Pop is inseparable from reality TV singing competitions. From Eurovision to American Idol, scores of stars got their start in singing competitions. We’ve long overlooked this influence on pop, but were inspired to look into the phenomenon by the release of Teen Spirit, a pop-musical film about a fictional singing competition .
What is the history of these s ... Show More
Mar 3
Can Bruno Mars counterprogram his way to another hit album?
Bruno Mars is back with a new album called The Romantic, his first solo release since 2016’s 24k Magic. At first listen, the lead single, “I Just Might,” sounds like an outtake from 2021’s collaborative album with Anderson Paak, the Philly soul-inspired An Evening with Silk Sonic ... Show More
44m 52s
Feb 24
Charli XCX’s "Wuthering Heights" fever dream
Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 gothic romance "Wuthering Heights" is the most talked-about film of the year. But for pop lovers, the soundtrack is the real event: Charli xcx, asked to write one song, ended up recording an entire album for the movie while ... Show More
48m 13s
Nov 2023
Previewing the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 (Part 1)
It’s that time of the year again, when the kids take over the Eurovision stage. This year, we head to Nice for a celebration of Heroes at 4pm CET on Sunday 26 November. If you’re in Australia, you can watch on YouTube at 2am AEDT on Monday 27 November. Michael and Io love hearing ... Show More
53m 30s
Oct 2020
100 gecs and the Mystery of Hyperpop
What is hyperpop? A movement? A meaningless label? A Spotify playlist? Whatever the answer, it surely has something to do with 100 gecs, the duo of Laura Les and Dylan Brady, whose songs sometimes sound like the last three decades of popular music happening all at once. On this e ... Show More
40m 42s
May 2020
THE QUARANTINE SERIES: Our Quarantine Queen
Fiona Apple's new album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, is getting us all through quarantine. So, we decided to gather and discuss our favorite Fiona songs from her 25 year career of making exceptional and provocatively candid music. #NihilisticFeminism
Guests: Jason (The Binge Movie Po ... Show More
1h 16m