Bruno Mars released his debut album in 2010, while Harry Styles and his One Direction bandmates dropped theirs in 2011. In the decade and a half since, these two have skyrocketed to superstardom in their own ways — and then in the past two weeks, they each blessed pop fans with a brand-new project.
On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are taking a closer look at Mars’ The Romantic (released Feb. 27) and Styles’ Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally (March 6) and where each pop star is in his respective career. For Mars, he’s cementing the loverboy credentials he’s built up through “Just the Way You Are” all the way through Silk Sonic’s 1970s come-ons. For Styles, he’s taking a sonic left turn and introducing his rabid fanbase to new soundscapes and subject matters as they evolve through life together.
Listen to our full breakdown in the new episode below:
Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Mars is back at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in more than a decade, as The Romantic debuts atop the chart. Meanwhile, the set’s lead single “I Just Might” comes back to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Plus, could Styles debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 next week with Kiss All the Time?
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
