Helio-Tropes

Chris Gayomali is the editor of SSENSE and runs a health and wellness Substack called HEAVIES. Previously an editor at GQ, he's also written for Fast Company, Highsnobiety, and more. Live from Bed-Stuy, Chris joins us to break down the recent GRAMMY nominations—his predictions about who deserves to win versus who will actually emerge the victor in some of the major categories. We also get into Sydney-based hardcore band SPEED, whom he recently profiled for SSENSE: how he first clocked them through their merch, what makes them stand out, and why having a real vision (and years of experience) still matters in a landscape that often rewards the opposite. We also talk about "Weird Drink," his ever-evolving concoction, how "link in bio" is a total mindf**k by design, and his Top 5 songs at them moment featuring Rosalía, End It, 2Hollis, Joyce Manor, and Satellite Lovers.

Dylan Green is a journalist, critic, and podcaster, as well as the founder, writer, and editor of Hearing Things, a thoughtful music publication. He's also the host and producer of the Reel Notes podcast. Dylan joins HT today to talk about Yash's favorite rap group of all time—the infamous Mobb Deep—and their new album Infinite, which Dylan recently reviewed for Pitchfork. We break down the album in detail: how it arrives as part of Mass Appeal's Legend Has It series, and what it means to the legacy of Mobb Deep more than eight years after the untimely passing of Prodigy. We dive into the album's highlights, production elements, and Alchemist's golden touch, as well as the challenges of putting together a posthumous record. We also get into Nas's role, for better or worse, and how referential music can succeed when it's done right. Dylan also shares his Top 5, featuring tracks from the late D'Angelo, Khadija Al Hanafi, FOHDH Matthew, and KrispyLife Kidd.  

Melissa Emert-Hutner lives in New York and is an SVP of Creative at Kobalt Music, one of the largest music publishers in the world. She joins us today to clear the smog-filled air on music publishing and share what she does day to day to help artists and songwriters make lasting connections and collect royalties. She explains how every artist feels their music is syncable but it's rarely the case, and breaks down the variables that should be considered when thinking about signing a publishing deal—whether before or after a record deal. Truly a crash course episode for both curious music minds and the temporarily misguided. Melissa also drops her Top 5 songs of the moment, including new music from Florence and The Machine, Blondshell, Machine Girl, Lamb of God, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.

SoundFynd is a music discovery platform putting their own spin on the meaning of new media. Founder Tal Kamara and community leader Jocelyn Motley join us to talk about the platform and the broader digital landscape in music coverage of emerging artists. We dig into whether modern-day payola for social media placements is making or breaking the business model, corporate music power structures monopolizing the game, and community building IRL. We also chat about New York indie rock outfit Geese—their not-so-sudden impact and how they stack up against some of the indie rock buzz bands of the blog era. To wrap things up, the SoundFynd gang share their Top 5 songs of the moment, featuring tracks by Jim Legxacy, Mannequin Pussy, Dijon, Sly and The Family Stone, and Cleo Reed.

Theravada is a rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. Fresh off the release of his new album The Years We Have, he joins us from a Brooklyn studio for a wide-ranging conversation to discuss all things in his orbit as of late —from Nike Foamposites to his production on Earl Sweatshirt's latest album Live, Laugh, Love. We also dig into his background as a DJ, including his inventive use of the software Virtual DJ as his weapon of choice for making beats. Theravada walks Yash through his new album track by track, sharing the stories and creative processes that shaped the project over the past two years. A special deep-dive episode for the heads.

Mike Isaac is a music writer and technology correspondent for The New York Times. He joins us from sunny San Francisco to discuss his recent story on the Deftones, their resurgence, and what it was like to kick it with the band as they dug through crates of vinyl at Atomic Records in Burbank, Calif. We also dive into the idea of digital streaming platforms as tech companies, exploring how Spotify and Bandcamp are the same, but wildly different. We dive into The Armed's ferocious new album, THE FUTURE IS HERE AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED, and why this particular moment feels primed for music that lashes back against corruption and the endless flood of toxic social media slop. Finally, we get into Mike's rollercoaster of a Top 5 (songs of the moment) with heat from Teen Mortgage, Desire and Johnny Jewel, Wine Lips, The Osees, and Creed....oh yes we did.

Helio-Tropes 50. Please excuse the audio quality as we continue to experiment with ways to get this plane off the ground. This rare solo episode features Yash, kicking off a new chapter for Helio-Tropes — and life itself. Yash discusses the return of Clipse and their new album Let God Sort 'Em Out: what worked, what didn't, and what was left to be desired. He also explores the pros and cons of streaming platforms; how we're still grappling with the flawed, technological evolution of modern music consumption. The episode dives into Turnstile's ambitious new album Never Enough, and the way it's reshaping hardcore music for mainstream success. Yash shares thoughts on his latest Yak Ballz singles, and wraps up with his current Top 5 — featuring music from Shoreline Mafia, Tony Bontana, Glare, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, and Alaska, Jason Griff & Alex Ludovico.

Justin Staple is for the culture. A journalist, director, and documentarian, Justin's days at VICE led him to shoot his 2020 Hulu documentary American Rapstar, where he chronicled a rebellious new wave of young rappers who used SoundCloud to build intense stan armies — from XXXTentacion to Lil Peep. We get into how this era turned internet fame into million-dollar record deals and opened the door for a whole new generation of artists. We also talk about the producer F1lthy and his huge impact on modern rap, going back to the SoundCloud days and working with everyone from Matt Ox to Drake to Playboi Carti. We touch on how Bhad Bhabie went from viral rap sensation to OnlyFans cash cow, and Jane Remover's Revenge Seekers album, which sits right at the crossroads of the internet and experimental sound. Plus, we talk about the wild new EP from Varg2™ and DJ Smokey, Psychological Musical Warfare 2, and wrap it up with Justin's Top 5 — packed with bangers from Carti, Double Virgo, Edward Skeletrix, and more.    

EricTheYoungGawd is a media personality and journalist with bylines in COMPLEX and a YouTube channel that you should definitely subscribe to. We get right down to business, unpacking the return of Clipse, their new deal with Roc Nation, and how Pusha T is using familiar tricks to stir up controversy. We also talk about Brooklyn rapper MIKE and Tony Seltzer's impressive collaborative album Pinball II and the way MIKE has turned underground buzz into a fledgling rap career. We dive into Lil Wayne's epic brick Tha Carter VI; the disconnected nature of the music and the unexpected collaborations that couldn't save the album from itself. We talk In-N-Out versus Fatburger, and Eric shares his Top 5 songs of the moment—from Moskino, Nourished By Time, Angelo Leroi, Brother Ali, Cameron Winter, and El Cousteau.  Follow Helio-Tropes on Instagram @helio__tropes Follow Yash on Instagram @yashzadeh Follow Eric on Instagram @youaintpackinmeat  

Stephen Malbon is a golf addict who will never recover from it. The founder of Malbon Golf joins us to talk about his interest in music and art—starting from the days of co-founding FRANK 151 to building a golf brand inspired by whatever lifestyle interests cross his mind. We get into his history growing up in Virginia and the early sounds and brands that helped shape his identity. Yash explains how he was captivated by the Futura2000 collaboration with Malbon and what it meant to those in the know. Stephen shares the backstory of how a failed collaboration ended up leading to a collab with Ghostface Killah, and how the Chief Keef Glo Gang collab came out of a longstanding relationship. We also talk about Bieber catching the golf bug, Alice Cooper's obsession with the game, and how one putt set Yash on his fairway journey in this special golf edition of HT.

Anna Zanes is the editor in chief of Alternative Press Magazine. She joins us to talk about honoring the magazine's legacy while driving it forward—diversifying coverage, spotlighting new voices, and pushing the envelope beyond the sausage fest of yesteryear. We also chat about Corbin's very good new album 'Crisis Kid' and some of the history Yash has with the artist formerly known as Spooky Black. We break down Deafheaven's stellar new album Lonely People With Power—what makes it so powerful, their leap from indie to major label, and how they've stayed true to heavy music without compromise. Anna also shares her Top 5 songs of the moment including tracks by Comet, Mould, Viagra Boys, and Sextile. Don't sleep.  

On this week's episode our guest is the founder of SAD PRT, a platform based on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube that showcases emerging underground artists. We talk about how the platform highlights artists and storylines that often don't appear in traditional media, and the ways in which they've successfully built a community of passionate followers around niche music. We get into the rise of 2Hollis and his polarizing major label debut album star, the intentions behind how albums are crafted, and how clips of crowd reactions at live shows have become a critical marketing tool in breaking new artists. We also talk about buzzing UK rapper Fakemink, the sonic world he's built, the art of actually writing down raps, and how he's become a mystical figure to fans, with a dedicated following that continues to grow worldwide. Genre-bending artist Crucify April is also is discussed and we explore the influences and sounds that shape his music, from video game samples to Crystal Castles. And of course, we dive into the current SAD PRT Top 5, featuring tracks from Ghost Mountain, Feng, LUCKI, Eric Aharzoth, and Stiffy & PILF (Zell, Turrobaby, Agus). Banger.  

Kieran Press-Reynolds is a writer with a weekly column at Pitchfork called "Rabbit Holed," exploring songs and scenes at the intersection of music and digital culture. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, Business Insider, No Bells, and more. This episode of HT is a journey into the sprawling world of ASMR, as documented in one of Kieran's latest stories on the topic. Yash admits he is an ASMR truther, while Kieran expands on the many layers and complexities of the styles he has encountered in his everyday life—and those thriving beneath the surface. We also discuss how music relates to ASMR and the bright future of this potential billion-dollar industry. Kieran shares his Top 5 picks, including Crucify April, Kurtains, Playboi Carti, Smerz, and EQ (Estratosfera, Qiri).

Andrew Matson is the co-founder of Finals, a music blog that is rumored to be among the best. He joins us to talk about J Critch and long-time producer cohort Laron's expansive collaborative album titled Plus Ultra and the evolution of both their sound and chemistry, which has history that pre-dates college and record deals. We go deep into contemporary New York rap and how pre-drill artists have had a hard time staying relevant as rap shapeshifts in the city. We also get into Fish Narc's excellent new album Frog Song and how his GothBoiClique roots with Lil Peep don't define him but inform a not-so-completely-new, authentic sound. We also talk about Andrew's website Finals as a publication that is irreverent to the status quo, how blogs are back, and Andrew shares his Top 5 songs by Oklou, 1010benja, Steph X, Ksuuvi, RealYungPhil, and more. Lotta gems.

Will Schube is The Hobbyist—a writer and music critic based in New York with bylines in GQ, FLOOD, Pitchfork, Passion of the Weiss, and many more. He joins us from Austin following the launch of his aptly titled newsletter, The Hobbyist, to talk about the best hobby we both indulge in: Golf—with a capital G. We discuss how the culture has co-opted golf in the fashion space while somehow leaving music out of the equation. We also dive into Life Is Beautiful—the new album from Larry June, The Alchemist, and 2 Chainz—and how 2 Chainz steals the show by design. We explore the "playlistification" of our lives in relation to Apple Music's newly launched radio show and playlist called… wait for it… Chill. The show is hosted by none other than the legendary Brian Eno and Apple Music's resident therapist, Zane Lowe. Will shares insights from his conversations with both hosts about using the show as a means to find peace in the chaos of our lives. We also attempt to get to the bottom of the eternal debate: art vs. commerce under the guise of wellness. Will shares his Top 5, featuring music from Venturing, Skrilla, Eiko Ishibashi, Ghais Guevara, and EBK Jaybo.

Steffanee Wang joins us today to talk about 67th GRAMMY Awards that aired earlier this month and more. She is a New York City-based professional editor, writer, and reporter who currently is an associate editor at The FADER. She previously served as the music editor at NYLON, has written for Teen Vogue, The FACE, Billboard, NPR Music, and other notable publications. We talk about the best looks at the GRAMMY's, Kanye and Bianca's shenanigans on the carpet, Rap Album of The Year nominees, Chappell Roan's controversial speech, world-building via performances, YouTube's algorithm vs Spotify's, and Steffanee's Top 5 songs of the moment including heat from Theodora, YHWH Nailgun, Yves and more.

This is the first podcast of 2025 and we're calling it Monetizing Hope with Jane Marie, an award-winning podcaster, podcast producer, writer, and author of Selling The Dream: The Billion Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans. Jane joins us from her home in LA, just after the devastating wildfires had somewhat subsided. This episode was recorded a few weeks prior to its release. Jane shares stories from her formative years in Michigan where she grew up, including her experiences seeing Nirvana live at The Blind Pig, watching LL Cool J hump women uncontrollably on stage, Insane Clown Posse, and her close encounter with a vertically challenged Eminem. We also get into her book, which pulls back the curtain on MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) and the origins of pyramid schemes. We dive into the companies that continue to thrive by preying on people looking to make an extra buck, using mind control tactics, empty promises of future wealth, and celebrity and political endorsements to bolster their deceptive pitches. Press play.

Gary Suarez is a writer and podcaster who founded CABBAGES, a media outlet and podcast dedicated to covering independent artists. A Queens, New York native, Gary has contributed to esteemed publications such as The Quietus, Forbes, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, The New York Times, NPR, and more. In this special two-hour year-end finale, Gary joins us to share his favorite albums of 2024—including standout projects from Cavalier, Roc Marciano, Vayda, and Your Old Droog—and reflect on the journey of launching his own publication and podcast via a newsletter during the pandemic, back when having a Substack wasn't as common for journalists as having a cellphone. We explore his experiences breaking into music writing in the days when advance copies arrived by USPS, his perspective on covering independent artists, the use of samples in Jersey club and drill music, the "rap trap" that is pain music, and his Top 5 songs of the moment. Come for the year-end album breakdown, and stay for the tangents on cringe vulnerability in hip-hop and the legacy of Jay-Z and more.

Aurielle Sayeh is a mom, creative director, brand consultant, strategist, creator, and DJ based in Los Angeles. A true multi-hyphenate, she shares how she got her start in culture through modeling and DJing in Paris and Amsterdam back in 2013. As an Atlanta native who hustled her way through the global zeitgeist, Aurielle reflects on her journey of tapping into different creative scenes and building relationships and collaborating with brands like Adidas and VFILES. To be in the club—or not to be in the club—north of 30: that is the question. We also dive into topics like patriotism, how it's kind of like an ex, as well as the differences in creativity between LA and NY. Aurielle talks about her work in the wellness space, while Yash shares his own self-care regimen and more in this soothing episode—arguably the closest thing to a sound bath we've ever had.

Yash breaks down the newly released Yak Ballz EP titled 'YOUNG YASHAR' produced by longtime collaborator Mondee. This marks the first official Yak Ballz music in over a decade. Listen to 'YOUNG YASHAR' HERE Follow Helio-Tropes - https://www.instagram.com/helio__tropes/ Follow Yash - https://www.instagram.com/yashzadeh/  Follow Yak Ballz - https://www.instagram.com/yakballz/