Episodes
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On this week’s episode, we talk all things carpentry as we react to Sabrina Carpenter’s brand new studio album, “Short ’N’ Sweet.” In true Pop Theory fashion, we cover it track-by-track talking about our favorite lyrics, production moments and overall which ones hit and which ones miss. We may even have a confession from Zach about his take on the album!
But before we get into our carpentry era, we begin the episode by answering some of the questions from the listeners of the pod. We dive into topics like what were the first pieces of music that we purchased with our own money, our favorite R&B songs, our thoughts on lesbian culture in pop music and more. SPECIAL THANKS to all the listeners who took the time to submit their questions!
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DJ John Michael returns to the pod to discuss several moments in pop music in recent weeks.
First we take a dive into “Die With A Smile” the brand new duet between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
After, we have a great discussion on queer artists in pop music, specifically highlighting the talented ZEE MACHINE and the release party for his EP “Can I Be Honest...?”
From there we discuss fame and personal boundaries as it was highlighted by Chappell Roan.
We also may or may not give some controversial takes on some of the biggest hits the world has ever seen!
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Missing episodes?
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Get ready for your mind to be blown: Christina Aguilera’s debut album is officially TWENTY-FIVE years old! On this brand new episode of POP THEORY, Jeff and Zach do a track-by-track reminiscing of “Christina Aguilera.”
From the classics like “Genie In A Bottle”, “What A Girl Wants”, and “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)” to album cuts like “So Emotional”, “When You Put Your Hands On Me” and “Love Will Find A Way” we leave no stone left unturned. We even revisit a special bonus track during our now FAMOUS segment, “Songs We Don’t Talk About Enough.”
Additional topics include Britney's "In The Zone" and "Blackout" as well as our first reactions to Katy Perry's latest single, "Lifetimes."
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DJ John Michael returns to discuss all the important questions currently permeating the pop music zeitgeist. Who will be featured on Charli XCX's rumored "Brat" remix album? Will Chappell Roan ever release "The Subway?" Will Tyra Banks ever put "Shake Ya Body" on streaming? When will JADE release the follow up to "Angel Of My Dreams?" Plus, Zach tasks Kelly Rowland to put out a forgotten banger onto streaming.
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On this week's episode we take a dive into the current climate of music releases in 2024. From feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated to feeling horny with anticipation, we talk about all the main pop girlies of the moment. We reflect on releases from earlier this year like "Cowboy Carter," current releases like "Brat" and it's anticipated remix album companion, and future releases from Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. We even sprinkle in some love for Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott for good measure.
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DJ John Michael returns for our first "three-way" episode! On this episode of POP THEORY, the boys discuss all things Katy Perry's return with her new single "Woman's World." Did the song live up to our expectations? Are we excited for the album? What are our thoughts on Dr. Luke's involvement? All is revealed in this VERY juicy episode.
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We are back from summer break, baby! Jeff makes his triumphant return to the pod and is ready to talk all things "brat." Speaking of triumphant returns, we also take a dive into Kesha's brand new single and first release as an independent artist, "JOYRIDE." We also sprinkle some love to 2005 "dad rock," Robyn, and our beloved Lenny Kravitz.
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On this episode of POP THEORY, DJ John Michael is BACK with a BRATitude to talk all things Charli XCX and her new album "Brat." We do a track-by-track of the deluxe album, talk about dream collaborations and remixes and even discuss some of our favorite lesser known Charli XCX tracks.
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On this very special episode of POP THEORY, we are joined by the incredible Devin Way! The Geminis were strong in these ones as we talk all things music from Tori Kelly, Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé to Becky Hill, David Archuleta, and Tanner Adell. Devin answers the infamous "Desert Island" question and also recalls his love of American Idol.
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On this episode, Peloton's DJ John Michael returns to help Zach celebrate Gloria Estefan's magnum opus "gloria!" The colossal album that fuses latin dance pop with electronica, disco, and hip-hop celebrated it's 26th anniversary in the world and it's time to give this album the flowers it rightfully deserves. In this episode we do a track-by-track including it's singles "Heaven's What I Feel," "Oye," "Don't Let This Moment End" and "Cuba Libre" as well as dive into it's slew of remixes, megamixes, and medleys.
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On this episode I am joined by the ICONIC Joe Santini where we go down a deep dive of some of his favorite artists. We talk about everyone from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to Lorde and Bad Bunny. But there's one special artist in mind who stole the show completely: Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson. You are not going to want to miss this episode and the presentation that Joe gives for one of Fergie's most iconic singles.
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This week we welcome back Jesse Chambliss, host of Jesse's Girls podcast, and we have an incredible - and chaotic - discussion as we try to define what exactly is pop music!? We cover all of the faves as we use everyone from Madonna, Kylie and Janet to Avril, Harry and Alanis to exemplify and identify the pop landscape. We also end with a very special round of "Sounds We Don't Talk About Enough: Kylie Minogue Edition."
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This week I am joined with the LEGENDARY wedding photographer extraordinaire and hello Bey Hive member, Jill DeVries-Dryer! In this episode, we take a stroll down memory lane and go through Billboard's Year-End Chart for 1997. From Madonna to Los Del Rio to the Spice Girls to Chumbawumba to the Backstreet Boys to Usher - we were left yearning for the 90's!
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Peloton's DJ John Michael is back for a THREE-PEAT and came prepared as we took a dive -- pun intended -- into Dua Lipa's third studio album, Radical Optimism. We go track by track talking everything from the songwriters and producers to our favorite moments and our hopes and wishes for the remainder of this album cycle. We also took some time to reflect on Madonna's final Celebration Tour show in Rio de Janeiro.
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This episode of POP THEORY is a VERY special one as Zach is joined by the absolutely brilliant ZEE MACHINE. Together we take a dive into their discography, talking about songs like "The Radio," "Better Off" and his upcoming single "Worse" which is out May 9th! We also get the opportunity to talk about his creative process, their current TEARS & GEARZ TOUR with Bentley Robles and some of the incredible artists that would keep him sane if stranded on a deserted island.
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This week we welcome back an official two-time friend of the pod, DJ John Michael from Peloton! With the intention of talking all things Madonna -- we uncover the moments that officially turned us into Madonna stans as well as talk about her impact in music and her advocacy with the LGBTQ+ community. But as how conversation goes amongst friends we also discuss Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER, Katy Perry's "Walking On Air," Britney Spears' "Stronger" and even throw in some Janet Jackson and Gloria Estefan for good measure.
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This week the boys discuss their initial thoughts on Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated project: The Tortured Poets Department. Stay tuned as POP THEORY recaps the good, the bad, the ugly- and all in between!
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This week the boys recap their top 5 COWBOY CARTER tracks, discuss Dua Lipa’s new single + music video for “Illusion” as well as the Radical Optimism era (or shall we say radical floptimism?), Kelis, The fever dream that is Alanis Morissette covering “My Humps”, Tori Kelly, “The Tortured Poets Department” predictions, Azealia Banks and the gatekeeping of genres within the music industry.
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This week on Pop Theory, Zach and Jeff celebrate TWENTY YEARS of Janet Jackson's criminally underrated DAMITA JO. We revisit the album to discuss some of our favorite songs - where are the "All Nite (Don't Stop)" fans at? - from the project plus some songs that were scrapped from the album's final tracklist like the Neptunes produced "Ruff" and the Rich Harrison assisted "Pops Up!" We also celebrate 7 days of COWBOY CARTER, reflecting on our initial reactions of the album, discussing our current favorite moments from the album, and try to figure out what the HECK she is up to with the visuals! We even through in some anticipation for Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" for good measure.
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The wait is OVA ... COWBOY CARTER is here! Jeff has made his valiant return on the perfect weekend as Beyoncé releases her highly anticipated follow-up to RENAISSANCE. Recorded about 36 hours after the album was officially released in the states, Zach and Jeff give their reactions to each track off the album from AMERIICAN REQUIEM all the way to AMEN. The boys also take a few stabs at what they think Beyoncé might have up her sleeve for Act III and the alleged visuals that have been filmed to support the albums. Now, for this next episode, we want ya'll to sit back, inhale and go to the good place your mind likes to wander to. And if you don't wanna go, go find yourself a jukebox!
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