made recently about the Good Charlotte track 'Wondering'? Join us this time for a laid-back, laugh-filled journey down memory lane. (Recorded August 2025.)

Join Jonathan as he goes head-to-head with the latest album from the behemoth of pop music herself, Taylor Swift. Which latent theme does Jonathan think critics and fans alike have overlooked? To whom does he think 'Eldest Daughter' is addressed? Why does he have such a problem with tracks 7 to 10? If you're after a review which tunes out the background noise surrounding Taylor Swift and hones in on the album's various accomplishments and shortcomings, this might be just the one for you! (Recorded October 2025.)

To celebrate one year of Song Smart officially launching the gang sit down and talk over the project so far, from the fantastic to the fumbled. Which early episodes were left on the cutting room floor? How did the podcast end up with its squawking seagull logo? What have the guys learnt about themselves through a year of listening back to their own musings? Grab a slice of cake and join us as we cover the past, present and future of this podcast, including announcing which member will be taking a step back for a while in the immediate future... (Recorded September 2025.)

Join Alex and Jonathan on a side quest through the fascinating world of music in video games. Which extra considerations need to be made for music in games compared to music in films? How do extreme sports games use music to enhance the atmospheres they are creating? What is it about retro video games' soundtracks that the guys speculate shields them from becoming annoying, even when they're simple and repetitive? Pick up the spare controller and join us for an episode decades in the making! (Recorded August 2025.)

Alex introduces the gang to not only his album of the year but one of his all-time favourite albums... ever! What does Alex mean when he says he finds silence in music heavy? How does Jonathan think the album's structure aids in developing and conveying its core themes? Which of the record's guitar parts does Dan find most fun? Join us and bask in the warmth of Alex's admiration for this somewhat icy, undead project. (Recorded July 2025.)

Stop us if you've heard this one before...! Joe leads the gang in a discussion centred around covers while Dan has his co-hosts guess which tracks he grew up not realising were cover versions. How does additional context enhance No Doubt's take on 'It's My Life'? Is it even worth an artist covering something as iconic as 'We Will Rock You'? Did Dan really think 'Since U Been Gone' was an A Day To Remember song? Listen along to some of our favourite covers (Song Smart Ep #24: Cover Versions - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and strap in for a rollercoaster ride through totally new territories as of yet untouched on this podcast! (Recorded May 2025.)

The (silver) tongues are out for another game night! Play along as Alex, Dan and Jonathan try to guess the correct endings to lyrics while also attempting to sell their own fake offerings as the real deal. Can Dan reclaim his crown as game episode champion? Will Alex's theory of the best option usually being the correct one take him to victory? Does Jonathan have too much faith in anaphora? Listen along and see just how difficult it can be to spot fact from fiction. (Recorded July 2025.)

Alex, Dan and Joe earn their 'biggest gigger' credentials by talking over the many-splendoured world of festivals, shows and tours. What does Dan love about folk gigs in particular? Which aspect of recently seeing Motionless In White live really impressed Alex? How important does Joe find show bill construction? From the methodologies of artists forging a connection with their audiences to the worrying monetary realities looming over music venues in 2025, settle in for an extensive investigation into the realm of all things live music. (Recorded May 2025.)

This time Alex leads the charge and introduces Dan, Joe and Jonathan to the synth-heavy, industrial world of Aesthetic Perfection in those all-important 10 tracks. Give Alex's picks a spin (Song Smart Ep #21: Aesthetic Perfection In 10 - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and contemplate with us whether industrial pop is inherently something of a paradox, the ways in which Aesthetic Perfection injects industrial sensibilities into non-industrial soundscapes and just how deep Dan's bag of unexpected points of reference goes. (Recorded April 2025.)

Join Alex, Dan and Jonathan as they light the candles and burn the incense for a soothing round of musical therapy - that is, a discussion all about the ways in which music and emotion interact. Is the main purpose of music to engender an emotional response? What exactly does 'emotional tourism' mean in a musical context? Which childhood memory does Jonathan still associate with 'Happy Birthday'? Settle down and get to know us a little better in (theoretically) our most zen episode to date. (Recorded May 2025.)

Alex, Dan and Jonathan ponder the occasionally apocalyptic undertones of Miley Cyrus's new album Something Beautiful. Why does Jonathan think there's tension beneath the album's hooky, fuzzy soundscape? Which track is Alex's clear, unexpected standout? What is it about 'End Of The World' which divides opinion within the group? Join us as we put another of this year's big name pop releases under the microscope! (Recorded June 2025.)

Alex and Joe pool their resources to assess the world of heavy music as it currently stands. Why does Alex think nu metal bands like Korn have enjoyed such a resurgence in the last year or so? What are Deafheaven doing which keeps Joe so excited and engaged as a listener? How does Joe measure whether an act is ready to headline a festival? From Sleep Token to Calva Louise and Spiritbox to Electric Callboy, join us for a dive into the thrashing waves of the heavy music space. (Recorded May 2025.)

As the weather heats up the guys let off some steam by sharing a few of their musical hot takes with each other. Who thinks sound design > rhythm > melody? Which modern modifications does Dan think classical music is overdue embracing? Why does Jonathan think success is the worst thing to happen to Adele? Join the gang for a good-natured exorcism of some very particular musical opinions! (Recorded April 2025.)

The gang tackle one of life (or at least this podcast)'s great mysteries: does genre really matter? How does Alex think genres are similar to Italian food? Could Dan fairly be accused of gatekeeping the emo playlist at his climbing gym? Is pop even a genre? Discover the answers on our journey through one of our most labyrinthine prompts yet! (Recorded February 2025.)

It's Dan's turn to take the plunge and introduce Alex, Joe and Jonathan to an artist whose discography he adores - this time Scottish star Hamish Hawk - in just 10 tracks. Listen along to Dan's picks (Song Smart Ep #15: Hamish Hawk In 10 - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and join us as we discuss how Hamish Hawk's lyrics serve as his own mission statement, the progression in style of his vocal delivery and why his recent output makes us so excited to hear more from him in the future. (Recorded March 2025.)

... you all saw this coming, right? In the wake of their 'Beginner's Guide' the gang come together again to discuss Lady Gaga's new album MAYHEM. How does the album's visual direction complement its core themes? Why does Jonathan love 'Vanish Into You' so much? Has anyone softened on their feelings towards 'Die With A Smile'? From the magic of Gesaffelstein's touch on 'Garden Of Eden' to the darkness of the self-referential lyrics in 'Perfect Celebrity', join us for a deep dive into one of the year's most exciting pop releases to date. (Recorded March 2025.)

Dan shares one of his favourite albums with fellow folk enthusiast Joe (who yes, already knows it) and Jonathan (who most certainly doesn't). How did Johnny Flynn's sound mark him out from his contemporaries on the nu-folk scene? What does Dan love so much about 'The Wrote & The Writ'? Has Jonathan uncovered a dark secret within the dense lyrics of 'Sally'? Roll around with us (like marbles on the floor) as we tackle this thought-provoking album head-on. (Recorded January 2025.)

The guys put their heads together to see if they can agree on any essential quality a theoretical perfect album must contain. To what extent should an album's length be tailored to its soundscape and energy level? Which factors do the gang feel anchor an album most coherently as a unit? Just how long is a piece of fish? Alas, not every question has an answer but that won't stop us from trying! (Recorded November 2024.)

The sweet smell of retribution is in the air as the gang play another round of 'Who Said That?', a game of musical truths and social deceptions. Was discovering new music better pre-streaming? Are debut albums held in too high esteem? Who is coming out of the closet as a covert Ed Sheeran defender? Press play and all will be revealed... but not necessarily forgiven! (Recorded September 2024.)

Joe and Jonathan have a cosy chat about everything pop, from what's dominated the space recently to their own tastes and preferences. Which shared quality draws Joe to both pop and metal? Do Taylor Swift and Charli xcx's latest releases have more in common than first meets the ear? What does Jonathan think the pop climate in 2025 might incline towards? (Recorded January 2025.)

The gang sit down to chew over the importance of lyrics in music. Can a lyric be separated from how it's delivered? Does 'woah' count as lyrical content? Are certain genres more lyrically idiosyncratic than others? Pick over this hefty topic with us and ask yourself the million dollar question: do lyrics really matter? (Recorded July 2024.)

Ahead of the release of Lady Gaga's 7th (pop) studio album in March, Jonathan brings Alex, Dan and Joe up to speed on her remarkable career to date. Who thinks The Fame is an impressively astute debut album? What might the 'Applause' music video have to do with Shakespeare's The Tempest? Which pop trope is Joanne potentially subverting? Listen along to some of our favourite Gaga songs (Song Smart Ep #08: A Beginner's Guide To Lady Gaga - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and muse over the discography of Mother Monster along with us. (Recorded December 2024.)

Joe rises to the gargantuan task of introducing Alex, Dan and Jonathan to one of his all-time favourite bands - Baroness - in just 10 tracks. Listen along to Joe's introductory playlist (Song Smart Ep #07: Baroness In 10 - playlist by Song Smart | Spotify) and ponder along with us what makes Baroness's guitar work so distinctive, how they've experimented with and evolved their sound without losing their identity and whether or not they could ever be accused of recording a power ballad. (Recorded May 2024.)

Put on your glad rags and help the guys wave 2024 off in style by attending the first ever Song Smart Awards! In a year jam-packed with excellent music who will take home prestigious titles including 'Best Song', 'Best Gig' and 'The New Horizons Prize'? From Maruja and Hamish Hawk to FEVER 333 and Halsey, prepare for a smorgasbord of stuff worth celebrating from 4 very different musical worlds. (Recorded December 2024.)

Get your Miss Marple on and prepare to point fingers with the gang as they play a game of 'Who Said That?', wherein bold statements must be correctly tied to the person who submitted them. Who thinks funk is the vegan meat of music? How can the claim 'rock is dead' be defended? What does Jonathan think of folk music? Brace yourself and trust no one for our most deceptive episode yet! (Recorded September 2024.)

Join Alex, Dan and Jonathan for something between a pontificating probe and a scrying session into AI's place in the world of music. Where do the guys think AI will make a big impact in the near future? What do they think AI will struggle to replicate? Do they think gatekeeping will shut AI out of the creative process? Plug in, press play and ponder over a mere handful of the possibilities with us. (Recorded June 2024.)

Don appropriate footwear and join proud nerd-metal enthusiasts Dan and Joe down at Fernhill Farm for a fond look back at this year's ArcTanGent Festival. Why is ATG the best festival Dan has ever attended? Which drummer somehow managed to be "loose but tight"? How would a little schoolboy French have come in handy? The answers are but a click away... (Recorded September 2024.)

The gang are back to discuss the latest studio albums of Elbow (AUDIO VERTIGO) and Shakira (Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran). Which album is maybe the antithesis of Alex's personal taste? What caveat prevents Joe from fully enjoying 'Puntería'? How exactly does Evanescence's 'My Immortal' factor into the equation? Settle down with this (overly ambitious!) double review episode and find out. (Recorded April 2024.)

Join Alex, Dan and Jonathan as they pick away at some of their own musical preconceptions and sore spots. Who can't abide a marimba at the climbing gym? What is a doughy album, exactly? Who does Jonathan find crushingly disappointing? Sit down for a whinge with us and all will come to light! (Recorded April 2024.)

Hi everyone, welcome to Song Smart! Join the gang for a light-hearted chat about themselves and this project. Who thinks recording a podcast is the same as enjoying junk food? When does Dan think Green Day lost their way? How are John Coffey and Beyoncé linked? Press play and all will be revealed... (Recorded March 2024.)