The Pop Pod
Your ultimate guide to the world of pop. Hosted by music journalist and pop obsessive Sam Murphy (aka @PopSamCam), this podcast keeps you caught up on everything happening across the pop universe. From headline-making news and deep-dive album reviews to hot takes, artist interviews, and bold Grammy predictions, it’s all here. New episodes Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Episodes
In 2017, Taylor Swift didn’t just release an album—she orchestrated a full-scale reinvention. Reputation arrived in the wake of public backlash, celebrity feuds, and snake emojis, marking a bold pivot from polished pop princess to calculated antihero.In this episode, we break down how Reputation reshaped the pop landscape—from its icy, industrial sound to the unprecedented social media blackout. We explore the context behind the ch...
It’s (probably) way too early—but that’s never stopped us before. In this episode, I’m breaking down the frontrunners, dark horses, and long shots for the 2026 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. From Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and SZA’s LANA, to Lady Gaga’s chaotic Mayhem, Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and the unexpected power duo of Elton John and Brandi Carlile, I’m diving into who’s got the momentum—and who might get snubbed. I a...
We're digging into a big week of pop news: Lorde teases her upcoming "feral" album, Laufey announces her sophomore project A Matter of Time (produced by Spencer Stewart and Aaron Dessner), and Charli XCX gives fans the party 4 u video and a vinyl restock. Plus, Ravyn Lenae is climbing the global charts, and Calvin Harris scores a big gainer with “Blessings.”Then it’s onto the New Music Friday lineup—did these tracks s...
In 2020, Charli XCX gave herself just four weeks in lockdown to make a full album — and somehow created one of the most important pop records of the 21st century. how i’m feeling now is euphoric and sad, raw and ravey, intimate yet made for a crowd we couldn’t be in.
In this episode, I unpack the album’s strange magic — the glitchy production, the club beats we danced to alone, and the heartbreak that hit even harder with distance. ...
On this episode, I’m diving into the pop singles that shouldn’t have been hits — and the deep cuts that deserved the spotlight instead. From Beyoncé to Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga to SZA, I'm calling out the pop crimes and imagining alternate timelines where justice was served. Why did “Halo” blow up but a song like "Boydguard" never got off the ground? Plus, I’m giving some love to the songs that could still bee hits if ...
It's New Music Friday which means it's time for Bop or Flop. Producer Jono is back to help me go through the best and worst of the week including new music from Miley Cyrus, Kali Uchis and Tyla. We also bring our throwbacks to the table for a heated discussion. Here are the songs we are Bop or Flop-ping:
- Miley Cyrus - More To Lose
- PinkPantheress - Illegal
- Kali Uchis - All I Can Say
- Calvin Harris - Blessings
- Maren Morris - Too Good
- B...
This week, I was invited to listen to the new Miley Cyrus album ‘Something Beautiful’ and watch the accompanying film. I’m taking you behind the scenes on this episode, talking about the album that is still a couple of weeks from release. I go track-by-track through the record, talk about the most notable tracks and also answer some questions from your guys (05:30).
I also cover the headlines:
Rihanna won’t delay R9 because of t...
Around this time last year, we were in a prosperous period for pop music. Over the space of just a couple months we got albums from some of the biggest pop artists in the game from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift. A year on though, some unexpected records have risen to the top while some hugely anticipated ones failed to deliver. On this episode, we reappraise these albums a year on. The album covered are:
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Po...
It’s New Music Friday and we have the fresh tunes at the ready to judge. Sam and producer Jono play Bop or Flop with new music from Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Katseye, Ravyn Lenae and more. Plus, Sam talks about seeing Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ show again in New York.
We also cover the headlines:
A new Miley Cyrus ballad on the way
The F1 Movie Soundtrack lines up RAYE, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae and more
Lorde t...
Joining the podcast today, a songwriter and artist who has written 8 number one single - Bonnie Mckee. Bonnie was one of the main writers on Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream’ album and went onto define the recession pop era with her delightfully escapist pop music. On The Pop Pod, she talks about being in rooms with Max Martin and Katy Perry plus watching her brand of pop music trend in and out.
Also on the podcast today:
Lorde annou...
Beyoncé is truly one of the greatest album artists in pop music history. Since her debut with Dangerously In Love, she has consistently delivered era-defining records. With the Cowboy Carter tour about to kick off, I'm taking on the near-impossible task of ranking Beyoncé’s full discography from worst to best. From early classics to groundbreaking visual albums, we dive deep into her evolution as an artist.
I’d love to hear your tho...
It's New Music Friday which means it's time for a round of Bop or Flop. These are the songs that we are reviewing this week and we've also added two throwbacks to keep things interesting:
Lorde – "What Was That"
Benson Boone – "Mystical Magical"
Zara Larsson – "Pretty Ugly"
PinkPantheress – "Stateside"
Kali Uchis – "ilysmih"
HAIM – "Down To Be Wrong"
Umru & Under...
Lana Del Rey is gearing up to release her 10th album but some fans have been disapproving of most recent singles 'Henry, Come On' and 'Bluebird'. There have been critiques around her musical evolution which some feel has slowed since 2019's 'NFR'. Here (06:16), I argue that her sonic evolution has been greater than she gets credit for. I also talk about today's headlines, including a release date for...
It's New Music Friday which means it's time for Bop or Flop. This week Lana Del Rey has returned with the second single 'Bluebird off her forthcoming album while Addison Rae has delivered 'Headphones On'. There are also new releases from Maren Morris, Morgan Wallen and more.I also celebrate the 5th anniversary of Rina Sawayama's 'SAWAYAMA'.
The third Lorde album 'Solar Power' was her most divisive to date. A sonic switch-up, it had more haters than any of her other albums which had me wondering how she was going to turn it around. Over the past few years, the climate for alternative pop stars has changed but Lorde has also made some important moves.
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I spent the weekend at Coachella and today on The Pop Pod I give you the lowdown of the highlights (and some lowlights). I spend a lot of time touching on the Lady Gaga headline set and also talking about Charli XCX's 'Bratchella' moment. Tap in.
It's New Music Friday and I'm giving you my two cents on fresh releases by Lana Del Rey, Marina and many more. Plus, we have a teaser of new Lorde music and Charli XCX is teasing her new film 'The Moment'. It's a big Pop Pod! Tap in.
Listen to PopSamCam's New Music Friday playlist.
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A special one today as we unpack Ariana Grande’s classic ‘Into You’ with songwriter Savan Kotecha. Kotecha worked on many Grande classics but this one in particular feels special and he told me how they meticulously created this song over a month long period. I also deliver my most played songs right now and talk about whether Charli XCX is about the bring the Brat era to an end.
I asked you to tell me artists that you think are great but haven't maxed out their potential in the album format yet and you delivered. On this episode, I respond to your takes addressing everyone from Ariana Grande to Taylor Swift. We also talk Coachella and the first day numbers for new music from Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran.
Email me voice notes: popsamcam@theinterns.net
It's New Music Friday and we have plenty of new music to react to from Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Haim, The Marias and so many more. Plus, a year on from the release of Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter', was the era a success? It won Album of the Year and critical appraisal globally but it's already slipped from the Billboard 200.
Listen to PopSamCam's New Music Friday playlist.
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