What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up Our wrapped Best albums/songs of the year Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Billboard Taylor Swift Time Person of the Year Charli XCX has finished her new album
WELCOME BACK TO THE POP IN! What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up The rise and rise of Tate McRae - could she clinch a Billboard #1? Spotify Wrapped is out - unpacking the global Top 5 songs and artists Dua Lipa's Houdini - our 4 week late review Nicki Minaj album next week same week as Tate McRae and SZA deluxe what a time Quick unpack of what the rest of the year looks like on the pod
Billie Eilish's second album 'Happier Than Ever' was a big turning point for her. Her first album was a streaming giant but this album marked a pointed move to establish herself as an artist without worrying about the hits. The result was a cohesive, mature and startingly honest album that's both wildly experimental while also being classic. In this episode, we talk about how important this album was for positioning her as an artist and also why it perhaps didn't garner the same success as her debut.
This week on The Pop In: Beyoncé is bringing the Renaissance World Tour to cinemas *NSYNC are back with a song for the Trollz soundtrack Ed Sheeran's new album is lacklustre Doja Cat is struggling to pull the numbers she deserves Jorja Smith's new album is bliss PinkPantheress nails the vibes on her new song
Ariana Grande makes her Flopstars debut with her divisive fourth album which came after a traumatic time and signalled the start of a creatively fluid period for her. It's an important album in her discography, one that sees her stepping into her own and learning to react to very personal situations in real-time. It wasn't for everyone but it was for us and we explore that on this week's pod.
This week on the Pop In: Kim Petras drops Problematique - why now? Kylie Minogue and Doja Cat release two of the most anticipated albums of the year this week Let’s talk about Madison Beer Drake/SZA - Slime You Out Tate McRae is having a huge time on streaming with Greedy, but has she had her proper mega hit yet?
Selena Gomez's 'Rare' came after a period of experimentation for one of the most popular people on earth. She had collaborated with dance producers and had a string of excellent standalone releases so 'Rare' could've been anything. 'Lose You To Love Me' instantly became her first #1 - a startingly honest ballad unlike anything she's ever done before - and the bar for 'Rare' was set high. Was it met? Probably not but we get into it all here.
Ryan Beatty is someone we've needed to talk about for a while. 'Boy In Jeans' is one of Nic's favourite records of all time and it's an important jumping block to discuss a really interesting career. It's a record about embracing queerness and joy while also unpacking trauma from the past and it's done so in a nuanced masterful way. If you're not already on the Ryan Beatty train, this is your invitation.
What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up Dua Lipa teases her new era's sound and release date Olivia Rodrigo single coming Friday - what sound can we expect? Doja Cat is headed for a great chart moment this week - but is she really not doing pop? Bop or Flop Halle - Angel David Guetta & Bebe Rexha - One In A Million Doja Cat - Paint The Town Red Jorja Smith - GO GO GO Gretta Ray - Dont date The Teenager Nao - Balance
We finally talk about an artist that we’ve been fascinated by for a while on this episode. Bebe Rexha’s third album ‘Bebe’ is the focus. A cohesive, strong pop album that is overshadowed by a behemoth hit that is bigger than the artist herself. We discuss what needs to happen for Bebe to be finally given her flowers and much more on this week’s episode.
We turn to Kelly Clarkson's fourth album 'All I Ever Wanted' in this episode, a record that was a chart hit but perhaps a personal defeat. After 'My December' this saw Clarko back on the charts but giving up some of the intimacy of the previous record. It's a varied but ultimately triumphant album.
What’s been happening this week? Britney & Will.i.am is happening and Sam makes a discovery about will.i.am's name New Zayn and Tinashe on the way this week - does time heal everything? Carly Rae Jepsen's new album is coming Troye is doing some of his all time best numbers, but do we need to talk about the bodies in the video for Rush? Bop or Flop (featuring our First Ever Guest, Friend Of The Show Jono) Troye Sivan - Rush Billie - What Was I Made For Pinkpantheress & Destroy Lonely - Turn Ya Phone Off Disclosure - Talk On The Phone Jung Kook & Latto - Seven Joel Corry, Icona Pop & Rain Radio - Desire Blusher - Limelight Post Malone - Overdrive
What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up Speak Now Taylor's Version chart records & first reactions New Britney and will.i.am coming this month? Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry (Rock Version)” featuring SLASH is coming this Friday Ava Max proves she's the perfect popstar on the Barbie pink carpet & Nicki Minaj reviews Barbie (Part 1) Bop or Flop Taylor Swift - I Can See You Fifty Fifty & Kaliii - Barbie Dreams Anne-Marie - TRAINWRECK Tkay Maidza & Flume - Silent Assassin Dominic Fike & Weezer - think fast TXT & Jonas Brothers - Do It Like That Kamille, Tamera & Bellah - Options NewJeans - Super Shy
We're back for season 8 and we're tapping in with a legend. Mariah Carey's 'E=MC2' came after a massive return to form with 'The Emancipation Of Mimi'. The follow-up didn't achieve the same success but it did nab a huge record with 'Touch My Body' and it's become a late fan favourite. It's a freeing R&B record that has only gotten better with age. Dive in with us.
What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up Kim Petras gets a 4.1 from Pitchfork - why? Olivia Rodrigo announces new album Guts - how does she follow up the first? Taylor Swift tells the crowd not to bully John Mayer Kylie's Vegas residency confirmed... by Kelly Clarkson Glastonbury - Elton's special guests, Lewis Capaldi, and Rick Astley's most iconic moment Bop or Flop Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj - Barbie World Carly Rae Jepsen - Shy Boy Kim Petras - King Of Hearts Coi Leray - Make My Day Diplo + Elle King - Without You Kelly Clarkson - lighthouse Anitta - Funk Rave Charley - Timebomb Maisie Peters - Run + some news about an exciting new era for The Pop In!
What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up The Idol - our review Padam Padam is doing the Padamn thing Romy announces debut album Bop or Flop Popular - The Weeknd & Madonna Madison Beer - Home To Another One Bizarrap, Peso Pluma - Bzrp Music Sessions 55 Dom Dolla, Nelly Furtado - Eat Your Man Ty Dolla $ign - Motion Kelly Clarkson - i hate love Rose Gray - Happiness Ed Sheeran - A Beautiful Game
We'll be back with a new season proper in mid June! In the meantime... Welcome to The Pop In the adjacent podcast to Flopstars where we run through the big new music releases and stories of the week! What’s been happening this week? The whole Matty Healy drama unpacked The Weeknd The Idol debuting this week and the critics despise it already - but we're very ready for it Sam Smith x Madonna Taylor Swift Cruel Summer and Miley Cyrus Angels Like You becoming hits Bop or Flop Dua Lipa - Dance The Night Taylor Swift - Karma (Feat. Ice Spice) Tove Lo - i like u Gretta Ray - Heartbreak Baby Needanamebro- Not a lot left to say Dominic Fike - Ant Pile One Republic - Runaway
Robyn's 'Honey' is our focus for the season finale and what a record to end on. 'Honey' came 8 years after the groundbreaking 'Body Talk' and after a tumultuous personal time for Robyn. It took time but she found joy in music once again and converted it into a tender, spacious record that walks a tightrope between pop and electronica. On this episode, we discuss the impact of the record, the commercial shortcomings and Robyn's overall influence on pop music.
Ava Max has had an interesting run. She broke through with her single 'Sweet But Psycho' at a time when the charts were shunning pure pop. Now they're embracing it though, her star has faded somewhat. 'Diamonds & Dancefloors' was plagued by leaks and delays but despite that it presents as a pretty perfect pop record. It's bold, unapologetic, and escapist. On this episode, we talk all things Ava and give 'D&D' its flowers.
It's a return to the podcast for Jessie Ware with her fifth record 'That! Feels Good!'. It delves further into the dance world that she concocted on 'What's Your Pleasure' but it goes even bigger. It's cheekier, hornier, poppier, and dancier in the best way. We delve into how Ware has found an artistic hot streak with this sound and how this may be one of the best albums of the year.