Looking back at some of the albums and EPs that dropped in 2024, discussing highlights and disappointments. The episode starts with Top 5 cons and Top 5 pros before then touching on dozens of other projects.
Top songs of the year playlists are also linked below, which feature songs from the highlighted albums and more:
Apple
Kev - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/2024-joints/pl.u-8aAVXkyFamBZWa
Jack - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/js-2024-top-tier/pl.u-DdANl05IlVDNxd
Spotify
Jack - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19CDFB3CMqN2DnFHGVNhOi?si=b7bc3556816043ac
Kev - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6bcI5Sw9UYbdgVj3VIpgDO?si=7ca106fc866d4f4c
*Recorded before the SZA and Sault late December releases.
Pros & Cons is changing up the release schedule for now. There will be somewhat of a hiatus, as there won’t be bi-weekly episodes with new topics releasing as normal. However, there were still be new music episodes of The Rotation series every few months or so. Kev and Jack give some more details around this new shift that will be ongoing for the indefinite future.
Long Beach’s own Vince Staples, known primarily as a rapper, just released a new Netflix series that stars himself. ‘The Vince Staples Show’ is loosely based on his own life growing up in the Southern California area and everything that can go down on any given day. Kev and Jack talk about some brief background on Vince’s personality and sense of humor before talking about the new show. (No spoilers until the 18 min mark)
Especially as kids, we often look up to other people as examples for who or what we want to be. But who should be considered role models – like artists or athletes – and what standards should they be held to? What responsibilities do they have? Jack and Kev talk about what goes into considering if someone is a good role model, how that changes as you get older, and where do we all draw the lines on certain actions.
A staple in music culture over the past few decades, Pitchfork started in 1996 and became known for its opinionated album reviews. The most defining feature grew to be the rating scale, going from 0-10 with a decimal point for extra precision. From the end of the music magazine run to the blog era and social media current environment, Pitchfork has continued to stay alive. Last month, it was announced that Condé Nast (who acquired it in 2015) was laying off a large group of employees and shifting the brand under GQ – leaving an unclear future ahead. Kev and Jack talk about their experience with the site, the rating system, and how it compares to YouTube reviewers like Anthony Fantano.
After initially launching in October of 2010 and being bought by Facebook for $1 billion in 2012, the app of Instagram has gone through significant changes over the past decade. Jack and Kev talk about how it went from a mobile photography community to a broader platform for everyone, including with features like IG Stories being added. Plus: In this moment, the way it’s being used to share info about Gaza and hear from Palestinian voices on the ground.
For some, the start of the calendar year is a marker to try out new routines – like with eating or exercise. But no matter when you start, it can be a tricky balance when integrating that into your lifestyle. And while physical health is a big part of it, the mental side is crucial too. Kev and Jack talk about some of their experiences and changes over time in viewing the importance of certain elements.
After a jam-packed year of music, it's time to pick the Top 5 biggest highlights and disappointments of albums. Jack and Kev look back on 2023 by choosing their personal Top 5's for both sides.
Top songs of the year playlists are also linked below:
Jack - music.apple.com/us/playlist/js-2023-top-tier/pl.u-V9D73zpT1pejkL
Kev - music.apple.com/us/playlist/2023-joints/pl.u-oZyl3XWT0q8Xo0
As a profession that has significantly changed in past decades, journalism is at a crossroads for the future. With the rise of social media, as well as A.I. technology, there’s a lot of questioning about sources of truth and information. Kev and Jack discuss where it stands right now, including examples ranging from sports to the Palestinian journalists on the ground in Gaza.
There were a lot of new albums released since the last music episode in early August, so it was only right to cover a bunch before the annual music awards that will close the year. Jack and Kev cover 21 albums in 36 mins, with some bonus shoutouts at the end. This edition features smaller and bigger artists including Jorja Smith, Andre 3000, Olivia Rodrigo, Sampha, Drake, Bakar, MIKE, Teezo Touchdown, Bad Bunny, Earl Sweatshirt, Cleo Sol, PinkPantheress, Brent Fayaiz, and more.
Connected post with links to the music projects mentioned:
https://www.cesspoolnetwork.com/pros-and-cons-notes/the-rotation-vol-3
For the annual Pros & Cons gift guide, this time the focus is on items in an affordable range – with the limit set to no more than $50 to spend. Kev and Jack each select some recommendations that fit the bill as pros, including several ideas for the home.
The World Series is playing out to determine the last team standing between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks to conclude another eventful MLB season. Jack and Kev go around the league and pick out some individual players or specific teams to talk about their year, with both new positive surprises and some brutal disappointments. Including the Dodgers and Braves getting bounced early after amazing seasons, the Yankees doing nothing outside of Judge and Cole, and exciting young star players giving a show.
In the second edition of this series around things to watch, a variety of series and movies are discussed from Barbenheimer to The Last Of Us. Kev and Jack run through some they’ve each seen so far this year and the verdicts on if they delivered. Including other examples like Bottoms, The Idol, Past Lives, The Bear, Spiderverse, Swarm, AIR, Theater Camp, How To with John Wilson, Asteroid City, Showing Up, and more.
From music to restaurants to movies, there are a variety of types of merch to rep something you like. Or, for some, just to rock because they enjoy the design on its own. Jack and Kev talk about seeing the shift of quality in different fields, how bad it can go in the wrong hands, and how it could evolve in the future.
Check out the Pros and Cons merch collection and lookbook:
Fresh off the latest US Open tournament in New York – where 19-year-old Coco Gauff won the Women's Championship and 36-year-old Novak Djokovic won on the Men's side – tennis is having a notable moment around a new generation. Kev and Jack discuss their experience with both playing the sport and watching it, how accessibility factors into it, the scoring, the fashion, and more around the culture of it.
Originally started in 2005, and bought by Google the year after, YouTube has established itself as the home for videos. There are other more social-focused platforms like TikTok that are challenging it now, which they've implemented YouTube Shorts to counteract, but those are just a dent in the billions of active users and hours watched each day on the site/app. It can be a place for people to create their own channels, make and share their own videos, and for people to find things connected to their interests. Jack and Kev talk about their experience using it over the years, what could be improved, and why it's unique to any streaming network or social app.
While it’s a sport or activity, skateboarding also has ties to a lot of other areas like clothing and music. It's also a lifestyle that's very DIY, very creative, and takes a lot of getting back up after falling down. Kev and Jack break down some of their experience with it, how it's changed over the years, and the impact of skating on things like sneakers and hip hop.
Since the first installment of this music series in the Spring, there have been a lot of artists dropping new songs. Jack and Kev discuss projects from the past few months – covering 24 albums in 33 mins. This edition features smaller and bigger artists including Arlo Parks, Daniel Ceaser, Kaytraminé, Tori Kelly, Uzi, King Krule, Peso Pluma, Summer Walker, Dominic Fike, Jessie Ware, Travis Scott, Disclosure, and more.
Connected post with links to the music projects mentioned:
https://www.cesspoolnetwork.com/pros-and-cons-notes/the-rotation-vol-2
With the launch of Threads this past month, Meta is trying to give competition to Twitter as Elon Musk is sinking the ship. Was it successful so far? Or is it just another copycat feature effort like has been the case with Reels to TikTok or Stories to Snapchat with their IG integrations. Kev and Jack talk about initial thoughts on Threads and how Meta is doing overall with their other properties (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp).
It might seem like a simple question, but what makes something a summer movie? Is it just that it has to take place in the summer? Is it just that it has to be set in a location that looks like it's warm and nice out? Is it the wardrobe of the characters? Does summer have to be tied to the idea of the story? With different elements to factor in, Jack and Kev talk about their perspective and go through a mix of movie possibilities to make sense of which are and aren't.