Watch This Is Pop

Name: This Is Pop
Genre: Music
Released: 2021/03/06
Cast: Ludwig Göransson, Hozier, T-Pain

TV-MA
2021
1 Season
6.9 (1,450)

This Is Pop is an eight-part documentary series from CTV that explores various aspects of pop music culture from around the world. Each episode focuses on a different theme, such as Auto-Tune, boy bands, and country music. The series features interviews with musicians, producers, writers, and industry insiders, as well as archival footage and performances.

The first episode, "The Boyz II Men Effect," explores the rise of the boy band phenomenon in the 1990s and how it impacted the music industry. The episode features interviews with members of Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC, as well as music executives and critics.

The second episode, "Hitting the Auto-Tune," delves into the controversial use of Auto-Tune in modern pop music. The episode features interviews with producers such as T-Pain and Cher's producer Mark Taylor, as well as artists like Imogen Heap and Auto-Tune inventor Dr. Andy Hildebrand.

The third episode, "Stockholm Syndrome," examines the Swedish music industry's influence on pop music, including the success of ABBA, Max Martin's prolific songwriting, and the rise of streaming services such as Spotify. The episode features interviews with Max Martin, Tove Lo, and other Swedish musicians.

The fourth episode, "Promised Land," explores the history and cultural significance of country music, from its roots in southern gospel and blues to its current popularity. The episode features interviews with country music legends such as Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton, as well as newer acts like Kacey Musgraves and Florida Georgia Line.

The fifth episode, "Finding the One," focuses on the search for the perfect pop song and features interviews with songwriters such as Julia Michaels and Savan Kotecha, as well as producers and musicians.

The sixth episode, "Festival Rising," examines the evolution of music festivals from Woodstock to Coachella and how they have impacted popular culture. The episode features interviews with festival organizers, musicians, and fans, as well as footage from Coachella, Glastonbury, and other major festivals.

The seventh episode, "When Country Goes Pop," explores the crossover between country and pop music, including the success of acts like Taylor Swift, Lady A, and Keith Urban. The episode features interviews with musicians and industry insiders, as well as footage from the Country Music Association Awards.

The final episode, "What Can a Song Do?," looks at the power of music to inspire change, including political protest songs and the use of music in social justice movements. The episode features interviews with musicians such as John Legend and Common, as well as activists and scholars.

Overall, This Is Pop is an engaging and informative series that will appeal to music fans of all genres. The show's diverse range of topics and global perspectives provide a comprehensive look at the complex world of pop music and its impact on society.

This Is Pop is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between March 6, 2021 and on CTV

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Seasons

8. Festival Rising

April 24, 2021

There is no rite of passage quite like the music festival. Millions of people attend them each year and now more than ever they infiltrate our culture from "festival wear" clothing lines to playlists. Taking a journey from '60s counterculture to modern-day "selfie" culture, the evolution of the music festival is explored to examine deeper ideas about the importance of collective experiences, and they act as a cultural mirror that reflect interests and ideals. Focusing on some of the most iconic festivals in history including Monterey Pop, Glastonbury, The US Festival, Woodstock 99, and Bonnaroo, accounts from Jefferson Airplane's Jack Casady, Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew, and Bloc Party's Kele Okereke bring to life to all the sights and sounds of the pop festival.

7. What Can A Song Do?

April 17, 2021

For decades, musicians have been using music as their weapon of choice against social injustice, discrimination and marginalization. From Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" to Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," a song is one of the most powerful ways to transmit a message to a large audience. This episode explores the idea that music actually be a catalyst for change, with musicians like Chuck D, Arlo Guthrie, and Hozier sharing their unique approach to writing about injustice.

6. The Brill Building in 4 Songs

April 10, 2021

New York City's Brill Building and pop music go together like bread and butter, or in this case, like King n' Goffin, Leiber n' Stoller, or Barry n' Kim. In the 1950s and 60s, songwriters, record producers, and wannabe pop stars flocked to 1619 Broadway in New York with dreams of churning out the next big hit. Full of small rooms with upright pianos, The Brill Building was labelled a "song-factory", but its true spirit grew out of a community that collaborated and challenged each other to achieve greatness. The result would culminate in an incredible musical era known as "The Brill Building Sound" and would define pop music to this day, delivering hits like "Leader of The Pack," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," and "Sugar Sugar."

5. When Country Goes Pop

April 3, 2021

It's a tale as old as time - a country song goes "pop" and country music fans protest. From Dolly Parton to Shania Twain to Lil Nas X, the scrutiny around what makes a song "country" has been a raging debate that shows no signs of slowing down. Featuring renowned Canadian musician Orville Peck, pivotal and controversial moments of the Country Pop genre are examined in this instalment, as artists including Brandi Carlile and Twain herself share their stories to help demonstrate why country music has such a fetish with authenticity.

4. The Boyz II Men Effect

March 27, 2021

Before Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and 98 Degrees, there was a "boy band" from Philadelphia called Boyz II Men that ruled the charts. With their incredible vocal harmonies and preppy-cool style, Boyz II Men became the "soundtrack to our lives" with hits like "End of The Road", "I'll Make Love To You", "Motown Philly," and "One Sweet Day" - heard at weddings, proms, karaoke bars, and funerals alike. Going back to the band's humble beginnings in Philadelphia, this episode pays homage to the influential R&B group who set the template for '90s boy bands.

3. Stockholm Syndrome

March 20, 2021

Since 1974, when a little-known group named ABBA won Eurovision's song contest with their track "Waterloo," Sweden has been a global force in exporting pop music. Cassette players and bedroom walls have been filled with the likes of Roxette, Ace of Base, and Robyn, and '90s playlists featuring Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC would be obsolete without the work of Swedes Denniz Pop and Max Martin. Today, Swedish producers and songwriters continue to be the powerhouses behind the biggest pop stars.

2. Hail Britpop!

March 13, 2021

In the early '90s, when America was hooked on grunge, The Brits retaliated with a return to catchy, witty, and downright fun pop, speaking to their own stories and cultural roots. This musical zeitgeist known as "Britpop" went far behind the headlines of "Oasis vs. Blur" - bands like Elastica, Echobelly, Pulp, Lush, and Suede became international exports with a unique sound. With musical scenes in both London and Manchester, Britpop was the "perfect storm" of creative songwriting, eclectic personalities, and cultural forces behind some of the catchiest tunes on the planet.

1. Auto-Tune

March 6, 2021

Love it or hate it, Auto-Tune has changed pop music. From Cher's "Believe" to Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," the sound has penetrated the globe and revolutionized music since its invention in 1997. Some say the pitch-correction technology has ruined music, while others have found fame by using the tool creatively. Tracing Auto-Tune's roots to predecessors like the synthesizer, the good, the bad, and the ugly of this game-changing technology is revealed, grounded in a personal account of Auto-Tune's most famous user, T-Pain.

Description

Where to Watch This Is Pop

This Is Pop is available for streaming on the CTV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch This Is Pop on demand at Netflix.