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 Orange & Caroline Polachek — “The Train (King’s Cross)”

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
Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 – Sacrifice

• Royel Otis – who’s your boyfriend

• Ava Max – Don’t Click Play

• Kid Cudi – Mr. Miracle

• ADÉLA – SexOnTheBeat

• Carly Rae Jepsen – More

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, creative inspirations, and next moves.

Artists featured in this episode:

• Audrey Hobert

• Rose Gray

• Natanya

• Eli

• Iyla

• Alemeda

• Haute & Freddy

• Chloe Qisha

• Ronia

• Eddie Benjamin

🎧 Listen to the playlist: PopSamCam’s New Artist Picks

Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 Need

• Conan Gray – Caramel

• Khalid – in plain sight

• Steve Lacy – Nice Shoes

• Zara Larsson – Crush

• Audrey Hobert – Thirst Trap

• Maroon 5 feat. Lil Wayne – Love Is Like

• Amaarae – Fineshyt

• Jenevieve – Hvn High

Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]
PopSamCam’s New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 freshly announced album The Life of a Showgirl and what it could mean for her next era.

Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]
PopSamCam’s New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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: [email protected]
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 Nostalgia
The Weeknd – After Hours
Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
Taylor Swift – folklore / evermore
Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Miley Cyrus – Plastic Hearts
HAIM – Women in Music Pt. III
Charli XCX – how i’m feeling now
Lady Gaga – Chromatica
Jessie Ware – What’s Your Pleasure?
Chloe x Halle – Ungodly Hour
Halsey – Manic
Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA
Justin Bieber – Changes
Ariana Grande – Positions
Katy Perry – Smile
Selena Gomez – Rare
Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG
Kesha – High Road
Megan Thee Stallion – Good News

Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm

Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]

PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 – running

• Slayyyter – BEAT UP CHANEL$

• Mariah the Scientist, Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime

Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: [email protected]
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a

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 everything in between.

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 lows, and everything in between.

✨ Join the conversation: Discord Community
🎙️ Send voicenotes or questions: [email protected]
🎧 Follow the New Music Friday Playlist: PopSamCam on Spotify