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PODCAST

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.

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All Episodes

00:44:13

New Music Bop Or Flop: Lola Young, Tame Impala, Sombr...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/07/28

This week, we’re diving into a fresh batch of new music—eleven songs, one verdict: bop or flop? Focus tracks include Tame Impala’s house-drenched return “End Of Summer,” Lola Young’s bold “d£aler,” and the genre-bending standout “12 to 12” from Sombr. Plus: new drops from Tyler, The Creator, Amaarae, CMAT, Confidence Man & JADE, Sam Smith, and more. One of the strongest weeks we’ve had all year—let’s get into it.Songs discussed:Tame Impala – End Of SummerLola Young – d£alerTyler, The Creator –

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00:23:25

What Pop Albums Are There Still To Look Forward To In...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/07/24

We're halfway through the year, but pop isn't done with us yet. In this episode, we preview the biggest and most intriguing albums still to come in 2025—from Renee Rapp's Bite Me to Mariah Carey's Here for It All. We talk pop comebacks, cult favorites, and wildcard releases including new records from Amaarae, Ethel Cain, Conan Gray, Laufey, Wolf Alice, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, and more. It's shaping up to be a chaotic, genre-hopping second half—let’s get into it.Come and chat

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00:38:11

New Music Bop or Flop: Justin Bieber, Conan Gray, FKA...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/07/18

This week on Bop Or Flop, we're wading through one of the most eclectic release weeks of the year. From Justin Bieber’s unexpected return to Danny L Harle and PinkPantheress teaming up for a high-BPM dream, the new music is coming at us fast—and we’ve got thoughts. We talk Blood Orange's stacked collab with Lorde and Caroline Polachek, FKA twigs’ “Perfectly,” the first taste of the EUSExUA deluxe, and Olivia Dean’s smooth new groove. Are you boppin' or floppin'?Come and chat with us

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00:34:10

Do We Have A Song of the Summer Yet?

The Pop Pod ·

2025/07/17

What’s going to be the Song of the Summer? This year, it’s harder to tell than usual. There’s no clear frontrunner, and the usual markers—chart dominance, TikTok virality, radio play—aren’t pointing in one obvious direction. In this episode, I try to make sense of it all. I look at the current contenders, late entries, underrated picks, and a few tracks that seemed like they had a shot but lost steam along the way.Songs discussed include: Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not,”

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00:38:52

The Best Songs of 2025 So Far...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/07/10

We’re halfway through the year, and we’re counting down our personal top 5 songs of 2025 so far. From massive pop moments to low-key gems, this episode covers the tracks we haven’t stopped playing—with love for Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Lorde, FKA twigs, Olivia Dean and plenty more. We’ve also got some honourable mentions that just missed the cut.Hear more of our faves in the Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0yaSFOknQ9UjobvlsdTUo2?si=bf6267099566484cCome and chat with us in the

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00:31:26

New Music Bop or Flop: Lorde's 'Virgin', Kesha, Reneé...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/27

This week on Bop or Flop, we’re diving into Lorde’s new album Virgin and sharing our thoughts on the full project — with a spotlight on the track “Shapeshifter.”We’re also reviewing new music from across the pop world, including:Lorde – “Shapeshifter”Renee Rapp – “Mad”Kim Petras – “Polo”Kesha – “The One”Katseye – “Gameboy”Dove Cameron – “Romeo”Barbra Streisand – “One Heart One Voice”Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAmSend voicenotes or questions to:

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00:27:43

This Album Changed Pop: Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Emotion'

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/26

In this episode, we’re diving deep into Carly Rae Jepsen’s E·MO·TION — the shimmering, synth-soaked album that redefined her career and helped reshape modern pop. Released in 2015 to modest commercial success but massive critical acclaim, E·MO·TION became a slow-burn cult favorite, influencing a generation of pop artists and listeners alike.We unpack the album’s legacy:✨ How it moved beyond Call Me Maybe and proved Carly as a master of pop craft🪩 Why it resonated so deeply with pop fans and music

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00:39:24

New Music Bop Or Flop: Haim, Lorde, Cardi B, Benson...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/20

This week on The Pop Pod, we’re digging into a huge Friday drop led by Haim’s return, another track from Lorde, and a fiery new single from Cardi B. Plus, we’re talking SOPHIE’s posthumous release, a bold statement from Kesha, and plenty of exciting newcomers.Songs discussed:Haim – All Over MeLorde – HammerCardi B – Enough (Miami)Benson Boone – Mr Electric BlueJADE – Plastic BoxLola Young – Not Like That AnymoreCMAT – The Jamie Oliver Petrol StationKesha – ATTENTION!SOPHIE – OOHKATSEYE –

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00:26:57

Pop Music Has Gone Conservative. How Did We Get Here?

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/17

On this episode, we're asking a big question: Why does pop music sound so safe right now? With artists like Alex Warren, Benson Boone, and Teddy Swims dominating the charts with piano ballads and stripped-back sincerity, it feels like we’ve shifted away from the chaotic brilliance of 2024 — Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter — and into a new era of emotional conservatism.So what happened? Is it industry fatigue? TikTok trends? Or does pop always swing back to something more familiar

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00:46:31

New Music Bop Or Flop: Sabrina Carpenter, Addison...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/13

We missed last week—but we’re making up for it with a double dose of new music on this week’s Bop or Flop. We’re catching up on all the standout (and questionable) releases from the past two Fridays, including Sabrina Carpenter’s biting new track "Manchild" and Mariah Carey’s dramatic return with "Type Dangerous." Plus, we break down Addison Rae’s emotional "Times Like These," RAYE’s cinematic "Suzanne," Ethel Cain’s haunting "Nettles," and Zara

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00:57:18

This Album Changed Pop: Paramore's 'RIOT!' With HTHAZE

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/12

Paramore’s RIOT! is officially an adult, and to celebrate its 18th anniversary, I’m joined by YouTube music reactor HTHAZE to dive into why this album still slaps as hard as it did in 2007. We talk about the raw energy of Hayley Williams, how RIOT! opened the door for emotional pop-rock in the mainstream, and its massive influence on today’s artists—from Olivia Rodrigo’s angst-pop anthems to Taylor Swift’s Fearless-era fire. Whether you grew up screaming “That’s What You Get” or just discovered

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00:53:31

Ranking The Top 5 Most Important Pop Stars Right Now

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/10

Today on The Pop Pod, I'm joined by Australian radio host and good friend Nic Kelly to break down the five pop stars who are defining the moment. From global icons like Billie Eilish to the unexpected rise of newcomers like Benson Boone, we debate who’s shaping the sound, setting the trends, and making the biggest impact in 2025. We also dig into Sabrina Carpenter’s power moves, the new era of streaming stars, and what makes a pop star truly important in today’s landscape.Come and chat with us

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00:34:55

This Album Changed Pop: Solange - 'True' + An...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, we dive deep into Solange’s True EP—an indie pop and R&B hybrid that quietly shifted the pop landscape in 2012. Created in close collaboration with Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), True wasn’t a chart hit, but it became a style and sound guide for a new wave of alt-pop artists.We explore how Solange and Dev built the record across five cities, blending emotional honesty with infectious grooves. You’ll hear about the 1980s new wave and Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis-inspired sounds that shaped

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00:41:58

Reviewing Miley Cyrus' 'Something Beautiful'...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/06/03

On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by producer Jono as we dive deep into Something Beautiful, Miley Cyrus’ latest album that’s already being tipped as a potential Album of the Year contender. We go track by track, unpacking the sonic shifts, lyrical honesty, and vocal powerhouse moments that define the record. Is this her most complete body of work yet? Has Miley finally found her sound? And where does it sit in the pop landscape of 2025?Come and chat with us in the Discord:

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00:36:09

New Music Bop or Flop: Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Addison...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/30

Today on The Pop Pod, we're back with another Bop or Flop episode and—as always—Producer Jono is here to break down the biggest new releases. We're discussing fresh drops from Miley Cyrus, Addison Rae, Lorde and more, as we decide what's a certified bop and what… isn’t.Songs discussed this week:Addison Rae – Fame Is A GunMiley Cyrus – Easy LoverLorde – Man Of The YearTate McRae – Just Keep WatchingAva Max – Lovin MyselfConan Gray – This SongEli – MarianneOlivia Dean – Nice To Each

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00:36:11

This Album Changed Pop: Lorde - 'Melodrama'

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/29

In 2017, Lorde released Melodrama — a breakup album, a coming-of-age story, and a night at a house party all rolled into one. It marked a major turning point for her: a bold reinvention that swapped minimalism for emotional maximalism. In this episode, I dive into how Melodrama was made, what it meant emotionally and artistically, and why it’s one of the most influential pop records of the 21st century. From her collaboration with Jack Antonoff to the album’s chart performance and lyrical

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00:31:52

Where Is The Song of the Summer? Plus, Songs That...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/27

This week on The Pop Pod, I’m on the hunt for the elusive Song of the Summer — but where is it? From Alex Warren’s viral heat to Lady Gaga’s reanissance, Ravyn Lenae’s breakout to Bad Bunny’s latest drop, there are a few contenders, but it’s shaping up to be a much more melancholic summer than usual. I dive into why 2025 hasn't delivered an obvious contender yet and what that says about the pop landscape. Plus: I review Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour, and react to your picks for the biggest skips on

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00:37:56

This Album Changed Pop: Taylor Swift - 'Reputation'

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/22

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 chaos, the record-breaking numbers, and the album’s lasting influence

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00:33:59

Who’s Taking Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammys?...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/20

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 also look at whether Charli’s remix album can break through, if Wicked

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00:48:35

New Music Bop Or Flop: Tate McRae, Kesha, Laufey and...

The Pop Pod ·

2025/05/16

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 slay or flop? We’re rating:- Lola Young – One Thing- Morgan Wallen ft

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