Today’s episode: As summer winds down and the absence of a true “song of the summer” becomes more apparent, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on what has been a surprisingly underwhelming year for pop music. Despite high-profile returns from artists like Lorde, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd, and Justin Bieber, none have managed to make a significant impact on the charts or the cultural zeitgeist. This trend points to the accelerating breakdown of the traditional pop monoculture.

But perhaps there’s more at play. With few artists committing fully to a “pure pop” sound, economic uncertainty pushing listeners toward nostalgic comfort in older music, and a general confusion about what the public actually wants right now, the genre seems caught in a moment of transition.

Still, there’s hope. The year isn’t over y ...