Was 2025's Pop Sound Stagnant?

Even though 2025 gave us big albums from artists like Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny, did pop music fall short overall? 

Sam breaks down the year’s hits and misses with Reanna Cruz, music journalist and producer at Switched on Pop. Why does everything sound like it’s stuck in the 2000s? Who are the artists actually pushing boundaries? And is there anything to look forward to in the new year?  

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NOTE: The Sam Sanders team is taking a short break for the holidays. We’ll be back with a new episode January 2. 

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.