Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

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

Annie and Nick discuss one of the busiest weeks in music ever with Drake dropping 3 albums at the same time, Lauryn Hill getting candid about her lack of albums, and Harry Styles starting his much-anticipated world residencies.
Plus, Jack Antonoff has made his thoughts about AI in music extremely clear – does he have a point? And Madonna has finally done something that’s truly shocked Nick.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]
And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio.
SONGS
Dry Cleaning - Sliced by a Fingernail
Harry Styles - As It Was
Madonna - I Feel So Free (Peggy Gou Energy Mix)
ALBUMS
Drake – Iceman
Drake - Habibti
Drake - Maid of Honor
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill - MTV Unplugged No. 2.0
Fugees - The Score
Jill Scott – To Whom This May Concern
Amy Winehouse – Frank
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Madonna - Confessions II
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Harry Styles - Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
The xx - xx

Chaka Khan joins Annie and Nick to discuss her life, legacy and new music. She reveals the very personal reason behind her strong work ethic, her feelings about awards, and why she continues to grow as a musician.
What does Chaka’s life look like when she’s not on stage? She tells Annie and Nick about breathing fresh air for the first time in years, not telling people her address, and feeding her free-range chickens.
And it’s been a decade since her close friend, Prince, died; Chaka reminisces about working with him - and the unusual way in which he paid her.
Plus, why the Queen of Funk isn’t a fair title, the dangers of not following your dreams, and stage fright solutions from Carlos Santana.
Chaka’s new song ‘Chakzilla’ is out now.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]
And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio.
SONGS
Chaka Khan – Chakzilla
Chaka Khan – I Feel For You
Chaka Khan – Tell Me Something Good

It’s the moment they’ve been waiting for since November 2025: Rosalía bringing LUX to London’s O2 Arena. Annie and Nick report back on what might be the best live show they’ve ever experienced. Elsewhere, Madonna’s released a new single with Sabrina Carpenter and it hasn’t totally lived up to their expectations of Confessions II; but will everything make sense when the album comes out? Plus, the Pussycat Dolls have cancelled their North American tour dates and instead of making up an excuse, they’ve chosen honesty – should more artists take note?
Also discussed in the episode: Kid Cudi has fired M.I.A from his tour after fans’ complaints, Zara Larsson is having a moment, and Annie and Nick reminisce about their chat with Rod Stewart after Shakira’s concert on Copacabana Beach.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]
And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio.
HOMEWORK: Listen to the end of this episode to find out the next pick for the Sidetracked Album Club.

SONGS
Shy One and George Riley – I Can Tell
TYSON – CHAOS
Rosalía – Magnolia
Rosalía - Mio Cristo
Pigeon – Miami
Pigeon – Black James Dean
Genesis Owusu – Life Keeps Going
Genesis Owusu – Stampede
Tara Clerkin Trio – Somewhere Good
Nia Archives – Boys in Blue
GENER8ION – STORM
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Madonna – Hung Up
Madonna and Britney Spears – Me Against the Music
The Pussycat Dolls – Club Song
The Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha
M.I.A. – Illygal

ALBUMS
Rosalía – Motomami
Rosalía – Lux
Shy One – Mali
Pigeon – OUTTANATIONAL
Robyn – Sexistential
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun: Girls Trip
Madonna – Confessions on a Dance Floor
Madonna – Ray of Light
Madonna – Confessions II
LCD Soundsystem – LCD Soundsystem
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
PJ Harvey – Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
CMAT – If My Wife New I’d Be Dead
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
Jeff Buckley – Grace
Frank Ocean – Blonde
The Strokes – Is This It
Sinéad O’Connor – The Lion and the Cobra
Laura Marling – Once I Was an Eagle
Various Artists – Mamma Mia! (The Movie Soundtrack)
The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come for Free
The xx – xx

Kacey Musgraves is one of the best-known Country singers in the world, having won 8 Grammy Awards for her consistently stand out records. On the eve of releasing her 6th studio album, she joins Annie and Nick to discuss the making of the record, and how her approach to writing music has evolved since her debut album.
Country is the fastest growing genre in the UK; Kacey has some thoughts on why and some more vital Country intel for Sidetracked listeners.
Plus, secrets the Middle of Nowhere tour, Kacey delivers an ode to Ireland, and she reveals how artists like Dashboard Confessional, NSYNC and the Spice Girls influenced her as an artist.
Kacey’s album Middle of Nowhere will be available from 1st May 2026.
Get in touch with Annie and Nick! You can send a WhatsApp to 07970082700 or email [email protected]
And you can also stay in touch via our Instagram Channel, which you can find in the BBC Sounds Instagram bio.

SONGS
Kacey Musgraves – Merry Go ‘Round
Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
Loretta Lynn – You Ain’t Woman Enough
Kacey Musgraves – Oh, What a World
Kacey Musgraves – Slow Burn
Kacey Musgraves & Miranda Lambert – Horses and Divorces
Kacey Musgraves – Mexico Honey

ALBUMS
Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer Different Park
Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material
Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves – Star‑Crossed
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Kacey Musgraves – Middle of Nowhere