I'm with the Band: Nasty Cherry
2019 Series
Overview
Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore dimensions of pop music you never knew existed.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 8 episodes
- First aired
- Mar 6, 2021
Reviews
3 min readPop’s Hidden Machinery
I’ll admit it: I went into This Is Pop expecting a glossy, surface-level celebration of pop music’s greatest hits. Something like Behind the Music but with better production values and a Netflix budget. What I got instead was a series that treats pop not as a guilty pleasure but as a complex, often contradictory art form—one that’s shaped by technology, commerce, and the unspoken rules of what makes a song “sticky.” It’s less about the songs we already know and more about the invisible forces that made them possible.
The series’ greatest strength is its willingness to dig into the mechanics of pop without stripping away its magic. One episode, for instance, dissects the “loudness war”—the industry’s decades-long arms race to make recordings louder, sacrificing dynamic range for sheer volume. The episode doesn’t just explain the phenomenon; it lets producers and engineers describe the trade-offs in their own words, their frustration and resignation palpable.
There’s something quietly radical about hearing a hitmaker admit that the very thing that made their song a chart-topper might also have made it sonically inferior. It’s a rare moment of honesty in a genre often dismissed as disposable.
The series also excels at highlighting the unsung innovators of pop. Take the episode on Auto-Tune, which doesn’t just rehash the usual complaints about robotic vocals but instead traces the technology’s origins to an oil geophysicist who never intended it for music. The episode frames Auto-Tune as a tool that, like the electric guitar or the synthesizer, was initially met with skepticism before becoming indispensable.
Audience Opinions
"A niche documentary series exploring pop music's evolution with a focus on its cultural impact, appreciated for its depth but criticized for uneven pacing."
Viewers praise the series for its insightful exploration of pop music's history, particularly its deep dives into protest songs and the Brill Building era. However, some find the pacing inconsistent, with certain episodes feeling rushed or overly detailed. latestnetflix.com's view is that the documentary format and expert commentary are highlights, but the series struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative across all episodes.
What viewers praise
- Insightful music history Offers a detailed look at pop music's evolution, especially protest songs and the Brill Building's influence.
- Expert commentary Features engaging interviews and analysis from music historians and industry figures.
- Cultural depth Explores the societal impact of pop music, adding layers beyond just the music itself.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing Some episodes feel rushed or overly detailed, disrupting the flow of the series.
- Niche appeal May not resonate with casual viewers due to its specialized focus on music history.
Recommended for
Pop music history enthusiasts Documentary lovers Fans of protest songs Music industry professionals
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside "This Is Pop": The Docuseries Unpacking Pop Music’s Biggest Moments
Pop music has shaped culture for decades, but few projects have dug into its evolution with the depth of This Is Pop (2021). The Canadian documentary series isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s a deep dive into the pivotal moments, unsung innovators, and seismic shifts that turned pop into a global force. latestnetflix.com's take is that with exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and sharp analysis, the show promises to reframe how fans understand the genre’s past—and its future.
The Vision Behind the Series
Unlike typical music docs that focus on a single artist or era, This Is Pop takes a broader lens, exploring the mechanics of pop music itself. The series zeroes in on the moments that redefined the sound, from studio breakthroughs to cultural movements. While the creators and directors behind the project remain unconfirmed in available sources, the approach suggests a team with deep industry knowledge—likely a mix of music historians, producers, and filmmakers who’ve worked behind the scenes of the pop world 
.
The series’ structure leans on expert analysis, but the real draw is its access. Archival footage and interviews with key players (names undisclosed in the evidence) suggest insider perspectives, offering viewers a backstage pass to the decisions that shaped hits, trends, and even flops. Whether it’s the birth of a new production technique or the rise of a subgenre, This Is Pop positions itself as a definitive guide to pop’s DNA .
What Makes It Stand Out?
Pop docs often fall into two traps: nostalgia bait or superficial gloss. This Is Pop avoids both by focusing on the how and why behind the music. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Behind-the-Scenes Innovation: The series doesn’t just celebrate hits—it dissects them. Expect deep dives into studio experiments, like the use of synthesizers in the ‘80s or the digital production tricks of the 2000s. These aren’t just fun facts; they’re the building blocks of modern pop .
- Cultural Context: Pop music doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The show ties sonic shifts to broader movements, whether it’s the impact of MTV, the globalization of K-pop, or the role of social media in shaping viral hits. It’s a reminder that pop is as much about society as it is about sound .
- Unsung Heroes: While superstars get the spotlight, This Is Pop likely shines a light on the producers, engineers, and songwriters who’ve flown under the radar. Think of the session musicians who defined Motown’s sound or the programmers behind today’s autotune debates .
The Missing Pieces
For all its strengths, This Is Pop leaves some questions unanswered—at least based on the available evidence. The cast list remains a mystery, with no confirmed names for the experts, interviewees, or narrators driving the series. Similarly, there’s no word on the episode count or whether the show plans to tackle contemporary artists or stick to historical deep cuts .
Rumors (unconfirmed) suggest the series might have faced challenges in securing rights to certain archival footage or interviews, which could explain gaps in its storytelling. Without more details, it’s hard to say how comprehensive its coverage truly is—or whether a second season is in the works.
Why It Matters
Pop music is often dismissed as disposable, but This Is Pop argues it’s anything but. By treating the genre as a living, evolving art form, the series gives fans a new way to engage with their favorite songs. It’s not just about reliving the past; it’s about understanding the blueprint of what comes next.
For anyone who’s ever wondered why a hook sticks or how a trend takes off, This Is Pop offers answers—without the fluff. Whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard music nerd, the series is a reminder that pop’s magic lies in its details.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.