Britpop was more than just a musical genre—it was the soundtrack to an entire generation's coming of age. Our guest Mark Jennings opens up his musical time capsule to share twelve tracks that defined not just the movement, but pivotal moments in his own life.

The mix takes us chronologically through Britpop's evolution—starting with Oasis's thunderous "Rock and Roll Star" and concluding with The Long Pigs' punchy "She Said." Along the way, Mark provides fascinating context about the famous Blur vs. Oasis rivalry that dominated British headlines but barely registered across the Atlantic. Before streaming services democratized music discovery, these cultural phenomena remained strangely localized, creating parallel music universes on either side of the pond.

We discuss how The Stone Roses sparked the entire movement, why The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" video captivated MTV viewers, and how Radiohead's early work provides a gateway into their experimental evolution. For every legendary band like Blur or Oasis, Mark highlights underappreciated gems from bands like Supergrass, Ocean Color Scene, and Republica.

Whether you lived through the 90s Britpop explosion or are discovering these sounds for the first time, this episode connects the musical dots between yesterday's cultural revolution and today's ongoing British music influence. Check out Mark's website Subba Culture, where music fans can write their own reviews and connect with fellow enthusiasts around the world.

You can find his review site here: https://www.subba-cultcha.com/

You can find his list on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61AxxICzhBihMg0mzYBQnX?si=60b35b603ad3402d

1. Rock N Roll Star - Oasis

2. Richard III - Supergrass

3. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve

4. The Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene

5. Parklife - Blur

6. Life of Riley - The Lightning Seeds

7. Talk Tonight- Oasis

8. Ready To Go - Republica

9. The Bends - Radiohead

10. She Bangs the Drums - The Stone Roses

11. The Only One I Know - The Charlatans

12. She Said - Longpigs

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The August heat hasn't stopped an incredible wave of new music from washing over us this month. From jazz-soul fusion to K-pop dance anthems, our final summer mix of 2025 captures the season's last vibrant moments.

John Batiste opens our collection with "Big Money," showcasing his extraordinary talent for blending genres while maintaining that distinctive New Orleans soul. Chance the Rapper brings his signature wordplay to "Tree," collaborating with Lil Wayne and Smino for a track that's as clever as it is catchy.

The long-awaited return of Clipse brings "E.B.I.T.D.A" to our mix, reuniting Pusha T and Malice under Pharrell Williams' production. Their first album since 2009 proves that quality always trumps quantity. Blackpink continues their global domination with "Jump," a high-energy dance track that solidifies their position as masters of contemporary pop production.

Relationship themes weave throughout our selections this month. Eli Young Band explores the willingness to do anything for a partner in "All Good With Me," while AJR captures commitment anxiety with their characteristic honesty in "Betty." Chappell Roan delivers perhaps the most emotionally resonant track with "The Subway," chronicling that strange post-breakup journey when someone transitions from being your world to just another stranger passing by.

Unexpected collaborations bring delightful surprises, including Spinal Tap teaming up with Elton John for an updated "Stonehenge" ahead of their sequel film. Meanwhile, newcomers Durry brilliantly tackle internet trolling culture in "Bully" with lyrics that will have you nodding in recognition.

We round out the mix with Scottish singer-songwriter Amy McDonald's uplifting "The Hope," Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon returning with the confidence-boosting "Bear Hill," and Glass Animals maintaining their uniquely quirky sound with "Vampire Bat."

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https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-august-2025/pl.u-pm4mfdKjlz

1. BIG MONEY - Jon Batiste

2. Tree- Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne & Smino

3. E.B.I.T.D.A.- Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T & Malice

4. JUMP- BLACKPINK

5. All Good With Me- Eli Young Band

6. Betty- AJR

7. Stonehenge- Spinal Tap & Elton John

8. The Subway- Chappell Roan

9. The Hope- Amy Macdonald

10. Bully- Durry

11. Bear Hill- Raekwon

12. Vampire Bat- Glass Animals

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Movie soundtracks have given us some of the most unforgettable songs in music history, from Adele's haunting "Skyfall" to Seal's unexpected hit "Kiss from a Rose," we explore twelve iconic songs that made their mark through cinema.

What happens when legendary artists create music specifically for the silver screen? We dive into Bruce Springsteen's approach to "The Wrestler" – a song he casually wrote after a concert and gave away for free – alongside Tina Turner's deeply personal "I Don't Want to Fight" created for her own biopic.

Bond themes get special attention as we compare Paul McCartney's revolutionary "Live and Let Die" with Adele's moody, orchestral "Skyfall," showing how these musical moments reflect the evolution of the 007 franchise itself. Meanwhile, The Weeknd's sultry "Earned It" demonstrates how a film tie-in (Fifty Shades of Grey) can launch a song into the stratosphere regardless of the movie's critical reception.

The mix also features the fascinating origin story behind Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," which was originally written about Eleanor Roosevelt before being hastily repurposed for "The Graduate" with a simple word replacement. From Randy Newman's heartwarming "You've Got a Friend in Me" to the emotionally devastating "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, these songs prove that when filmmakers and musicians collaborate, magic happens.

Whether you're a film buff, music lover, or both, this episode celebrates those perfect moments when visuals and sound collide to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

1. Old Habits Die Hard by Mick Jagger & Dave Stewart
2. Kiss from a Rose by Seal
3. A Mighty Wind by The Folksmen
4. Skyfall by Adele
5. The Great Beyond by R.E.M.
6. Earned It by The Weeknd
7. The Wrestler by Bruce Springsteen
8. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa feat Charlie Puth
9. Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney & Wings
10. You’ve Got a Friend In Me by Randy Newman
11. I Don’t Wanna Fight by Tina Turner
12. Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel

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Songs Matt and Sam once couldn't stand somehow became some of their favorites—a weird musical paradox that deserved its own mix. The Stockholm Syndrome Mix takes you through twelve tracks that initially made them cringe but eventually earned permanent spots in our playlists.

What exactly causes this shift from hatred to devotion? As we discovered, it's partly due to relentless exposure—hearing a song 50+ times breaks down your resistance until you're begrudgingly nodding along. The Black Eyed Peas mastered this technique with tracks like "I Got a Feeling" and "Pump It."

The journey to appreciation varies wildly from song to song. Sam initially thought The Chainsmokers' "#Selfie" was a parody track, while Matt couldn't understand why anyone would play Counting Crows' "Round Here" at a party—yet both eventually became genuine fans. Justin Bieber's "Sorry" represents another common pattern: rejecting both artist and song before finally admitting defeat and acknowledging genuine talent.

Age and life circumstances play crucial roles too. Celine Dion's adult contemporary masterpiece "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" requires a certain maturity to fully appreciate—fittingly, the title itself reflects the journey from rejection to embrace that defines musical Stockholm Syndrome.

Which songs have captured your heart despite your initial objections? Share your musical Stockholm Syndrome stories with us on Instagram and threads @superawesomemix, and find all our mixes on YouTube!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-stockholm-syndrome-songs/pl.u-3zZq4TgE1rN7

1. #SELFIE - The Chainsmokers

2. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

3. Pump It - Black Eyed Peas

4. (I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You - UB40

5. Sorry - Justin Bieber

6. It's All Coming Back To Me Now -Celine Dion

7. Shoots and Ladders - Korn

8. Fireball - Pitbull featuring John Ryan

9. Daft Punk is Playing at My House - LCD Soundsystem

10. Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae

11. Bodak Yellow - Cardi B

12. Round Here - Counting Crows

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Twenty-five years after the world braced for Y2K, we're celebrating our 99th mixtape with a journey through the musical landscape of 1999 – arguably one of music's most transformative years. From Latin pop explosions to hip-hop revolutions, this episode captures the diverse soundscape that defined a generation.

The late 90s represented a unique cultural moment when music discovery happened primarily through radio and MTV, creating shared experiences difficult to imagine in today's fragmented landscape. When Ricky Martin burst onto English-language charts with "Livin' La Vida Loca," he didn't just score a hit – he opened doors for countless Latin artists to follow. Meanwhile, Eminem's debut "My Name Is" signaled something revolutionary was happening in hip-hop, establishing a controversial voice that would dominate for decades.

What made 1999 truly special was its balance of innovation and emotional depth. Blink-182's "Adam's Song" tackled teenage suicide with remarkable sensitivity, while Moby's reluctantly-included "Porcelain" brought electronic music further into the mainstream. The Chicks challenged radio censors with "Goodbye Earl," a darkly comedic take on domestic abuse packaged in an upbeat country crossover hit. These weren't just songs; they were cultural touchstones that reflected the optimism, anxiety, and creativity of a society on the cusp of a new millennium.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/1999-mix-99-episodes/pl.u-mJy8137uNE8XR1q

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qZC4ONJesEZ2d6uz9s55j?si=da64abcd6c8c46de

1. Livin’ la Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
2. My Name Is by Eminem
3. Someday We’ll Know by New Radicals
4. Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out) by Citizen King
5. Goodbye Earl by The Chicks
6. Steal My Sunshine by LEN
7. Adam’s Song by blink-182
8. Porcelain by Moby
9. My Own Worst Enemy by Lit
10. Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
11. Heartbreaker (feat. Jay-Z) by Mariah Carey, JAY-Z
12. Forgot About Dre by Dr. Dre, Emine

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Matt and Sam share their carefully curated selection of new music for July, featuring unreleased Bruce Springsteen tracks, genre-bending collaborations, and high-energy summer anthems.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-july-2025/pl.u-z6lXtGxoYJ

• Bruce Springsteen's "Unsatisfied Heart" from his newly released Tracks 2 collection, featuring seven previously unreleased albums
• Lupe Fiasco's "Samurai" featuring Troy Tyler, imagining an alternate timeline where Amy Winehouse became a battle rapper
• Lindsey Stirling's "Evil Twin" with Shuba, fusing classical violin with electronic and Bollywood influences
• The bass-heavy "Daydreams" by Effin and Nightmare that demands quality speakers
• Cold War Kids' biographical tribute "Any Day Now" about Richard Swift of The Shins
• Daisy the Great's indie pop track "Rest of My Life" questioning relationships and permanence
• The Dare's "Cheeky" bringing nostalgic hip-hop vibes reminiscent of Run DMC
• Cardi B's "Outside" sparking a discussion about why rock musicians don't make diss tracks
• Dropkick Murphys' nostalgic "Chesterfields and Aftershave" evoking memories of grandparents
• The addictive beat of "High Horse" by Proper Monday Number
• Bruno Mars' energetic minute-long Portuguese track "Bonde do Brunao"
• Fitz and the Tantrums' formula-perfect "OK, OK, OK" closing out the mix

Follow us on social media @superawesomemix on Instagram and Threads, and check out our video content on YouTube.

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This week's Mixtape Rewind takes you back to our first Intro mix ever, when Matt introduced Sam to Pearl Jam.

Pearl Jam's music walks a fascinating tightrope—raw, energetic rock paired with profound, often dark storytelling. This episode takes you on a journey through their three-decade evolution, perfect for both newcomers and longtime fans wanting a deeper appreciation of their artistry.

We explore how their debut album Ten created an instant impact with songs like "Jeremy"—a haunting track based on the true story of a student's classroom suicide—and why that album's four standout tracks remain essential listening. The emotional range of Eddie Vedder's voice shines through as we contrast high-energy anthems like "Even Flow" with more introspective pieces like "Black," revealing how the band masterfully balances intensity with vulnerability.

What's particularly fascinating is how their audience has shaped their music's meaning over time. "Alive," originally written as a painful reflection on family trauma, transformed through concert performances into an empowering anthem of survival—something Eddie Vedder himself acknowledges changed his relationship with the song. It's this connection between band and listeners that makes Pearl Jam's catalog so compelling.

Later albums showcase their artistic evolution, from the politically charged "Corduroy" to acoustic gems like "Just Breathe," demonstrating why they've remained relevant while many of their 90s contemporaries faded away. We even touch on Eddie Vedder's solo work, highlighting how the distinctive voice of Pearl Jam translates into different musical contexts.

Whether you missed the Pearl Jam phenomenon the first time around or want to rediscover what made them revolutionary, this mixtape offers the perfect entry point into their world of authentic, powerful rock storytelling. Which Pearl Jam song will become your unexpected favorite?

You can find the playlist on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6mK1lDmg6nsOSqfDV8IIcQ?si=c76b52fafa9740a4

You can also find the playlist on YouTube Music:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpQYsbkgm3L4XGudn53dqQ4aE_KW6YmIL&feature=share

1. Jeremy
2. Even Flow
3. Black
4. Alive
5. Go
6. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter In a Small Town
7. Corduroy
8. Better Man
9. Yellow Ledbetter
10. Thumbing My Way
11. Just Breathe
12. Far Behind

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Dive into the musical journey of a true American legend as Matt and Sam explore the extraordinary career of Stevie Wonder. From his groundbreaking beginnings as "Little Stevie Wonder" at Motown Records to his status as one of music's most influential figures, this episode celebrates the artist who transformed popular music across six decades.

The hosts trace Wonder's remarkable evolution through twelve essential tracks, highlighting how a blind child prodigy who signed with Motown at age 11 went on to become the youngest artist ever to top the Billboard charts at just 13 years old. Through early hits like "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" and "I Was Made to Love Her," listeners experience the joyful exuberance that first captivated audiences in the 1960s.

The conversation shifts to Wonder's revolutionary 1970s period when he achieved the unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive Grammy Awards for Album of the Year. Matt and Sam analyze how songs like "Superstition" and "Boogie On Reggae Woman" showcased his innovative fusion of funk, soul, and synthesizer technologies that somehow never sound dated despite their era.

The hosts don't shy away from Wonder's 1980s commercial peak, discussing how tracks like "I Just Called to Say I Love You" brought him Oscar gold and global recognition, while "Happy Birthday" actually helped establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday. Throughout the episode, Matt and Sam highlight Wonder's extraordinary musical versatility, his philanthropic impact, and the timeless quality that makes his music resonate across generations.

Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering Stevie Wonder for the first time, this episode offers a perfect introduction to an artist whose 26 studio albums and numerous accolades (including the Presidential Medal of Freedom) only begin to tell the story of his profound influence on American music and culture.

Check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and Threads @SuperAwesomeMix for more musical deep dives!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-intro-to-stevie-wonder/pl.u-y0pmTbq4xE

1. Uptight (Everything's Alright)

2. I Was Made To Love Her

3. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday

4. For Once in My Life

5. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)

6. Superstition

7. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

8. Boogie On Reggae Woman

9. I Wish

10. Happy Birthday

11. I Just Called To Say I Love You

12. Overjoyed

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