🤖 AI Summary
Overview
This episode dives into the music landscape of 2025, exploring notable albums, songs, and trends. Gilbert Cruz, joined by Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz, discusses the year's biggest releases, emerging artists, and the evolving dynamics of pop and indie music.
Notable Quotes
- It was a year where there was not a big consensus pick or even a few consensus picks of the album of the year. Out of that void and disappointment, there can also be a bright side.
- Lindsay Zoladz, on the lack of standout mainstream albums.
- This album made me love Lady Gaga in a way I really didn’t expect to. It’s flawed, but it’s invigorating, grindy dance music that connects all the strands of her career.
- Caryn Ganz, on Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem.”
- Taylor Swift is the most popular person ever to walk the earth, but she’s also being more criticized than she ever has been.
- Caryn Ganz, on the polarizing reception of Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl.”
🎵 Reflections on 2025’s Music Landscape
- Caryn Ganz described 2025 as a bummer year,
citing disappointment in anticipated albums that fell short.
- Lindsay Zoladz highlighted the stagnation in mainstream music but noted the opportunity to explore under-the-radar releases, resulting in more personal year-end lists.
- Both agreed there was no definitive album of the year,
with the absence of marquee names creating space for smaller, experimental works to shine.
🌟 Spotlight on Major Releases
- Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”: Praised for its intergenerational approach, blending Puerto Rican musical history with contemporary sounds. Lindsay Zoladz likened it to Beyoncé’s curated albums, calling it forward-looking yet rooted in tradition.
- Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem”: Initially met with skepticism by Caryn Ganz, the album grew on her after attending Gaga’s tour. It’s a mix of dark electronic pop and fan service, reminiscent of Gaga’s early fame era.
- Justin Bieber’s “Swag”: Bieber’s collaboration with indie producers like Dijon brought rougher, experimental textures to his polished pop sound. Lindsay Zoladz appreciated the demo-like quality of “Daisies,” calling it a refreshing swerve.
🎤 Emerging Artists and Breakout Moments
- Chappell Roan: Released two carefully curated songs, “The Giver” and “The Subway,” showcasing a deliberate approach to her career.
- Dochi: Gained prominence with her Grammy performance and mixtape tour, opting for a slower, calculated release strategy.
- Sabrina Carpenter: Her follow-up album “Man’s Best Friend” was less successful, though “Manchild” stood out as a hit.
🎸 Trends in Rock and Indie Music
- Geese’s “Getting Killed”: Divisive among the hosts, with Lindsay Zoladz calling it her album of the year for its inventive, yowling energy, while Caryn Ganz found it unsuccessful in channeling its influences.
- Water From Your Eyes: Celebrated for their layered distortion and deadpan lyrics, blending apocalyptic themes with crunchy guitar sounds.
- The rise of younger bands reinvigorating rock music, with crowd-surfing at ballads and fresh approaches to classic sounds.
🌍 British Women in Pop
- PinkPantheress’s “Fancy That”: A breezy, 20-minute album exploring lighter, romantic themes, marking a shift from her heartbreak-driven earlier work.
- Lily Allen’s “Tennis”: A narrative-heavy album detailing personal drama, with standout tracks despite its lengthy runtime.
AI-generated content may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth.
📋 Episode Description
As 2025 comes to an end, The Sunday Special is looking back on the year in culture.
This week, we’re listening to the songs and albums that defined the year, for better or worse. Gilbert Cruz is joined by Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz from The Times’s pop music desk to discuss some of the biggest and best releases of 2025.
Albums and songs mentioned in this episode:
Bad Bunny, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
Lady Gaga, “Mayhem”
Justin Bieber, “Daisies”
Chappell Roan, “The Giver” and “The Subway”
Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
Doechii, “Alligator Bites Never Heal”
Taylor Swift, “The Life of a Showgirl”
Morgan Wallen, “I’m the Problem”
Ghost, “Skeletá”
Dijon, “Baby”
Geese, “Getting Killed”
Water From Your Eyes, “It’s a Beautiful Place”
PinkPantheress, “Fancy That”
Lily Allen, “Tennis”
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”
Sleigh Bells, “Bunky Becky Birthday Boy”
Hayley Williams, “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party”
Turnstile, “Never Enough”
On Today’s Episode
Caryn Ganz is the pop music editor at The Times.
Lindsay Zoladz is a pop music critic at The Times and the writer of The Amplifier newsletter.
Additional Reading
Photo Illustration by The New York Times; From left, Angela Weiss/AFP — Getty Images (Lady Gaga); OK McCausland for The New York Times (Geese); Erika Santelices/Reuters (Bad Bunny); Helle Arensbak/AFP -- Getty Images, via Ritzau Scanpix (PinkPantheress)
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