POP THEORY

This episode of POP THEORY is a VERY special one as Zach is joined by the absolutely brilliant ZEE MACHINE.  Together we take a dive into their discography, talking about songs like "The Radio," "Better Off" and his upcoming single "Worse" which is out May 9th!  We also get the opportunity to talk about his creative process, their current TEARS & GEARZ TOUR with Bentley Robles and some of the incredible artists that would keep him sane if stranded on a deserted island.

This week we welcome back an official two-time friend of the pod, DJ John Michael from Peloton!  With the intention of talking all things Madonna -- we uncover the moments that officially turned us into Madonna stans as well as talk about her impact in music and her advocacy with the LGBTQ+ community.  But as how conversation goes amongst friends we also discuss Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER, Katy Perry's "Walking On Air," Britney Spears' "Stronger" and even throw in some Janet Jackson and Gloria Estefan for good measure.

This week the boys discuss their initial thoughts on Taylor Swift's highly anticipated project: The Tortured Poets Department. Stay tuned as POP THEORY recaps the good, the bad, the ugly- and all in between!

This week the boys recap their top 5 COWBOY CARTER tracks, discuss Dua Lipa's new single + music video for "Illusion" as well as the Radical Optimism era (or shall we say radical floptimism?), Kelis, The fever dream that is Alanis Morissette covering "My Humps", Tori Kelly, "The Tortured Poets Department" predictions, Azealia Banks and the gatekeeping of genres within the music industry.

This week on Pop Theory, Zach and Jeff celebrate TWENTY YEARS of Janet Jackson's criminally underrated DAMITA JO.  We revisit the album to discuss some of our favorite songs - where are the "All Nite (Don't Stop)" fans at? - from the project plus some songs that were scrapped from the album's final tracklist like the Neptunes produced "Ruff" and the Rich Harrison assisted "Pops Up!"  We also celebrate 7 days of COWBOY CARTER, reflecting on our initial reactions of the album, discussing our current favorite moments from the album, and try to figure out what the HECK she is up to with the visuals!  We even through in some anticipation for Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" for good measure.

The wait is OVA ... COWBOY CARTER is here!  Jeff has made his valiant return on the perfect weekend as Beyoncé releases her highly anticipated follow-up to RENAISSANCE.  Recorded about 36 hours after the album was officially released in the states, Zach and Jeff give their reactions to each track off the album from AMERIICAN REQUIEM all the way to AMEN.  The boys also take a few stabs at what they think Beyoncé might have up her sleeve for Act III and the alleged visuals that have been filmed to support the albums.  Now, for this next episode, we want ya'll to sit back, inhale and go to the good place your mind likes to wander to.  And if you don't wanna go, go find yourself a jukebox!

You are NOT going to want to miss this one!  This week, Zach is joined by the one and only DJ John Michael from Peloton.  We instantly kiki the boots house DOWN starting with how John Michael burst onto the scene by working with the legendary Junior Vasquez.  From there we absolutely geek out over remixes of the 90's and early 00's -- shoutout to Junior's Hard Mix of Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker/If You Should Ever Be Lonely."   And even state we want to create a docu-series that covers the remix greats from that time period.  We also discuss John Michael's OFFICIAL remixes for Demi Lovato and Donna Summer and make our official begging plea to Celine Dion's record labels to release her remixography to streaming.  We also talk about his meeting with Lenny Kravitz, Debbie Gibson, Shep Pettibone (producer of Madonna's "Vogue") and more!  John Michael even reveals which one of his remixes is getting the official release treament next!  What are you waiting for?  Hit play!

Please welcome back Camille Adams!  In this episode, Camille and Zach give their reactions to two of the most anticipated albums of the year:  Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine" and Justin Timberlake's "Everything I Thought It Was."  We talk about songs we enjoy, things that we don't, and we even give a little love to Ariana's "Focus" ... the false lead single from "Dangerous Woman."  After going on a tangent about the reality competition show The Traitors, we also talk about our love for the leaked Brandy/Timbaland collaboration "Chinese (Home)," the album title for Beyonce's Act II "Cowboy Carter," and even have a mini discussion about our favorite Michael Jackson songs.

CROSSOVER ALERT!  This week Zach is joined by pop connoisseur and host of Jesse's Girls podcast Jesse Chambliss.  Together the boys discuss pop titans Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and J.Lo.  Jesse also gives Zach a crash course in Tinashe101 as well as the intro course to Denniz PoP -- the mentor to pop megaproducer Max Martin.  The boys also discuss their anticipation for Ariana Grande's highly anticipated new album "eternal sunshine."  Tune in for all this and more! JESSE'S SOCIALS TikTok:  @chambreezey [https://www.tiktok.com/@chambreezey] Instagram:  @chambreezey [https://www.instagram.com/chambreezey/] Podcast:  Jesse's Girls [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jesses-girls/id1603014568]

Zach is joined by special guest Andrew Pattee as they talk about all the girlies. They discuss Charli XCX's brand new single "Von Dutch," the anticipation of the latest release from Miley Cyrus and Pharrell, reminisce about their experience of seeing Madonna's Celebration Tour together, and put together some idyllic Lady Marmalade-esque collabs.  But most of all -- Zach and Andrew DEMAND answers to Lady Gaga's false promises!

This week, Zach and Jeff take a moment to react to J.Lo's latest musical/visual experience "This Is Me ... Now" both album and film.  The boys give her some much deserving hearts AND flowers, but did the album live up to their expectations?  The boys also take a trip down memory lane celebrating the 25th anniversary of TLC's "FanMail," going into a deep dive of the album's tracklist.  And speaking of anniversary, the one and only JoJo is also celebrated, as her debut single "Leave (Get Out)" was officially released TWENTY years ago.  Where has time gone!?

WOW, what a week it has been for music! In this episode, the boys discuss all the new music that was released this past week as well as upcoming announcements including: Caroline Polachek's deluxe version of "Desire, I Turn Into You", Kim Petras' follow up to "Slut Pop", J.Lo, Mariah Carey surprise-hopping on the remix of "yes, and?", Dua Lipa's "Training Season", Usher's Super Bowl performance, and last (but CERTAINLY NOT least) Beyoncé's Super Bowl announcement of Act II (including a review of the two new singles "16 CARRIAGES" and "TEXAS HOLD 'EM").

On this episode, Zach & Jeff gave their final Usher Superbowl predictions and took a trip down memory lane revisiting some of his favorite works.  The boys also discuss J.Lo's upcoming visual album "This Is Me...Now" and her affinity for teasing songs from projects only to never release them, the new single from Kylie Minogue and Sia, Kim Petras' "Slut Pop" sequel, and Brandy's birthday.  Buckle up because 2024 is about to be a HEAVY music release year!

This week POP THEORY recaps the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. What a Night! The boys highlight the 'Big 4' award winners (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist), talk about their favorite (and least favorite) performances of the night, surprise special guest appearances, the continual public embarrassment of Beyoncé at award shows… and much more!

Filling in for Jeff tonight is the one and only Camille Adams - dietitian, singer, and self-proclaimed "Big Fat BARB!"  We left no stone unturned as we discussed the soon-to-be infamous feud between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, the post Britney book comeback of Justin Timberlake, the ICONIC lineup for the Lovers & Friends Fest, and even take a couple guesses at what Usher might have up his sleeve for his Super Bowl Halftime Show.  For more Camille, visit her socials below: Instagram:  @easy.peasy.nutrition [https://www.instagram.com/easy.peasy.nutrition/] TikTok:  @easypeasynutrition [https://www.tiktok.com/@easypeasynutrition]

This week on POP THEORY: Zach recaps and reviews Madonna's Celebration Tour in Detroit (including a special highlight of her song "Frozen"), the boys talk about Jack Harlow and Ariana Grande fighting for the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, The Coachella 2024 lineup + Jeff's experience with going last year, Kali Uchis' latin music and her latest project "ORQUíDEAS", J.Lo's upcoming film + album, Lady Gaga being compared to Madonna in the media, Janet's upcoming "Together Again"-AGAIN tour, the Atlanta concert scene and Robyn's "Honey".

This week the boys talk all about the highly anticipated release of Ariana Grande's new single "yes, and?", Britney Spears' iconic debut album "…Baby One More Time" turning 25 Years old and have a candid discussion on Kali Uchis during an all new segment of "Songs We Don't Talk About Enough".

Can you believe 1999 is now 25 YEARS OLD?! Miss XCX really said it best after all: "I Just want to go back… back to 1999". From Ricky Martin's "Livin' la vida Loca" to TLC's iconic "No Scrubs", it's no question that this year was STACKED with legendary hits. Tune in as the boys recap this iconic year for music and countdown #43 - #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Year End chart.

Can you believe 1999 is now 25 YEARS OLD?! Miss XCX really said it best after all: "I Just want to go back… back to 1999". From Ricky Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca" to TLC's iconic "No Scrubs", it's no question that this year was STACKED with legendary hits. Tune in as the boys recap this iconic year for music and reexamine the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1999.  (PS: Stay tuned for part 2 next week!)

This week the boys talk about how putting "U" into a song title makes it instantly a BOP, Nicole Scherzinger's solo career deserving much better (including her song "Whatever U Like"), Songs written for other artists that ended up becoming smash hits, Sia's questionable film career, Zach's close run-in with Janet Jackson at a local hair salon, "Grown Woman" finally being released to streaming platforms, speculations for Act II and III of RENAISSANCE, Madonna's Celebration Tour hitting the U.S and M.I.A's artistry.