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NY Times Critics Unpack the Controversial Songwriters List | The Track Star Podcast

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by New York Times music reporters Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli following the publication of the NYT’s “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.”

As the hosts of the popular music podcast “Popcast,” Jon and Joe are no strangers to passionate debate. Their work often explores contemporary music through both a critical and historical lens, helping listeners make sense of today’s artists in the broader context of popular music.

Although we only have time to dive into a handful of names from the list, Jon and Joe unpack the thinking behind their selections, discuss the challenges of being music critics and reporters in the modern media landscape, and share what continues to inspire their curiosity about music far beyond their own tastes and expertise.

This Episode’s Tracklist:
- Intro
- This Is What You Came For - Calvin Harris, Rihanna
- Digits - Young Thug
- I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
- The Book of Love - The Magnetic Fields
- Obsesión - Aventura, Judy Santos
- The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every week. Let us know what artist, theme, or unexpected guest you want us to explore next.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-track-star-podcast-294088650/
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa

Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Haley Sobel, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins, Simone Woronoff

By Track Star* @track-star-show on YouTube, 3 June 2026

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Video: Track Star* (@track-star-show) on YouTube, posted 3 June 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjJBC04zdA8
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