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Are Lady Gaga, Drake, & Selena Gomez Moving Up or Down in the Pop Pantheon?
In a game of "Step Up, Step Down," Louie and Russ discuss recent career developments from Lady Gaga, Drake, Selena Gomez, Tate McRae, & Bruno Mars and whether they are currently trending up or down in the official Pop Pantheon.
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Gaga Mailbag! + Kylie's Tour & Louie's Book (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are answering your burning questions regarding Mayhem, the tour, and so much more on Lady Gaga. They're also talking about seeing Kylie Minogue's North American arena tour and Louie's recently announced book!
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.
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The Best Pop Songs of the 2020s So Far (with Shaad D'Souza, Rob Harvilla, & Puja Patel)
As a sequel to a recent episode recapping The Best Albums of the 2020s So Far, critic Shaad D'Souza, The Ringer's Rob Harvilla, and writer and editor Puja Patel are here to count down each of our top five pop songs of the 2020s so far.
Check out a playlist of our top pop songs of the 2020s so far on Spotify
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One Year of Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine + Brighter Days Ahead (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, this past Friday, just over a year after the release of her 7th studio album, Eternal Sunshine, Ariana Grande released a deluxe version, Brighter Days Ahead. Louie and Russ reflect on how their feelings about the original record have evolved since it first dropped and how the new songs? and the short film she put out alongside them? add to the Eternal Sunshine Universe and era.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.
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Is Britney Spears Tier 1? (with Molly Mary O'Brien, Jason King, Doreen St. Félix, Ann Powers, Caryn Ganz, & Troy McEady)
We've finally arrived! After four episodes and nearly ten hours of discussion and dissection, Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Mega Series concludes with the big question: Is Britney Spears in Tier 1 of the Pantheon?
To parse that out, Louie and Russ are joined by friend of the pod Molly Mary O'Brien to pull at this debate from every possible angle. Throughout the nearly two-hour (!!!) debate, they also hear from Dean of USC's Thornton School of Music's Jason King regarding his thoughts on Britney, her legacy, her ranking, and the Pantheon in general, along with ranking opinions from every past guest of the series including The New Yorker's Doreen St. Félix, NPR's Ann Powers, The New York Times' Caryn Ganz and Beyond the Blinds' Troy McEady.
Finally, Louie ranks Britney Spears in the official Pop Pantheon.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Essentials Playlist
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BRITNEY SPEARS: PART 4 (with Beyond the Blinds' Troy McEady)
For the fourth episode in our five-part series on Britney Spears, Beyond The Blinds? Troy McEady returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss late period Britney, an unnerving decade+ period where Britney's pop stardom often felt forced upon her and yet produced some of her most beloved and successful music. Troy and Louie start with her EDM reimagining on 2011?s chart-topping Femme Fatale, her first and only album to produce three top ten singles. From there, they unpack Britney?s brief, odd The X Factor tenure, 2013?s derided nadir Britney Jean, her massively lucrative but sometimes bizarre Vegas residency, Piece of Me, and Britney?s final album to date, 2016?s fan-favorite Glory. Finally, they discuss the #FreeBritney movement, the end of conservatorship, Britney?s life beyond the music business, whether this story has any semblance of a happy ending, and her enduring impact on pop.
Join us next week for Part 5, in which we?ll rank Britney Spears in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Essentials Playlist
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Chappell Roan Returns + New Music From Lil Nas X, Haim & Lizzo (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, on Friday, Chappell Roan finally dropped her long-awaited country single "The Giver," first teased on SNL back in November, plus Lil Nas released his Neptunes-nodding "Hot Box," Haim shared their treatise on "Relationships," and Lizzo gave it another whirl. Louie and Russ discuss all these songs, plus take a question about their British pop canon.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.
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BRITNEY SPEARS: PART 3 (with The New York Times' Caryn Ganz)
For the third episode in our five-part series on Britney Spears, The New York Times pop music editor Caryn Ganz makes her Pop Pantheon debut to parse through a period in which tabloids covered Britney?s every move like a national news story. Caryn and Louie discuss how a turbulent time in Britney?s personal life led to what?s now considered a pop classic and one of the most prescient and influential albums of the period, 2007?s Blackout. From there, they tackle the start of Britney?s conservatorship and the album that brought her back to number one under perhaps dubious behind-the-scenes circumstances, 2008?s Circus.
Join us next week for Part 4, in which we?ll discuss Femme Fatale (2011), Britney Jean (2013), Glory (2016), #FreeBritney, the end of the conservatorship, The Woman in Me, as well as Britney's enduring legacy in pop.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Essentials Playlist
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Reborn This Way: Lady Gaga Goes Back to Basics on Mayhem (with Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Lady Gaga just dropped her hotly anticipated 7th studio album, Mayhem, this past Friday. Monster braintrust Louie, Russ and Who? Weekly's Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber got together to queen on the new record, which indexes past Gaga styles through a decidedly distilled, adult framework and is perhaps her best solo album in over a decade.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.
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BRITNEY SPEARS: PART 2 (with NPR's Ann Powers)
For the second in our five-part series on Britney Spears, NPR?s Ann Powers joins Pop Pantheon to discuss Britney?s first attempts to transition from teen queen to grown-up pop star. Ann and Louie tackle Britney's iconic ?I?m a Slave 4 U? VMA performance, work with The Neptunes and play at maturity on 2001?s Britney, relationship and breakup with Justin Timberlake, and her one and only starring film role in the teen road comedy Crossroads. Finally, they dive into Britney and Madonna?s VMA kiss, the duo's generational pop baton passing on the single ?Me Against The Music? and Britney?s most adventurous record up to that point, 2003?s In the Zone.
Join us next week for Part 3, in which we?ll discuss and Britney's infamous mid-aughts along with 2007's Blackout and 2008's Circus
Check out Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Essentials Playlist
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BRITNEY SPEARS: PART 1 (with The New Yorker's Doreen St. Félix)
For the first in our five-part series on Britney Spears, The New Yorker?s Doreen St. Felix returns to Pop Pantheon to chart the birth of a pop princess. Doreen and Louie dig into Britney?s origin story, from Star Search and The New Mickey Mouse Club to her Jive deal and development in Sweden with Max Martin. Then, they tackle her legendary breakout smash and music video, ?...Baby One More Time," and her 1999 album of the same name, which shot her to the front of the teen pop pack. Next, they parse 2000?s hit-packed Oops!... I Did It Again, which solidified Britney?s spot as the most important pop star of the new Millennium.
Join us next week for Part 2, in which we?ll discuss 2001?s Britney and 2003?s In The Zone.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Britney Spears Essentials Playlist
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The Vacuous Comforts of Tate McRae's So Close to What (with Steven J. Horowitz) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, is pop music stuck in a nostalgia loop? Pop starlet Tate McRae's new album is highly referential to the last twenty years of pop from Britney to the Pussycat Dolls to Halsey and beyond. But on her new album So Close to What, which dropped last week, does she form her own identity? Or do she and her murderer's row of collaborators just do good karaoke? Louie, Russ, and Variety's Steven J. Horowitz discuss.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Ranking Every Lady Gaga Album (with Carey O'Donnell, Kristen S. Hé & Naomi Zeichner)
Lady Gaga's seventh studio album Mayhem drops on March 7 and in anticipation of the big day, Carey O'Donnell, Kristen S. Hé, and Naomi Zeichner join DJ Louie to break down their thoughts, hope and dreams on the upcoming record before each sharing their ranking of Gaga's albums to this point.
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Is Katy Perry's Teenage Dream a Classic Without Its Singles? (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Katy Perry's second studio album Teenage Dream is deemed a classic "pop bible" by many pop fans. The album produced five number one singles and spun off a deluxe version with another couple top tens. But what about the other seven tracks from the TD era? If you listen to this record without its classic hits, does it hold together as a complete body of work? Louie and Russ dive into every one of Teenage Dream's non-singles to get answers and decide if the album is a bonafide classic, or just a great collection of smashes paired with some less great filler.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Listener Mailbag! Olivia Rodrigo's Next Move, Cher, Gaga, the Lack of Gay Male Pop Stars & More
Louie and Russ are answering your questions about whether pop stars like Cher can still exist, what Olivia Rodrigo should do next, how they listen to music for the show, why gay men have trouble embracing gay male pop stars, and so much more.
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Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl (RIP Drake!) + New Music from Tate McRae, Doechii & More (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ break down Kendrick Lamar's explosive Super Bowl halftime performance before getting into new songs from Tate McRae, Sexxy Redd & Bruno Mars, Rose Gray & Doechii.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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KENDRICK LAMAR: PART 2 (with Stephen Kearse)
Critic Stephen Kearse joins Pop Pantheon for the conclusion of our two-part series on Kendrick Lamar ahead of his Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday. Stephen and Louie tackle Kendrick?s string of hit-making guest appearances in the mid-2010s, his first solo number one, ?Humble,? and 2017?s critically adored Damn. Then they discuss Black Panther and Kendrick?s final album with Top Dawg, 2022?s sprawling Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Finally, they unpack the Kendrick/Drake beef, his recent hot streak and 2024?s GNX, before ranking Kendrick Lamar in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Check out our Kendrick Lamar Essentials Playlist on Spotify
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Are the Grammys Good Now? Plus "Abracadabra" Reactions! (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, last night's Grammys featured show-stopping performances from Doechii, Chappell Roan and others, plus wins from Roan, Kendrick Lamar and, finally, a long-awaited crowning for Beyoncé in Album of the Year. Louie and Russ share their reactions before going deep on Lady Gaga's newest single, "Abracadabra", the third from her forthcoming album Mayhem and the video for which dropped during the awards ceremony.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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KENDRICK LAMAR: PART 1 (with Rolling Stone's Mankaprr Conteh)
Rolling Stone?s Mankaprr Conteh returns to Pop Pantheon for part one of our two-part series on Kendrick Lamar ahead of his Super Bowl performance. Louie and Mankaprr dig into Kendrick?s origins in Compton, his teenaged mixtapes under the alias K. Dot and his independently released studio debut, 2011?s Section.80. From there, they tackle 2012's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, a mainstream pop breakthrough immediately hailed as a masterpiece. Finally, they walk through how Kendrick weaved together musical traditions from across the Black diaspora on 2015?s To Pimp a Butterfly.
Tune in next week for Part 2, covering Damn, Kendrick?s beef with Drake and Kendrick?s induction into the Official Pop Pantheon.
Check out our Kendrick Lamar Essentials Playlist on Spotify
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Grammy Predictions + FKA Twigs' Eusexua (with Rich Juzwiak) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Ultimate Friend of the Pod Rich Juzwiak returns to the show to make predictions in the top 4 categories for this Sunday's Grammys with Louie and Russ, before the three break down FKA Twigs' latest album, Eusexua, which Rich reviewed in Pitchfork.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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The Best Pop Albums of the 2020s So Far (with Joe Coscarelli, Aisha Harris & Mic The Snare)
Somehow, we're halfway through the 2020s, which makes it the perfect time to take stock: what have been the best pop albums of this decade so far and what do they tell us about the state of both the album and music more broadly in 2025? The New York Times' Joe Coscarelli, NPR's Aisha Harris and YouTuber Mic The Snare join DJ Louie to discuss all of that, before each sharing their top 5 albums of the 2020s so far.
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Madonna's Rebel Heart is 10. Has It Aged Well? (with Annie Zaleski) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Madonna's thirteenth studio album, 2015's Rebel Heart, was released ten years ago in a flurry of leaks and unprecedented chaos for the famously controlled diva. On impact, it became her least successful album to date, producing no hit songs in the US. A decade later, removed from the harsh glare of its' moment, how has this very long collection of latter period Madonna music aged?
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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CHER: PART 2 (with Hit Parade's Chris Molanphy)
Chris Molanphy returns to Pop Pantheon for the second and final part in our Cher series. Chris and Louie pick up on Cher?s career just as she scored a hit in 1979 with ?Take Me Home? during the disco craze. Then they track her string of failures through the early eighties before her massively successful pivot to acting, including her Best Actress Oscar win for 1987?s Moonstruck. Next they dig into her best-selling album to date, 1989?s Heart of Stone, her infomercial era in the nineties and Sonny Bono's tragic death in 1998 which paved the way for yet another comeback with 1998?s Believe. Finally, they discuss contemporary Cher, her formidable staying power and lasting legacy and rank Cher in the Official Pop Pantheon.
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CHER: PART 1 (with Hit Parade's Chris Molanphy)
Chris Molanphy returns to Pop Pantheon for part one of our special two-part series on the Goddess of Pop herself, Cher. Chris and Louie dig into the origins of Cher?s mythology, her early work with Sonny Bonno and Phil Spector and Sonny and Cher?s breakout hit, ?I Got You Babe.? From there, they dive into Cher?s iconic looks, her first solo hits and Sonny and Cher?s reinvention as television variety stars. Then they tackle the couple?s split, Cher?s second run of hits, including ?Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves? and ?Dark Lady,? and the commercial slump she found herself at the end of the seventies.
Tune in next week for part two, covering Cher?s disco reinvention, Hollywood success, late career hits like "If I Could Turn Back Time" and ?Believe? and her ranking in the Official Pop Pantheon.
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Catching Up on Beyoncé's Xmas Performance & Sza's Lana (with Connor Garel) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, pop music stops for no man, even Santa Claus. Louie and Russ got together with Dazed contributor Conor Garel to get into it about two of the most talked about pop events that happened over this holiday season: Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Christmas extravaganza from a football game on Netflix and the long-awaited release of the deluxe version of Sza's 2022 masterpiece SOS.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Sabrina Carpenter Hits the Short 'n Sweet Spot (Originally Published on Patreon on 9/2/2024)
Happy New Year! Before we get back to new episodes and our regularly scheduled programming next, we're unlocking one of our favorite All Access episodes from this past year in which Russ and Louie dig into Sabrina Carpenter's surprisingly awesome 6th studio album, Short 'n Sweet, released last summer.
To hear more episodes like this every single week, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Reacting to MORE of Your Unpopular Opinions About Dua Lipa, Katy Perry & More! (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, we hope everyone is having a lovely holiday! For our last All Access episode of 2024, Russ and Louie got together to react to more of your unpopular opinions about Ava Max, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, Mariah Carey, live pop shows & more.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Second Spin: BEYONCÉ PART 3 (with Dr. Daphne Brooks)
In anticipation of Beyoncé's much anticipated return to the stage at tomorrow's halftime show for some football game, we're republishing an episode from our Beyoncé series which originally aired back in August of 2022 in the ramp up to that year's Renaissance. This episode features Yale University's Dr. Daphne Brooks, discusses Queen B's work from her 2013 self-titled visual album through just before Renny dropped and is one of the most moving in PP's history.
If you haven't listened to the whole series, check out Parts One, Two and Four. If you have, we hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Happy Beyoncmas!
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2024 Rap Up: Doechii, GloRilla, Meg Thee Stallion & more (with Clover Hope) (Patreon preview)
Clover Hope, journalist and author of The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop, joins Pop Pantheon All Access to discuss the state of the female rap game in 2024. Clover and Russ revisit Meg Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj?s beef, discuss Doechii?s recent string of breakthrough performances, and dig into Alligator Bites Never Heal, Megan, GloRilla?s Glorious and more.
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What Pantheon Rankings Did We Get Wrong in 2024?
For our final main episode of 2024, Louie and Russ look back at all the artists ranked in the Pop Pantheon this year? from Demi Lovato to Frank Ocean to Adele, Tina Turner, Pink and so many more? and, with the help of calls from our dedicated and very passionate listeners, assess whether any tier adjustments need to be made. Did Brat Summer make us overzealous on Charli XCX? Was it cruel to put Hillary Duff in Tier 5? With the blockbuster success of Wicked, has Ari finally made it to Tier 2? All that and more!
We'll be publishing a couple little treats on 12/24 and 1/2 and will be back to our regularly scheduled programming on 1/9 with new weekly episodes!
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Our Best and Worst Concerts of 2024 (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Russ saw over 20 (!!!) live concerts in 2024. Louie saw a few too. Today, they're getting together to rank them all? from Charli & Troye to Missy Elliott to Tate McRae to Usher to Madonna? from worst to best.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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The Best Pop Albums of 2024 LIVE! (with Sam Murphy, Larisha Paul & Nora Princiotti)
Last week, Louie, Nora Princiotti, Jason P. Frank & Julianne Escobedo Shepherd counted down their favorite pop songs of 2024 before duking it out to settle on Pop Pantheon's definitive pop songs of the year. This week, Louie is joined by Nora once again along with Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul and Sam Murphy to discuss their favorite albums of the last twelve months and land on Pop Pantheon's Top 5 Albums of 2024.
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Top of the Flops 2024! (with Omri Rolan) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, over on the main feed, we're rolling out our best songs and albums of 2024 by some of the premier pop acts in the world. But what about some of the pop girlies who got.... less attention from mainstream audiences and critics? For our 2nd Annual Top of the Flops, Friend of the Pod Omri Rolan is back to count down the biggest and best flops of 2024 with Russ and Louie.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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The Best Pop Songs of 2024 LIVE! (with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Jason P. Frank & Nora Princiotti)
Live from Parkside Lounge in New York City, DJ Louie is joined by Hearing Things' Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Vulture's Jason P. Frank and The Ringer's Nora Princiotti to countdown each of their favorite top ten pop songs of the year, before hashing out the definitive Pop Pantheon Top Ten Pop Songs of 2024.
Check out a Spotify Playlist of Louie, Julianne, Jason & Nora's Favorite Pop Songs of 2024
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A Convo About Kendrick Lamar's GNX But Also Taylor, Drake, Jack Antonoff & More (with Tom Breihan) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Tom Breihan is here to talk about Kendrick Lamar's surprise 6th album, GNX, which surprise dropped last week in the wake of his triumph over Drake in their highly publicized battle from this summer. But Tom and Louie also get caught in the broader GNX Nexus, going off on tangents about Drake's future, Taylor and Jack Antonoff's creative collaboration and more.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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Second Spin: ROBYN (with The New Yorker's Jia Tolentino)
Happy Thanksgiving! We're off this week but we wanted to highlight an older episode, a personal fav of Louie's that many of you might have missed. This is our Robyn episode from way back in May 2021? the sixth of Pop Pantheon ever? with the brilliant Jia Tolentino. Not only is it wonderful conversation about one of the greatest pop artists of the modern era. It's where the Niche Legend Pantheon tier was created. A seminal moment in the podcast's history! Enjoy.
Buy tickets to Pop Pantheon: Best Pop Of 2024 LIVE IN NYC on Dec. 2 AND Dec. 3
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Will Wicked Make Ariana Grande a Movie Star? (with Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked is a smash hit, raking in $114 million dollars during its first weekend and earning rave reviews from critics and fans alike. One of its two leads, pop diva Ariana Grande, is also earning plaudits in her first headlining film role, even including some serious Oscar buzz.
But while many pop stars have attempted a Hollywood crossover, very few? even those with a successful film or two under their belts? have been able to turn that into a long-term successful film career. Why is that? And will things be different for Ariana?
Chief Film Critic at Vanity Fair and host of the podcast Little Gold Men Richard Lawson joins Louie and Russ to break down Ariana's performance in Wicked and what it portends for her future on the silver screen.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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ADELE: PART 2 (with Michael Cragg)
Michael Cragg returns to Pop Pantheon for the second installment in our two-part series on the grande dame of contemporary pop, Adele. Michael and Louie discuss Adele?s sabbatical following her breakout blockbuster success with 21, during which she crafted her comeback album, 2015?s 25. They dissect the album, from the booming piano ballad ?Hello? to Adele?s collaboration with big pop producers like Max Martin, and her continued mega success. Finally, they tackle her most recent album, 30, her most experimental yet, and her forthcoming hiatus before ranking Adele in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Buy tickets to Pop Pantheon: Best Pop Of 2024 LIVE IN NYC on Dec. 2 AND Dec. 3
Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous Presents: Y2GAY! The New Year's Eve Party in Brooklyn
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Check out Pop Pantheon's Adele Essentials Playlist on Spotify
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ADELE: PART 1 (with The New York Times' Leah Greenblatt)
The New York Times Senior Staff Editor Leah Greenblatt joins Pop Pantheon for the first in a two-part series on the mega diva of her generation, Adele. Leah and Louie explore Adele?s origin story, from her brief MySpace era to her official debut single which she wrote at just 16, ?Hometown Glory.? From there they discuss her first album, 2008?s 19, which made her a star in the U.K., and ?Rolling in the Deep,? which set the stage for her global takeover. Next, they tackle 21, a breakup album so successful, it was seen as single-handedly saving a struggling music industry struggling to adapt to the digital era.
Tune in next week for part two, covering 25, 30 and Adele?s place in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Buy tickets to Pop Pantheon: Best Pop Of 2024 LIVE IN NYC on Dec. 2 AND Dec. 3
Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous Presents: Y2GAY! The New Year's Eve Party in Brooklyn
Come to Gorgeous Gorgeous LA on Dec. 7 at Los Globos
Check out Pop Pantheon's Adele Essentials Playlist on Spotify
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Grammy Nominations Reactions + Is "Disease" a Flop? + More (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ react to Friday's Grammy Nominations and score their predictions from last week's episode. Then, they play a game of "Step Up, Step Down" about post-Sweat Tour Troye Sivan, Lady Gaga's "Disease", The Weeknd's new era and more.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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What Exactly is a "Flop"? (with Brittany Spanos & Chris Stedman)
Katy Perry's latest album 143 lit the internet ablaze for all the wrong reasons when it dropped earlier this year, mostly because of how wrong it got nearly everything and how hard it underperformed as a result. 143 was a capital-F flop in the classic sense of the term. But what exactly does the moniker "flop" mean when it comes to pop music? What constitutes a true flop? How do pop fans use it? Where did it originate and how has it morphed over time into a term of endearment for diehards, especially queer ones? All that and more in this fascinating conversation.
Buy tickets to Pop Pantheon: Best Pop Of 2024 LIVE IN NYC on Dec. 2 AND Dec. 3
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Our 2024 Grammy Nomination Predictions: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan & More (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, America is making it's most critical decision this week: who will be nominated for Grammys! Louie and Russ each share their predictions for which of your favs (and less favs) will get nominated in the Big Four categories ahead of the official announcement this Friday Nov. 8.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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KELIS (with Variety's Steven J. Horowitz)
Variety?s Steven J. Horowitz returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the maddeningly underrated Kelis, who spent most of her career ahead of the curve and helped to carve out a new lane for alt-pop stardom in the 2000s. Louie and Steven dig into Kelis' origin story, from meeting The Neptunes as a teenager to her debut, 1999?s futuristic pop fantasia Kaleidoscope. From there, they unpack her success across the pond with 2001?s Wanderland and 2003?s ultra eclectic and masterful Tasty, which produced her biggest US hit and signature song, ?Milkshake.? Next, they cover Kelis?s first foray away from The Neptunes with 2006's Kelis Was Here, her dance pop cult classic, 2010's Flesh Tone, and her final album, 2014?s soul-influenced Food. Lastly, Louie and Steven break down Kelis' niche pop legacy and rank her in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Buy tickets to Pop Pantheon: Best Pop Of 2024 LIVE IN NYC on Dec. 2 AND Dec. 3
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NYC LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT! + Lady Gaga Returns plus New Music from Addison Rae and Halsey (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are here to fight about Lady Gaga's new single, "Disease", the first offering from her forthcoming album, "LG7". They then dive into Addison Rae's new single "Aquamarine" and ponder Halsey's latest record, The Great Impersonator, which dropped last Friday.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
Grab Tickets to Pop Pantheon's Live Show in NYC where we'll be counting down the best pop music of 2024 with Nora Princiotti, Larisha Paul & Sam Murphy.
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Reacting to Your Unpopular Pop Opinions About Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears & More (with Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul)
We put out a call for our audience's most unpopular pop opinions: hot takes you have that no one else seems to agree with but you know in your heart to be true. And boy, did we get some! Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul joins Louie and Russ to field unpopular pop opinions about I Am... Sasha Fierce, Charli XCX, Glee Cast Versions, Speak Now, Britney's talents, Ed Sheeran and so much more. And in the process, they each reveal some fairly unpopular pop opinions of their own...
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CHARLI XCX: PART 3 (with Shaad D'Souza)
Shaad D?Souza returns to Pop Pantheon for the conclusion of our three-part series on Charli XCX. Shaad and Louie unpack Charli?s 2020 lockdown album, the DIY How I'm Feeling Now, and 2022?s Crash, which ditched the outré experimentation of her PC Music era in favor of open gestures at the pop charts. From there, they discuss Charli?s return to the Hot 100 with ?Speed Drive? and her most recent record, brat, which fuelled her unexpected rise from Niche Legend to the most talked about pop star in the world. Finally, they reassess Charli XCX?s place in the Official Pop Pantheon.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Charli XCX Essentials Spotify Playlist
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pop pantheon and it's about charli xcx's brat remix album featuring reanna cruz (patreon preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Brat Summer becomes Brat Autumn as Charli XCX drops a completely reimagined version of her blockbuster album from earlier this year, Brat and it's Completely Different but Also Still Brat. Reanna Cruz joins Louie and Russ to break down Charli's latest addition to the Bratoverse and how it transcends the pitfalls of the cliche modern pop superstar remix, providing new twists, depth and dimension to the OG material with an all-star lineup from across the music world including Ariana Grande, Lorde, Addison Rae, Bladee, ShyGirl, Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish & more.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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CHARLI XCX: PART 2 (with Pitchfork's Anna Gaca)
Senior Editor at Pitchfork Anna Gaca returns to Pop Pantheon for the second in our three-part series on Charli XCX. Anna and Louie look back on Charli?s early link-ups with "hyperpop" innovator Sophie, starting with 2016?s Vroom Vroom EP, which began Charli's pivot from an also-ran on the pop charts into the genre?s savviest alternative auteur. From there, they chart her adventurous new creative direction, her work with frequent creative partner A.G. Cook on her 2017 mixtapes, the sugar-rush Number 1 Angel and the critically-beloved Pop 2. Finally, they discuss Charli's scrapped third studio album, XCX World, her failure to launch commercial singles in the U.S. and her 2019 self-titled album Charli.
Join us next week for our third and final part in the series, which will cover Charli?s output from 2020?s How I?m Feeling Now through brat.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Charli XCX Essentials Spotify Playlist
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Folie à Deux is Bad. What's Next for Lady Gaga's Acting Career? (with Variety's Daniel D'addario) (Patreon Preview)
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Lady Gaga turned heads with her debut film role, her Oscar-nominated turn in 2018's A Star is Born, and many thought she might defy history and become the rare pop diva who successfully pivots to Hollywood. But since then, her track record has been spotty at best. Despite her performance being singled out as a bright spot, her next film, 2021's House of Gucci, got a mixed reaction at best. And now her third effort Joker: Folie à Deux, released last week, is being pegged as one of the biggest comic movie flops of all time, critically and commercially. With more duds than hits in her filmography, what's Gaga's future as a film star? Louie, Russ and Variety's Daniel D'addario discuss.
To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.
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CHARLI XCX: PART 1 (with i-D's Owen Myers)
For the first in our new three-part series on Charli XCX, i-D?s Owen Myers returns to Pop Pantheon to chart the start of Charli?s iconoclastic and unlikely trail through pop. Owen and Louie trace Charli?s roots in England, starting when she was a teenage songwriter posting demos to MySpace and performing at raves in London. Then they discuss her charmingly DIY unreleased debut album, 14, her first brush with success with the surprise hit ?I Love It,? her 2012 mixtapes, Heartbreaks and Earthquakes and Super Ultra, and her 2013 major label debut True Romance. Next they unpack ?Fancy,? her first solo success with ?Boom Clap? and the snappy pop punk 2014?s Sucker.
Join us next week for Part 2, in which w'ell be talking about Charli?s reinvention as an avant pop futurist beginning with 2016?s Vroom Vroom EP and through her self-titled 2019 record, Charli.
Check out Pop Pantheon's Charli XCX Essentials Spotify Playlist
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