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Every episode
Pop Pantheon
30 episodes
Did Pop Music Used to Be Better?
Aug 13, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Digging through this week's top ten from the last five decades— the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s, the 2010s, and today— Louie and Russ try to figure if pop music, at least the songs that reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100, used to be better. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…
Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor vs. Confessions II: Which is Better? (Patreon Preview)
Aug 10, 2026 · 11 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ debate the age old question: Is Madonna's original Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) or her recently released sequel Confessions II (2026) the stronger album? To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the A…
TEGAN AND SARA (with Annie Zaleski)
Aug 6, 2026 · 1 hr 60 min
Author and critic Annie Zaleski returns to Pop Pantheon to discuss the career and legacy of a pair of queer icons: the Canadian sister act Tegan and Sara. Annie and Russ dig into the origin of the Quin sisters in Calgary, their folksy early albums, 2002’s If It Was You and the seminal indie pop classic So Jealous (2004). From there, they unpack Tegan and Sara’s brief flirtatious with the American mainstream, their pop pivot with 2013’s Heartthrob and their strange, mega-popular soundtrack single…
Ariana Grande Goes Dark on Petal (with Rachel Handler) (Patreon Preview)
Aug 3, 2026 · 11 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, New York Magazine's Rachel Handler joins DJ Louie to talk discuss Ariana Grande's 8th studio album, Petal, which arrives amidst a swirl of public discourse around the pop diva and her recent announcement that she will be pulling back from public life. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access a…
Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 3 (with Annie Zaleski)
Jul 30, 2026 · 1 hr 59 min
Louie and Russ are taking the last two weeks of July off! In the meantime, in light of the commotion over Confessions II, we're revisiting our Madonna series from 2023. Parts 1 and 2 published last week, and here is Part 3. Pop Pantheon will return with new episodes on August 6th. In the meantime, you can always hear new weekly episodes by subscribing at Patreon.com/PopPantheon. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store…
Charli XCX Bucks Brat on Music, Fashion, Film (with Joan Summers) (Patreon Preview)
Jul 27, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Paper's Joan Summers joins DJ Louie to break down Charli XCX's anti-Brat follow-up to that blockbuster, her eighth studio album, Music, Fashion, Film. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app. Note f…
Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 2 (with Jason King)
Jul 24, 2026 · 2 hr 1 min
Louie and Russ are taking the last two weeks of July off! In the meantime, in light of the commotion over Confessions II, we're revisiting our Madonna series from 2023. Part 1 published yesterday, Part 2 today, and Part 3 will come out next Thursday. Pop Pantheon will return with new episodes on August 6th. In the meantime, you can always hear new weekly episodes by subscribing at Patreon.com/PopPantheon. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Mer…
Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 1 (with Edward Russell)
Jul 23, 2026 · 1 hr 53 min
Louie and Russ are taking the last two weeks of July off! In the meantime, in light of the commotion over Confessions II, we're revisiting our Madonna series from 2023. Part 1 will publish today, Part 2 tomorrow, and Part 3 next Thursday. Pop Pantheon will return with new episodes on August 6th. In the meantime, you can always hear new weekly episodes by subscribing at Patreon.com/PopPantheon. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pa…
Madonna's Halftime Show, Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell, + a Charli XCX Vibe Check (Patreon Preview)
Jul 20, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ discuss Madonna's FIFA Finals Halftime Performance, talk about the vibes around Charli XCX on the eve of her new studio album, Music Fashion Film, and break down Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe f…
Are Oliva Rodrigo, Lizzo, and Madonna (!) Moving Up or Down in the Pop Pantheon?
Jul 16, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
In this week's Step Up, Step Down, Louie and Russ debate whether recent moves from Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzo, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Kacey Musgraves constitute upward or downward trends for them in the official Pop Pantheon. Buy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous: Renaissance in NYC Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on…
Bebe Rexha's Dirty Blonde + Hilary Duff's Luck... or Something (Patreon Preview)
Jul 13, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Russ tells Louie about his interview with Bebe Rexha for PAPER and they discuss her place in the pop firmament following her new album Dirty Blonde. Then a listener-demanded and long, long awaited discussion about Hilary Duff's return to pop, Luck... or Something! To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon:…
The Best Ariana Grande Songs of All Time (with Kyle Denis, Larisha Paul, & Nora Princiotti)
Jul 9, 2026 · 1 hr 41 min
In anticipation of forthcoming 8th studio album, Petal, Louie is joined by Every Single Album's Nora Princiotti, Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul, and Billboard's Kyle Denis to draft the greatest 20 best Ariana Grande singles of all time. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat…
The Revelations of Madonna's Confessions II (Patreon Preview)
Jul 6, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, The Queen of Pop Madonna is back with her 15th studio album, Confessions II, her first since 2019's ghastly Madame X and the sequel to her beloved 2005 record Confessions on a Dance Floor. So did she pull off the comeback we almost didn't dare dream was possible? Louie and Russ discuss! To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, sub…
Lizzo's Pass (with StraightioLab's George Civeris and Sam Taggart)
Jul 2, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
StraightioLab's George Civeris and Sam Taggart join Louie to discuss Lizzo's Pass – a concept Sam created to describe the fork in the road in which a pop star must decide to make music for Target of for Pitchfork. Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
MORE Listener Mailbag: Beyoncé, Olivia Rodrigo, Geese, and more! (Patreon Preview)
Jun 29, 2026 · 11 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are taking more listener questions about Beyoncé's Act III, the Geese psyop which Gen Z girlies have the biggest chance of reaching Tier 1 and more. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcast…
MICHELLE BRANCH & VANESSA CARLTON (with Molly Mary O'Brien)
Jun 25, 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
Molly Mary O'Brien returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the careers of two women who served as counter-programming to the mechanized teen pop that dominated the early 2000s: Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton. Molly and Louie discuss Michelle's 2001 slammer “Everywhere” and her glossy yet yearning album The Spirit Room and Vanessa’s instantly memorable “A Thousand Miles” and her 2002 album Be Not Nobody. Then they discuss each woman’s post-peak work and rank Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton in…
Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman: Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview)
Jun 22, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, On the eve of her eighth studio album, Petal, due next month, Louie and Russ are going track-by-track on Ariana Grande's third record, Dangerous Woman, which turns ten years-old this year. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only dire…
New Pop Girl Power Ranking (with Ivy Wolk)
Jun 18, 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Actress and comedian Ivy Wolk returns to the podcast to power rank the new class of pop girlies with Louie and Russ. From Ella Langley to Holly Humberstone, Olivia Dean, Underscores, Audrey Hobert and more, they debate who's up, who's down, and who's got the best chance of sticking around for the rest of this year and beyond. Buy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26 Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Panthe…
The Utility of Cliché on Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love (with Lauren Michele Jackson) (Patreon Preview)
Jun 16, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie is joined by cultural critic Lauren Michele Jackson to break down Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audio only directly in the Apple Podcasts app.…
Listener Mailbag! Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, & More
Jun 11, 2026 · 57 min
Louie and Russ answer listener questions about where The Life of a Showgirl ranks amongst Taylor Swift's recent albums, how likely it is that Rihanna will ever release R8, pairing flopping pop stars with new producers, their favorite indie songs of the century, Louie's book publishing process, and so much more. Buy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26 Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Foll…
New Music from Taylor Swift, Madonna, & Tinashe + Early Grammy Predictions (Patreon Preview)
Jun 8, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ break down new singles from Taylor Swift, Tinashe, and Madonna, before tackling their way-too-early Grammy nomination predictions and playing a game of "Toy Sorry." To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the audi…
RUPAUL (with Paper's Joan Summers)
Jun 4, 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
PAPER senior editor Joan Summers returns to Pop Pantheon for a special Pride episode unpacking a complex but revolutionary figure who changed queer culture forever, Supermodel of the World RuPaul. Louie and Joan explore Ru’s roots, his rise in New York City and breakthrough with “Supermodel (You Better Work).” Then they discuss the music he made during his initial burst of fame and his second musical act with alongside his hit series, RuPaul’s Drag Race. They tackle the absolute avalanche of mus…
Ariana Grande Makes a Half Hearted Return + Kim Petras Finds Her Groove (Patreon Preview)
Jun 1, 2026 · 10 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ discuss the slightly confounding lead single from Ariana Grande's forthcoming eighth studio album Petal, plus Kim Petras' return to form on her 3rd debut record Detour. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe for the…
The Best Pop You Might Have Missed in 2026 So Far (with Pitchfork's Walden Green)
May 28, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Russ is joined by Pitchfork's Walden Green to countdown their lists of the most underrated pop songs of the year so far. Check out a playlist of Russ and Walden's favs Buy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26 Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio…
Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor: Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview)
May 25, 2026 · 11 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, in anticipation of Madonna's 15th studio album, Confessions II, due out in July, Louie and Russ revisit the 2005's original Confessions on a Dance Floor, the Queen of Pop's last universally-adored effort. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can al…
The Best Pop Songs of 2026 So Far (with NPR's Hazel Cills)
May 21, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
NOTE: A previous version of this episode had an editing error that caused cross-talk in the interview. If this episode auto-downloaded, delete it from your library and refresh the feed for the updated version. Thank you! From Robyn to Charlie Puth, Olivia Rodrigo, Haute & Freddy, Underscores, and more, Louie is joined by NPR's Hazel Cills to countdown their favorite Pop Songs of 2026 so far. Check out a playlist of Louie and Hazel's favs Buy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and N…
New Music From Charli XCX & Gracie Abrams, + Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Requiem and Blue Dot Fever (Patreon Preview)
May 18, 2026 · 12 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ talk about Charli XCX's incoming rock era, Gracie Abram's new single, Lady Gaga's latest concert special, the why so many artists are cancelling their tours at the last minute. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subscribe…
LILY ALLEN (with The Guardian's Laura Snapes)
May 14, 2026 · 1 hr 60 min
The Guardian's deputy music editor Laura Snapes returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the work and career of one of pop’s most trenchant storytellers, Lily Allen. Louie and Laura dig into Lily's MySpace origins and scrappy 2006 debut, Alright, Still, her status as a British tabloid fixture, and her 2009 electro pop record It's Not Me, It's You. From there, they track her decline in acclaim and on the charts with 2014’s Sheezus and 2018’s No Shame, before discussing her surprise comeback with 2025’s…
Beyoncé's B'Day at 20: Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview)
May 11, 2026 · 11 min
In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, to commemorate the twenty year anniversary of Beyoncé's beloved second solo album, 2006's B'Day, Louie and Russ go track-by-track on one of Queen B's most explosive, concise, and complicated works. To hear the rest of the this episode plus receive weekly bonus episodes of Pop Pantheon, gain access to our Discord channel and so much more, subscribe to Pop Pantheon: All Access at the Icon Tier. You can also subs…
What Will Be The Song of Summer 2026?
May 7, 2026 · 53 min
"Drop Dead?" "Dracula?" Drake? Louie and Russ make bets on what they think will be The Song of Summer for 2026. Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8 Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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