iPod Nostalgia, the Truth about Music Streaming, and Dido's Cultural Relevance

Annie and Nick try their very best not to get sidetracked, as they focus on just one topic - streaming, and how it’s shaped the musical landscape in 2026.

From iPod mania to agentic AI, the world of music has changed a lot since the early 2000s. Have these changes made things better or worse for artists and music fans? And what does the future have in store for streaming and music consumption?

With special thanks to our contributors: The Guardian’s Deputy Music Editor, Laura Snapes; and The New York Times critic, Jon Caramanica, and New York Times culture reporter, Joe Coscarelli. Jon and Joe host the NYT’s Popcast, which you can find wherever you get your podcasts.

And thanks to The Grove, whose self-titled EP is out now. Their most recent single is Amongst the Noise.

SONGS

Dido – White Flag

Dido – Thank You

Rosalía - Divinize

Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

ALBUMS

Dido – Life for Rent

Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving