appears in the following:
Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a dense and intense pop explosion
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Lady Gaga has kept busy as a singer and actor, but it's been five years since she's released a full-blown pop album. Now, she's back with Mayhem, which has already produced three hits — including the chart-topping Bruno Mars duet "Die With A Smile." It's got bangers, it's got ballads, it's Lady Gaga through and through.
To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy.
To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy.
'Paddington in Peru' puts a mild bear in the wild jungle
Monday, February 17, 2025
In the new movie Paddington In Peru, Paddington Bear and the Brown family fly across the globe, into the wilds of Peru, in search of Paddington's Aunt Lucy. Along the way, they meet a not-remotely-suspicious singing nun (Olivia Colman) and a boat captain (Antonio Banderas). The adventure that follows involves lost treasure and narrow escapes — and leads to new revelations about Paddington's past, and a new appreciation for what it means to be home.
In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy Hour is watching all 10 best picture nominees – and you're invited to join us! Sign up for the NPR Movie Club newsletter series and tell us what you thought of the movies you watched this week.
Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture
Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour
In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy Hour is watching all 10 best picture nominees – and you're invited to join us! Sign up for the NPR Movie Club newsletter series and tell us what you thought of the movies you watched this week.
Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture
Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour
Never visit James McAvoy's house, and other lessons of 'Speak No Evil'
Friday, September 13, 2024
Never visit your weird new friends at their enormous isolated country estate. That's a basic rule that an American family fails to follow in the new horror thriller Speak No Evil starring James McAvoy. By the time they figure out they are in way over their heads, it's much much too late.
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
Friday, November 03, 2023
Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Gilded Age podcast, food influencer Keith Lee, the show Bargain, and Madi Diaz's new album.
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
Friday, October 06, 2023
Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: the documentary series How It's Made, the series The Americans and The Underground Railroad, and more.
The misplaced promise of Kim Petras
Friday, July 07, 2023
With her debut album 'Feed the Beast,' the rising pop star is still in the process of figuring out where she wants to be in the pop music echelon.
crushed, 'waterlily'
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
The shoegaze-y duo crushed makes music for lost loves that have begun to fade in your memory.
Allison Lorenzen & Midwife, 'Glycerine'
Wednesday, February 08, 2023
For this slowcore meditation on Bush's butt-rock hit, the duo swaps brimming frustration with genuine sorrow.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend viewing
Friday, January 20, 2023
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, Skinamarink and more.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening.
Friday, December 16, 2022
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Making Shazam playlists, Chris Klimek's annual mixtape, NPR Best Music of 2022 and more.
Chaotic Good: 30 bangers to keep that summer energy going
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Say it ain't so, but summer's almost over. Keep Lady Gaga's party mantra — bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place, no sleep — in your heart with this recklessly fun mix.
T-boy swag: Claiming space where trans people feel we don't inherently belong
Sunday, August 14, 2022
I've spent a lot of time figuring out my gender by clinging to objects. I dress like Turtle from Entourage – his presentation of gender embodies a distinct vibe that I wish to harness in my journey.
Thundercat, 'Fly Like An Eagle'
Tuesday, July 05, 2022
Thundercat takes on a classic-rock staple that is somehow both incredibly cool and uncool, for Minions: The Rise of Gru.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing
Friday, July 01, 2022
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Valet on Hulu, watching wrestling, and a playlist crafted for the perfect summer vibe.
Demi Lovato, 'Skin of My Teeth'
Friday, June 10, 2022
Demi Lovato returns with a punchy, hardcore-adjacent track.
BabyTron, 'Emperor of the Universe'
Monday, May 23, 2022
BabyTron raps over decades of the best beats, from Waka Flocka Flame's "Hard in Da Paint" to OutKast's "Ms. Jackson."
Jack Harlow wants to be legendary. His new album proves he's still finding his voice
Friday, May 20, 2022
A cultural chameleon with a handful of viral hits, the rising rapper's Come Home The Kids Miss You misses the mark.
Lady Gaga, 'Hold My Hand'
Friday, May 06, 2022
The theatrical pop star pays tribute to '80s ballads on her song for the movie Top Gun: Maverick.
Girlpool and Let's Eat Grandma explore the inherent grief of growing up
Monday, May 02, 2022
Two new albums from Let's Eat Grandma and Girlpool wistfully accept the inherent grief that comes with facing adulthood.
Jack Harlow, 'First Class'
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Built around a sample of Fergie's timeless "Glamorous," "First Class" finds Jack Harlow swimming in the space between dorky and affable.