Pop Pantheon

Listener Mailbag! Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, & More 11.06.2026 56min

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 6/26Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Music from Taylor Swift, Madonna, & Tinashe + Early Grammy Predictions (Patreon Preview) 08.06.2026 11min

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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RUPAUL (with Paper's Joan Summers) 04.06.2026 2h 15min

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 music Ru’s released (16 albums + counting!) and rank RuPaul in The Official Pop Pantheon. Check out our playlist of RuPaul EssentialsBuy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariana Grande Makes a Half Hearted Return + Kim Petras Finds Her Groove (Patreon Preview) 01.06.2026 10min

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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Best Pop You Might Have Missed in 2026 So Far (with Pitchfork's Walden Green) 28.05.2026 1h 8min

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 favsBuy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor: Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview) 25.05.2026 10min

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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Best Pop Songs of 2026 So Far (with NPR's Hazel Cills) 21.05.2026 1h 1min

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 favsBuy tickets to Gorgeous Gorgeous Pride in LA on 6/19 and NY 6/26Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Music From Charli XCX & Gracie Abrams, + Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Requiem and Blue Dot Fever (Patreon Preview) 18.05.2026 11min

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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LILY ALLEN (with The Guardian's Laura Snapes) 14.05.2026 1h 59min

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 West End Girl. Finally, they rank Lily Allen in The Official Pop Pantheon. Lily Allen Essentials PlaylistJoin 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyoncé's B'Day at 20: Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview) 11.05.2026 10min

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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Will Be The Song of Summer 2026? 07.05.2026 53min

"Drop Dead?" "Dracula?" Drake? Louie and Russ make bets on what they think will be The Song of Summer for 2026. Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kacey Musgraves Goes Back to Basics + Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter & Zara Larsson (Patreon Preview) 04.05.2026 12min

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ ponder the latest Madonna single, "Bring Your Love" featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson's remix album Midnight Sun: Girls Trip, and Kacey Musgraves' latest, Middle of Nowhere.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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hot 100 Dumpster Dive 2026 30.04.2026 1h 17min

Louie and Russ explore the mysterious Billboard Hot 100 and unpack a sample of songs they know nothing about,Gorgeous Gorgeous LA 4/2Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Empty Michael Jackson Biopic and a Lush Kehlani Album (with Mya Abraham) (Patreon Preview) 27.04.2026 10min

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are joined by journalist Mya Abraham to talk about the blockbuster new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, as well as to deep-dive on R&B diva Kehlani's self titled studio 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 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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EN VOGUE (with NPR's Brittany Luse) 23.04.2026 2h 1min

Journalist, critic and host of NPR's It's Been a Minute, Brittany Luse, makes her Pop Pantheon debut as we dive into the sassy, brassy ‘90s phenom En Vogue. Brittany and Louie explore the girl group’s prefab origins and their storm onto the Billboard charts with 1990’s Born To Sing. Next they dive into their classic sophomore album, 1992’s Funky Divas, their first member shake-up, and 1997’s EV3. Then they explore the group’s post-peak work, their impact on future girl groups, and rank En Vogue in The Official Pop Pantheon. Gorgeous Gorgeous LA 4/2Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8Pop Pantheon's En Vogue Essentials PlaylistJoin 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Madonna and Olivia Rodrigo End the Main Pop Girl Drought (Patreon Preview) 20.04.2026 12min

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ discuss new music from Madonna and Olivia Rodrigo, and play a game where they predict the commercial and critical reception to a panoply of forthcoming pop girl albums.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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, and Zara Larsson Moving Up or Down in the Pop Pantheon? 16.04.2026 1h 13min

Louie and Russ discuss recent career developments for Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, Zara Larsson, BTS, and Robyn and whether they're currently trending upward or downward in the Pop Pantheon.Gorgeous Gorgeous LA 4/2Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coachella Weekend 1 + Lady Gaga and Doechii's New Single & Lily Allen Live (Patreon Preview) 14.04.2026 10min

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, From Sabrina and Justin to Addison, Pink Pantheress, Slayyyter, & Katseye, Louie and Russ talk some of the buzziest performances from Coachella weekend. They also dig into Lady Gaga and Doechii's "Runway" and Russ' experience seeing Lily Allen perform West End Girl live.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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Best Lana Del Rey Songs of All Time (with Jason P. Frank, Walden Green, & Lauren Michele Jackson) 09.04.2026 2h 5min

Louie is joined by Vulture's Jason P. Frank, Pitchfork's Walden Green, and critic Lauren Michele Jackson to draft the 20 best Lana Del Rey songs of all time.Check out a playlist of our best Lana songs of all timeGorgeous Gorgeous LA 4/2Gorgeous Gorgeous NYC 4/8Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope + Slayyyter’s Worst Girl in America (with Steffanee Wang) (Patreon Preview) 06.04.2026 10min

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ are joined by The Fader's Steffanee Wang to break down new albums from Raye and Slayyyter.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.Join 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 InstagramFollow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.