Shows
FlopstarsFlopstars Update + The Pop Pod IntroductionSam here! Dropping in to introduce my new daily podcast The Pop Pod, which covers all things pop music from artist interviews to album deep dives. Here is a quick preview.Fear not! This is not a Flopstars replacement. Flopstars is returning. Nic and I have been plotting the return and will hopefully have news for you within the month. Follow or Subscribe to The Pop Pod here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/popsamcampoppod
2025-03-2523 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Dua Teases Her New Era, Charli's Back, Troye Previewed & WE HAVE A GAME!What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up
Dua Lipa wipes Instagram for new era - what do we know, who’s involved, and all that jazz
Charli's BACK BABY
Troye album's coming this week & Nic interviewed him - hear the full thing here
Sam saw RAYE live in New York and it was one of the most lucid shows he's ever seen
Tems is selling out huge venues & releases a triumphant single
Omar Apollo's new single
The Pop In now gets a game: YEAR OF TH...
2023-10-1132 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Sam Went To The Eras Tour, Nicki Teases New Song & Rita Ora's Been Drinkin'What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up
Sam went to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Mexico City
Nicki Minaj teasing new single ‘Last Time I Saw You’
Ashnikko album out. What happened to her popularity?
ELTON JOHN HAD A FALL (HE'S OK)
THEY CANCELLED THE IDOL
Bop or Flop
Selena Gomez - Single Soon
Miley Cyrus - Used To Be Young
Conan Gray - Winner
Omar Apollo - Ice Slippin
Alright - Victoria Monet
2023-08-3038 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Addison Rae's Master Stroke, New Miley & We're Doing A Live Show!Welcome back to The Pop In! The adjacent podcast to Flopstars running through the big releases and music stories of the last 7 days.
Coming Up
Miley Cyrus is teasing a new single on the 10th anniversary of Wrecking Ball
Oliver Anthony - who???
We're doing our first ever live show at Beyond The Valley Festival
Joel Corry & Rita Ora have a song coming out this week which feels very our brand
Addison Rae EP unpacked
Bop or Flop
Addison Rae - 2 die 4
2023-08-2331 min
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - Ryan Beatty's 'Boy In Jeans'Ryan Beatty is someone we've needed to talk about for a while. 'Boy In Jeans' is one of Nic's favourite records of all time and it's an important jumping block to discuss a really interesting career. It's a record about embracing queerness and joy while also unpacking trauma from the past and it's done so in a nuanced masterful way. If you're not already on the Ryan Beatty train, this is your invitation.
2023-08-1058 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Carly's Best Album Yet? Travis Scott, And Tkay's RedemptionWelcome back to The Pop In!
What’s been happening this week?
Halle's debut single coming Friday called ‘Angel’ - what can we expect?
Huge numbers for Travis Scott's UTOPIA - where are we at with him?
Kylie's Vegas residency announced
Bop or Flop
Carly Rae Jepsen - Psychedelic Switch
Travis Scott & Beyonce - Delestro (Echoes)
Sam Smith & Calvin Harris - Desire
Post Malone - Enough Is Enough
Tkay Maidza - Ring-A-Ling
Holly Humberstone - Supe...
2023-08-0128 min
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - Kelly Clarkson's 'All I Ever Wanted'We turn to Kelly Clarkson's fourth album 'All I Ever Wanted' in this episode, a record that was a chart hit but perhaps a personal defeat. After 'My December' this saw Clarko back on the charts but giving up some of the intimacy of the previous record. It's a varied but ultimately triumphant album.
2023-07-211h 01
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Sam Discovers Will.I.Am's Real Name, We Feel The Rush, & Britney Is Defs BackWhat’s been happening this week?
Britney & Will.i.am is happening and Sam makes a discovery about will.i.am's name
New Zayn and Tinashe on the way this week - does time heal everything?
Carly Rae Jepsen's new album is coming
Troye is doing some of his all time best numbers, but do we need to talk about the bodies in the video for Rush?
Bop or Flop (featuring our First Ever Guest, Friend Of The Show Jono)
Troye Sivan - Rush
Billie...
2023-07-1947 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Is Kim Petras Ava Max? Olivia Rodrigo's Difficult Second Album & We Have Some News!What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up
Kim Petras gets a 4.1 from Pitchfork - why?
Olivia Rodrigo announces new album Guts - how does she follow up the first?
Taylor Swift tells the crowd not to bully John Mayer
Kylie's Vegas residency confirmed... by Kelly Clarkson
Glastonbury - Elton's special guests, Lewis Capaldi, and Rick Astley's most iconic moment
Bop or Flop
Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj - Barbie World
Carly Rae Jepsen - Shy Boy
Kim Petras - King Of He...
2023-06-2755 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Is Taylor Heading For Overexposure? Who Is Doja Convincing? & Don't Throw Phones At Popstars!What’s been happening this week? / Coming Up
Bebe has phone thrown at her by fan
Why is Taylor Swift's Lover finally getting its flowers - and is Taylor headed for overexposure again?
The Idol - has it jumped the shark?
Bop or Flop
Doja Cat - Attention
Peggy Gou - It Goes Like (Nanana)
Rosalia - TUYA
PinkPantheress - Angel
Leigh Anne - Don’t Say Love
Dagny - Same Again (for love)
Hemlocke Springs - Heav...
2023-06-2136 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | 'The Idol': Bad, Or Realistic & Nelly Furtado's Return - Yay Or NayWhat’s been happening this week? / Coming Up
The Idol - our review
Padam Padam is doing the Padamn thing
Romy announces debut album
Bop or Flop
Popular - The Weeknd & Madonna
Madison Beer - Home To Another One
Bizarrap, Peso Pluma - Bzrp Music Sessions 55
Dom Dolla, Nelly Furtado - Eat Your Man
Ty Dolla $ign - Motion
Kelly Clarkson - i hate love
Rose Gray - Happiness
Ed Sheeran - A Beautiful Game
2023-06-0944 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | The Idol Seems A Hot Mess, Karma Is My Bestie & Should We Even Talk About Matty Healy?We'll be back with a new season proper in mid June!
In the meantime... Welcome to The Pop In the adjacent podcast to Flopstars where we run through the big new music releases and stories of the week!
What’s been happening this week?
The whole Matty Healy drama unpacked
The Weeknd The Idol debuting this week and the critics despise it already - but we're very ready for it
Sam Smith x Madonna
Taylor Swift Cruel Summer and Miley Cyrus Angels Like You be...
2023-06-0234 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Peso Pluma Breaks Every Mold, Does The Grimes AI Hit & Kendrick's Got A ProblemWelcome to The Pop In the adjacent podcast to Flopstars where we run through the big new music releases and stories of the week!
Coming Up:
Sam saw Caroline Polachek
America Has A Problem got a Kendrick remix
Let’s talk about Peso Pluma - officially one of the biggest artists in the world right now
Bop or Flop
Bad Bunny - Where She Goes
Zara Larsson - End Of Time
Post Malone - Mourning
Conan Gray - Never Ending Song...
2023-05-2436 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Padam Padam, Beyoncé Renaissance Setlist & Kesha's ReturnHello and welcome to The Pop In the adjacent podcast to Flopstars where we run through the big music news stories & song releases of the week!
Coming Up:
The Renaissance tour has started
Lana Del Rey releases 10 year old song Say Yes To Heaven
Kylie returns and announces new album Tension
Bop or Flop:
Jorja Smith - Little Things
Janelle Monae - Lipstick Lover
G Flip - Be Your Man
Remi Wolf - Prescription
2023-05-1940 minFlopstarsEpisode 9 - Madonna's 'Ray Of Light'We've reserved our longest episode ever for Madonna. It only feels right given we're discussing 'Ray Of Light', one of her seminal works and an experimental masterpiece that shifted the course of her career. Both Nic & Sam had never listened to the project in full so this is a first impression of sorts. This is a crash course in the genius of Madonna as much as it is a talk-through 'Ray Of Light'.
2023-04-201h 14FlopstarsThe Pop In | Frankchella Wrapped, Did Dominic Fike Flop? + Jessie Ware's Opulent MomentWelcome back to The Pop In! The adjacent podcast to FLOPSTARS where we run through the big new songs & music moments of the week.
On this show: Sam's cooking some sort of confusing tomato dish, we wrap the response to last week's Flopstar Frank Ocean's divisive Coachella headline performance + the vibe around BLACKPINK, Bad Bunny & Becky G's sets from Weekend 1, we've got a new chapter and absolutely no closure on the saga of Where Is The Chorus Actually In Kim Petras & Nicki Minaj's 'Alone', excitement over Bebe Rexha & Snoop Dogg's California Gurls moment, the female rap battle...
2023-04-1939 minFlopstarsEpisode 7 - Sabrina Carpenter's 'emails i can't send'Sabrina Carpenter is the subject of Flosptars this week as she makes her podcast debut with 'emails i can't send'. Her fifth album was a career breakthrough for her coming off the back of a highly publicised relationship, that brought new ears to an intimate project. It's a weird and wonky pop record that challenges at points but ultimately shows her off as a unique artist.
2023-04-0556 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Lana & Jimin Fly, Ellie Goulding's Least Personal Yet & JESY NELSON ReturnsThe Pop In is the adjacent podcast to Flopstars wrapping up the big music news stories & new releases of the week!
Jimin becomes the first Korean solo star with a US #1 album (for a record under 20 mins), we finally get a chance to dissect the Lana album (including the song Nic calls "The one about the fisherman" plus HUGE news if your name is Sam Murphy, Kelly Clarkson's back! We've also got new singles from Ellie Goulding, Chloe, Melanie Martinez (WARNING: BABY VOICE), Khalid, Bebe Rexha, Charlie Puth, Chappell Roan and BOYGENIUS + new music is on the...
2023-04-0435 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Taylor's Eras Tour Setlist Y/N, The Problem With SXSW & Sam's Unfortunate Baby VoiceSO MUCH TO SAY about the biggest new pop music and stories in the land! Taylor Swift's Eras tour lands - are we happy with the setlist? Pinkpantheress phones in her SXSW and we think it's entirely deserved, are we getting Endless Summer Vacation Part 2 from Miley? plus new music from Taylor herself, Ryan Beatty, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, Lewis Capaldi and more goes under the Bop or Flop treatment.
2023-03-2242 minFlopstarsEpisode 6 - Rina Sawayama's 'Hold The Girl'Rina Sawayama's second album 'Hold The Girl' is a bombastic, emotional journey. Written as a device to process trauma, Sawayama leaves nothing off the table as she wades through the weeds on a trek toward healing. Along the way, we encounter movie-ready pop, widescreen rock, and edgy garage. It's thrilling and a lot to unpack.
2023-03-161h 01FlopstarsThe Pop In | Is Meghan Trainor Cute Or Cringe? Lana's Best Album Yet? Miley & An Oscars WrapHi!
Pop In's here with the new Lana Del Rey song making us wonder whether this might somehow be her best album yet. And it's Nic writing this and everything.
Miley's album - is it underwhelming?
Rihanna & Lady Gaga both did an Oscars performance, we'll tell you our favourite. We're DIVIDED over new Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding's third team-up together and the new Meghan Trainor song, plus there's new music from Pnau + Khalid, Christine & The Queens, Gayle & Mae Muller.
+ Taylor Swift's ERAs tour begins and there's some gossip about a big fe...
2023-03-1536 minFlopstarsEpisode 5 - Lily Allen's 'No Shame'Lily Allen's fourth album 'No Shame' is on the Flopstars radar this week. The confessional record was released around the time of her tell-all book and saw Lily at her most honest and vulnerable. Musically, it trips through genres marking her first LP without Greg Kurstin at the helm. It's a moving listen that manages to be both devastating and fun.
2023-03-0850 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Miley's Album Surprises, Glasto's Headliner Conundrum & Rosalia's Fake Peru ConcertIt's the Pop In! The adjacent to Flopstars wrapping up the big music stories & new songs of the week. We've got details on the Miley album, we talk the shitshow of Glastonbury's headliners, Rosalia fans taking matters into their own hands, a wrap of Sydney World Pride & new songs from Nicki Minaj, Kali Uchis, Peach PRC, Boygenius, Mimi Webb, Eliza Rose, Oliver Tree & David Guetta.
2023-03-0829 minFlopstarsEpisode 4 - The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM'The Weeknd is the most streamed artist in the world so how is it possible that his last era was a flop? 'Dawn FM' was a challenging concept record that came out at the top of 2022. It was a much-needed reprieve for the time but it was also overshadowed by longlasting hits from his previous album 'After Hours'. In this episode, we explore whether the album actually had the juice to create hits.
2023-03-0250 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | The Weeknd Sets Records, Jonas Brothers Grow Their Wings & Meet Blusher, The Pop Band Of Your DreamsIt's the Pop In! Today we've got new music from The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, Jonas Brothers, Kali Uchis, Lola Young, Blusher & Halsey plus details on another collaboration between Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding and P!nk's regretful of some things she said but it's okay we forgive.
2023-03-0230 minFlopstarsEpisode 3 | P!nk's 'Funhouse'P!nk's 'Funhouse' may be the most successful album of her whole career so why does it appear on Flopstars? Well, P!nk is the ultimate Flopstar. An artist who the public has fallen in and out of love with. 'Funhouse' is an excellent jumping block to discuss an artist who saved herself from flops by being her unfiltered self. 'Funhouse' - a breakup record - is wild, devastating, vulnerable and silly. We get into all of it.
2023-02-2246 minFlopstarsEpisode 2 - Caroline Polachek's 'Pang'As her sophomore album is unleashed, we take a moment to check back in on Caroline Polachek's ethereal, sometimes operatic, pop borderline skirting debut album Pang. With mixed reviews from critics but a runaway smash in So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings, we'll dive deep on why Pang already feels like a modern cult classic.
Join the conversation on TikTok & Instagram!
2023-02-1550 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Rihanna's Superbowl MOMENT, Paramore's Return & British Food Is "Awful" If You Ask Sam (+ a BRITs Roundup)Hello! This is our adjacent little moment called the Pop In, comes out every Tuesday, the full show is every Thursday. Fine with you? Great. We'll unpack the Rihanna Superbowl halftime show and work out if it was understated or underwhelming. Sam's disdain for the British is on full display as we unpack the BRIT Awards and we've got new bops from Tove Lo, Jessie Ware, CXLOE, Paramore, SZA & Lizzo, BENEE, Budjerah & Rebecca Black plus someone's dared to make a whistle-based EDM song again... spare us.
Follow us on TikTok & Instagram and chuck us a review it...
2023-02-1337 minFlopstarsEpisode 1 - Taylor Swift's 'Lover'We're back for Season 7 and we're kicking it off with pop royalty, Taylor Swift. Her seventh album caught her at a crossroads in her career. She was struggling to hold onto huge chart hits and also experimenting with different sounds. It's an uneven album that's hiding a brilliant album and it displays Swift at the boldest point of her career.
2023-02-0847 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | GRAMMY Shocks, Is Fred Again 'Worth It', + RAYE's Groundbreaking AlbumThe Pop In is our adjacent podcast, a weekly wrap of the biggest moments and music in pop. This week - Beyonce's shock GRAMMY loss and record breaking moment, we went to a Fred Again... concert and the RAYE album is out, plus new music from Peach PRC, Shania Twain, Caity Baser, Daine, Caroline Polachek, Anne-Marie and one I've probably forgotten. CATCH YA THURSDAY FOR OUR FIRST PROPER EPISODE BACK!
2023-02-0731 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Ending The Sam Smith Discourse, A GRAMMYs Preview & Has The Ava Max Bubble Burst?HI FRIENDS! We are back for 2023. The first proper Flopstars show of the year is coming next week. We're unpacking the mess around Sam Smith's album release, who we think might win the GRAMMYs, Miley's return and the new songs from Ava Max, Kid Laroi, Zara Larsson, Rosalia and many more. OUR FIRST IRL EPISODE. See you next week for our first big album of the year - if you wanna know who it is, stalk Sam's TikTok!
2023-02-0235 minFlopstarsEpisode 10 - 2022 WrappedWe're finished with our albums for season 6 but we're keeping it going with a few 2022 wraps. This episode focusses around Spotify Wrapped for the year - both our personal lists and the global lists. We talk the dominance of Harry Styles, Bad Bunny's global takeover, Lizzo's year and heaps more as we unpack this rollercoaster of a year.
2022-12-0754 minFlopstarsEpisode 9 - Miley Cyrus & Her Dead PetzWe're rounding out the year with our final album unpack - Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. The challenging, experimental record was dropped for free in 2015 after her biggest era 'BANGERZ'. It was a wild move not seen by any of her contemporaries but Miley has always led with feeling. It's an imperfect - at times - meandering record that has some very special moments too. We talk about why it's underrated and what the public perception of Miley was at the times.
2022-11-3053 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Rina Live, The ARIAs Mess, MGK, Daine & Cub SportThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap.
2022-11-3031 minFlopstarsEpisode 8 - Kacey Musgraves' 'Golden Hour'Kacey Musgraves gets her first episode on Flopstars this week as we dig into 'Golden Hour'. The Grammy Album of the Year winner was a turning point for Musgraves' career introducing new crowds to her psychedelic brand of country music. It's a record that appreciates what's around her and basks in a love-lorn haze.
2022-11-2346 minFlopstarsEpisode 7 - Mika's 'Life In Cartoon Motion'It's Nic's turn to pick an album to bring to the podcast and he's taking it back to 2007 with Mika's 'Life In Cartoon Motion'. The debut record by Mika was a commercial smash but it was absolutely trashed at the time by the critics reflecting a time of homophobia and pop shyness. We go deep on it to spotlight its highlights and understand why it was so influential for Nic.
2022-11-0957 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Why We Won't Watch The Selena Doco, Pink's Mom Pop Era & New Avril Lavigne + moreThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap.
Why we won't be watching the Selena Gomez doco, Rihanna's letting us down, plus there's new music from Pink, Jason Derulo, Fletcher & one of the best alt-pop songs of the year from Hemlocke Springs.
Follow us on Instagram & TikTok!
2022-11-0937 minFlopstarsEpisode 6 - Lorde's 'Solar Power'Lorde's 'Solar Power' is powering the podcast this week. It was the testing third album from the 'Melodrama' artist who brought us from dark sounds straight to the beach. It tested both critics and fans as her 'genius' label was put to the test. A year later, it's starting to collect its flowers. Follow us on Instagram & TikTok and join the conversation.
2022-11-0257 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Is Rihanna's New Song Enough? + New Music from SZA, Ruel & Dove CameronThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap.
0:30 - Is Rihanna's return with 'Lift Me Up' enough?
3:45 - The astonishing chart records Taylor Swift's Midnights has achieved in Australia & the US
8:05 - We touch on the sad passing of Takeoff
9:40 - SZA's dark moment Shirt
11:30 - Ruel's new single - has the Australian prodigy plateaued for a bit?
15:10 - Dove Cameron's Bad Idea & the Billie effect
20:20 - Viral artist RONIN returns with his most ferocious pop song yet
22:00 - Australia's K...
2022-11-0227 minFlopstarsEpisode 5 - Carly Rae Jepsen's 'The Loneliest Time'We think Carly Rae Jepsen is the ultimate Flopstar in the best way so we had to react to her most recent record 'The Loneliest Time'. It's only new but it's already winning us over with its diverse range of sounds exploring love and loss. We talk about her recent TikTok success, how to discuss loss of a loved one in a pop song and play a few silly games.
2022-10-2751 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Midnights Mania, Ellie Goulding & NEW RIHANNA!The Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap. This week we unpack Taylor Swift's Midnights & throw our immediate Best & Worst at you, RIHANNA HAS NEW MUSIC (!!!) as do Ellie Goulding, BBNO$, Caroline Polachek, Chela, Meghan Trainor, Kelela & others. Follow us on Instagram & TikTok!
2022-10-2738 minFlopstarsEpisode 4 - The 1975's 'A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships'Back at it with The 1975 this week. They have just released their fifth album 'Being Funny In A Foreign Language' but we're throwing it back to their critical masterpiece 'A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships'. The first part of their 'Music For Cars' series, it's an experimental, chaotic, and masterful listen that reflects on the disjointed nature of the physical and online world at the time. As unhinged as ever, it features some of their best and most questionable lyrics.
2022-10-2045 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Tove Lo, Lana Leaks & The New Hot 100 Longest Run Of All TimeThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap. This week we unpack The 1975 & Tove Lo's new albums, BTS tottering off to the army, Lana's album being stolen FROM HER CAR, new music from Betty Who, Marshmello & Juice WRLD, Nessa Barrett, SG Lewis, RAYE, Joshua Bassett, Louis Tomlinson & Blink 182 + we preview MIDNIGHTS! Follow us on Instagram & TikTok!
2022-10-2036 minFlopstarsEpisode 3 - Lana Del Rey 'Norman F'ing Rockwell'This week it's Sam's Pick - an album he regards as one of the best, whilst Nic's never really given it the time of day. We explore Lana Del Rey's 2019 record 'Norman F***ing Rockwell', regarded by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest albums of all time, despite it's relatively lackluster commercial success. The Jack Antonoff produced album broke new ground for Del Rey, exploring the American Dream in a time of great uncertainty, the height of the Trump presidency, raging wildfires in California & a country with a broken sense of self.
Follow us on Instagram & T...
2022-10-1245 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Blink 182, Black Eyed Peas & ARIAs?Our side hustle takes on new music from Blink 182, Carly Rae Jepsen, WILLOW, Pinkpirate, Daine, Joyce Wrice, Charlie Puth, Tiesto taking on the Black Eyed Peas (!!!!!!), the nominees of the 2022 ARIAs, and more!
2022-10-1225 minFlopstarsEpisode 2 - David Guetta's 'Nothing But The Beat'This week, we challenge what a flop really is by taking on one of the most successful EDM records of its time David Guetta's 'Nothing But The Beat'. The record, featuring Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, Sia, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and more, marked a point of saturation for the EDM/pop crossover. It's a fascinating study of a producer who had a formula for hits and could use it at his disposal.
2022-10-0553 minFlopstarsThe Pop In | Paramore, Ed Sheeran, Ciara & Max Martin's Real NameThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap. This week we unpack new music from Ed Sheeran for Pokemon (?!), Shawn Mendes for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (?!?!) alongside Paramore, Ciara, Forest Claudette, Shygirl, Tate McRae & Charlie Puth + the first sounds of Kim Petras & Max Martin together!
2022-10-0533 min
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - Britney Spears' 'Glory'Britney Spears' 'Glory' was a difficult return to form for the pop artist who was still within the confines of her conservatorship. The album provided a rare oasis for her to explore an experimental electronic-pop sound with the likes of Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. In this episode, we discuss the legacy of 'Glory' and veer off into subjects like how many Guinness World Records Britney holds.
2022-09-2851 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Sam Smith & Kim Petras, Lil Nas X & Rihanna at the Super BowlThe Pop In is our weekly new music and news wrap. This week we unpack Sam Smith & Kim Petras' viral hit 'Unholy', talk about Rihanna's Super Bowl news and more.
2022-09-2837 min
FlopstarsEpisode 6 - Katy Perry's 'Smile'Katy Perry is back for a second time on Flopstars with her 2020 record 'Smile'. 'Smile' was rolled out over the space of a year and coincided with the birth of Perry's first child. It's upbeat and positive, rebounding from the comedown that was 'Witness'. While it certainly brings back the pop bops, it's hard to call it a return to form.
2022-05-1934 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Rina, Kendrick & We Manifested Sky FerreiraThe biggest pop music moments of the week all wrapped up!
2022-05-1924 min
FlopstarsEpisode 5 - Sky Ferreira's 'Night Time, My Time'It seems like we might finally be approaching the follow-up to Sky Ferreira's iconic debut album 'Night Time, My Time'. 'Masochism', the working name for the sophomore record, has been forming for about 8 years and in that time 'Night Time, My Time' has aged like fine wine. Here, we unpack the classic pop record by looking into what was going on for Ferreira at the time and how it differed from everything else out.
2022-05-1641 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Jack Harlow, Kendrick & Maybe Also Some Pop MusicWelcome to THE POP IN! A Flopstars sidebar to keep the album deep dives ~pure~ where we'll unpack the week in music, entertainment and pop culture simultaneously, just before jumping into an album we care about right now. This week on The Pop In: 1989 (Taylor's Version) is imminent - will it be the best yet? New Rina Sawayama's being teased in an unusual manner for 2022. Jack Harlow's rap's latest pop crossover but does his album deserve the criticism it's getting? New bops (or are they flops?) from Carly Rae Jepsen's Solar Power Era, 2x Toves (Styrke & Lo), Jessica Mauboy...
2022-05-1628 min
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica'We've discussed Lady Gaga on this podcast plenty but it was only a matter of time until we gave 'Chromatica' a spotlight of its own. Gaga's return to dance/pop was largely foiled by the pandemic but it became the sound of lockdown for many. 'Rain On Me' became a massive hit but the rest of the record was let down by a lack of promotion due to global circumstances. It's a firm fan favourite though and one of the most memorable pop records in recent times.
2022-05-0443 min
FlopstarsThe Pop In | Met Gala, Coachella & Harry's House Of FilmsWelcome to THE POP IN! A Flopstars sidebar to keep the album deep dives ~pure~ where we'll unpack the week in music, entertainment and pop culture simultaneously, just before jumping into an album we care about right now. This week on The Pop In: Understanding The Assignment, Met Gala hits and misses, Harry Styles etc, Coachella's finest and least fine moments and we Bop Or Flop new music from Khalid, Ava 'Sullet' Max & this week's Flopstar, Lady Gaga. Subscribe for weekly updates & follow our new Insta: @flopstarspod!
2022-05-0431 min
FlopstarsEpisode 3 - Florence + The Machine 'Ceremonials'It's 10 years since Florence + The Machine dropped 'Ceremonials' so we're going back. Florence and co's sophomore album was a grandiose affair with links to Baz Luhrman and maximalist cinema. It was tailor-made for festivals and huge concerts but also an emotional sucker punch on tape too.
Nic Kelly and Sam Murphy talk about how the record holds up now as well as new releases by Charli XCX, The Weeknd, Silk Sonic and more.
2021-11-111h 08
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - Charli XCX 'Charli'It's Charli baby! You know we love Charli XCX on this podcast and after previously looking at her mixtapes, we're shining a light on 'Charli'. Her long-awaited third album is one that bridges together her flair for the experimental with her natural pop instincts. It's both commercial and wildly left-centre with a host of guests from Haim to Lizzo.
Sam Murphy and Nic Kelly get deep on 'Charli' while also talking about new releases from Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Conan Gray and more.
2021-11-0451 min
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - Adele '19'For our season five premiere, we're taking on a titan. Adele is no flop. In fact, she's probably the least flop-worthy artist on the plant. But, we wanted to talk about her and so we're digging into her least successful album '19'. Her debut is her most lucid and alternative album but it also set the foundations for the mega-success that was to come.
Join Sam Murphy and Nic Kelly as they talk '19' plus the latest releases from Adele, The Weeknd, Tove Styrke, Remi Wolf and more.
2021-10-2858 min
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - The Future: Lady GagaEpisode 4 is dedicated to Lady Gaga. 2021 has been a busy year for the superstar so far with the 10 year anniversary of 'Born This Way', the 'Chromatica' remix album and another collaborative album with Tony Bennett 'Love For Sale'. None of it signals a new era for Gaga though, so on this episode, we look at what her official pop follow-up to 'Chromatica' could look like. 'Chromatica' was excellent but the era was stopped short due to COVID-19 and now we're left to speculate what could've been if it was fully realised. Join us as we dream of the future...
2021-09-0258 min
FlopstarsEpisode 3 - The Future: Britney SpearsThis week we go into Britney Spears. Britney has been battling a conservatorship ship for more than a decade, making it difficult for her to act with the freedom of a regular popstar. She’s still managed hits but with frustration for her situation mounting, she pulled the pin on her pop career. If it ends though, what’s next for Britney? Can she return to being a main pop girl and will freedom give her music a sense of liberation that it’s been lacking?
2021-07-3051 min
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - The Future: Charli XCXThis episode is all about Charli XCX’s next era. She’s announced that her most “pop” album yet is on the way citing Janet Jackson as a major influence. If she’s returning to pop it may mean she’s ready to play the mainstream game again after a period of experimentation. Here, we’ll talk about how Charli can get hits again. We also discuss new songs from Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, and Omar Apollo.
2021-07-1555 min
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - The Future: LordeThis season, we’re going to deep dive on an artist who has flopped in the past and envision how they can avoid a flop in the future. We’re talking dream collaborators, perfect album titles, the sound they should go for.
This episode is all about Lorde’s next era. We already have an album on the way but we’re talking the ways in which she could score another big hit. Who should she work with? What promotional tactics should she use? Does she even want another big hit?
2021-07-011h 05
FlopstarsEpisode 14 - The 2021 Q2 Wrap (Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde, Doja Cat + More)We're diverting once again from our regular programming to give you our wrap of the second quarter of 2021. Things are starting to heat up and April through June gave us plenty to talk about from Olivia Rodrigo's debut 'SOUR' to Lorde's return with 'Solar Power'. Flops, bops, and us of our chops, as per, in this latest episode.
2021-06-1640 min
FlopstarsEpisode 13 - Sigrid's 'Sucker Punch'This week, we're taking on Sigrid's debut album 'Sucker Punch'. She's just returned with her excellent new single 'Mirror' but we're going back to where it all began and talking the hype, Scandipop and why she wasn't able to cut through outside of Europe.
2021-06-0453 min
FlopstarsEpisode 12 - Marina's 'Electra Heart'Marina FKA. Marina & The Diamonds is in the spotlight this week as we take a look at her sophomore record 'Electra Heart'. It was a buoyant, blistering pop record that saw her collide with some of the biggest producers in the world while also maintaining her quirky songwriting flair. Critics were less than kind but fans have maintained it's a classic and on this episode, we decide how it holds up today.
2021-05-031h 17
FlopstarsEpisode 11 - Lady Gaga's 'Joanne'Lady Gaga has been featured on the podcast once before with 'ARTPOP' but we are returning to Mother Monster to look at her YeeHaw moment 'Joanne'. It was a creative left-turn for Gaga, ditching the avant-garde pop for something stripped back and raw. Not everyone loved it but it was an important moment in her career development.
2021-04-071h 03
FlopstarsEpisode 10 - The 2021 Q1 Wrap (Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Justin Bieber + More)We're diverting from regular programming for one week to bring you a special episode. As we see out the final week of March, we take a look at the year that has been so far. It's been a quiet one by pop standards but we've still had the Grammys and the Superbowl plus major releases from Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Lana Del Rey and heaps more.
2021-03-251h 16
FlopstarsEpisode 9 - Lily Allen's 'Sheezus'This week, we're taking a deep dive into Lily Allen's third album 'Sheezus'. It was a comeback album for Allen but it failed to match her previous success and also led to some personal turmoil. All these years later though, Allen's songwriting still stands up.
2021-03-181h 10
FlopstarsEpisode 8 - Paris Hilton's 'Paris'Paris Hilton's venture into pop music is on our radar this week as we take a look into 'Paris'. Her divisive debut was neither as good or as bad as it needed to be. It remains a study on whether you can manufacture a pop career from scratch. Believe it or not, it actually delivered some hits that stand up today.
2021-03-101h 03
FlopstarsEpisode 7 - Years & Years' 'Communion'Years & Years' debut 'Communion' was a smash in the UK, bolstered by the triumphant 'King'. In this episode of 'Flopstars', however, we discuss why it didn't hit quite as hard in other areas of the globe and what the future holds for Years & Years.
2021-03-031h 14
FlopstarsEpisode 6 - Kelly Clarkson's 'My December'On this episode, we're going deep on Kelly Clarkson's controversial third album 'My December'. The commercial detour came as a shock to fans and the record label alike, introducing us to a darker Clarko sound. It failed to makes waves on the charts and agitated the label in the process but fans still stick by it to this day. Let's dig into 'My December'.
2021-02-231h 09
FlopstarsEpisode 5 - Rita Ora's 'Phoenix'Rita Ora is one of the most versatile pop artists in the game. Her second album 'Phoenix' came 6 years after her first and in that time she faced plenty of challenges as people began to question, 'What does Rita do?' 'Phoenix', however, proves that she can make bangers and bops by the dozen. It does raise plenty of questions about what music she actually wants to make though and on this episode we dissect it all.
2021-02-101h 07
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - A SOPHIE TributeIn this special episode, we pay tribute to boundary-pushing, limitless producer SOPHIE who has shaped pop in ways we may not even fully understand yet. Nic and Sam share memories from their formative experiences listening to SOPHIE and talk about her undeniable legacy.
2021-02-041h 10
FlopstarsEpisode 3 - Rina Sawayama's 'SAWAYAMA'This week, we’re focussing on a relatively new record. Rina Sawayama’s debut SAWAYAMA isn’t even a year old but it’s already caused a stir. The full-length debut from the ambitious pop artist landed her on critics' radar all around the world and found her a cult fanbase of devoted fans. The chart love hasn’t happened just yet though and on this episode, we discuss why.
2021-01-271h 04
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - ZAYN's 'Mind Of Mine'This week, we’re turning our attention to ZAYN’s debut ‘Mind Of Mine’. As the first member to leave One Direction, all eyes were on ZAYN and this project. While 'Pillowtalk' prospered the rest of the album failed to nab attention as ZAYN wrestled with his place as a mainstream popstar. He’s just dropped a new album ‘Nodbody Is Listening’ so we’re going to dig deep into the career of ZAYN.
2021-01-201h 12
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - Zara Larsson's 'So Good'First up in season 3 is Zara Larsson’s 2017 debut album ‘So Good’. It was a long road leading up to the album filled with many hits but the album failed to give her anything as big as ‘Lush Life’ to add to her arsenal. With a second album on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to chat all things Zara.
2021-01-131h 15
FlopstarsEpisode 14 - The Best & Worst Of 2020 Part TwoIn the second part of our holiday special, we're going back on the second half of last year, picking apart some of the key releases. On part one, we're focussing on the first half of the year, talking about records by Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and more. We also go through our Spotify wrapped.
Just a note: We found out after the episode that Mike Pence's Twitter cover photo was in fact not Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Whoops.
2021-01-081h 05
FlopstarsEpisode 13 - The Best & Worst Of 2020 Part OneIn this holiday special, we're going back on the year that was, picking apart some of the key releases. On part one, we're focussing on the first half of the year, talking about records by Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, Lady Gaga and more. We also pit some of the biggest #1 records of the year against each other.
2020-12-271h 06
FlopstarsEpisode 12 - Little Mix's 'Glory Days'This week, it’s Little Mix’s turn. Their fourth album ‘Glory Days’ was far from a flop, actually. It was their biggest album in the UK and Australia spawning an array of hits. It was also aimed towards the US though where it failed to nab any considerable hits once again. On this episode, we look at how the album made Little Mix the biggest band in the world while also failing to get them the global attention they deserve.
2020-11-241h 12
FlopstarsEpisode 11 - Beyoncé's '4'This week, we’re looking at an icon. It’s hard to attach the word flop to anything Beyonce has done but her fourth album ‘4’ was an underwhelming performer commercially. While it failed to cling to the charts though, it launched her into a new phase of her career. She felt liberated both in a business-sense and artistically. What it gave way to was her most daring album yet and one that still shines bright today.
2020-11-121h 02
FlopstarsEpisode 10 - Robbie Williams' 'Rudebox'This week, we’re taking on a curveball with Robbie Williams’ ‘Rudebox’. The 2006 album is one of the most outrageous albums you’ll hear by a popstar at the peak of his powers. The inventive, electronic album was an outlandish, surreal and often absurd collection of songs that divided his core fan group. To this day, people still go into fight for Rudebox while others have erased its very existence.
2020-10-161h 12
FlopstarsEpisode 9 - Lorde's 'Melodrama'This week, we’re going deep on Lorde’s 'Melodrama'. The Kiwi’s second album came after her huge breakout with ‘Pure Heroine’. After Grammys and hits, she returned with a pulsating, dizzying seconds album made entirely with Jack Antonoff. It was a rousing, poignant coming of age that earned her universal praise but its charts hits were few and far between. In this episode, we explore why it didn’t hit commercially and why it’s a landmark album for pop music.
2020-10-051h 08
FlopstarsEpisode 8 - Kylie's 'Aphrodite' & 'Kiss Me Once'This week, we’re talking about an icon. Kylie is in the fourth decade of her career and still making pristine pop music. It’s ‘Aphrodite’ and ‘Kiss Me Once’ that are on our radar though - two albums that loosened her stranglehold on the chart. Both albums contain fan favorites but the pair underperformed and shifted her career dramatically. On this episode, we look at why.
2020-09-241h 00
FlopstarsEpisode 7 - P!NK's 'I'm Not Dead'This week, it’s P!NK’s fourth record ‘I’m Not Dead’ in the spotlight. The record sparked a career revival for P!NK as she grew into the artist we know today. It was slow to start though with the album growing in popularity over time. It was also disproportionately successful in Australia in comparison to the rest of the world. For this podcast, we’re exploring Australia’s love affair with P!NK and why I’m Not Dead wasn’t initially successful in the rest of the world.
2020-09-141h 05
FlopstarsEpisode 6 - Harry Styles' 'Harry Styles'This week, we’re casting our minds back to Harry Styles debut album. In 2017, he arrived finally as one of the last One Direction members to release solo music. ‘Sign Of The Times’ was the lead-in and it was a grand, lengthy one. The album debuted at number one all around the world but the singles struggled to stick around, as Styles aimed for a retro rock ‘n’ roll sound. On this episode, we’ll explore what the album did for his career and why ‘Fine Line’ went bigger.
2020-09-0851 min
FlopstarsEpisode 5 - Gwen Stefani's 'The Sweet Escape'This week, we’re throwing it back to Gwen Stefani’s second solo record 'The Sweet Escape;. Her debut 'Love.Angel.Music.Baby' was a breakthrough, casting her from No Doubt to mainstream solo success with ease. She never intended to do another one but the creative juices were flowing enough to make a second. 'The Sweet Escape' was an even odder record that couldn’t match the chart success of its predecessor but drew plenty of attention regardless.
2020-08-271h 05
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - Nicki Minaj's 'Queen'This week, Nicki Minaj’s ‘Queen’ is at the center of our universe. Minaj’s fourth project came with antics, controversy and some classic moments but it tells a broader story of where rap was at that point. It was the first time her crown was perceivably challenged, not that it was ever up to be snatched. On this episode, we discuss the highs and lows of the ‘Queen’ era.
2020-08-201h 05
FlopstarsEpisode 3 - Taylor Swift's 'reputation'Last month, Taylor Swift surprised everyone by releasing her eighth album ‘Folklore’. It’s broken a plethora of records but today we’re looking back at an album that many would consider to be Swifts’s plateau - ‘Reputation’. As per usual, the record sold big in its first week but reviews were lukewarm and many of the singles failed to stick around. On this episode, we’re going to look into why public favour turned against Swift and how she was able to pull it back.
2020-08-041h 06
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - Jessie Ware's 'What's Your Pleasure?'This episode, we’re taking a look at a fresh record. Jessie Ware’s fourth album ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’ has been met with critical acclaim and a wave of public excitement like she’s never received before. She’s always made great music while traversing a very fine line between the underground and the mainstream. This week, we’re discussing why this album feels so free and how she’s handled pop pressure throughout her career.
2020-07-2159 min
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - Katy Perry's 'Witness'For Episode 1 of Season 2, we’re taking a look into Katy Perry’s fourth album 'Witness'. Prior to the release of the album, Perry was the biggest popstar in the world, breaking records with her third album 'Prism'. 'Witness', however, broke that trend. The experimental pop project failed to find favour with the mainstream and led to a series of questionable promotional tactics. Still, there’s some value to be found in the record as we approach her fifth album.
2020-07-1057 min
FlopstarsEpisode 10 - Robyn's 'Body Talk'For our final episode, we’re turning to the ultimate Flopstar - Robyn. While not always claiming top spot on the charts, she’s become the gold standard of pop music. We’re looking into her seminal record ‘Body Talk’ - a 15 track opus that houses some of the greatest pop songs of our time from Dancing On My Own to Call Your Girlfriend.
2020-05-201h 10
FlopstarsEpisode 9 - Christina Aguilera's 'Bionic'It’s Christina Aguilera’s turn this time around as we look into her 2010 record ‘Bionic’. The album came off the back of some of Christina’s most popular work but it signaled a shift in direction. She worked with Sia, Santigold, M.I.A., Nicki Minaj and more on an experimental pop record. It wasn’t a hit on the charts though only managing one top 30 single in the US.
2020-05-0756 min
FlopstarsEpisode 8 - The Veronicas' 'Hook Me Up'This week, The Veronicas’ Hook Me Up album is our subject. The second record from the Brisbane duo catapulted them to become the biggest pop act in the country with number one records and a string of singles that have stood the test of time. Internationally, they made their first major splash but despite being a great pop album, it failed to solidify their place in the global pop space. More than a decade later, ‘Untouched’ is having a moment though, as the track has become an Australian festival favourite.
2020-04-2857 min
FlopstarsEpisode 7 - Miley Cyrus' 'Younger Now'This week, it’s Miley Cyrus’ turn as we take a look into her 2017 record ‘Younger Now’. The album marked a return to a more PG Miley after her ‘Bangers’ era which was fill of wildcards, psychedelics and shocking live shows. Commercially, it was unable to match her usual success but fans still champion the record as a display of her natural talents.
2020-04-1354 min
FlopstarsEpisode 6 - Justin Bieber's 'Journals'This episode, we turn our attention to Justin Bieber’s 2013 compilation ‘Journals’. Coming off a year of terrible PR, Bieber attempted to turn the headlines to music with a mature, R&B project. It didn’t create the hits that his last album did but it’s become a fan favourite and also informed his most recent album ‘Changes’.
2020-04-0152 min
FlopstarsEpisode 5 - Britney Spears' 'Blackout'This week, we’re looking at Britney Spears’ ‘Blackout’ album. The 2007 record was a pulsating club and urban-inspired album that pushed boundaries. It was also surrounded by a very public meltdown that captured more headlines than the album itself. 13 years later, however, fans and artists alike agree that its influence can be felt in pop today.
2020-03-2458 min
FlopstarsEpisode 4 - Lady Gaga's 'ARTPOP'This week, we’re spotlighting Lady Gaga’s ‘ARTPOP’ record. The experimental, boundary-pushing pop record came at the height of her career but failed to nab the same commercial success as its predecessors. Since then, it’s become a fan favourite with many arguing it was ahead of its time.
2020-03-1754 min
FlopstarsEpisode 3 - Tove LoThis week, it’s the career of Tove Lo who we’re delving into. Bursting onto the scene early last decade with a string of huge pop hits, Lo has become one of the most challenging pop acts around. While the hits have stopped flowing, her music has only gotten more exciting with last year’s ‘Sunshine Kitty’ giving us some of her most unfiltered work to date.
2020-02-2648 min
FlopstarsEpisode 2 - Charli XCX's 'Number 1 Angel' & 'Pop2' MixtapesThis week, our attention is shifting from Carly Rae Jepsen to Charli XCX and her two 2017 mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop2. The two projects released in quick succession transformed Charli’s career and the pop landscape too. We're discussing both mixtapes at length as well as playing a game of Pornhub comment or Charli XCX fan review.
2020-02-1642 min
FlopstarsEpisode 1 - Carly Rae Jepsen's 'E.MO.TION'For our first episode, we’re zooming in on the ultimate Flopstar - Queen of swords Carly Rae Jepsen and her 2015 record EMOTION. The album tanked on the charts but it was a monumental moment in Jeppo’s career It took her from a one-hit-wonder to an adored pop cult leader. Pop changed because of ‘EMOTION’ even though some normies will ask you what happened to the ‘Call Me Maybe’ girl.
We're chatting about our memories of the album, how it changed pop and what it did for Jepsen's career. Plus we're playing games like 'Carly Rae Jepsen review...
2020-02-0635 min