I don't know if it's just me or because I'm getting older (33), but pop music seems dead this year. Apart from Ariana, which I feel Petal came and already went, and Stateside smashing. Like where are the bops? If I hear that Choosin Texas song one more time I might genuinely go insane.

😭

It's 100% because you're getting older. Everyone becomes a victim of nostalgia. Older people said this exact same thing about 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, etc. It's the cycle of being an aging pop fan.

Just now, Gunnison said:

It's 100% because you're getting older. Everyone becomes a victim of nostalgia. Older people said this exact same thing about 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, etc. It's the cycle of being an aging pop fan.

I think that definitely has something to do with it, but 2023, 24 and 25 all had plenty of pop hits and bops that I loved. This year just feels dry.

1 minute ago, Rihlord said:

I think that definitely has something to do with it, but 2023, 24 and 25 all had plenty of pop hits and bops that I loved. This year just feels dry.

Fair enough. Hopefully, next year will be a better one and you'll enjoy more!

yes, if Olivia Rodrigo's album is being considered one of the best albums of the year, then you know something is seriously wrong

it would've been so much worse if we didn't get Wor$t Girl In America (the only 10/10 pop album from this year)

Edited September 2Sep 2 by Sabrina Carpenter

It's been very boring and basic for mainstream pop but Slayyyter's album, underscores' album, Kim's album all dropped this year which are some of my favorite albums in a long time.

Not when luck...or something exists, Hilary really came through

the country takeover is definitely gross but there have still been very strong pop releases this year. Slayyyter, Ari, Kim, PinkPanthress, Olivia etc

it's the same thing every year on this site when the MPG albums are underwhelming y'all either force it to grow on you or say it's the worst year in music and refuse to branch out and listen to stuff outside of the hot 100

I will say this year is pretty underwhelming but thats not because of Choosin Texas or Olivia Dean smashing

Slayyyter, Kim, Ms* Gloom, Olivia R, beabadoobee, Six Sex, KiiiKiii, iKeda, aespa and Cannelle put out some great projects this year

I'm as old as you and I think 2026 has been a fantastic year in pop music. Maybe, not in the mainstream scene, BUT Spotify recommends me so many artists whose songs are great, and I save them to my playlist immediately.

You should discover new artists online!

Edited September 2Sep 2 by prézli

I am probably in the minority but pop hits have been awful since 2011.

I hated the EDM/Dr Luke trend and then hated the trap infused music. I think the 2020 have better music than the 2010, shame charts are a mess

They're my new favorites, btw.

it's a combination of getting older, people having the attention span of walnuts and only listening to mainstream music.

this year has been great imo

Edited September 2Sep 2 by Bussea

54 minutes ago, Rihlord said:

I don't know if it's just me or because I'm getting older (33), but pop music seems dead this year. Apart from Ariana, which I feel Petal came and already went, and Stateside smashing. Like where are the bops? If I hear that Choosin Texas song one more time I might genuinely go insane.

😭

Right haha- imagine Choosing Texas being the highlight of your pop music? Couldn't be me.

That being said, give it time! Q4 is coming and CARLEGEND is coming. As well as Miz Lo. They'll serve and deliver. Carly already has with her 4 best pre-album releases in a while

Yes and no. I expected more from the returns of Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Harry Styles. Those albums were all weak commercially and critically, while they had huge eras just a few albums ago.

However some great albums were also released, including CONFESSIONS II and yspsfagsil.

Mainstream pop wise I would say it's the weakest, however quality pop albums have been released.

Robyn released so that's an automatic no.

I don't agree. This is my favorite year in music for years.

Last year was terrible

From a holistic music perspective across all kinds of genres, its one of my favorites - however, limiting to just pop in particular, I have only revisited a handful of pop albums after their initial release.

If we talk about mainstream music, yes.

It's crazy how nostalgia has started taking over the charts but I think it's going to change next year, we are already in the late 20s and this is the time when the industry always start moving so let's see how 2027 goes.

The charts are pretty much the worst they've been this decade this year but there are still tons of excellent albums coming out. Labels aren't doing their jobs anymore at all.

No, KATSEYE and Olivia Rodrigo saved it

There's no trendy aesthetic or genre right now????
Things are all over the place music-wise, so I feel like that's one of the things eroding everything.
Singers are directionless. They don't know which genres to attach themselves to, so they're going for the typical synthpop sound?
Today feels very 2017-2019 Circa (Mainstream singers very lost)
We need something revolutionary to happen—a new trend, a new movement, a new sound, new tech, or a new iconic pop star coming out of the woods.

So many old pop stars are basically retired-or slowin down or just havin fun, and the newcomers aren't trying hard enough (only some of them are). It's time for a reconfiguration in 2027. For a shift. Give me an arsenal of new popgirls or popboys? lol

I only know one thing and is.................
We need to move on from Synthpop,Disco and Country and 80s Throwbacks. Enough of that this decade
Can they come up with something else? be original damn
I think is sad how the Y2K is trendy now but only visually wise. They dont have the braveness to try y2k music revival.

I honestly feel like its the right time for Rihanna to return and change the music landscape
Give me some hot dancehall songs. Something exotic maybe.

Edited September 2Sep 2 by AvadaKedavra

um not at all, there have been a lot of quality albums this year I've actually been overwhelmed with the amount of good new music

Music will be changing next year and we are probably seeing the next stars that are going to be here for, there is a shift that is totally real about the years 7, 8 and 9 of every decade.

Edited September 2Sep 2 by gwen stacy

Kinda. I'm the same age. There were some good music ie slayyyer (who i use to hate but love this album) bruno and ariana but also **** music like that tutti frutti song and Ella's discography.

I am looking forward to Adela, tinashe and a few others to give good music. But I hate how old songs are becoming huge due to nostalgia. Like why is beauty and a beat one of the biggest songs this damn year.

Edited September 2Sep 2 by Mtjjproducer