Tate McRae's billions of streams and perfectly crafted hits can feel almost algorithmic, like an AI trained on 20 years of pop music. In anticipation of McRae’s third album So Close to What, out this Friday, we dissect McRae’s "SimplePop" formula, from her strategic, indescript vocal delivery to expert "vibe snatching" of Y2K sounds.
Through singles like "e ... Show More
Aug 4
IV. Take It to the Bridge (ft. Tayla Parx)
Bridges open up the world of a song: they're a breath of fresh air and a point of contrast, typically delivered right before the final chorus. But sometimes they accomplish even more, changing the whole meaning of a song by introducing a note of doubt, or even defiance. This is w ... Show More
42m 16s
Jul 21
II. Justice for the verse (ft. Audrey Hobert)
Everybody sings the chorus, but superfans quote the verse. On this episode of Switched on Pop, Charlie and Nate trace the verse from Shakespeare through opera to TikTok, and songwriter Audrey Hobert shares her philosophy of specific verses and anthemic choruses: you can't have th ... Show More
33m 44s
Feb 2025
'So Close to What' | Every Single Album: Tate McRae
Nora and Nathan try to figure out whether Tate McRae is so close to stardom on her new album, 'So Close to What.' They talk about the all-star production team behind this album, which included Ryan Tedder and Amy Allen (1:00); some of their favorite songs on this record, includin ... Show More
1h 3m
Feb 2025
PTSD ENERGY Pop Debut: The Hidden Set featuring Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Taylor Swift, Spice Girls, Kim Petra, LISA & Machine Gun Kelly
Tracklist: Apple - Charli XCX Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me) - LISA Spice Up Your Love - Spice Girls Disease - Lady Gaga Pink Pony Club - Chappell Roan my ex's best friend - Machine Gun Kelly Love Story - Taylor Swift King of Hearts - Kim Petra Welcome to the raw, emotional rebirth of D ... Show More
30m 8s
Aug 2025
'Bite Me' | Every Single Album: Reneé Rapp
Nora and Nathan break down the second studio album from Reneé Rapp, aptly titled 'Bite Me.' They talk about her Broadway origins and how that manifests in her music (1:00), whether or not "Leave Me Alone" was the correct choice for the first single (27:59), and the mid-2000s pop ... Show More
1h 16m
Dec 2023
Kisses To My Exes
"Dive into the world of Tate McRae's viral TikTok sensation 'Exes,' a track that blends sass, confidence, and attitude, resonating with millions worldwide. This song, serving as the second single from her anticipated album 'THINK LATER,' follows the success of 'Greedy' and marks ... Show More
6m 39s
Mar 2021
'Speak Now' | Every Single Album: Taylor Swift
Nathan and Nora are here to talk about Taylor Swift's third album, 'Speak Now.' Beloved by fans, the album shows Taylor's continued turn away from country and into pop, displays her sharpening songwriting skills, and includes canonical songs like 'Mean,' 'Back to December,' and o ... Show More
1h 18m