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World premiere!” Gerardo jokes as the episode opens, the kind of unfiltered banter that reminds listeners why this show works. The energy’s light, a little scattered, but charged with curiosity. This time around, the duo dives into an open-format set again, no strict genre lane, just good music with mood. Vic calls it “a little bit of everything,” and he’s right. Between Bay Area bass, UK grooves, and soulful R&B cuts, the mix feels like a travel map of feeling, from high energy to introspection. Gerardo laughs, “We don’t even know the name until we post it,” but as the set unfolds, “Vibes” fits perfectly.

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Top Picks

Mariposa — Radiant Children
When Vic says this one gives “big city, hipsterish” energy, he’s not exaggerating. The guys are floored when they learn Radiant Children are from the UK, their sound feels way too West Coast slick. “They wrote for Zedd and Goldlink,” Gerardo adds, surprised at how under-the-radar the group still is. What unfolds is a moment of reflection: a conversation about how songwriters and producers rarely get their due, even though they build the foundation for major hits. “If it weren’t for producers,” Gerardo says, “big artists like Dre or Kanye wouldn’t be here.” Mariposa becomes more than a track — it’s a conversation starter about credit, creativity, and transformation. As Vic puts it, “Maybe Mariposa isn’t about a woman, maybe it’s about life. She’s the butterfly.”

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Fuego — Manu Crooks ft. Anfa Rose
Introduced by Gerardo as “relatable as fuck,” this track hits that emotional sweet spot between energy and vulnerability. It’s a modern rap-soul hybrid that feels both confident and self-aware, all swagger with something heavy underneath. Vic credits their friend Vanessa for putting them on to it, and Gerardo admits he had it on repeat for a week straight. The duo dig into Manu Crooks’ catalog, impressed by his southern roots and J. Cole-inspired lyricism. “He’s got the sound, just needs the audience,” Vic notes. The chemistry between Manu and Anfa is effortless, the kind of record that makes you want to roll your windows down and just feel something real.

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Fire — E L E Y
Vic nails it when he says, “He’s an artist in pain under a jazzy beat.” The guys spend a minute trying to pin down his style, “super experimental,” “all over the place”, but land on one truth: Fire is E L E Y’s best work yet. At 26, the LA artist balances introspection and rhythm in a way that feels raw but refined. They unpack some of the song’s sharpest lyrics, “You probably think that I’m dumb,” and “You fuck me over for fun”, laughing about how painfully relatable they are. Gerardo connects with the vulnerability, while Vic sees the self-awareness. “You’re not a dumbass, bro,” Vic jokes, before they both agree the song captures that universal loop of giving too much and still coming back for more.

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As Fire fades, the episode winds down on a note of honesty and humor. The conversation shifts from relationships to human energy, “Just reciprocate effort,” Gerardo says, “friends, family, everybody.” Vic adds, “And please stop ghosting people.” It’s that candid mix of wisdom and comedy that keeps Inspire by Sound grounded even when the playlist soars. Between heartbreak anthems and world premieres, this set proves one thing: no matter the genre, what really connects is the vibe.

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