Vinyl Drop

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet is quickly becoming one of the defining pop eras of the 2020s. After discussing Future Nostalgia in Part 1, this week we'll be providing our final thoughts on Future Nostalgia and begin comparing and contrasting Sabrina Carpenter's breakthrough with Katy Perry's Teenage Dream.

In Part 2 of Vinyl Drop’s first VS series, Keith Montena is joined by AJ Marks, host of Main Pod Girl and lead moderator at Reddit’s Popheads, to break down Sabrina Carpenter’s ascent. From the foundation laid by Emails I Can’t Send to the breakout moment of Espresso, it became clear how her sound, humor, and image started to click and define this era.

We discuss the rollout, the music, the history, and whether this album holds a candle to modern pop benchmarks like Future Nostalgia before going head to head with Teenage Dream in the bigger picture of pop longevity.

Which album is the Teenage Dream of the 2020s? It all ends next Thursday with Part 3.

Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" set the blueprint for the term "Pop Bible", six smash singles, five number ones, and cultural moments that defined a generation. But which 2020s pop album comes closest to claiming that throne?

In Part 1 of Vinyl Drop's first Pop Bible, Keith Montena is joined by AJ Marks, host of Main Pod Girl and lead moderator at Reddit's Popheads, to break down what made Teenage Dream so defining, before diving deep into Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia. Released March 27th, 2020, just as the world shut down due to Covid-19, Future Nostalgia became one of the defining pop rollout of the pandemic era.

We discuss the rollout, the music, the history, and whether this album holds a candle to Teenage Dream, before going head to head with Sabrina Carpenter's Short N Sweet later on.

Which album wins? You'll have to listen to find out.

Part II of my year-end review of pop music across 2025 tackles Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's 'I Said I Love You First,' Miley Cyrus with 'Something Beautiful,' and Demi Lovato's 'It's Not That Deep.' All three acts shared similar experiences in the earlier halves of their music careers, and this episode discusses the parallels shared between these artists in 2025. For Selena Gomez, I'll be diving into the couples branding behind her work with Benny Blanco, and how both the singles and campaign may be a mismatch for the album's core. On 'It's Not That Deep,' I'll be going through the recent album and how the singles may have prevented the album from reaching its full potential, and how Demi's dance effort is her most ambitious to date. Plus, how does Miley's new album stack up next to 'Can't Be Tamed,' 'She Is Coming,' 'Endless Summer Vacation,' or 'Plastic Hearts?' Let me know your thoughts as well.

Kicking off my chronological review of pop music across 2025 with Tate McRae's 'So Close To What' & Lady Gaga's 'MAYHEM.' Both artists kicked off in Q1 with some of the years most defining albums, and in this episode I'm breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of both projects in reference to the specific artists catalog, and the grand scheme of pop music at large. Plus, I'll be diving into the campaigns surrounding each album and how they tie to both longevity, public narrative, and their own Grammy chances. Did these albums hold up after months? Did the campaigns promoting the album help the artists reach their potential? I'll also be giving a special shoutout to another great Q1 project, which is 'SALVATION' by Rebecca Black.

How do you follow-up an album like BRAT? This episode breaks down Charli XCX’s growing momentum post-BRAT and the new demographic of fans she's pulled in. With so many new eyes and the opposite expectation for this era, I'm discussing what her next move can be and how a lot of other pop acts like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga pulled off creative pivots at the height of commercial success to sustain longevity. Plus, I'm going to discuss the seven films Charli XCX is working on, and how her own unique sound she explored across BRAT may not feel "unique" if she follows up with a similar sound. Find @vinyldropodcast on Instagram, and of course... Let me know what you think is in store for Charli XCX's next project. (ARCHIVE)

Keith Montena returns this week to break down MAYHEM, Lady Gaga’s seventh studio album, and the sonic landscape that defines it. While early singles Disease and Abracadabra hinted at one direction, the full album takes an unexpected turn, pulling from Prince, Bowie, and electro-grunge influences in ways that might surprise you. From the rollout to the creative choices, how does MAYHEM actually stack up? Find out how Garden of Eden taps into Gaga’s earliest songwriting roots, Perfect Celebrity almost took the album in an entirely different direction, and all collaborators on deck. Plus, how do the ‘80s influences fit into today’s pop landscape, and did the marketing set listeners up for something completely different? In just under 40 minutes, Vinyl Drop unpacks "MAYHEM" during release week.

This week we're breaking down "Abracadabra" by Lady Gaga, the second (technically third) single from MAYHEM. After premiering during The 2025 Grammys, the track has signaled a leap for and already sparked major conversation. We’re getting into key creatives and collaborators who worked on the song and video, and the team behind it. What is Abracadabra, song and video, about? From the sonic direction to critics' reception, I’m diving deep into where this track sits in Gaga’s discography and why it feels like one of her most defining releases in years. Plus, I'll be discussing claims of her mirroring too much from previous hits. Vinyl Drop covers pop music with an emphasis on new releases, the artists' creative process, collaborators, and their marketing strategy. What do you think of "Abracadabra"? Where does it rank for you? And what should we break down next?

Keith Montena returns this week to discuss  "143", Katy Perry’s sixth album, and the missteps that defined her 2024 comeback. After a few underperforming albums, Katy set the stage for a maximalist dance-pop album with Women’s World as the lead single, dubbed a female empowerment anthem. But with producer Dr. Luke’s controversial involvement, an inconsistent rollout, and material that failed to resonate, the era did not live up to expectation. From a pop fan, hear about why "Women's World" faced so much backlash, the history behind WHY collaborators were controversial, and an analysis from a pop fan on Katy Perry's trajectory from "Teenage Dream" to "Witness" and her (lovely!) redemption arc with "Smile", in just under 40 minutes. Vinyl Drop dives into how this comeback went off the rails. (ARCHIVE)

In 2024, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix debuted with "Angel Of My Dreams". Her first solo offering after Little Mix, the girl group went on hiatus. Dive into the music, the vision behind the music video, and the creative and marketing decisions that made this debut single unforgettable, and the best pop song of 2024. Also, let's dive into what her album next year may include. (ARCHIVE)

Camila Cabello's "CXOXO" album kicked off with a hyper pop-tinged lead single, immediately causing comparisons to Charli XCX. This episode discusses how goalposts in pop music are changing as music becomes more conversational online and less about Top 40 appeal. We explore how Camila’s artistic pivot isn’t about chasing another Señorita or Havana, but about carving a niche within online music stans. Despite high-profile features with Drake and Lil Nas X, slick production from Jasper Harris, and tabloid buzz surrounding Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes, the album struggles to stick the landing. Is the issue tied to the music itself, the crowded year, albums like "BRAT" in similar lanes, or is something else at play? Tune in as we dissect CXOXO, uncover key moments, and leave you with the tools to form your own verdict.