Waterproof Records with Jacob Givens

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026. In this episode of Waterproof Records, I’m kicking things off by reflecting on time, age, and how music continues to meet us exactly where we are—and then diving headfirst into my Top 10 Albums of 2025, along with a very necessary list of honorable mentions. This isn’t a critic’s list. There are no rankings, no hype chasing, and no obligation to agree with what anyone else says belongs here. These are simply the albums that found me this year—the records I returned to, lived with, and connected with during specific moments of life. Whether you’re here to discover new music, compare lists, or just hang out and talk records, I’m grateful you’re listening. Thanks for coming back—and if you’re new, welcome to the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas — and welcome to a special holiday episode of Waterproof Records. Whether you’re listening on Christmas Day, sneaking away from family chaos with earbuds in, or finding this episode weeks (or months) later — this one’s meant to feel like a personal Christmas mixtape made just for you. In this special holiday episode, I share 10 Christmas songs that live a little outside the standard holiday playlist. Some are joyful. Some are nostalgic. Some are emotional gut-punches. And some might surprise you. This is less “department store Christmas” and more music that actually meant something to me. We talk about: Why alternative & 90s-leaning Christmas songs deserve more love Building a Christmas mixtape with a Side A / Side B flow The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Low, Run-DMC, Chris Cornell, and more Why certain songs hit harder as we get older Christmas memories, belief systems, loss, hope, and finding meaning through music This episode is about what music does to us during the holidays — the joy, the sadness, the reflection, and the kindness we wish lasted all year long. So throw on your headphones, step out of the noise for a bit, and join me for Jacob’s Christmas Mixtape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Primus sucks.…or do they? 😏 If you know, you know. And if you don’t know, this episode is about to bring you fully into the weird, wonderful world of Primus. In this episode of Waterproof Records, I dive deep into Sailing the Seas of Cheese — the 1991 album that introduced a generation to Les Claypool’s alien-level bass playing, bizarre humor, nautical nonsense, and one of the most misunderstood inside jokes in alternative music history. Primus isn’t for everyone — and that’s exactly the point. Whether you grew up with this record or you’re hearing about it for the first time, this episode is a celebration of creativity, risk-taking, and embracing the strange. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smashing Pumpkins fans — this one’s for YOU.Today we take a deep dive into Machina / The Machines of God, the fifth studio album from the original Smashing Pumpkins era and one of the most fascinating chapters in the band’s entire history. From the chaotic label politics, to D'arcy’s departure, to the abandoned double-album concept, to the mythic story of Glass and the Machines of God — this episode unpacks it ALL. I even pull out my original Machina CDs, concert tickets, and memories from catching the band on the Sacred & Profane Tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Halloween, and I'm back with a special Waterproof Records bonus episode! This week, I'm setting the mood for your haunted house, late-night drive, or dance floor with ten underrated songs that belong on your Halloween playlist. Forget the same old Monster Mash and pop hits—these tracks go darker, moodier, and way cooler. From Poe’s haunted beauty to Nine Inch Nails’ chilling cover of Joy Division, from Portishead’s eerie orchestration to The Cure’s gothic masterpiece, I've got you covered with deep cuts that sound like Halloween feels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices