In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song that was championed early on by English radio DJ John Peel.

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This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by Ratboys lead singer and songwriter Julia Steiner. The Chicago band's sixth album, "Singin' To An Empty Chair," is one of the most acclaimed releases of 2026 so far. The hosts also review the new album from Chicago rockers, Friko.

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Featured Songs:

Ratboys, "Anywhere," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026

The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Friko, "Seven Degrees," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026

Friko, "Guess," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026

Friko, "Alice," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026

Friko, "Choo Choo," Something Worth Waiting For, ATO, 2026

Ratboys, "Folk Song For Jazz," AOID, Topshelf, 2015

Rat Boy, "My Name Is Rat Boy," Internationally Unknown, Parlophone, 2019

Ratboys, "Elvis Is In The Freezer," GN, Topshelf, 2017

Ratboys, "Just Want You To Know The Truth," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026

Ratboys, "Making Noises for the Ones You Love," The Window, Topshelf, 2023

Ratboys, "Burn It Down," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026

Ratboys, "At Peace In The Hundred Acre Wood," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026

Ratboys, "Light Night Mountains All That," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West, 2026

Lou Reed, "Vicious," Transformer, RCA, 1972

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In this bonus episode, Jim cues up a Desert Island Jukebox pick—and explains why it’s deeper than it first sounds.

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The prolific and singular rapper Billy Woods has spent decades carving out his own lane in hip-hop. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with Billy Woods about his career, discography, and the process driving his music. The hosts also review new albums from Robyn and Courtney Barnett.

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Featured Songs:

Billy Woods, "Misery (feat. Kenny Segal)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025

The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967

Robyn, "Sexistential," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026

Robyn, "Sucker For Love," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026

Robyn, "Really Real," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026

Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026

Courtney Barnett, "Mantis," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026

Courtney Barnett, "Another Beautiful Day," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026

Courtney Barnett, "Great Advice," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026

Courtney Barnett, "One Thing At A Time," Creature of Habit, Mom + Pop, 2026

Armand Hammer & The Alchemist, "Glue Traps (Feat. Quelle Chris)," Mercy, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025

Billy Woods, "Corinthians Corinthians (feat. Despot & EL-P)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025

Billy Woods, "The Things They Carried," Camouflage, Backwoodz Studioz, 2003

Billy Woods & Messiah Musik, "Pollo Rico," Church, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022

Billy Woods, "Make No Mistake (feat. Messiah Musik)," Golliwog, Backwoodz Studioz, 2025

Billy Woods & Messiah Musik, "Paraquat," Church, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022

Billy Woods, "No Hard Feelings," Aethiopes, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022

Billy Woods, "Asylum," Aethiopes, Backwoodz Studioz, 2022

Billy Woods & Kenny Segal, "Spongebob," Hiding Places, Backwoodz Studioz, 2020

Ratboys, "What's Right?," Singin' To An Empty Chair, New West Records, 2026

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In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to legendary drummer James Gadson who died on April 2, 2026 at age 86.

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