Riffs on Riffs
Riffs on Riffs is about the thrill of musical discovery — that tingle down your spine when a perfect melody kicks in. Every chart-topper is a sonic time capsule. We'll crack it open, trace its history, decode those cryptic lyrics, and unearth the hidden gems in its musical DNA. Hosts Joe and Toby are back as your audio archaeologists, digging up the stories behind the songs. But here's where it gets fun. From those melodies, we riff. Wild tangents, pop culture connections, personal stories, those "shower thoughts" sparked by a killer chorus – think of it as the ultimate deep dive followed by a freewheeling jam session inspired by the hits. Dust off your headphones and get ready to rediscover those songs you thought you knew.
Episodes
April 28, 2026 • 51 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, we unpack “Folded” by Kehlani—a song that’s equal parts breakup, late-night temptation, and emotional tug-of-war. Inspired by a shoutout from Olivia Dean, we dive into why this track has resonated so widely—and why it might not be as straightforward as it sounds.
Along the way, we trace Kehlani’s journey from a turbulent childhood and early industry struggles to Grammy-winning recognition, remind...
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April 13, 2026 • 55 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dig into “If You Don’t Want My Love” by Jalen Ngonda — a track that feels equal parts vintage and urgent.
From the moment the needle drops (figuratively speaking), the conversation moves beyond the song itself and into something deeper: love, longing, and what we do when connection isn’t returned.
Along the way, they unpack Ngonda’s origin story—from Maryland roots to the Liverp...
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March 27, 2026 • 56 mins
Happy hour meets high art in this episode of Riffs, as Joe and Toby crack open a drink—and Harry Styles’ latest single, “Aperture.” What starts as a laid-back catch-up quickly unfolds into a thoughtful exploration of artistry, vulnerability, and what it really means to “let the light in.”
The guys dig into Harry’s evolution from boy band phenom to genre-defying artist, unpacking how Aperture reflects a deeper creative freedom. Th...
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March 11, 2026 • 58 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive into Megan Moroney’s breakout hit “Tennessee Orange.” What begins as a conversation about Moroney’s songwriting quickly expands into a lively discussion about modern country music, storytelling, and the formula behind hit songs.
Joe and Toby explore the clever narrative hook at the center of “Tennessee Orange.” The song opens with a line that feels like a confession or crisis, o...
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February 23, 2026 • 48 mins
On this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby tumble headfirst into the dreamy deep end with “No One Noticed” by The Marías, a song that doesn’t so much start as it appears, like fog rolling under a streetlamp. After a very calm, very normal intro that absolutely does not get hijacked immediately (😅), the guys unpack why this track hits with such quiet force: it’s simple on paper, hypnotic in practice, and emotionally loud witho...
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February 2, 2026 • 70 mins
Can you really go back to being “just friends”?
In this episode Joe and Toby dig into “Back to Friends” by rising artist sombr, unpacking why this deceptively simple breakup song hits such a deep nerve. What starts as a discussion about a chart-climbing track quickly becomes a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, emotional maturity, artistic process, and the strange pressures of blowing up at twenty years old.
Joe and T...
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January 22, 2026 • 56 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby unpack Ella Langley’s breakout country single “Choosin' Texas” and use it as a launchpad for a wide-ranging conversation about authenticity, songwriting, and what it means to grow up musically without losing your soul. What starts as a joke about surprise Midwest snowfall quickly turns into a thoughtful exploration of why this song feels different from so much of modern pop-country, a...
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January 11, 2026 • 39 mins
Joe and Toby clock in just ahead of game time to break down “All the Way” by BigXThaPlug, a country-rap crossover featuring Bailey Zimmerman. What starts as a quick review turns into a wide-ranging riff on genre blending, formulaic pop music, and where authenticity still lives in an increasingly algorithm-driven soundscape. Both hosts land in the same place with different routes: the song is fine, serviceable, and clearly engineere...
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December 20, 2025 • 63 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby take a deep, joyful, and thoughtful journey into “Baile Inolvidable”, a song that feels like a dance remembered long after the music stops. What begins as a discussion of Bad Bunny’s latest single quickly unfolds into a rich conversation about salsa, nostalgia, cultural memory, and what it means to honor your roots while still pushing art forward.
We explore how “Baile Inolvidable” f...
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November 25, 2025 • 63 mins
Welcome back to Riffs on Riffs, where in this episode Joe and Toby break down Amber Mark’s “Sweet Serotonin,” a track off her latest album Pretty Ideas, and explore why she’s becoming one of the most compelling voices in modern pop, R&B, and genre-bending artistry.
They dive into Amber’s global background—Jamaican roots, German family, years spent in Berlin, India, Miami, and New York—and how that cultural mixtape shapes her sound...
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November 9, 2025 • 65 mins
When Daniel Caesar quietly dropped his album "Son of Spergy", most of the world didn’t see it coming. In this episode Joe and Toby dive deep into Caesar’s lead single “Call On Me,” uncovering the soulful layers, hidden nuance, and emotional depth that make his music feel both intimate and transcendent.
Per usual, the conversation starts with a laugh — Shakespeare references, hats, and Toby’s ongoing book of analogies — but soon sp...
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October 31, 2025 • 56 mins
Sink your teeth into Tame Impala’s “Dracula” as Joe and Toby riff on the glittering, slightly dystopian pull of Kevin Parker’s synth-pop era. Is “Dracula” a shimmering cousin to “The Less I Know the Better”? Where do The Weeknd vibes and MJ/“Thriller” nods fit in? The duo debates lone-wolf studio genius vs. the power of collaboration, decode the video’s cult-ish unease, geek out on sounds (hello, Rhodes), and swap notes on why nigh...
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October 9, 2025 • 59 mins
Slide into cozy Sunday-morning vibes with Joe and Toby as they dive into Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” from her new album The Art of Loving. They unpack why this track is exploding right now, trace the album’s inspirations (bell hooks’ All About Love and a Mickalene Thomas installation), and explore the record’s intentional warmth — “fearless joy” delivered with classic, less-is-more production and a spotlight on Dean’s voice.
In th...
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September 23, 2025 • 59 mins
Joe and Toby ladle up a hearty conversation about Remi Wolf’s track “Soup” from her 2024 release Big Ideas. From funky basslines to chaotic brilliance, they break down how Remi’s stream-of-consciousness writing and fearless authenticity create songs that are equal parts journal entry and anthem.
Along the way, Joe and Toby reflect on what it means to show up as your whole self—in music, in work, and in life. Expect tangents on chi...
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September 9, 2025 • 57 mins
“Sometimes all I think about is you…” In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby revisit Glass Animals’ breakout hit “Heat Waves” — the indie-pop anthem that simmered for more than a year before reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. They explore how a song written in an hour became a global phenomenon, fueled by TikTok trends, a FIFA soundtrack placement, and a slow-burn resonance during the isolation of the pandemic.
The hos...
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August 25, 2025 • 62 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive deep into the mysterious world of Sleep Token and their hauntingly beautiful track “Aqua Regia.” From masked identities and cult-like lore to genre-bending fusion of jazz chords, hip hop grooves, and metal intensity, the hosts unravel what makes this band so captivating.
Joe introduces the track as a “gateway drug” into Sleep Token’s catalog, while Toby breaks down Vessel’s voca...
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August 7, 2025 • 51 mins
Toby and Joe explore one of the most powerful tracks in recent hip hop memory: “The Birds Don’t Sing” by Clipse. This chronicle of lived experience is a song that delivers raw vulnerability, poetic lyricism, and emotional depth.
They unpack the sibling synergy of Pusha T and Malice, reflect on how the song’s lyrics about loss, grief, and family resonate universally, and celebrate the grown-man energy that defines this track and th...
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July 23, 2025 • 52 mins
Joe and Toby step into the funky vortex of the 90s to revisit Jamiroquai’s iconic hit "Virtual Insanity." From sliding sofas and wild hats to acid jazz breakdowns and ballet-inspired footwork, the duo dives deep into what made this track and its legendary video so unforgettable.
Along the way, they unpack the legacy of acid jazz as the spiritual ancestor of lo-fi, the entertaining genius of Jay Kay, and the unsung heroics of bassi...
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July 10, 2025 • 47 mins
On this episode of Riffs on Riffs we throw caution (and rhythm) to the wind as we dive into WALK THE MOON’s unstoppable earworm, “Shut Up and Dance.” From wedding reception dance floors to nostalgic 80s synthpop vibes, learn how a spur-of-the-moment lyric became a global indie-pop anthem.
Join us as we reminisce about awkward dancefloor moments, wax poetic about college memories, and draw hilarious parallels between the song and C...
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June 25, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive deep into the song 'Ordinary' by Alex Warren, exploring its themes, musical style, and the personal experiences that shaped it. They discuss Warren's journey from social media influencer to musician, the impact of personal trauma on songwriting, and the evolving landscape of the music industry in the age of social media. Learn about the subtle (and obvious) connections to Gospel ...
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