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
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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.
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Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
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.
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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: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
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: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
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.
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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 Summer
Lola Young – d£aler
Tyler, The Creator – Ring Ring Ring
Confidence Man & JADE – gossip
Tyla & Wizkid – DYNAMITE
CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY
Amaarae – Girlie-Pop!
Jenevieve – Crysalis
Audrey Hobert – Wet Hair
Kim Petras – Freak It
Sam Smith – To Be Free
Sombr – 12 to 12
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PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a
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.
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PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a
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'?
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Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a
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,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Luther,” Justin Bieber’s “Daisies,” TYLA’s “IS IT,” and more.
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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=bf6267099566484c
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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”
Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a
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 nerds
🎛️ The production dream team (Dev Hynes, Ariel Rechtshaid, Rostam, etc.)
💖 And why Run Away with Me still has the best sax riff of the decade
From the highs of Gimmie Love to the bonus track deep cuts, we’re celebrating one of the most beloved pop records of the 2010s — and asking the question: what makes E·MO·TION so timeless?
Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa054
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 Me
Lorde – Hammer
Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Benson Boone – Mr Electric Blue
JADE – Plastic Box
Lola Young – Not Like That Anymore
CMAT – The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station
Kesha – ATTENTION!
SOPHIE – OOH
KATSEYE – Gabriela
Sombr – we never dated
Come and chat with us in the Discord: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
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PopSamCam's New Music Friday Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FDLtpOHeFvrzesTKQ5Qhb?si=78c15e3dfa05462a
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 after a burst of innovation?
We look back at the last time this happened (The Lumineers era, anyone?), explore how the cultural mood shapes what rises on the charts, and make the case that the game changers aren’t gone — they’re just waiting for the next wave.
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 Larsson’s shimmering "Midnight Sun." Two weeks of music. Six tracks. One verdict: bop or flop?
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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 Misery Business on TikTok, this one’s for you.
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.
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Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
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 the EP, why “Losing You” was a pivotal moment in pop, and how Solange’s refusal to conform laid the groundwork for artists like FKA twigs, Kelela, and Christine and the Queens.
Plus, I had the pleasure of talking to Maren Morris off the back of her 'Dreamsicle' album. You can hear that chat right here.
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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: https://discord.gg/QEw9se7yAm
Send voicenotes or questions to: thepoppod@popsamcam.com
