The Pop Pod

This week, we're diving into the 2025 albums that critics are putting at the top of their lists. We break down the “Best of 2025” lists from NME, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and more, and look at which artists are dominating across publications — including Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Oklou, and Addison Rae, who are all emerging as the year’s most critically adored releases.

Jono and I also reveal our Spotify Wrapped and talk about the delu...

Pop in 2025 has been… a ride. In this episode, we break down the year that gave us conservative pop trends, breakout niche-class stars, and some of the strangest chart behaviour we’ve seen in years.

I dive into why Pop felt so safe this year, the rise of artists operating completely on their own wavelength — Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, JADE, and the wider Niche Class — and how R&B quietly became one of the most interesting gen...

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 from, and why this era feels like a ful...

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 – Meeting You Once (The End)

• Madi...

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 questions: thepoppod@popsamcam.com

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 next for her.

Come and chat with us in th...

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 Gomez, Alessi Rose and FKA twigs.

Son...

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 still undeniable bops, or do they flop in...

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, Rose Gray, Demi Lovato, Carly Rae Jeps...

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 Sabrina Carpenter’s pop culture momentum,...

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/QEw9se7yAm
🎙️ Send voicenotes or questions...

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 week’s biggest releases:

• Tame Impala ...

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 in the Discord: https://discord.gg/Q...

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”

• Hayley Williams — “Parachute”

• Blood Or...

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 Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm

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 Alice – Just Two Girls

• Mariah the Scientist – S...

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 for candid chats about their journeys, ...

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 – White Horses

• Olivia Dean – Man I N...