Riffs on Riffs

The Marias "No One Noticed"

On this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby tumble headfirst into the dreamy deep end with “No One Noticed” by The Marías, a song that doesn’t so much start as it appears, like fog rolling under a streetlamp. After a very calm, very normal intro that absolutely does not get hijacked immediately (😅), the guys unpack why this track hits with such quiet force: it’s simple on paper, hypnotic in practice, and emotionally loud without raising its voice. Toby takes us on one of his signature rabbit-hole journeys, starting with Maria Zardoya’s solo work and circling back to The Marías with fresh ears. Along the way, we get the context that adds extra gravity to the song: the band’s long creative arc, the relationship dynamics behind the scenes, and the unusually mature decision to invest in therapy to preserve the collaboration and keep the art alive. “Band therapy” becomes the unexpected MVP of the conversation, with the guys reflecting on how rare it is to choose respect and structure in the middle of a breakup. Musically, Joe and Toby geek out on why three chords can still feel like a universe. They talk chord flavor (hello, jazzy voicings), restraint, lush production choices, and how a track can stay harmonically steady while the texture shifts like light on water. The conversation drifts into color, too: why this era of The Marías feels blue, cinematic, and underwater, and what it means when music has a visual palette. Plus: rom-com vibes, Shazam-in-the-bathroom tactics, and a teaser for the show’s upcoming cover of the song (The Marías get the coins, don’t worry). 🎧💙 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

sombr "back to friends"

Can you really go back to being “just friends”? In this episode Joe and Toby dig into “Back to Friends” by rising artist sombr, unpacking why this deceptively simple breakup song hits such a deep nerve. What starts as a discussion about a chart-climbing track quickly becomes a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, emotional maturity, artistic process, and the strange pressures of blowing up at twenty years old. Joe and Toby explore the universal tension at the heart of the song: the moment when intimacy ends, but connection hasn’t fully let go. Drawing from personal stories, they reflect on why “staying friends” so often fails, how nostalgia and comfort can keep people stuck, and why distance is sometimes the healthiest form of closure . The conversation also dives into sombr’s rapid rise, songwriting process, and creative discipline. From bedroom production to viral moments, they examine what it takes to build authentic music in the TikTok era, while pushing back on lazy “nepo baby” narratives and discussing the difference between criticism and performative hate . Along the way, the episode expands into thoughtful territory: the dopamine loop of outrage culture, scarcity vs. abundance mindsets in creativity, the value of repetition and throwing work away, and how artists evolve once their early heartbreak stories have been told. As always, Riffs on Riffs blends humor, honesty, and musical curiosity, closing with listener recommendations and reflections on what it means to grow up, move on, and keep writing anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ella Langley "Choosin' Texas"

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby unpack Ella Langley’s breakout country single “Choosin' Texas” and use it as a launchpad for a wide-ranging conversation about authenticity, songwriting, and what it means to grow up musically without losing your soul. What starts as a joke about surprise Midwest snowfall quickly turns into a thoughtful exploration of why this song feels different from so much of modern pop-country, and why that difference matters . The hosts dig into Langley’s storytelling chops, her old-school sensibilities, and the emotional maturity behind a song that resists the usual breakup tropes. Instead of smashed windows and slashed tires, “Choosing Texas” offers something rarer: reflection, restraint, and the quiet devastation of watching someone make a choice you can’t stop. Joe and Toby break down how her voice, her writing, and her refusal to rely on heavy production tricks like autotune make the song feel raw, human, and deeply relatable. From there, the episode expands into a bigger discussion about music, culture, and time. The guys talk about legacy artists, the importance of real voices, the dangers of AI-generated art, and why slowing down matters more than ever. Along the way, they share personal stories, music recommendations, and their own creative philosophies, connecting Langley’s work to everything from grunge to hip-hop to old folk songs about frogs going to court. This is an episode about choice, growth, and what happens when artists stop chasing trends and start telling the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BigXThaPlug "All the Way" ( feat. Bailey Zimmerman)

Joe and Toby clock in just ahead of game time to break down “All the Way” by BigXThaPlug, a country-rap crossover featuring Bailey Zimmerman. What starts as a quick review turns into a wide-ranging riff on genre blending, formulaic pop music, and where authenticity still lives in an increasingly algorithm-driven soundscape. Both hosts land in the same place with different routes: the song is fine, serviceable, and clearly engineered for mass appeal, but it never quite surprises. From there, the discussion widens to Big X the Plug’s broader album strategy, the heavy reliance on country features, and whether these collaborations feel like organic artistic chemistry or calculated plug-ins designed to maximize reach. Joe questions the rigidity of the verse-chorus-rap-verse formula, while Toby frames the project as a cake pulled from the oven just a little too early. The episode also detours into larger cultural territory. They unpack the rise of AI-assisted music, debating whether it’s a creative shortcut, a novelty, or a symptom of an industry already addicted to predictability. Analogies fly, from fast food to microwave meals, as Joe and Toby wrestle with what listeners really want: innovation or familiarity. Along the way, they touch on Texas hip-hop history, DJ Screw, the legacy of Southern rap, and why genre boundaries still spark outrage in 2025. Anchored by humor, sharp critiques, and a ticking pre-game clock, this episode isn’t just about one song. It’s about what pop music is, what it’s becoming, and whether “just okay” is good enough anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bad Bunny "Baile Inolvidable"

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby take a deep, joyful, and thoughtful journey into “Baile Inolvidable”, a song that feels like a dance remembered long after the music stops. What begins as a discussion of Bad Bunny’s latest single quickly unfolds into a rich conversation about salsa, nostalgia, cultural memory, and what it means to honor your roots while still pushing art forward. We explore how “Baile Inolvidable” functions on multiple levels: as a love song, a reflection on formative relationships, and a bold artistic statement. We discuss Bad Bunny’s decision to fully embrace salsa, a genre with deep historical and cultural significance, and how that choice adds emotional weight to the song’s themes of acceptance, gratitude, and looking back without regret. Along the way, Toby and Joe share personal stories sparked by the music, including memories of learning to dance, the generosity of dance communities, and the way certain songs can instantly transport us to another time in our lives. The episode also breaks down the music video’s powerful symbolism, including the appearance of Puerto Rican cultural icons and subtle visual details that reward curious viewers willing to look a little deeper. Beyond the song itself, the conversation expands into larger ideas about creativity, stillness, and why boredom and rest are essential for making meaningful art. We reflect on Bad Bunny’s career choices, his cultural activism, his genre-defying approach, and the importance of making space for voices and styles that may be unfamiliar to some listeners. This episode is about dance as memory, music as education, and art as an invitation to learn, move, and feel together. Whether you’re a longtime Bad Bunny fan or encountering his work more deeply for the first time, this conversation offers context, warmth, and plenty of reasons to press play again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices