116: "Mimi 20" Anniversary Reissue - Mariah Carey "The Emancipation of Mimi"

It was a big 'YES' from us when it came time to reissue our "Pop Idol" episode for the series' 25th anniversary! Romford's most prolific #TeamWill campaigner Joel is taking Aussie expat David on a nostalgic profile of Series 1 finalists in this two-part special. Get those blonde highlights sorted, top up your Nokia prepaid phones and have your 'VOTE WILL' and 'VOTE GARETH' numbers handy... this is one trip back to 2001 you don't want to miss. We get into the debut eras of the Top 4 finalists here - Will Young's chart-topping album "From Now On", Gareth Gates' smash "What My Heart Wants To Say" - shout out 'Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)', Darius' breezy pop classic 'Colourblind', and Zoe Birkett's 'Treat Me Like A Lady'. The pop nostalgia fest continue in 2027 - Will Young is doing his "Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour" in February and March, and "Popstars: The Originals Tour" with Hear'Say and Liberty X in April and May. Exclusive NordVPN offer link: nordvpn.com/rightback or use code RIGHTBACK at checkout.

25 years ago, the very first series of "Pop Idol" kicked off in the UK on ITV, going on to attract over 10 million viewers and become a national obsession. The pop culture phenomenon spawned the careers of Will Young, Gareth Gates, Darius, Zoe Birkett and more. Joel and David revisit their 2022 episode of "Pop Idol" and have given it a deluxe reissue as a two-parter. In Part One, we get into competition, the judges (Simon Cowell, Nicki Chapman, Pete Waterman, Neil Fox), and give you a glittering, highlights reel introduction to the finalists - plus Sarah Whatmore (shout out 'When I Lost You' and 'Automatic'). Get to know Korben, Rik Waller, Jessica Garlick (underrated Eurovision star), Aaron Bayley, Laura Doherty ("is that me away?"), Rosie Ribbons (Telstar Records' pop R&B princess), and Hayley Evetts. Look out for Part Two where we'll be celebrating the Top 4: Will Young, Gareth Gates, Darius and Zoe Birkett! Don't miss Will Young on his "Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour" in February and March, and "Popstars: The Originals Tour" with Hear'Say and Liberty X in April and May 2027. Exclusive NordVPN offer link: nordvpn.com/rightback or use code RIGHTBACK at checkout

This is the glittery grand finale of our three-part deep dive and oral history of Rachel Stevens' "Come And Get It" album, one of the greatest pop albums of the 2000s. This episode is packed with exclusives that no S Club and Rachel fan can go without knowing! In this episode, your zesty 2000s pop explorers Joel and David get into all the album tracks (like 'Crazy Boys' and the Xenomania bops 'Nothing Good About This Goodbye' and 'Funny How'). We dive into the glamorous album photoshoot by fashion photographer Morten Laursen, myth bust stories around potential singles, Rachel's unreleased songs from "Come And Get It" sessions and 2015 recordings with Richard X and Hannah Robinson, and deeply ponder... 'What would a third Rachel Stevens album sound like?' This episode features Peter Loraine of Fascination Management (the "Godfather of British Pop" and former Marketing Director at Rachel's label Polydor), Richard X and Hannah Robinson (who did 'Some Girls' and 'Crazy Boys'), Barry Stone of The Alias (formerly Jewels & Stone, who did 'I Said Never Again' and 'Every Little Thing') - plus contributions from Alexis Strum (songwriter behind 'Nothing Good About This Goodbye'), Karen Poole (who wrote 'Secret Garden') and David Eriksen (who wrote 'Dumb Dumb'). In case you missed it, Joel and David covered the singles 'Some Girls' and 'Negotiate With Love' in Part One and 'So Good' and 'I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)' in Part Two. Exclusive NordVPN offer link: nordvpn.com/rightback or use code RIGHTBACK at checkout

Amidst a puff of smoke machine across a sticky regional gay club dancefloor, Joel and David are meeting you in July 2005, rocking cropped leather gloves for the 'spiritual lead single' of the album. 'So Good' - written by friend of the podcast and brilliant pop songwriter Hannah Robinson and Pascal Gabriel - is a stomping, empowering electro-pop banger. An utterly irresistible way to welcome Rachel's new album and also a key part of Hannah's journey as a songwriter, as we discover. Your zesty hosts chat to Hannah Robinson about 'So Good' and Barry Stone, the amazing songwriter and producer part of The Alias (previously Jewels & Stone) who did the Adam Ant-inspired single 'I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)'. Plus, legendary director Trudy Bellinger, who did the fun "Bad Girls" prison-themed music video. Joel and David are joined by music industry legend Peter Loraine of Fascination Management, who was the Marketing Director at Polydor at time, looking after Rachel alongside Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment (now XIX Management). As far as content goes - this episode is jam packed with value like the single releases Rachel was giving us in this time. Joel and David take you through her unforgettable live performances in this era including G-A-Y and T4 On The Beach, plus the b-side ('Never Go Back') and interactive PC games! Exclusive NordVPN offer link: nordvpn.com/rightback or use code RIGHTBACK at checkout

Top up the champagne and don a pair of zip-up boots, dallyn! We are celebrating 21 years of one of the greatest pop albums of the 2000s: Rachel Stevens' "Come And Get It". Featured on The Guardian's "1000 Albums You Must Listen To Before You Die" list, this brilliant electro-pop opus has stood the test of time and gained a fervent cult following, taking former-S Club star Rachel into bona fide pop star territory. Joel and David are coming at you with a zesty deep dive and oral history on the making of one of British pop's most underrated classics of the 2000s. This episode features interviews with hit songwriters and producers Richard X, Hannah Robinson and NERVO - plus an exclusive insight into the project from music industry legend Peter Loraine of Fascination Management, who was the Marketing Director at Polydor at the time, looking after Rachel alongside Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment (now XIX Management). In Part One, we land in July 2004 for the career-defining hit single 'Some Girls', speaking to the creators Richard X and Hannah Robinson. We reminisce on the infamous clash with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and also bring you exclusive audio from Rachel's studio session. We get into the sassy lead single of the album 'Negotiate With Love' with GRAMMY-winning songwriter / producer NERVO and connect with hitmaker Kara DioGuardi on the b-side 'Queen'. You'll also hear from music video directors Paul Weiland ('Some Girls' and one of the co-founders of Comic Relief) and Harvey B Brown (who co-directed 'Negotiate With Love'). Get ready for a real vibrant snapshot of the 2000s British pop star-making machine through the lens of this unforgettable album by the one and only Rachel Stevens. Exclusive NordVPN offer link: nordvpn.com/rightback or use code RIGHTBACK at checkout