The Last Mixed Tape

In this episode of The Last Mixed Tape, host Stephen White examines the backlash following Julian Casablancas' controversial analogy comparing American Zionists to enslaved Black people. The discussion highlights the impact of viral media on political discourse, the pitfalls of historical comparisons, and the urgency of addressing conversations about Gaza and displacement.

Phoebe Bridgers is back with Lost Boys, her first solo single from the newly announced album Lost Weekend and buried inside the song is a dark inversion of one of the most famous slogans in protest music. Woody Guthrie wrote: “This Machine Kills Fascists.” Phoebe Bridgers sings: “This machine is killing me.” In this video […]

The video essay discusses Róisín Murphy's recent comments about transgender people, which have drawn criticism from artists and strained her relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. It examines the impact of such estrangement on an artist's identity and legacy, exploring the interplay between music, culture, and audience interpretation.

Olivia Rodrigo's collaboration with Robert Smith of The Cure highlights the evolving music landscape shaped by platforms like TikTok and Spotify. The episode examines how younger artists introduce Gen Z to past music, creating a cultural bridge, and discusses David Byrne's perspective on music discovery as an archive rather than a timeline.