John Kennedy's Track by Track Podcast

War Child - HELP(2)

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

To mark the release of the new compilation album in aid of War Child, John Kennedy sat down with its producer James Ford to discuss every track on the album. Contributors range from Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, and Depeche Mode to beabadoobee, Wet Leg, and The Last Dinner Party.

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Alex Turner and Matt Helders sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to talk about every track on the album that started it all for Arctic Monkeys.

Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

John Kennedy sat down with Florence to dive deep into the meaning and inspiration behind every song on Florence + The Machine's 6th studio album.

Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

To mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Paul and Duncan from Maximo Park sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to talk about the meaning, inspiration, and legacy of every track on the record.

Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Amy and Georgia of Nova Twins joined John Kennedy in the studio to discuss the meaning and inspiration behind every track on their 3rd studio album.

Wolf Alice - The Clearing

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

On the day they released their 4th studio album, Ellie and Joff from Wolf Alice sat down with John Kennedy to discuss every track on the record.

Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

20 years on from the release of one of the most iconic debut albums of the 00s, Richard Archer joined John Kennedy to reflect on its impact and legacy. He also spoke in-depth about the writing and recording of every track on the record.

The Lathums - Matter Does Not Define

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Alex, Scott, Ryan, and Matty from The Lathums sat down with The Most Trusted In Music to dissect every track on their 3rd studio album.

Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James and Nicky from Manic Street Preachers sat down with John Kennedy to chat about the meaning and inspiration behind every track their 15th studio album.

Franz Ferdinand - The Human Fear

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

After 7 years, they're back! Alex and Julian from Franz Ferdinand sat down with John Kennedy to talk about the meaning and inspiration behind every track on their 6th studio album.

The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The Most Trusted Man in Music sat down with Robert Smith of The Cure to hear all about their first record in over 16 years.

Razorlight - Planet Nowhere

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Following the release of their first album for 16 years, Johnny and Björn from Razorlight spoke to The Most Trusted Man in Music about every track on Planet Nowhere. They told tales of Spain, Taylor Swift, and how the album almost didn't happen.

Blossoms - Gary

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Tom and Joe from Blossoms sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to talk about every track on their 5th studio album. They spoke about what it was like to embrace collaboration for this record, working with artists like Jungle and CMAT.

86TVs - 86TVs

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0000

When the Maccabees disbanded in 2017, Felix and Hugo from the band (alongside their brother Will and Stereophonics' Jamie Morrison) got together to start a new project. 7 years later, and 86TVs released their debut album. Ahead of its release, the boys sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to talk about every track on the record.

Kasabian - Happenings

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Just days after performing a surprise set at Glastonbury, Serge from Kasabian sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to tell him all about the band's 8th studio album.

Paul Weller - 66

Sat, 25 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The latest offering from Paul Weller underwent the Track by Track treatment when he met with The Most Trusted Man in Music on the release date of his 17th solo studio album.

Suede - Night Thoughts

Fri, 17 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Widely considered to be their best work since 'Dog Man Star', Brett and Matt from Suede joined The Most Trusted Man in Music to explain the meaning and inspiration behind every track on their 9th album 'Night Thoughts.

Kings of Leon - Can We Please Have Fun

Sat, 11 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Ahead of the release of their 9th studio album, Caleb and Jared from Kings of Leon sat down with John to reveal the musical and lyrical inspiration behind every track on the record.

Mystery Jets - Curve Of The Earth

Fri, 03 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Following the release of their fifth studio album, Will and Jack from Mystery Jets joined John Kennedy to reveal the meaning and inspiration behind each track on the record.

Benjamin Clementine - At Least For Now

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Shortly after picking up the Mercury Prize for his debut album, Benjamin Clementine sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to dive deep into each track on the record.

Guy Garvey - Courting The Squall

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

After 18 years with Elbow, Guy Garvey released his debut solo album in 2015. He sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to explain why he wanted to release solo music alongside his work with Elbow, as well as explaining each and every track on the record.

Editors - In Dream

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Just a few hours before the release of Editors' 5th studio album, Tom Smith from the band joined John Kennedy to talk about every track on the record.

Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The Most Trusted Man in Music was joined by Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig as he spoke in depth about every track on the band's 5th album.

New Order - Music Complete

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

New Order's Bernard Sumner joined JK in the studio to discuss their 10th studio album. Talking about every track on the record, he discussed recent changes to the band's lineup, and explained how they explored using more contemporary elements in their music whilst also keeping true to the iconic New Order sound.

Foals - What Went Down

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Just a few hours before Foals were set to release their fourth studio album, Yannis and Jimmy from the band joined JK in the studio to him all about it.

Yard Act - Where's My Utopia?

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Yard Act's James and Ryan joined JK to explain the meaning and inspiration behind every track on their second studio album.

The Snuts - Millenials

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Jack Cochrane from The Snuts joined The Most Trusted Man in Music in the studio to chat about every track on their third studio album. This was the first album to be released on their very own label, and Jack explained why they decided to part ways with their previous label, and what it meant for the band.

IDLES - TANGK

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Meeting in-person for the first time, Joe Talbot sat down with John Kennedy to discuss IDLES' fifth studio album. Joe spoke about the dynamic of the band, how they create music, and what it was like to work with legendary producer Nigel Godrich.

The Vaccines - Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Speaking in depth about every single track on their sixth studio album, Justin from The Vaccines explained how the departure bandmate Freddie affected the band, and what inspires him as an musician.

The 1975 - A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Matty Healy talks John Kennedy through every track on The 1975's third studio album, revealing his writing process, difficulties they faced while recording, and the inspirations behind the songs - including everything from John Hopkins to Disney.

Mumford & Sons - Delta

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Marcus and Winston from Mumford & Sons spoke to John Kennedy about every track on their fourth studio album.

The Prodigy - No Tourists

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The Prodigy's Liam Howlett joined JK in the studio to talk about every single track on No Tourists. Liam told John which samples and equipment were used in the production of this record to achieve the iconic Prodigy sound.

Suede - The Blue Hour

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Back in 2018, John Kennedy was joined in the studio by Suede's Mat and Brett, as they spoke in depth about their eighth studio album.

Paul Weller - True Meanings

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The Modfather sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to explain the meaning and inspiration behind every track on his fourteenth solo studio album.

The Coral - Move Through The Dawn

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

James and Nick from The Coral explained the story behind every track on their 9th studio album. They also told John how they keep their music sounding fresh after over a decade together as 'The Coral'.

Miles Kane - Coup De Grace

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Miles Kane joined The Most Trusted Man in Music back in 2018 to discuss his third studio album, 'Coup De Grace'. Collaborators on this record include Jamie T and Lana Del Ray, and Miles told John about how each track came about.

Florence + The Machine - High As Hope

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Florence Welch joined John Kennedy in the studio following the release of Florence + The Machine’s 4th studio album to talk about every single track on the ‘High As Hope’, and explain the process behind how she creates music.

Johnny Marr - Call The Comet

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Recorded on the 6th floor of a factory in Stockport, Call The Comet is the third solo album from Johnny Marr. Following its release, JK sat down with Johnny to talk about the meaning and inspiration behind every track on ‘Call The Comet’

Snow Patrol - Wildness

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In 2018, we heard the first new music from Snow Patrol in over 7 years. On release day, The Most Trusted Man in Music caught up with Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol, who opened up about his sobriety and spoke about how his healing process influenced this record.

Frank Turner - Be More Kind

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Sitting down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to discuss his 7th studio album, Frank Turner explained the meaning behind his lyrics, and revealed which musicians inspired the sound of this album.

Blossoms - Cool Like You

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

All five members of Blossoms squeezed into the studio to tell JK all about their latest album. They spoke in-depth about writing, recording, and producing the record, and explained how they fought to stay original and true to themselves with this new music.

The Vaccines - Combat Sports

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Justin and Freddie from The Vaccines sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music for a track by track breakdown of their 4th studio album, ‘Combat Sports’. They spoke to John about the process of producing this record, and explained which questions they had to ask themselves as a band before they could even begin putting pen to paper and writing music for the record.

Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Just a few hours before the release of their 5th studio album ‘Always Ascending’, Alex and Bob from Franz Ferdinand joined John Kennedy in the studio to tell him all about it.

Hot Chip - Why Make Sense?

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Why Make Sense? It’s a great question, and also the title of the sixth studio album from Hot Chip. Just before its release, John Kennedy sat down with Al and Joe from the band to talk all about it, track by track.

Public Service Broadcasting - The Race For Space

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Most Trusted Man in Music met with self-described ‘Corduroy-infected knob-twiddler’ J. Wilgoose Esq. to discuss his band’s second studio album, ‘The Race For Space’. After talking about two songs he wrote in Dutch for an ice-skating event, he revealed why this record had a space theme, and spoke about the meaning behind every track on the album.

Gaz Coombes - Matador

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

John Kennedy was joined in the studio by Gaz Coombes, following the release of his second solo album, ‘Matador’. As well as speaking in depth about every track on the album, he also touched on what it was like to go solo, after recording and performing with bands for nearly 30 years.

Everything Everything - Get To Heaven

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

With the release of their third studio album ‘Get To Heaven’, Jonathan and Alex from Everything Everything sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to explain their writing process and delve into the meaning behind every track on the record.

Muse - Drones

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Dom and Matt from Muse spoke to John Kennedy about every track on their first conceptual album, ‘Drones’. They explained that on one hand, this record follows a protagonist through their emotional journey to find the light inside themselves, and on the other hand, commentates on the battle between humanity and technology.

The Cribs - For All My Sisters

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Where do The Cribs write their music, and how to they keep their ideas flowing? When John Kennedy spoke to the Wakefield trio about their sixth studio album, they answered both of those questions, as well as revealing the meaning and inspiration behind every track on ‘For All My Sisters’.

Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright In The End

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

When Weezer frontman Rivers sat down with JK (from across the pond!) to talk about their 9th studio album, he explained how this album marks a return to the iconic ‘Weezer’ sound that we heard in their earlier albums. He also told John how they are trying to use this record to reconnect with their fans.

Kasabian - 48:13

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Serge from Kasabian sat down with the most trusted man in music to discuss the band’s latest album, 48:13.

alt-J - This Is All Yours

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

2012 and 2013 were two very busy years for alt-J. Releasing their hugely successful debut album ‘An Awesome Wave’, winning the Mercury prize, and then touring the album around the world. So, when they released their second album in 2014, it was great to see them in the studio with John Kennedy, talking to him about how they found the past few years, and revealing what went into making this brand new record.

Arctic Monkeys - AM

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In 2013, for the fifth time in Track by Track history, Arctic Monkeys joined the most trusted man in music for an album playback. This time, the album in question was AM. As well as providing John with some exclusive insights into the album, Alex and Matt told him what it was like to try and stick to their Sheffield roots whilst living in the city of angels.

Mumford & Sons - Wilder Mind

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Ben and Winston from Mumford & Sons sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to talk about their third studio album, ‘Wilder Mind’. With the boys living over in New York at the time, they told John about how much time they spent on this side of the pond while writing and recording the album, as well as talking in depth about the production process.

Royal Blood - Back To The Water Below

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0000

On the day they released their fourth studio album, Mike and Ben from Royal Blood sat down with John Kennedy to explain what it was like to self-produce this record, as well as talking in-depth about each track on the album.

Courteeners - Concrete Love

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Liam Fray joined the most trusted man in music to talk all about Courteeners’ fourth studio album, Concrete Love. He told JK when they decided to start working on a new album, and why he sung about a Virgin Pendolino train on ‘Small Bones’...

Miles Kane - One Man Band

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Sitting down with JK to discuss his fifth solo album, Miles Kane explained that 'One Man Band' was all about going back to his roots, and proving to himself that making music is what he does best.

Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Following the release of their long-awaited fourth album, ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’, the boys over at Bombay Bicycle Club joined John in the studio to talk all about it.

Jungle - Jungle

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Electronic music duo Jungle went from creating music in their bedroom, to launching their album in front of hundreds of people on a Peckham rooftop. When JK sat down with them to talk about the record, they talked about what it was like to create their first full-length album, and explained the inspiration behind the tracks on the record.

The Maccabees - Marks To Prove It

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In 2015, Orlando and Felix from The Maccabees spoke to John Kennedy about their fourth and final album, as just over a year after this interview, the band decided to go their separate ways. They went through every track on the album. speaking in-depth about the meaning of their music.

Royal Blood - Royal Blood

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Royal Blood by Royal Blood, the Mercury Prize winning album that birthed cult classics like ‘Figure it Out’ and ‘Out of the Black’. Before they knew how influential their debut album would become, Mike and Ben from Royal Blood joined John Kennedy to talk about the formation of the band, as well as talking about the inspiration behind every track on the album.

The Charlatans - Modern Nature

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The first track by track interview of 2015 saw Tim and Mark from The Charlatans talking to JK about their 12th studio album, ‘Modern Nature’.

Manic Street Preachers - Futurology

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Less than a year after the release of their 11th album, ‘Rewind The Film’, we saw the Manics release their 12th album, Futurology. Shortly after its release, James and Nicky from the band joined JK in the studio to talk him through every track on the record.

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In 2011, Alex Turner and Matt Helders sat down with The Most Trusted Man in music to talk him through Arctic Monkeys' fourth studio album, track by track. As well as explaining how the album title got them into trouble across the pond, the boys also went in depth about the meaning and inspiration behind every song on the record.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Just over a year on from their huge debut, Arctic Monkeys were gearing up to release their highly anticipated second album. It's the record that gave us some of the Monkeys' most iconic tunes, and in this episode of the track by track podcast, The Most Trusted Man in Music sat down with Alex Turner and Nick O'Malley to dissect every song on the album.

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

After both taking a well-deserved break, Alex and Matt from Arctic Monkeys reunited in 2008 to start working on their highly-anticipated third studio album, Humbug. As well as explaining how they ended up in the middle of the Mojave Desert with Josh Homme, the boys went in-depth about every song on the record in this Track by Track interview.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Council Skies

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Noel Gallagher sat down with The Most Trusted Man in Music to discuss the fourth studio album from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. As well as talking in depth about every track on the record, Noel also spoke about fellow musicians, their music, and the wider issues of the day.

Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Tue, 23 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The sixth studio album from Arctic Monkeys marked a switch in style for the band. Moving away from the guitar-heavy music of their previous albums, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino embodies elements of psychedelic pop, lounge pop, glam rock, and jazz. Alex Turner from the band told John about why they made this major change, also explained what Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is, and what each track means.

Arctic Monkeys - The Car

Mon, 22 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Monkeys have returned! It's their 7th studio album and sees them return down to Earth from their Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino. In this episode, The Most Trusted Man In Music is joined by Alex Turner and Matt Helders to talk about this album, where the inspiration came from for it and how it flirts with sounding like a movie soundtrack. Hear Alex and Matt talk through every track on The Car with John Kennedy.

Paul Weller - Saturns Pattern

Fri, 19 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In 2015, John Kennedy was joined in-studio by the one and only Paul Weller, following the release of his 12th studio album. As well as explaining the inspiration and meaning behind every track on the record, he also told John what his life has been like over the past few years, and revealed who he’d been working with in the music world.

Primal Scream - More Light

Fri, 12 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Primal Scream had just released their tenth studio album, More Light, when they joined John Kennedy in the studio for a Track by Track interview. As well as talking John through every track on the record, they also recalled the past few years of promoting, touring, and writing.

Leftfield - Alternative Light Source

Fri, 05 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Back in 2015, John was joined in the studio by Neil Barnes, one half of electronic music duo Leftfield. Neil spoke about every track on ‘Alternative Light Source’, explaining the meaning and inspiration behind the music, and revealing which member of his family made an appearance on the record.

The Vaccines - English Graffiti

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In an effort to keep things fresh while writing their third studio album, The Vaccines set themselves one rule. To not do anything they’d done before. Speaking with The Most Trusted Man in Music about every track on ‘English Graffiti’, Justin and Arni from the band explained what it was like to step out of their comfort zone while producing this album, and what that meant for the finished product.

Johnny Marr - Playland

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

With the release of Johnny Marr’s second solo album came another track by track interview with our very own John Kennedy! Talking to JK back in 2014, Johnny spoke about his love of performing live, and even revealed which song on the album was recorded on the back of his tour bus.

Elbow - The Take Off and Landing of Everything

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Guy and Pete dropped into the studio in 2014 to talk about their latest album, ‘The Take Off and Landing of Everything’. They told JK about how they switched up the writing process on this record, and what that meant for the final product.

DMA's - How Many Dreams?

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Everyone’s favourite Aussie three-piece joined The Most Trusted Man in Music for a track by track breakdown of their fourth studio album.

Frank Turner - Positive Songs For Negative People

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

After the release of Frank Turner’s 6th studio album, came the inevitable 6th track by track interview with The Most Trusted Man in Music. Frank opened up to John about the meaning behind the lyrics of every track on Positive Songs For Negative People.

The Lathums - From Nothing To A Little Bit More

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Returning to Radio X for another track by track interview, Alex and Scott from The Lathums spoke to The Most Trusted Man In Music all about their second studio album. The boys revealed all about each and every track on the record, from the meaning of the lyrics, to what it was like to produce music videos for some of their songs.

HAIM - Days Are Gone

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:33:00 +0000

American rock trio ‘HAIM’ joined John Kennedy in the studio following the release of their debut album, ‘Days Are Gone’. Talking in depth about the album, they described the process of writing, recording, and releasing it, and talked about what it was like to record their album in a multitude of studios around the world.

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:33:00 +0000

Vampire Weekend swung by the studio in 2013 to talk to John about their latest album, ‘Modern Vampires of the City’. Following the success of their last album, ‘Contra’, they told John about their first ever writing retreat as a band, and how it went…

The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 15:14:00 +0000

Ritzy, Rhydian, and Matt from The Joy Formidable joined John Kennedy to talk about every track on Wolf’s Law. After they told JK about the time they spent together in an isolated log cabin in America, they revealed why they put so much effort into perfecting their music.

Savages - Silence Yourself