POP THEORY – Details, episodes & analysis

DJ John Michael returns to the pod to discuss several moments in pop music in recent weeks.

First we take a dive into “Die With A Smile” the brand new duet between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

After, we have a great discussion on queer artists in pop music, specifically highlighting the talented ZEE MACHINE and the release party for his EP “Can I Be Honest...?”

From there we discuss fame and personal boundaries as it was highlighted by Chappell Roan.

We also may or may not give some controversial takes on some of the biggest hits the world has ever seen!

Get ready for your mind to be blown:  Christina Aguilera’s debut album is officially TWENTY-FIVE years old!  On this brand new episode of POP THEORY, Jeff and Zach do a track-by-track reminiscing of “Christina Aguilera.”  

From the classics like “Genie In A Bottle”, “What A Girl Wants”, and “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)” to album cuts like “So Emotional”, “When You Put Your Hands On Me” and “Love Will Find A Way” we leave no stone left unturned.  We even revisit a special bonus track during our now FAMOUS segment, “Songs We Don’t Talk About Enough.”

Additional topics include Britney's "In The Zone" and "Blackout" as well as our first reactions to Katy Perry's latest single, "Lifetimes."

This week we welcome back Jesse Chambliss, host of Jesse's Girls podcast, and we have an incredible - and chaotic - discussion as we try to define what exactly is pop music!?  We cover all of the faves as we use everyone from Madonna, Kylie and Janet to Avril, Harry and Alanis to exemplify and identify the pop landscape.  We also end with a very special round of "Sounds We Don't Talk About Enough:  Kylie Minogue Edition."

This week I am joined with the LEGENDARY wedding photographer extraordinaire and hello Bey Hive member, Jill DeVries-Dryer!  In this episode, we take a stroll down memory lane and go through Billboard's Year-End Chart for 1997.  From Madonna to Los Del Rio to the Spice Girls to Chumbawumba to the Backstreet Boys to Usher - we were left yearning for the 90's!  

Peloton's DJ John Michael is back for a THREE-PEAT and came prepared as we took a dive -- pun intended -- into Dua Lipa's third studio album, Radical Optimism.  We go track by track talking everything from the songwriters and producers to our favorite moments and our hopes and wishes for the remainder of this album cycle.  We also took some time to reflect on Madonna's final Celebration Tour show in Rio de Janeiro.  

This episode of POP THEORY is a VERY special one as Zach is joined by the absolutely brilliant ZEE MACHINE.  Together we take a dive into their discography, talking about songs like "The Radio," "Better Off" and his upcoming single "Worse" which is out May 9th!  We also get the opportunity to talk about his creative process, their current TEARS & GEARZ TOUR with Bentley Robles and some of the incredible artists that would keep him sane if stranded on a deserted island. 

This week we welcome back an official two-time friend of the pod, DJ John Michael from Peloton!  With the intention of talking all things Madonna -- we uncover the moments that officially turned us into Madonna stans as well as talk about her impact in music and her advocacy with the LGBTQ+ community.  But as how conversation goes amongst friends we also discuss Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER, Katy Perry's "Walking On Air," Britney Spears' "Stronger" and even throw in some Janet Jackson and Gloria Estefan for good measure.  

This week the boys discuss their initial thoughts on Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated project: The Tortured Poets Department. Stay tuned as POP THEORY recaps the good, the bad, the ugly- and all in between!

This week the boys recap their top 5 COWBOY CARTER tracks, discuss Dua Lipa’s new single + music video for “Illusion” as well as the Radical Optimism era (or shall we say radical floptimism?), Kelis, The fever dream that is Alanis Morissette covering “My Humps”, Tori Kelly, “The Tortured Poets Department” predictions, Azealia Banks and the gatekeeping of genres within the music industry.

This week on Pop Theory, Zach and Jeff celebrate TWENTY YEARS of Janet Jackson's criminally underrated DAMITA JO.  We revisit the album to discuss some of our favorite songs - where are the "All Nite (Don't Stop)" fans at? - from the project plus some songs that were scrapped from the album's final tracklist like the Neptunes produced "Ruff" and the Rich Harrison assisted "Pops Up!"  We also celebrate 7 days of COWBOY CARTER, reflecting on our initial reactions of the album, discussing our current favorite moments from the album, and try to figure out what the HECK she is up to with the visuals!  We even through in some anticipation for Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" for good measure.