Summer Bummer (via Switched on Pop)

Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Every music critic seems to agree: 2025 has no true song of summer. Last August, Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominated the charts. This year…Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominates the charts. What’s going on? Why is there no new summer song to unite us in collective listening, and will there ever be again?

Elamin recently joined Switched on Pop’s Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding to discuss the dearth of seasonal bops, and suggest some possible contenders for sleeper summer hits, from the soundtrack of the anime film KPop Demon Hunters to the latest from the Haim sisters. Despite the moribund status of the Hot 100, there is no shortage of great music to be found in the dog days of summer if you’re willing to listen closely.

Switched on Pop is a podcast from Vulture all about the making and meaning of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding pull back the curtain on how pop hits work magic on our ears and our culture. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And for more, check out Commotion’s recent deep dive episode on Justin Bieber’s new album featuring Switched On Pop producer – and frequent Commotion panelist – Reanna Cruz.