Pop Pantheon

On Tuesday night in New York City, DJ Louie gathered an all-star panel— critic and best-selling author Ira Madison III, writer and critic Doreen St. Félix, and New York Times Pop Music Editor Caryn Ganz— live on stage to break down of their favorite pop albums of 2025. Tune in next week for The Best Pop Songs of 2025! Fill out Pop Pantheon's 2025 Listener SurveyJoin Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and MoreShop Merch in Pop Pantheon's StoreFollow Pop Pantheon on InstagramFollow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, From Gaga to Addison, Lorde, Beyoncé, Scissors Sisters, Mary Blige, Katy Perry, and SO many more, Louie and Russ gather to rank their favorite (and least favorite) live shows of the past 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 directly in the Apple Podcasts app.Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.

Listeners challenge past rankings, prompting a lively debate over Britney Spears' tier standing. Haim's place in the hierarchy sparks discussion about their blend of indie rock and pop acclaim. The hosts weigh the merits of Pitbull versus Kesha, defending Pitbull's edge in global hits. Lady Gaga's status as a potential tier one artist is explored through her iconic hits. Additionally, Justin Bieber's long career and numerous top-ten singles are reconsidered for a higher ranking, along with Pink's impressive statistics supporting her tier two placement.

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, with a new Olivia Rodrigo album seemingly on the horizon, Louie and Russ return to her sophomore effort, 2023's Guts, to parse their differing vibes on Olivia, reflect on the album's middling commercial performance, and... uh... gut-check on how the record's held up by going track-by-track.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 for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.

We're off for Thanksgiving so as a little treat, we're publishing a Patreon episode from earlier this year where Russ and Louie go track by track on Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, skipping the singles to decide whether the album is a classic— or even any good— without them. This is a little taste of what you’ll get if you subscribe to our Patreon show, where we publish weekly bonus episodes. We’ve got a Black Friday discount code that’s good for ONE WEEK ONLY, so snag it before the discount is gone. Use the code “CHARLI” for 20% off an annual subscription or use the code “TINASHE” for 15% off your first month.

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ take listener calls on Robyn's forthcoming album, how Taylor will navigate motherhood in her music, Tate McRae's 2025 up-level 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 Podcasts app.Note for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.

Omri Rolan, a pop culture commentator, joins the discussion to dissect Nicole Scherzinger's complex solo journey. They explore her origins on *Popstars*, the rise and fall of her singles, and her eventual transition to a Tony-winning stage star. Omri provides insights on the contrasting reception of her albums, such as the chart-topping 'Killer Love' versus the disappointment of 'Big Fat Lie.' The conversation also highlights her impressive TV career, her captivating performances in *Sunset Boulevard*, and what the future might hold for her in both theater and pop.

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are joined by the LA Times' Suzy Exposito to break down Rosalia's ambitious, orchestral, multilingual fourth album, Lux.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 for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.

Troy McEady, co-host of Beyond The Blinds, dives deep into the fascinating history of The Pussycat Dolls, who started as a burlesque troupe. He discusses their breakthrough hit 'Don’t Cha,' how Nicole Scherzinger recorded the debut album mostly solo, and the internal tensions that plagued the group. Troy elaborates on their chart-topping success, the impact of burlesque on their aesthetic, and the messy attempt at a reunion in 2019. The conversation highlights their cultural legacy and lasting influence on pop and girl groups.

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ react to the 2025 Grammy nominations plus dissect new songs from Katy Perry and Hilary Duff.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 for iOS users: Subscribe using your desktop or mobile browser, not the iOS Patreon app, for cheaper rates on Pop Pantheon: All Access.