Episode 47: HEALTH

“Stonefist”

SongExploder47

The band HEALTH formed in Los Angeles in 2005. Their newest record, Death Magic, came out in 2015. They spent four years trying to make it. They describe themselves as a noise band, but for this record, they reinvented their palette and their process. In this episode, John and Jake from HEALTH take apart the song Stonefist, which they made with their bandmates, Jupiter Keyes and BJ Miller.

Buy the HEALTH record: on their website, on iTunes, or on Amazon.

Watch the “Stonefist” video:

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Lady Gaga – Telephone (feat. Beyoncé)

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Episode 46: Unknown Mortal Orchestra

“Multi-Love”

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Multi-Love is the title track from the 2015 album by Unknown Mortal Orchestra. When the song was first released, it was named Best New Track by Pitchfork. In this episode, Ruban Nielson tells the story of how he made the song with help from his brother Kody Nielson, and how it was influenced by Romeo and Juliet, Questlove, and a broken synthesizer.

Buy “Multi-Love” on iTunes.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Questlove interview with Red Bull (2013)
Quindon Tarver – Everybody’s Free (from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack)

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Episode 45: Thundercat

“Them Changes”

SongExploder45

Thundercat is the alter-ego of bassist and singer-songwriter Stephen Bruner. He’s played bass for both Suicidal Tendencies and Erykah Badu and went on to help shape Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. In this episode, Thundercat breaks down his song “Them Changes.” Thundercat co-produced the track with his long-time collaborator Flying Lotus, with Kamasi Washington on saxophone.

Buy “Them Changes” on iTunes.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
The Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark
Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
Moogerfooger Envelope Filter

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