Pop Pantheon

Pop Pantheon episodes:

• 05.02.2024

  HILARY DUFF (with Legends Only's T. Kyle)

  Legends Only co-host T. Kyle makes his Pop Pantheon debut to discuss Hilary Duff’s brief ascension from Disney starlet to massive pop diva. Louie and T. Kyle discuss Hilary’s origins via the Disney assembly line with the early 2000s juggernaut...

  
• 04.25.2024

  Is the Music Video Dead? (with Michael Cragg)

  In the past few years, we've seen a serious decline in the centrality of and views for music videos across the board, even for the biggest pop stars. Journalist Michael Cragg recently chronicled this phenomenon in his piece for The...

  
• 04.23.2024

  Pop Pantheon Live! Tortured Poets & the State of Taylor Mania (with Brittany Spanos, Nora Princiotti & Hunter Harris) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, last night in front of a live audience at The Bell House in Brooklyn, Pop Pantheon gathered Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos, Every Single Album's Nora Princiotti and Hung Up's...

  
• 04.18.2024

  NIRVANA (with Bandsplain's Yasi Salek)

  Bandsplain’s Yasi Salek joins DJ Louie to trace Nirvana's brief, iconoclastic trail through pop's mainstream in the early 1990s. Louie and Yasi unpack the group's origins in Aberdeen, Washington, their time on famed indie label Sub Pop, known for popularizing...

  
• 04.11.2024

  Listener Mailbag! Taylor, Pop Pet Peeves & a *Very* Special Guest

  It's listener mailbag time! Louie and Russ are answering all your questions about their expectations for Taylor's The Tortured Poets Department, their personal pop pet peeves, the formula for following up a blockbuster album, why there are no more male pop...

  
• 04.04.2024

  BRANDY (with Naomi Zeichner)

  Critic and writer Naomi Zeichner joins Pop Pantheon to explore the career of the “vocal bible,” Brandy. Louie and Naomi unpacked Brandy’s self-titled 1994 debut, released when she was just 15, her landmark acting roles as Moesha and Cinderella, and...

  
• 04.01.2024

  Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter is a Genre Explosion (with Danielle Amir Jackson) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Beyoncé eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, dropped last Friday. Once perceived as a foray into country music, this sprawling 80 (!!) minute epic turned out to be so much...

  
• 03.28.2024

  Beyoncé, Black Country & the Long Road to Cowboy Carter (With Dr. Francesca Royster & Taylor Crumpton)

  Tonight, Beyoncé will drop her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, her first explicit full-length foray into country music. As with every Bey project, there's a ton of meaning and history to unpack. DePaul University professor and author of Black...

  
• 03.26.2024

  Finding Bliss in Existentialism on Kacey Musgraves' Deeper Well (with Jewly Hight) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, music critic Jewly Hight joins DJ Louie for a wide-ranging discussion about Kacey Musgraves' fifth studio album, Deeper Well, which dropped last week. Louie and Jewly discuss how this...

  
• 03.21.2024

  CALVIN HARRIS & DAVID GUETTA (with Lina Abascal)

  Culture writer and author Lina Abascal returns to Pop Pantheon to revisit the fleeting early 2010s moment when EDM DJs utterly consumed American popular music via two of the genre’s most emblematic figures, David Guetta and Calvin Harris. Louie and...

  
• 03.19.2024

  Britney and Janet Aren’t Justin Timberlake’s Only Problem (with Vox's Kyndall Cunningham) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Justin Timberlake put out his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was, last Friday. But is it possible to hear this music— or appreciate Justin's talents— outside of...

  
• 03.14.2024

  Do You Still Listen to Kanye West and Michael Jackson? (with Tre Johnson & Kemi Olivia Alemoru)

  Host and culture writer for Dazed, Vogue and more, Kemi Olivia Alemoru, and writer on race, culture and politics and author of the upcoming book Black Genius, Tre Johnson, join the show to discuss how we as critics and the...

  
• 03.11.2024

  The Novel & Familiar Thrills of Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine (with Bustle's Nolan Feeney) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode and as a capstone to our latest series on Ariana Grande, Bustle's Nolan Feeney joins DJ Louie to discuss Ari's seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, which dropped on Friday....

  
• 03.07.2024

  ARIANA GRANDE: PART 2 (with Pitchfork's Anna Gaca)

  For part two of our Ariana Grande series, Pitchfork senior editor Anna Gaca is here to discuss the aesthetic pivot of 2018’s Sweetener, the superstar's first album following the horrific bombing of her Manchester concert and which found her reaching...

  
• 02.29.2024

  ARIANA GRANDE: PART 1 (with the LA Times' Mikael Wood)

  Pop music critic at the LA Times, Mikael Wood, joins Pop Pantheon for our first ever full re-examination of the first ever artist we ever ranked in the official Pop Pantheon: Ariana Grande. In Part 1, Louie and Mikael...

  
• 02.26.2024

  NYC Live Show! Talking Taylor at the Bellhouse on 4/22

  When was the last time a single pop star dominated culture like Taylor Swift? From her blockbuster re-recordings, which brought a new generation of fans into the Swiftie fold, to her world-conquering Eras Tour, record-breaking 4th Album of the Year...

  
• 02.22.2024

  JLo, Beyoncé & the Surprisingly Long History of the Visual Album (with Sydney Urbanek)

  Jennifer Lopez might not have stopped the world when she released her new self-financed visual album, This is Me... Now: A Love Story, last week. But she certainly drummed up a lot of conversation, much of which most certainly would...

  
• 02.19.2024

  Can We Justify Justin Timberlake's Justified? (with Rachel Brodsky) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, as we gear up for Justin Timberlake's sixth studio album Everything I Thought I Was, due in March, DJ Louie and writer Rachel Brodsky gather to reflect on his...

  
• 02.15.2024

  SHERYL CROW (with Natalie Weiner)

  Writer Natalie Weiner joins Pop Pantheon to unpack Sheryl Crow’s “winding road” to pop superstardom. Natalie and Louie trace back Sheryl’s early days in the music business, from her gig singing backup on Michael Jackson's blockbuster Bad Tour to writing...

  
• 02.12.2024

  Beyoncé's Surprise Singles + Usher's Halftime Show + New Music Speed Round (with Variety's Steven J. Horowitz) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Beyoncé dropped two singles plus announced her new album! Usher performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show! Variety's Steven J. Horowitz joins Louie and Russ to discuss it all,...

  
• 02.10.2024

  Second Spin: USHER (with Rawiya Kameir)

  In anticipation of Usher's Super Bowl Halftime performance on Sunday, we're re-sharing our episode on him from September 2022. Music writer and Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, Rawiya Kameir, is back on the show to discuss the career and...

  
• 02.08.2024

  N*cki, M*gan & Why it's Time to Rethink Stan Culture (with Rolling Stone's Mankaprr Conteh)

  The long-simmering beef between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion recently exploded from our streaming services with the release of their respective diss tracks "Big Foot" and "Hiss" and onto social media, where Nicki vented her ire for her rival...

  
• 02.05.2024

  The Grammys Still Have a Problem with Black Women (with Variety's Chris Willman) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, it’s been 25 years since a Black woman won Album of the Year. If neither Beyonce or SZA can do it, who can? Louie + Russ ponder that question...

  
• 02.01.2024

  FERGIE (with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd)

  For part two of our Black Eyed Peas series, writer and critic Julianne Escobedo Shepherd returns to Pop Pantheon to dissect the brief but remarkable reign of the Duchess of Pop, Fergie. Louie and Julianne break down Fergie’s brushes with...

  
• 01.25.2024

  THE BLACK EYED PEAS (with The Ringer's Rob Harvilla)

  Ringer music critic and host of 60 Songs That Explain the '90s Rob Harvilla returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss one of the most derided – and successful – pop acts of the 21st Century, The Black Eyed Peas. Louie...

  
• 01.22.2024

  How Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia Made Her a Main Pop Girl (with Pitchfork's Anna Gaca) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, when it came out in 2020 at the height of Covid19 lockdown, Dua Lipa's sophomore album Future Nostalgia made her a superstar. Now, nearly four years later and on...

  
• 01.18.2024

  Why Can't Pop Stars Score Two Hits Off One Album? (with Andrew Unterberger & Eric Bennett)

  Olivia Rodrigo's Guts, Harry Styles' Harry's House, Lizzo's Special, Adele's 30, Miley Cyrus' Endless Summer Vacation. What's one thing all of these albums have in common? They're each major releases by pop superstars in the last few years that churned...

  
• 01.15.2024

  Ariana Returns! Plus New Music from Lil Nas X & Jennifer Lopez (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, the year is major pop star releases kicked off late last week with three singles from three stars of three different pop generations: Ariana Grande's "Yes, And?", Lil Nas...

  
• 01.11.2024

  DEMI LOVATO (with Molly Mary O'Brien)

  Host of the And Introducing podcast Molly Mary O'Brien returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss the often harrowing and sometimes triumphant life and career of Demi Lovato. Molly and Louie unpack Demi’s squeaky clean debut on Barney at 10...

  
• 01.04.2024

  What Pantheon Rankings Did I Get Wrong in 2023?: Shakira, The Simpson Sisters, Lana & More!

  Before we launch all our exciting new content for 2024, Louie and Russ look back on every single Pop Pantheon ranking from 2023 and discuss whether we got it right or wrong, take calls and emails from listeners with their...

  
• 01.03.2024

  Hard Candy is a Sweet Spot in Madonna's Late Period (with Miles Marshall Lewis) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and guest Miles Marshall Lewis look back Madonna's 11th studio album, 2008's Hard Candy, an album where the Queen of Pop uncharacteristically played catch-up with her pop star...

  
• 12.28.2023

  How Has Lady Gaga's Chromatica Held Up? (with Matthew Perpetua & Molly Mary O'Brien) (Patreon Rerun)

  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! In a rerun of an episode from Pop Pantheon: All Access published back in May, Fluxblog's Matthew Perpetua & host of the And Introducing podcast Molly Mary O'Brien join DJ Louie to look back on...

  
• 12.21.2023

  Pop Stars We Lost This Year: Sinéad O'Connor, Tony Bennett & Tina Turner (with Annie Zaleski, Brian Newman & Melissa Vincent)

  Louie and a series guest look back on the career, work and legacies of some pop greats we lost in 2023: Sinéad O'Connor, Tony Bennett & Tina Turner. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content...

  
• 12.18.2023

  Who TF is Tate McRae? Making Sense of Pop's New Main Girl (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Tate McRae has, to some, been on the rise for the past few years. To many, she became the pop starlet of the moment overnight with her viral hit...

  
• 12.14.2023

  MARIAH CAREY: PART 3 (with Pot Psychology's Rich Juzwiak)

  For the conclusion of our three-part series on Mariah Carey, Pot Psychology’s Rich Juzwiak returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss Mariah’s later period work, starting with one of the greatest comebacks in the history of pop: 2005’s The Emancipation of...

  
• 12.12.2023

  Is Pink Friday 2 a Worthy Sequel? (with Hunter Harris) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Nicki Minaj dropped her long-awaited fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, last Friday. But is it a worthy follow-up to her legendary debut, 2010's Pink Friday? Hung Up's Hunter...

  
• 12.07.2023

  MARIAH CAREY: PART 2 (with NPR's Aisha Harris)

  For the second in our three-part series on Mariah Carey, NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour's Aisha Harris joins the show to unpack some of the most fascinating, liberated and enduring music Mariah has made, as well as a professional nadir...

  
• 12.04.2023

  How Mariah Carey Became the Queen of Christmas (with The Wall Street Journal's John Jurgensen) (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, The Wall Street Journal's John Jurgensen, who has chronicled Mariah's ascent to the Queen of Christmas over the last 30 years, joins DJ Louie to discuss just how she's...

  
• 11.30.2023

  MARIAH CAREY: PART 1 (with Dr. Brittnay L. Proctor)

  In the first of three new episodes on pop icon Mariah Carey, DJ Louie is joined by The New School's Dr. Brittnay L. Proctor to discuss Mariah's origin story and early career. They begin with her upbringing on Long Island...

  
• 11.22.2023

  The Best Pop Music of 2023 (with Shaad D'Souza)

  Music writer Shaad D'Souza joins DJ Louie to discuss pop music in 2023. They each share and discuss their three favorite albums, three favorite songs, greatest disappointments, major trends in the genre and more. Check out a Spotify Playlist...

  
• 11.16.2023

  Bonnie McKee on the Song Machine, Pop Stardom & Ego Death

  Bonnie McKee is the songwriter behind many of the most enduring pop hits of the last 15 years including Taio Cruz' "Dynamite", Britney Spears' "Hold it Against Me" and no fewer than 5 (!) of Katy Perry's #1s. She's also...

  
• 11.09.2023

  AALIYAH (with Kathy Iandoli)

  Author of the book Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah Kathy Iandoli returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the far too short career of one of the most exciting pop recording artists of her generation, Aaliyah. Kathy and Louie discuss...

  
• 11.03.2023

  Pop Pantheon Live! Britney's Memoir, Music & Legacy (with Jason King, Troy McEady and Kirbie Johnson) (Patreon Preview)

  Pop Pantheon had it's first live show ever last night at the Crawford Auditorium in Pasadena, courtesy of LAist! In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, USC's Jason King, Beyond the Blinds' Troy McEady and Gloss...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Lizzo & The Nature of Celebrity Scandal (with Megan Agnew & Hanna Phifer)

  Back in August, Lizzo was sued by a number of her former dancers for creating a hostile work environment, with allegations including racial and sexual harassment, disability discrimination, illegal retaliatory termination and assault, and more. This flew directly in the...

  
• 10.30.2023

  Taylor Touchdown! (1989 TV! Eras Tour Film! Travis!) (Patreon Preview)

  There sure is a lot of Taylor Swift happening right now but when is there not these days?  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ got together to talk about it all: 1989...

  
• 10.26.2023

  BRUNO MARS (with Stereogum's Tom Breihan)

  Stereogum’s Tom Breihan returns to Pop Pantheon to dissect the career of pop history’s greatest mimic, Bruno Mars. Louie and Tom dive into how Bruno spent his childhood impersonating greats like Elvis and Michael Jackson, his failed start on Motown...

  
• 10.19.2023

  Where are All the New Pop Stars? (with Billboard's Elias Leight)

  There are more pop artists than ever but very few of them seem to be able to grab a serious foothold at the top of the heap. Billboard's Elias Leight has been covering this topic extensively lately and for this...

  
• 10.17.2023

  Searching for Queer Utopias on Troye Sivan's Something to Give Each Other (Patreon Preview)

  In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Troye Sivan released his third album, Something to Give Each Other, on Friday and Louie and Russ got together to dig into the music and world of this record....

  
• 10.12.2023

  JESSICA & ASHLEE SIMPSON (with Beyond the Blinds' Troy McEady)

  Beyond The Blinds’ Troy McEady joins Pop Pantheon for a double header on a pair of TRL-era pop princess sisters, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson. Louie and Troy track Jessica and Ashlee’s upbringing in Texas, Jessica’s failed attempts at teen stardom...

  
• 10.05.2023

  How Country Bros Took Over Pop (with Spencer Kornhaber & Marissa R. Moss)

  There's been a record-breaking trend this year of country music dominating the top of the Billboard Hot 100. But it's not just any country music. These hits by artists like Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Oliver Anthony & Luke Combs— all...