5 Podcasts every music lover should listen to

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World Music Day, an annual celebration of music, took place earlier this week. Streaming platforms have given unprecedented access of world music and enabled music lovers to listen to a variety of genres. As music listenership increases across the globe, the need for specialised platforms to engage and discover new music grows. Even though options might seem endless, we have rounded up a list of the most exciting world music podcasts by genre for you to indulge in.

Fangirl to K-pop

Unless you're living under a pop-culture rock, you have heard of K-pop (Korean popular music). If you are fascinated with this global phenomenon but have no idea where to start, Ask Me About Kpop is here to help you navigate the overwhelming genre. The weekly podcast is hosted by best friends and die-hard k-pop fans who will introduce you to k-pop vocabulary and some great music, alongside discussing Kpop history and endless fangirling. The in-depth episodes have a runtime between 1 to 2 hours and are perfect to keep you company on your daily long commute.

Talk about rock

Tracing its origins to a radio show in 1993, the Sound Opinions podcast is hosted by veteran rock critics Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot. With seemingly boundless knowledge of rock and roll genre, the duo treats listeners to live performances and exclusive interviews. Devoted fans will especially enjoy personal commentary and latest news as they discuss everything from the current state of music festivals to buried treasures. With over 800 episodes, each roughly 45 minutes long, this podcast is perfect for binge-listening.

Unwind with jazz

If you are looking to play some jazz while you unwind or get chores done, Discovering Jazz is a suitable podcast for you. Hosted by Larry the Radio Guy, the podcast recounts intriguing stories and trivia. The informative perspective beautifully supplements the performances listeners are treated to. Those who are new to jazz will enjoy the host digging into his record collection and sharing his personal favourites. Every week an hour-long episode is released.

Dive into indie music

The sheer volume of popular music that we are exposed to makes it difficult to seek hidden indie gems. If you are always on the lookout for new music, Maed in India will seem exciting to you. The podcast helps introduce listeners to the best Indian Independent musicians from India and abroad. Each episode features interviews with artists alongside renditions of their original music. From veterans to upcoming talent, Maed in India hosts all kinds of artists playing a variety of genres. Each weekly episode is anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes long.

Origins of pop

Switched on Pop is for those who are curious about the making and meaning of popular music. Hosted by songwriter Charlie Harding and musicologist Nate Sloan, the podcast dissects what makes pop music so catchy and ponders over the impact of pop music on culture. From 90s pop to the more recent songs that have captivated global audiences, listeners are treated to a century worth of music. The award-winning podcast releases weekly episodes that are roughly 20 to 40 minutes long and make for an interesting listen.