Hot Local Singles
By Josh & Juan
Josh and Juan discuss Spotify pop, stan culture and more – all within a rating binary of ‘hot’ or ‘local’ – as pop music continues its decade-long shift from ubiquitous culture machine to niche subgenre.
Follow us on Twitter: @joshcore0 @vitaminintake
Hot Local SinglesDec 30, 2021
Water and Vibes
The boys return to discuss Charli XCX's CRASH, Rosalia's MOTOMAMI, plus The Slap at the Oscars, Drain Gang, pop industry lawsuits and more.
Hurricane Sl*t Pop
Today we discuss British hurricane names, a new but familiar EP by Kim Petras and Dr Luke called Slut Pop, Azealia Banks inserting herself into Julia Fox and Kanye West's split, "A Vibe Shift Is Coming", and we return to a topic from last episode: India Arie on Joe Rogan. Plus: the Freedom Convoy, Trixie and Katya and more.
War and Cringe
Can I take you to the airport? Today we get to the bottom of Charli XCX's 'Beg For You', discuss the legacy musicians up against Joe Rogan and Spotify, and wonder where Adele went wrong... plus we rate new songs by Ecco2k and Bladee, Grimes, Hikaru Utada, Uffie, Mø and Tove Lo.
WIGLETS ASSEMBLE!
Today we discuss FKA twigs' CAPRISONGS, Aaliyah’s forthcoming reanimated corpse of an album, RuPaul going hyperpop and the darkness of RHOSLC and Hype House.
Top 10 Indie Sleaze Moments
Today we discuss Wordle, Kanye West and Julia Fox, The Real Housewives of Project Runway, The Golden Globes, 'The Curse of Von Dutch', 'Red Rocket' and 'Don't Look Up', Juan’s new job in the clickbait mines, three subcultures predicted to make a comeback this year, and who The Weeknd is pandering to with 'Dawn FM'.
Nadia Oh AGAINZT Farrah Abraham: Hot Like Wow vs My Teenage Dream Ended (unlocked)
Nadia's HOT LIKE WOW (2008) is in Josh's corner. Juan's Team Farrah for MY TEENAGE DREAM ENDED (2012).
First we listen to songs by the girlies to get everyone caught up, then we discuss their baffling and contrasting receptions as outsider artists, the entire genres they may have inspired, the mystery lurking behind their careers and what it all means for POPTIMISM™.
PS: our first Hot Local Singles Radio Hour airs later today on Patreon
A Year That Happened
From Lil Nas X to Coming Out Colton, the gang tries to remember what just happened in a heartwarming year-end special the whole family will adore.
Dealing With Avatars *TRAILER*
Today on Patreon let's hide behind CGI to talk shit about our coworkers... We discuss the real reason Lana del Rey deleted social media, Teyana Taylor’s retirement, Lana versus Lorde in the court of law, Grimes’ network TV moment, Pinkpantheress finally coming out of the shadows and more.
PS: we're going away for a while but we'll be back when you need us most... in the meantime you can hear this episode and the entire Patreon back catalog at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
SSINDERELLA
We need a Disney princess who works at SSENSE... Anyways today we accidentally obliterate every song that has come out in the past month. Enjoy (Sweet Love)
Midbrowsing the Web
Today we start with blind items about a former A+ list tween, a closeted male singer and an underage-sexting DJ. Then: Aaliyah's streaming launch, Halsey's new Trent Reznor vibe, Lorde's A-list media tour, Kanye's old Kanye vibe, and is it getting middlebrow in here?
Links:
Aaliyah, Britney, and the Commodification of an Artist’s Legacy
Lorde, Billie Eilish, And The Reluctant Pop Star
Ryan Tedder: Classic songs are strangling new music
Over on the Patreon extended cut we talk about Azealia's Interview spread and Josh's collection of her magazine covers
Pigzilla (2021)
Today Josh & Juan talk to one another in and about a little town we like to call Montreal. For SEO purposes here is a list of keywords: bohemian, sweat shorts, Mabel on Love Island, sad girl indie, "song of the summer", homophobia in rap, and movies (2021).
My Wanderlust is Tight *TRAILER*
Today on Patreon: celebrities act badly, "They cry too easily but they funny," we wonder if pop music sold us on consumerism and Juan and Josh individually lay themselves bare.
In this clip we talk about a feud. Subscribe at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles for more of this stuff
Bunny is a Wiglet
Join us in the pop music trenches as we dodge controversies, decode lyrics and rate new music by Caroline Polachek, Billie Eilish, BIA ft Nicki Minaj, Isabella Lovestory and more.
Pulling Normani by a String
We're back to rate brand new pop shockers by Tinashe, Normani ft Cardi B, Azealia Banks, Shakira and Peppa Pig.
Later this week we rate new music by Caroline Polachek, BIA ft Nicki Minaj, Isabella Lovestory and more. Part 2 is out early on Patreon now!
The Love Line Returns
The highly regarded HLS advice special is back to help with year-long crushes, Twitter romances, getting back with an ex, advising a breakup, feeling inexperienced, relationships affecting your mental health and.. coffee addiction :)
Plus over on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles there's two bonus questions at the end for our wiglets, thanks for listening!
Gay Sobbery
Today we're rating and reviewing the latest pop derangements from Bad Gyal, Iggy Azalea, Ava Max, Shygirl ft slowthai, J Balvin ft Skrillex, Kelly Rowland x CeCe Peniston and Sugababes x Blood Orange.
The Love Line is coming back – if you need advice about ANY topic get your questions in asap. Try us: ask.hotlocalsingl.es
Squarely in Montreal
Gay Cold Month (ft. @jamesdotcom)
Today Josh and James (didn't see that one coming eh) discuss the gay cold spreading across NYC for pride month, Slayyyter’s mostly ignored debut album “Troubled Paradise”, the plague of Jack Antonoff productions, Lana del Rey's birthday party, Juan's viral tweet and more.
Nadia Oh AGAINZT Farrah Abraham: Hot Like Wow vs My Teenage Dream Ended *TRAILER*
Today: Nadia's Hot Like Wow (2008) is in Josh's corner, Juan has Farrah's My Teenage Dream Ended (2012). Together we'll listen to clips of each to get everyone caught up and then discuss their baffling and contrasting receptions, the musicians and entire genres they may have inspired, the mystery lurking behind their careers and what it all means for POPTIMISM™.
In this trailer we listen to a stunning sync of a Nadia Oh song in Gossip Girl. Hear this and all of our bonus episodes on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
70s Rock Psychedelic Whatever
We're back to discuss the Zionists AGAINZT the Hadids and Dua Lipa, plus we rate and review new music by Dawn Richard, St Vincent, CHAI, Jessie Ware, Paul Oakenfold ft Azealia Banks and Benny Benassi, Bleachers, Lana del Rey and more.
It's Time For The Wigulator
Today: Josh and Juan discuss the latest Gen Z music content and popular millennial songs by Olivia Rodrigo, WILLOW, Bella Poarch, Dixie D'amelio, Erika de Casier, City Girls, Lil Nas X and Nicki Minaj.
But first: your Eurovision recap of Italy's coke, Britain's cuck and Israel's geopolitical snub.
More HLS coming later this week (or tonight for Patreon wiglets)
Lady Gaga AGAINZT M.I.A.: ARTPOP vs MAYA (unlocked)
The mother of all AGAINZT battles is here. Which album will you choose? Today we talk about the character assassination at the heart of these two albums' critical receptions, plus how they've aged and who they inspired along the way.
This episode premiered April 9th for the wiglets on Patreon (new episode out now)
Ballads and Bimbos: Eurovision Semi-finalists Group 2
Europe’s Vision? Well she must be blind! We're just happy to be back... just in time to discuss Jesy "Balegdah" Nelson's first interview after leaving Little Mix, the potential of a Spice World sequel AND like 10 of the most European entries from Eurovision Group 2.
Over on Patreon we reserved the preshow explicitly for the return of Real Housewives of New York and The Big Shot with Bethenny! Thanks for listening.
The Eurovision entries in question:
France (Barbara Pravi - Voilà) – LOCK
Spain (Blas Cantó - Voy A Quedarme) – LOCK
United Kingdom (James Newman - Embers) – LOCK
Switzerland (Gjon's Tears - Tout l’Univers)
Iceland (Daði og Gagnamagnið - 10 Years )
Bulgaria (VICTORIA - Growing Up Is Getting Old)
Finland (Blind Channel - Dark Side)
San Marino (Senhit - Adrenalina)
Greece (Stefania - Last Dance)
Moldova (Natalia Gordienko - SUGAR)
I Honestly Don't Talk To Luke *TRAILER*
This week on Patreon: the guys discuss the current state of retail, THE HOUSEWIVES ARE COMING, we break down Dr. Luke's girlboss popaganda and Zac Efron threatens to go gigachad with a new face. Any day now...
And in this trailer we talk Bethenny Frankel's new show, The Big Shot.
Over on Discord this week: we're giving away a month of free Patreon access to 4 people (details in the #hls-updates channel)
I Am Your Gummy Bear... unless?
Today we're back to rate and review the latest tracks and rave smashes, ripe for the dancefloor and the psychiatric ward. We go euphoria mode and discuss new music by Basside, Gummy Bear (Gummibär), Doss, LSDXOXO, CFCF ft Sarah Bonito, and Cornelius.
But first: an update on the ARTPOP II movement.
Get more HLS on Patreon
Gay Guy Summer
Today we're rating and reviewing beautiful songs, gorgeous music and utter cringe by Troye Sivan, Rina Sawayama ft Elton John, Chet Hanx, Marina without the Diamonds, Doja Cat ft SZA, Karol G ft Nathy Peluso, Brockhampton, and Tirzah.
But first: Troye's house in Architectural Digest + HBO's Stylish with Jenna Lyons.
Hear the deluxe edition at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
PS: An essential fact check from Kayla on Discord – the "this is in different areas" meme is from this particularly legendary Love & Hip Hop Atlanta episode
Britney AGAINZT Britney: In The Zone vs Blackout (unlocked)
Today on AGAINZT: Josh is Team In The Zone (2003), Juan is Team Blackout (2007). Together we discuss the sound and legacies of these albums and their producers: Danja, Max Martin and new Swedes in the room Bloodshy & Avant. We also get into how Britney Spears' struggle within the music machine might have been reflected in her discography.
Spotify playlist for this episode
Plus... arguably our most essential album battle yet, Lady Gaga AGAINZT M.I.A: ARTPOP vs MAYA just dropped on Patreon. We 'dive' 'into' the wholehearted character assassination that defined the reception of both albums. Please join us wiglets omg...
The Fame Issue
You ready to pivot? Ariana Grande, Chase Icon, Lil Nas X and Addison Rae have us wishing we had Scooter Braun to plan our next career move. Join us as we discuss their trajectories and how the nature of fame has changed with the internet.
But first: we’re including this week’s Patreon preshow before we get down to business. Enjoy the extended cut and we’ll talk soon...
I Do Feel Hate: Eurovision Semi-finalists Group 1
Today we're listening to songs from the first group of Eurovision semi-finalists and projecting our feelings about Europe onto them.
I'll bite, what's Eurovision? Why are Australia and Israel involved? And now that a country's been disqualified can Canada come? Let's investigate...
Links to the music videos:
Germany: I Don't Feel Hate - Jendrik
Italy: Zitti e buoni - Måneskin
The Netherlands: Birth of a New Age - Jeangu Macrooy
Lithuania: Discoteque - The Roop
Cyprus: El Diablo - Elena Tsagrinou
Russia: Russian Woman - Manizha
Israel: Set Me Free - Eden Alene
As always hear the extended cut on Patreon. We discuss the resurgence of ‘2 On’ by Tinashe and more
Power of She *TRAILER*
In this clip: "H.E.R. Always. Wins." Industry plant or what?
This week we talk TV (from RPDR UK and the Grammys to Don’t Trust The B in Apartment 23 and Girls), Justin Bieber vs Justice, Josh’s mom againzt AstraZeneca, Zara Larsson vs Pitchfork, the first mp3 players we owned and more.
Support HLS to hear every bonus episode and extended cut + get every free episode early: patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
Waka Waka Put it in a Blender
Today: we rate the latest singles by St. Vincent, Twin Shadow, serpentwithfeet, Dizzy Fae and Doja Cat x Disclosure... but first: Azealia Banks orchestrates, Zara Larsson girlbosses and Ryder Ripps loses a client.
Plus our final takes on Danny L Harle's Harlecore and Madison Beers' Life Support! All while asking: blonde or brunette?
Put THAT in your blender! Merch idea? Hello
Full episode playlist on Spotify
Hear this week’s extended cut and every bonus episode at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
Latch Hookers Anonymous
Today we talk Vulture's SOPHIE 'wake' and AG Cook's Dream Logic mix. Then we rate new music (No Rome/Charli XCX/The 1975, Gwen Stefani, Selena Gomez, Tinashe, Smerz) and Lana del Rey's leaked 'Chemtrails Over The Country Club'.
COCC is revealed to be one of Juan's favourite tastes. And not only that, latch hooking feels amazing.
The fabric of society might be Spinning out of control but we’re here to Slow Clap for all frontline podcasters and their listeners... this is just part 1, we'll be back with another dose on Wednesday.
The full extended cut including the pre-show is up now on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles, join us there if you're in the mood
Lily Allen AGAINZT Uffie: 'Alright Still' vs 'Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans' (unlocked)
We're unlocking AGAINZT: Lily Allen's in Josh's corner, Juan has Uffie. Judged on Sophistication, Uniqueness, Confidence and Karma, which iconic hipster-era album will S.U.C.K. more?
PLUS we just released another battle on Patreon: Britney AGAINZT Britney: 'In The Zone' vs 'Blackout'.
Bimbo Theory
Today a himbo and a PhD candidate examine the cultural role of the 'bimbo' (a retro trope that's angling for a comeback) with the help of a few classic pop songs: "Barbie Girl" by Aqua, "Stupid Girls" by Pink, and "Stupid Hoe" by Nicki Minaj.
Links to the pieces on 2020s bimboism in Rolling Stone and i-D.
Over on the Patreon pre-show we talk first impressions of new albums by Madison Beer and Danny L Harle (more on this another time) plus movies, sugar, and we ease into the bimboist waters...
Support the besties and hear months of bonus episodes and extended cuts: patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
Ava Max of Woodstock *TRAILER*
On this week's rager we talk workout injuries, RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the problem with reality TV, Josh's vs Juan's sense of humour, Reply All’s reckoning, the first podcast we listened to, the podcasts we try to listen to now, record label streaming tactics like those new mood-based EPs on Spotify artist pages, Now That’s What I Call Music, "Nothing Is Flattening Music Like TikTok" and more.
Hear this episode on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles!
We're Good... unless?
Fresh from the pop music conversation pit we're debating the merits of 10 new singles by artists like "Friday" hitmaker Rebecca Black, That Kid, Danny L Harle, Dua Lipa, Xiu Xiu, Rochelle Jordan, Club Eat, "Anywhere" songstress Rita Ora and more.
Plus: Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Ariana Grande and autist saviour Sia want our attention to an almost militant degree so we're going to give it to them, if only for the length of their new music videos. Join us... unless?
Hear the extended cut and every bonus episode on Patreon!
The Love Line
On the first ever HLS advice hour we answer your questions about long-distance nudes, ex-girlfriends, being a relationship virgin, dealing with the apps, dong size, fear of men, sex music and more.
Thanks for getting in touch, we hope our tough love helps. We want to do this again so if you need advice or have any updates get in touch at ask.hotlocalsingl.es.
Love,
podcast bf and podcast bf
PS: you can hear the extended cut plus our next hot-local binary episode on Patreon now
Lily Allen AGAINZT Uffie: 'Alright, Still' vs 'Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans' *TRAILER*
NEXT WEEK: We're opening up the Love Line for Valentine's Day. Submit your questions by February 12 and we'll give you really beautiful, actionable advice for sure. Don't delay, LOVE IS LOVE!
But first on AGAINZT: Lily Allen's in Josh's corner, Juan has Uffie. Judged on Sophistication, Uniqueness, Confidence and Karma, which iconic hipster-era album will S.U.C.K. more?
Listen on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles and join us on Discord
Sophie's Moon
In memory of SOPHIE
We needed to mourn together, maybe you feel the same.
Tracklist:
"It's Okay To Cry"
"L.O.V.E."
"I Wanna Be With U"
"Just Like We Never Said Goodbye"
"Immaterial"
RIP SOPHIE. If you want to chat, come say hi in the Hot Local Singles Discord server ♥️
Counterculture is dead and we killed it *TRAILER*
Nobody Is Listening... unless?
Today: Ariel Pink loses the plot, a Backstreet Boy goes alt-right, Zayn admits nobody's listening, Ashnikko's an industry plant, Danny L Harle switches labels, and we have a new fave... busy week at Hot Local Singles!
As always, support the besties at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles for more and we'll see you soon.
COCC Destroyers
An unknown musician goes #1? Playboi Carti in straight guy shocker? Lana del Rey keeps saying "Trump"? And what about Azealia Banks’ music career?
Today we’re rating a bunch of new singles 'hot' or 'local' as an excuse to discuss all the ways musicians behaved badly this month. Full tracklist on Spotify.
There’s more HLS coming on Wednesday. Hear the extended cut now on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
J-HOLE Trend Forecasting Agency *TRAILER*
This week on VERZUZ: in vs out, Nicki Minaj vs Tracy Chapman, Ariel Pink vs MAGA, CIA vs Ryder Ripps, techno vs house, Josh vs Juan.
Get the full episode when you subscribe on Patreon: patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
The One About The Grammys (unlocked)
The Grammys really do this with a straight face every year and we're still CHAINED to the rhythm.
January is Grammys month so we're unlocking our conversation about The Weeknd vs The Academy (ie the industry at large), the slow rise of Kaytranada (he's gay) and the very real curse of Best New Artist (sorry Megan).
Plus, highlights and lowlights across all the award categories, "Urban Contemporary" vs "Melodic Rap" and a comparison of our predictions vs YouTuber AJayII's.
This episode was posted on Patreon on November 29, 2020, just after the nominees came out and just before we announced the 1st Annual Floppy Awards. It had the title "Now That's What I Call Grammy Nominations" which was a bit long to be honest.
Hear new episodes on Patreon FIRST: patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
After Hours (unlocked)
It’s everything time. On this Patreon exclusive unmoderated debate we discuss: The Juendy Juilliams Show, Josh’s theory about Joe Biden and Grindr, post-cringe, the corniness of Tinashe and Kaytranada, Basement Jaxx, pull-up bars, Akira, Lana’s favourite mesh mask, an Abercrombiecore travel show from 2008, Mariah Carey’s Rarities, the first hot guys we saw on the internet, gay guys' death drives and more.
YouTube link to see Juan ‘on’ the Wendy Williams show, bottom row.
(This week we're busting open the Hot Local Vault and unlocking this Patreon episode from October 11, 2020. Subscribe for more: patreon.com/hotlocalsingles)
The 1st Annual Floppy Awards Start Now!
Welcome to the 1st Annual Floppy Awards, also known as the Gay Grammys and the Locals’ Choice Awards, coming to you live from [FILL IN CITY NAME WHEN WE FIND A VENUE BROKE ENOUGH TO SAY YES] sponsored by Ford Motors, Tesla Motors, etc!
Tonight we recognize the best, the worst and the eww-est of 2020 as we dive deep into the moments and music that defined the most traumatizing year in modern history!
With the help of special guests, Josh and Juan announce YOUR winners in a comforting, psychosis-inducing award show format that suggests democracy really works! These are HLS listeners’ favourite pop albums, EPs, singles, remixes, collabs, videos and flops of the year.
Don’t miss the most glamorous moments of the season: Charli XCX is still apologizing for Grammy night while Chloe X Halle ask their manager if they can leave their tennis court. HRH is fighting Lana Del Rey about who's the most anti-mask and we have it on good authority Halsey's planning a terrorist attack, so heads up tonight! Slay yes mama!
And how could we forget the queen of pop herself, The Blessed Madonna! Wait who were you thinking of
PS: We sat Perfume Genius and Christine and the Queens next to each other and now we can’t tell them apart. Support our long-term research strategy on this and other matters at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles
CREDITS
Please clap for your co-hosts and announcers for the night, starring previous collaborators and many of our own Little Locals and Hotties:
Slay Yes Mama Award for Moment of the Year: Christian @TheReal_Xtian / @christiancatalano
Video of the Year: Miss Andy Baby
Collab of the year: The hosts of High T on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
– Madelyne @madabeckles / @bellhoox
– Leah @layschu / @dameleahschulace
Longevity Award: Anna @annaraponi
Flop of the Year: Erik
Future Popstar: George @grgmell / @grgmell
Smash of the Year, Local: He returns!
Smash of the Year, Hot: Leyla @ooooleyla
Literally Stroke Vibes *TRAILER*
This week: our Hot Local Regrets, the male singers straight guys had crushes on in 2020, Gwen Stefani’s eternal comeback, the Britney estate’s deluxe edition of the Glory Deluxe Edition and more, including: “Alex G reminds me of how straight men love discovering music.”
This clip is cut from the first 10 minutes of the full episode, hear it on patreon.com/hotlocalsingles.
The 1st Annual Floppy Awards are coming. Final days to vote!
PLUS:
– Listen to us laugh at Pitchfork year-end lists on Thot Topics (Spotify)
– Listen to us lose it about moments of the year on High T (Spotify)
– Listen to BOTH to hear Juan’s complete Taylor Swift PR press tour. Thanks for having us besties!
Jennifer Lopez Escape Room
Today on your favourite podcast about Escape Room (genre): Josh calls Bladee an “old head,” Juan says “Her vocal chords, her choice – but her choices were bad” (that's a blind item) and we both enact A&R on some very expensive pop music. But first, Spotify Wrapped needs unwrapping no?
So, the hot/local binary is back and we're rating 8 new pop singles + 2 albums, 'Plastic Hearts' by Miley Cyrus and 'Nightmare Vacation' by Rico Nasty. The full track list is also on Spotify:
'Swimming In The Stars' by Britney Spears, 'God' by Bladee, 'Hitman' by Kelly Rowland, 'LUCID' by Rina Sawayama, 'In The Morning' by Jennifer Lopez', 'football game' by Silver Sphere, 'Slow Dancing' by Aly & AJ and 'La Noche De Anoche' by Bad Bunny and Rosalia.
VOTE! In Hot Local Singles' 1st Annual Floppy Awards at vote.hotlocalsingl.es. We reveal a few current frontrunners at the end of this episode.
And subscribe on Patreon for the extended cut: we rate new Christmas songs by Mariah Carey with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson, 100 gecs, Sabrina Claudio with The Weeknd, and future Grammy-winner Poppy.
Now That's What I Call Grammy Predictions
The Grammys really do this with a straight face every year and we're still CHAINED to the rhythm. Listen to the FIRST 10 MINUTES of this week's bonus Patreon episode:
Today we discuss The Weeknd (ie the industry at large) vs The Academy, the slow rise of Kaytranada (he's gay) and the very real curse of Best New Artist (sorry Megan). Plus, highlights and lowlights across all the categories, "Urban Contemporary", "Melodic Rap" and a comparison of our predictions vs YouTuber AJayII.
The 1st Annual Floppy Awards are coming soon. Subscribe at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles to hear this whole episode and VOTE EARLY
Bad News
This week we talk about Grimes and the government, eurodance and Ava Max, Future's age, tons of new singles and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Good News’.
Here's the episode track list, playlist on Spotify:
'My Head & My Heart' by Ava Max, 'Regardless' by RAYE and Rudimental, 'Prisoner (ft Dua Lipa)' by Miley Cyrus, 'Holiday' by Lil Nas X, 'te pongo mal' by Kali Uchis, 'Man's World' by Marina, Megan Thee Stallion's 'Good News' album, 'Bitch Bites Dog' by Cecile Believe, 'Throatzillaaa' by Slayyyter, 'OHFR?' by Rico Nasty, 'Because of You' by Future and Lil Uzi Vert, and somehow 10 OTHER TRACKS...
Over on the Patreon pre-show we start the episode by talking some shjt. For extended cuts, tough love and bonus episodes subscribe at patreon.com/hotlocalsingles