The Pop Pod

The Grammy nominations are finally here — and we have thoughts. This year’s field is led by Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and Lady Gaga , and we’re diving straight into the biggest surprises, the snubs, and the categories that are going to be tough to call. We also get into Rosalía’s brand-new album, her first since MOTOMAMI . We talk through the sound, the visuals, the influence she's pulling fr...

The Grammys are almost here — so it's time for my final nomination predictions. In this episode, I break down who I think will land the biggest nods across the General Field and Pop categories, from Album of the Year to Best Pop Vocal Album. I dive into the artists shaping this year’s race — including Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and more — and talk surprises, snubs...

This week on Bop or Flop , we’re diving into new music from PinkPantheress, HAIM, Not For Radio and Demi Lovato. Are they bops or are they flops? Let’s find out. Songs discussed: PinkPantheress & Sugababes – Nice to Know You PinkPantheress & Kylie Minogue – Stateside Oklou feat. FKA twigs – viscus HAIM & Bon Iver – Tie You Down Amber Mark with Anderson .Paak – Don’t Remind Me Natanya –...

Jono and I dive into Taylor Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl , sharing our first impressions track by track. We break down the standouts, the skips, and how the showgirl theme comes to life across the record. From best and worst songs to the big-picture vibe of the era, we’re unpacking it all. 💬 Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm 🎙️ Send voicenotes or ques...

On this episode, I am ranking every Taylor Swift and Max Martin collaboration ahead of the release of The Life Of A Showgirl . From “I Knew You Were Troubl” to “Style” and “Blank Space,” we’re putting them all in order and debating which one takes the top spot. I’m also joined by upcoming artist Ally Solart, who talks about her debut EP Change Of Plans , the stories behind the songs, and what’s ne...

This week on Bop or Flop we go through new albums from Doja Cat, Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson and Mariah Carey. The songs include Doja Cat’s “Gorgeous,” Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” Zara Larsson’s “Blue Moon,” and Mariah Carey with Anderson .Paak on “Play This Song.” We also cover Tate McRae, Florence + The Machine, 5 Seconds of Summer, Tame Impala, Magdalena Bay, Cardi B & Selena G...

We’re throwing it back this week on Bop or Flop ! I’ve invited my friends Yan and Sara to help me sift through some iconic gems from the late 2000s and early 2010s. From Miley Cyrus’ Who Owns My Heart to Gwen Stefani’s Cool , Katy Perry’s Unconditionally , Kelly Clarkson’s I Do Not Hook Up , Metro Station’s Shake It , P!NK’s Raise Your Glass , Demi Lovato’s Heart Attack and so many more—are they s...

This week on Bop or Flop , we’re diving into some of the most exciting new drops in pop. RAYE returns with a powerhouse moment, Miley Cyrus teams up with Lindsey Buckingham for a surprising collab, and Lola Young delivers one of her boldest tracks yet. We break down whether these tracks are undeniable bops—or total flops. Plus, we get into fresh releases from Kali Uchis & Ravyn Lenae, JADE, Ro...

The 2026 Grammys are almost here, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable years yet. In this episode, I go through the major popstars one by one and break down their chances at taking home gold. From Lady Gaga’s big return and Bad Bunny’s global dominance, to Tate McRae’s breakout run and Kendrick Lamar’s critical stronghold, I cover it all. Plus, I dive into Addison Rae and Sabrin...

This week, I’m joined by triple j’s Abby Butler and The Hit Network’s Nic Kelly for a battle to crown the most criminally underrated artist in pop. From Zara Larsson to Caroline Polachek to Ravyn Lenae , we dig deep into why these artists deserve way more love — and fight it out to decide who’s truly the most slept-on star in music. 🎧 Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9s...

It’s a huge week for pop — Lady Gaga is back with The Dead Dance from the Wednesday soundtrack, and Justin Bieber returns with his new single LOVE SONG . But are they bops or flops? Plus, I sit down with Mimi Webb ahead of the release of her second album Confessions next week to talk about the new era, her biggest inspirations, and her perfect pop song. We’re also breaking down the rest of this we...

Sabrina Carpenter is back with her brand new album Man’s Best Friend , just a year after Short n’ Sweet — but was it too soon? In this episode, I dive into everything you need to know about the record: whether she released it too quickly, its chances at next year’s Grammys, how it stacks up against her past work, and what it means for her place in the pop landscape right now. Come and chat with us...

Sabrina Carpenter is back with her new album Man’s Best Friend . Can she strike gold twice in just over a year following Short N’ Sweet ? We get into “Tears” and the rest of this week’s big releases, plus an interview with Audrey Hobert , who’s behind one of the best debut albums of the year. Also on the playlist this week: Florence + The Machine — “Everybody Scream” CMAT — “When a Good Man Cries”...

This week, you sent in some spicy takes — and we’re diving right in. From questioning whether Taylor Swift would’ve hit the same heights without the pandemic, to calling Lana Del Rey boring , we’re tackling your most controversial opinions. We also debate the aesthetics of alternate album covers and discuss whether Britney Spears should ever release another album. Come and chat with us in the Disc...

This week on Bop or Flop , I'm getting into the new music drops and deciding what’s worth your streams. We’re talking sombr , Laufey , Wolf Alice , Mariah the Scientist , Royel Otis , Ava Max , Kid Cudi , ADÉLA , Carly Rae Jepsen , and Doja Cat ’s brand-new track "Jealous Type." Here’s the full list of songs discussed: sombr – i wish i knew how to quit you Laufey – Mr. Eclectic Wolf...

On this episode of The Pop Pod , I gaze ahead to the 2026 Grammys and try to predict who might land a Best New Artist nomination. Could it be Sombr, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, or Ravyn Lenae ? I break down their chances and unpack what might make—or break—each contender. Later in the episode, I spotlight my personal favorite new artists right now and sit down with Audrey Hobert, Natanya, and Iyla f...

It’s a stacked week of new music, and we’re putting it all to the Bop or Flop test. We discuss Conan Gray’s “Caramel,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” and Zara Larsson’s “Crush,” plus I speak with Audrey Hobert about her new single “Thirst Trap.” We also check out tracks from Wolf Alice, Khalid, Steve Lacy, Maroon 5 with Lil Wayne, Amaarae, and Jenevieve. This is the full list discussed: Wolf Alice –...

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend Yan to dive deep into Ethel Cain’s Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You — unpacking its devastation, intimacy, and her complete lack of interest in chasing pop stardom. We explore whether it stands as a worthy successor to Preacher’s Daughter and what it reveals about her evolving artistry. Plus, we share our first thoughts on Taylor Swift’s...

Taylor Swift has delivered over a decade of era-defining albums — but which one truly reigns supreme? In this episode, we’re ranking every Taylor record from debut to The Tortured Poets Department , looking at the music, the impact, and the moments that made each era unforgettable. Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsam...

It’s been five years since a wave of major albums defined the sound of 2020. In this episode, I’m revisiting the records that shaped that year—from Future Nostalgia to folklore , Chromatica to Punisher —to explore how they hold up today. Some still feel vital, others less so. Let’s find out which ones aged gracefully, and which are starting to show their cracks. Albums discussed: Dua Lipa – Future...

This week on Bop or Flop , we’re talking through new music from Renée Rapp, Hayley Williams, Chappell Roan, and more. Songs discussed: Renée Rapp – Kiss It Kiss It Hayley Williams – Glum Chappell Roan – The Subway Demi Lovato – Fast Blusher – DON’T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT Eddie Benjamin – DRIVING Rose Gray, Shygirl, Casey MQ – Everything Changes (But I Want You) Ella Boh – ur gf Maren Morris – runnin...

Lana Del Rey’s discography is one of the most fascinating in modern pop—shifting from cinematic grandeur to stripped-back intimacy over the course of a decade. In this episode, I’m ranking all of her albums and reflecting on how her sound and storytelling have evolved. From the early impact of Born to Die to the quiet beauty of Ocean Blvd , this is a look at the highs, the (occasional) lows, and e...

This week, we’re diving into a fresh batch of new music—eleven songs, one verdict: bop or flop? Focus tracks include Tame Impala’s house-drenched return “End Of Summer,” Lola Young’s bold “d£aler,” and the genre-bending standout “12 to 12” from Sombr. Plus: new drops from Tyler, The Creator, Amaarae, CMAT, Confidence Man & JADE, Sam Smith, and more. One of the strongest weeks we’ve had all yea...

We're halfway through the year, but pop isn't done with us yet. In this episode, we preview the biggest and most intriguing albums still to come in 2025—from Renee Rapp's Bite Me to Mariah Carey's Here for It All . We talk pop comebacks, cult favorites, and wildcard releases including new records from Amaarae, Ethel Cain, Conan Gray, Laufey, Wolf Alice, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B,...

This week on  Bop Or Flop , we're wading through one of the most eclectic release weeks of the year. From Justin Bieber’s unexpected return to Danny L Harle and PinkPantheress teaming up for a high-BPM dream, the new music is coming at us fast—and we’ve got thoughts. We talk Blood Orange's stacked collab with Lorde and Caroline Polachek, FKA twigs’ “Perfectly,” the first taste of the  EUSE...