Noisey

Noisey is a television series that aired on Viceland in 2016. Specially designed to serve as a daring, pulsating encounter with a wide range of music scenes across the globe, the series is nothing short of a musical and sociocultural excursion. It's a travelogue to the underbelly of global music scenes calling into focus some of the world’s most influential music hotspots and their sociopolitical aspects.

The series gets its name from its digital media parent, Noisey, a music brand under Vice Media, known for its no-holds-barred investigations and edgy music journalism. Maintaining this brand’s legacy, the television series does not shy away from delving deep into the heart of the subject matter through the hard questions. Its primary intent revolves around shedding light on the various interpretations of music as an art form, and more importantly, how it's a reflection of the socio-political landscape from which it arises.

The host, Zach Goldbaum, is at the helm of this dynamic show, leading us through each episode’s exploration of diverse landscapes of music. Zach’s host persona comes across as curious, relatable, and conversational. Whether he's engaging with famous artists or local talents, he remains genuinely interested, which adds a layer of authenticity to the show. His journalistic background serves him well as he navigates not just the musical aspects of the narrative, but also the real-world themes running parallel.

Over the course of the series, Zach takes the viewers on an epic journey, dropping them at the doorstep of many vibrant international music scenes. The series includes places that have been traditionally celebrated for their influential music, like London, New York, and L.A. However, it also ventures into off-beaten paths. The real crowning jewel is when it brings underrepresented music geographies into the spotlight, locations like Compton, Las Vegas, Sao Paulo, Seoul, and Lagos, offering an eye-opening experience.

The show's ambitious scale means it doesn’t restrict itself to a particular genre. From hip-hop to punk rock, indie to techno, the show strays all over the music spectrum. The interviews famously includes A-list music artists from all genres but also allows adequate screen time to local rising talents, thus painting a more holistic and nuanced picture.

Noisey is particularly laudable for its deeper social context. It acknowledges music as an inherent part of a community’s identity, and that it is often an outcome of the socio-political environment. Whether it’s civil unrest, police violence, racial inequalities, or the little pockets of hope and shared humanity in these scenarios, the show thrives in the intersection of music and compelling human stories. Herein, the series also displays its highlights of young people's capacities who rely on music to cope with, capture, and often challenge the very complexities of life.

The deeper themes are matched with a bold and gritty visual style. The camerawork is raw, almost dynamic, and the editing is sharp, reflecting the essence of the music communities covered. Each episode pulses with the rhythm of the place it is showcasing, not just audibly but visually too, making it a treat for the senses.

In terms of overall structure, the show follows a documentary-style format, fused with elements of investigative journalism with each episode as self-contained as can be. This allows the viewers to either tune in regularly to watch the progression over an entire season or to choose episodes based on particular geographic or musical interest without missing out on any crucial narrative threads.

Throughout its run, Noisey offers much more than just musical discovery; it offers cultural insight, broadens perspectives and delivers thought-provoking commentary on music’s role in society. It perfectly embodies Vice’s edgy, candid brand of journalism, coupled with a profound respect for the music it explores. It reverberates with the voice of a generation that's unafraid to speak up, sing out, and dance to its own unique rhythm, making it a must-watch for any music and culture enthusiast.