Review: Hit Singles

I used to be a scrooge when it came to romance as a genre. If you subscribe to my monthly newsletter, this might be surprising given how many of these books I have read. I admit, I was mad at love stories. I hid it behind a veil of “I just like the other stuff more”. Yeah, well. That was silly of me.
Romance is a genre that every decade seems to be having a new revolution. Booktok and Bookstagram continue to be some of the most fascinating modern communities I’ve witnessed. It is a powerhouse of money, content, and thought. I get why. Open conversations about art can lead to open conversations about everything else. Wrapped in the escapism of romance, there are gems of breathtaking, heartbreaking truth.
So where are all the podcast romances? I don’t know. Audio drama and I are still negotiating our yearly rendezvous. Lists are forming of what I want to listen to in the fall. As usual, sci-fi and fantasy lead the list. The audio format works well for these genres, and so it follows that they are popular not just to listen to - but also to produce. For listeners, a great sci-fi podcast is a multi-layer dessert of experience. For creators, it allows them different freedom, but also different rules to test. They are beautifully complex in world-building, storytelling, and design. I reserve autumn for this because I think the longer nights tap into a genetic memory of tales around a fire. To put it simply, the vibes match.
As much as I love these works, it’s also sometimes overwhelming. I find myself wanting ear candy that will entertain, give me a gem of beautiful nuance, and then a satisfied sigh upon ending. The kind of story I’m sad to leave, but not questioning my very existence over. It’s about balance, as they say.
This is why when Hit Singles slid into my submissions, I was more than intrigued. One of the creators, Gabriel Urbina, has worked on shows such as Wolf 369, and The Bright Sessions - just to mention two in a long CV. There are certain names, that when they pop up, will get me to add a podcast to the queue. Please note that I am not sure what those names are going to be.
This podcast is a perfect summer listen, and not just because it takes place over the season, but because it gives us everything I mentioned. Hit Singles is stunning, rom-com ear candy. It has you walking away feeling satiated, but not overwhelmed. It’s great to stretch your toes towards the sun, listening as you lounge and relax.
Our main character, Faith Adler, is spending the summer with an old friend in New York City. One friendship springs into four, and more, as they dive into the world of DJs, your late 20s, and more conflict than I think one person could handle when you’re measuring time in weeks.
Cradled by an incredible sound design, we get messy friend, roommate, and relationship drama. We get make-ups, make-outs, and emotional make-overs as layers are peeled back to reveal how sometimes just one person can change everything. Maybe, not even in the ways that we expect. This podcast tackles questions of modern romance, commitment to yourself, others, and the messiness of figuring life out after the college years. I am nearly the perfect age-match to these characters so it was that gem of nuance that spoke to me. Wrapped up in romance, friendship, and conflict was the reality of continuing life. Self-discovery isn’t going to stop, and shouldn’t stop, especially when we let new people into our lives. Even when the change is uncomfortable and revealing, it will end up bringing us all to a better place.
I mentioned an incredible sound design, right? Framed by Faith taking us through the story, dropping hints of chaos along the way, it’s all through her musical mind. The beats are underscored with incredible music when needed, and silence when important. The effects pull us through to the finishing line of a moment with a balance of silly, fun, or heartfelt. Every moment is something sweeter and more interesting while fully supporting the story.
The acting is also the perfect level of natural and ridiculous at the same time. Everyone knows a version of each of these characters, or if you don't maybe find more friends. They are colorful, bold, and acted out with the right levels of nuance to not fall into satire. The way each actor creates their character without over-punching their moments is a testament to the cast’s talent and the team’s direction. There is no performance from this cast that I see as stand-out beyond the others, they are an ensemble that makes every beat what it needs to be as the story is strung along. Sometimes when people make audio drama, it feels like they’re imagining a TV show rather than a podcast. Hit Singles is for the ears through every aspect of its production.
If you’re an avid romance reader, and like me, don’t love audiobooks - maybe Hit Singles will do the trick for you, too. This podcast filled a void between serious and ridiculous that has been missing in my audio drama rotation. Enjoy this podcast leisurely as you travel this summer, and beyond. It’s fantastic entertainment, but please note it is an Audible exclusive. Listen below!
Hit Singles is produced by Sarah Shachat, Gabriel Urbina, and Zach Valenti.
The cast stars Nicholas Podanhy, Evangeline Young, Mary Kate Wiles, Briggon Snow, Julia Rehwald, and Simone Policano.
It is an Audible Original, produced by Audible and Fresh Produce Media.
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