Twenty-five years after the world braced for Y2K, we're celebrating our 99th mixtape with a journey through the musical landscape of 1999 – arguably one of music's most transformative years. From Latin pop explosions to hip-hop revolutions, this episode captures the diverse soundscape that defined a generation.

The late 90s represented a unique cultural moment when music discovery happened primarily through radio and MTV, creating shared experiences difficult to imagine in today's fragmented landscape. When Ricky Martin burst onto English-language charts with "Livin' La Vida Loca," he didn't just score a hit – he opened doors for countless Latin artists to follow. Meanwhile, Eminem's debut "My Name Is" signaled something revolutionary was happening in hip-hop, establishing a controversial voice that would dominate for decades.

What made 1999 truly special was its balance of innovation and emotional depth. Blink-182's "Adam's Song" tackled teenage suicide with remarkable sensitivity, while Moby's reluctantly-included "Porcelain" brought electronic music further into the mainstream. The Chicks challenged radio censors with "Goodbye Earl," a darkly comedic take on domestic abuse packaged in an upbeat country crossover hit. These weren't just songs; they were cultural touchstones that reflected the optimism, anxiety, and creativity of a society on the cusp of a new millennium.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/1999-mix-99-episodes/pl.u-mJy8137uNE8XR1q

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qZC4ONJesEZ2d6uz9s55j?si=da64abcd6c8c46de

1. Livin’ la Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
2. My Name Is by Eminem
3. Someday We’ll Know by New Radicals
4. Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out) by Citizen King
5. Goodbye Earl by The Chicks
6. Steal My Sunshine by LEN
7. Adam’s Song by blink-182
8. Porcelain by Moby
9. My Own Worst Enemy by Lit
10. Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
11. Heartbreaker (feat. Jay-Z) by Mariah Carey, JAY-Z
12. Forgot About Dre by Dr. Dre, Emine

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Matt and Sam share their carefully curated selection of new music for July, featuring unreleased Bruce Springsteen tracks, genre-bending collaborations, and high-energy summer anthems.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-july-2025/pl.u-z6lXtGxoYJ

• Bruce Springsteen's "Unsatisfied Heart" from his newly released Tracks 2 collection, featuring seven previously unreleased albums
• Lupe Fiasco's "Samurai" featuring Troy Tyler, imagining an alternate timeline where Amy Winehouse became a battle rapper
• Lindsey Stirling's "Evil Twin" with Shuba, fusing classical violin with electronic and Bollywood influences
• The bass-heavy "Daydreams" by Effin and Nightmare that demands quality speakers
• Cold War Kids' biographical tribute "Any Day Now" about Richard Swift of The Shins
• Daisy the Great's indie pop track "Rest of My Life" questioning relationships and permanence
• The Dare's "Cheeky" bringing nostalgic hip-hop vibes reminiscent of Run DMC
• Cardi B's "Outside" sparking a discussion about why rock musicians don't make diss tracks
• Dropkick Murphys' nostalgic "Chesterfields and Aftershave" evoking memories of grandparents
• The addictive beat of "High Horse" by Proper Monday Number
• Bruno Mars' energetic minute-long Portuguese track "Bonde do Brunao"
• Fitz and the Tantrums' formula-perfect "OK, OK, OK" closing out the mix

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This week's Mixtape Rewind takes you back to our first Intro mix ever, when Matt introduced Sam to Pearl Jam.

Pearl Jam's music walks a fascinating tightrope—raw, energetic rock paired with profound, often dark storytelling. This episode takes you on a journey through their three-decade evolution, perfect for both newcomers and longtime fans wanting a deeper appreciation of their artistry.

We explore how their debut album Ten created an instant impact with songs like "Jeremy"—a haunting track based on the true story of a student's classroom suicide—and why that album's four standout tracks remain essential listening. The emotional range of Eddie Vedder's voice shines through as we contrast high-energy anthems like "Even Flow" with more introspective pieces like "Black," revealing how the band masterfully balances intensity with vulnerability.

What's particularly fascinating is how their audience has shaped their music's meaning over time. "Alive," originally written as a painful reflection on family trauma, transformed through concert performances into an empowering anthem of survival—something Eddie Vedder himself acknowledges changed his relationship with the song. It's this connection between band and listeners that makes Pearl Jam's catalog so compelling.

Later albums showcase their artistic evolution, from the politically charged "Corduroy" to acoustic gems like "Just Breathe," demonstrating why they've remained relevant while many of their 90s contemporaries faded away. We even touch on Eddie Vedder's solo work, highlighting how the distinctive voice of Pearl Jam translates into different musical contexts.

Whether you missed the Pearl Jam phenomenon the first time around or want to rediscover what made them revolutionary, this mixtape offers the perfect entry point into their world of authentic, powerful rock storytelling. Which Pearl Jam song will become your unexpected favorite?

You can find the playlist on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6mK1lDmg6nsOSqfDV8IIcQ?si=c76b52fafa9740a4

You can also find the playlist on YouTube Music:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpQYsbkgm3L4XGudn53dqQ4aE_KW6YmIL&feature=share

1. Jeremy
2. Even Flow
3. Black
4. Alive
5. Go
6. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter In a Small Town
7. Corduroy
8. Better Man
9. Yellow Ledbetter
10. Thumbing My Way
11. Just Breathe
12. Far Behind

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