Pop Pantheon

Chart trend

Position in the Music Commentary chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#22#42JunJulAugSep

all-time peak

days in the top 10 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Britney Spears' Glory - Track-by-Track (Patreon Preview)

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ go track-by-track on the final studio album from Britney Spears, Glory, in honor of its 10th

Sep 7
10 min

M.I.A. (with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd)

#12 trending · Music Commentary

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the career of a pop star who changed the very notion of what a “pop star” could be: M.I.A. Louis and Julianne

Sep 3
2 h 23 min

Charli XCX's Vroom Vroom at 10: Track-by-Track (+ Russ on Music Fashion Film) (Patreon Preview)

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Russ shares his belated thoughts on Charli XCX's latest, Music Fashion Film, before he and Louie go track-by

Aug 31
11 min

Beyoncé's B'Day at 20: Track-by-Track (Originally Published on Patreon on May 11, 2026)

Pop Pantheon is off until September. In the meantime, we're dropping some gems from our Patreon for free! This week, we're sharing our episode from May of this year where

Aug 27
1 h 33 min

Karol G’s No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto + Becky G's Baraja Bendita (with Isabella Gomez Sarmiento) (Patreon preview)

NPR Music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento returns to Pop Pantheon All Access to join Russ for a discussion about two albums from Latin pop stars released this month. Fi

Aug 24
11 min

The Chaos and Calculations of Camila Cabello's C,XOXO (with Omri Rolan) (Originally Published on Patreon on 7/1/24)

Pop Pantheon is off until September. In the meantime, we're dropping some gems from our Patreon for free! This week, we're sharing our episode from July 2024 reviewing Ca

Aug 20
59 min

New Music from Troye Sivan, Phoebe Bridgers, Ravyn Lanae & More (Patreon Preview)

In a preview of this week's Pop Pantheon: All Access episode, Louie and Russ go deep on new songs from Troye Sivan, Flo, Ravyn Lanae, Phoebe Bridgers, Tyla, and Adela. T

Aug 17
10 min

Did Pop Music Used to Be Better?

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

Aug 13
1 h 05 min

Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor vs. Confessions II: Which is Better? (Patreon Preview)

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

Aug 10
11 min

TEGAN AND SARA (with Annie Zaleski)

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

Aug 6
1 h 59 min

Ariana Grande Goes Dark on Petal (with Rachel Handler) (Patreon Preview)

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, w

Aug 3
11 min

Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 3 (with Annie Zaleski)

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. P

Jul 30
1 h 58 min

Charli XCX Bucks Brat on Music, Fashion, Film (with Joan Summers) (Patreon Preview)

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

Jul 27
11 min

Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 2 (with Jason King)

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. P

Jul 24
2 h 00 min

Second Spin: MADONNA: PART 1 (with Edward Russell)

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. P

Jul 23
1 h 53 min

Madonna's Halftime Show, Gracie Abrams' Daughter From Hell, + a Charli XCX Vibe Check (Patreon Preview)

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

Jul 20
12 min

Are Oliva Rodrigo, Lizzo, and Madonna (!) Moving Up or Down in the Pop Pantheon?

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

Jul 16
1 h 05 min

Bebe Rexha's Dirty Blonde + Hilary Duff's Luck... or Something (Patreon Preview)

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 firmame

Jul 13
11 min

The Best Ariana Grande Songs of All Time (with Kyle Denis, Larisha Paul, & Nora Princiotti)

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

Jul 9
1 h 41 min

The Revelations of Madonna's Confessions II (Patreon Preview)

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

Jul 6
12 min

Chart positions

Where Pop Pantheon ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 8, 2026).

#80 ▲ 6 Music US

#20 ▲ 1 Music Commentary US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I discovered this podcast during the Britney series, and thank goodness I did. This is a fantastic podcast for pop culture stans. Louie is so knowledgeable and takes this seriously. Best thing to come out of 2025 so far for me!

I_Love_My_Guys23 · May 2025

I love this podcast, I have listened to so many episodes. A lot of episodes are evergreen and going back to older episodes have expanded my music knowledge and helped me to appreciate pop culture moments from before my time. The conversations about contemporary pop are also super fun!

lilacsdrankthewater · Mar 2025

This is by far my favorite music podcast. I’m the same age as Louie, so our nostalgia is the same and his memories are similar to mine. I love hearing the history of each artist and it’s such a comforting podcast. Thanks Louie!

KayRay31 · Feb 2025

Listening to pop pantheon is like ear candy. Louis and Russ, plus their guests, are so entertaining to listen to, and make really insightful comments about topics I didn’t realize were that deep, but I absolutely love learning about all the layers. Louis is a great conversation leader, storyteller and true historian, with infectious enthusiasm for pop music and musicians. I love learning about the artists’ stories and come away inspired. I am a patreon member so get even more out if the show which I highly recommend! I have been introduced to so much amazing music and knowledge through this show. Thanks Louis and Russ for making it— it’s the dopamine hit I didn’t know I need.

Betchonamission · Dec 2024

Britney Spears is 100% a tier 1 artist. Your reasoning is contradictory and honestly, downright wrong. First, you seemed so bespoken to this idea that the artists themselves, needed to have a form of “ownership”, or “input” in order for their placement on the tier ranking. That is not even part of your requirements. Also, many of these artists were afforded those privileges. Britney was not. And even with the limitations in place, she was able to perform, outsell, and define a space in pop music that has inspired so many artists, more so than many of these other artists that you have ranked within the tier 1 space. Next, she exceeded your requirements with her WORK. Not just her celebrity and public narrative, but her pop work. Which in terms of sales, influence, and iconography triumphs so many of the artists you have ranked in the tier one spot. Look at last year’s VMAs. Her presence and contributions to pop culture and music, is unquestionably present. Also, I feel that the marketing and distribution of merchandise wasn’t brought up enough (during her initial three years). This model of pop star marketing was duplicated for following teen acts for years down the line. Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus, for example. I am thankful for the commenters and guests that argued for her rightful placement. In short, I’m disappointed that the 71% of votes, or insight from your guests did not sway your final decision. You got this one wrong. She highly deserves to be one of the top 25, tier one acts.

B-Spears,Wiz-K,and the Crue :) · Mar 2025

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