Pop Shots – Living Large

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from the multiple ways people are choosin’ Ella Langley, to Zac Brown’s great big gift, to Luke Combs setting a record in London, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* For the first time in Billboard Hot 100 history the entire top five was made up of country artists. Ella Langley was at the top with “Choosin’ Texas,” and she was followed by Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, a duet between Langley and Wallen, and newcomer Stella Lefty rounding out the top five. That’s a lot of country music. The algorithm is clearly going through something, and I think it needs to be cheered up.

* Speaking of Ella Langley, if you’ve ever wanted to get drunk on her, your chance is coming this week, because on August 13th Shiner will launch Dandelion Honey Kolsch, a limited edition beer inspired by Langley’s Dandelion album. Really, dandelion inspired beer? What’s it going to taste like, an allergy attack, and ineffective weed killer?

* Variety asked Tate McRae about her political allegiances in a recent interview. I gotta say, if you have a pressing need to know Tate McRae’s political allegiances, perhaps you should log off the internet, and get some fresh air.

* At his August 2nd show at Fenway Park, Zac Brown announced that all 37,000-plus in attendance would receive a free cruise vacation on Margaritaville at Sea. Somewhere there’s a cheating tech CEO who now has to try to explain to his wife that he and his head of HR have to go on a Jimmy Buffett themed cruise “for business.”

* While speaking with podcaster Jason Lee, A$AP Rocky explained how Rihanna turned him from a nympho into a commitment minded man. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – we know WAY too much about the whereabouts of the genitals of celebrities. We do not need this info!

* Luke Combs became the first solo country artist to headline London’s Wembley Stadium. Our World Cup cultural exchange was really somethin’, wasn’t it? Ranch dressing, and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”

* Bunny XO says she’ll never get married again after her split with Jelly Roll. If she’s all out of love, what does the XO now stand for, defense and offense?

* In a recent interview with the UK newspaper The Times, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers revealed he’s been mulling over retirement. Retirement??? Geez, more like Mr. Not-So-Brightside.

* After her latest music video sparked fears that she has an eating disorder, and may be in the final stages of life, Ariana Grande announced she’ll be taking a step back from the public eye after finishing her current tour. With how much weight she’s lost she’s barely visible to the public eye as is, so here’s hoping she’ll be getting some help.

* Finally, Cardi B teased that she may be working on a remix to “Ah Ha” that would feature Kash Doll. Sorry, but the only a-ha I care about gave us “Take On Me.”

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.