In 2007, a 19-year-old Barbadian pop singer released the lead single off her third album. By doing so, she didn't just give us a timeless, undeniable banger -- she changed the way pop music is made, and became the global superstar that we know Rihanna to be today. In this episode we go back in time to unearth the origins of "Umbrella," and how the song bloss ... Show More
Nov 18
Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley
This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars.
Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200, where it spent one week and then fell ... Show More
48m 6s
Nov 11
Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club
Spanish pop star Rosalía is back with her new album, Lux. Over eighteen tracks, she trades in the dembow beats that filled her last record Motomami for maximalist orchestral sounds more in line with Björk than Bad Bunny. The album is dense: there's four movements, thirteen langua ... Show More
44m 2s
Nov 4
Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem
They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s ex ... Show More
33m 50s
Apr 2025
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2
It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released a studio album—and fans and critics alike have wondered when, if ever, a follow-up to 2016’s Anti might arrive. Which is ironic, because in her heyday, Rihanna was the most productive hitmaker on the charts. Churning out at least o ... Show More
55m 10s
Sep 2024
Introducing 60 Songs That Explain the '90s: The 2000s
We are so back! Join us on another musical journey through a new decade as Rob Harvilla digs through the biggest songs of the 2000s like only he can. The Strokes, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Arcade Fire, Missy Elliott, Kanye West, and many more are on table. New episodes every Wedne ... Show More
1m 8s
Sep 2023
Rihanna, Queen, Gwen Stefani, Cascade, Vanilla Ice
<p class="p1">Tracklist:</p> <ol class="ol1"> <li class="li1">Hollerback Girl <strong>-</strong> Gwen Stefani, Dombresky</li> <li class="li1">I Want To Break Free - Queen, Danny Ventura</li> <li class="li1">Wannabe Tight - Spice Girls, Fisher, Tiger Toast</li> <li class="li1">C'e ... Show More
30m 48s
Aug 2024
But What About Pop Boy Summer? | Every Single Album
In a spring and summer that has been dominated by female artists, Nora and Nathan talk about some of the male artists that have managed to break through on the charts: Post Malone, Zach Bryan, and Eminem. They discuss Post Malone's forthcoming country album and what it tells us a ... Show More
1h 18m
Apr 2025
‘Breakout’ | Every Single Album: Miley Cyrus
With ‘Breakout,’ Miley Cyrus took her first step away from being "Hannah Montana" and toward being "Miley Cyrus." Nora and Nathan discuss this album, which she released when she was just 15 years old (1:00). They talk of hits like "Seven Things" and "Breakout" (28:48), her power ... Show More
1h 15m
Apr 2025
'Can't Be Tamed' | Every Single Album: Miley Cyrus
With 'Can't Be Tamed,' Miley Cyrus is yet again trying to break away from the Disney stronghold, but not quite able to do it. Nora and Nathan discuss her last album released under Disney. They talk about her biggest hit from this era, which isn't actually on this album (1:00); ho ... Show More
1h 9m
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