The pop girlies are sad

What you'll learn

• 1 (00:00) **Opening: The Sad Summer Thesis** - The host introduces the idea that summer 2026's biggest hits, from country to pop, are unusually gloomy and sad, setting up the episode's central question.
• 2 (01:47) **Marissa Moss on "Choosing Texas"** - Rolling Stone senior writer Marissa Moss explains the massive country hit, its narrative, and its cultural significance.
• 3 (05:23) **Why "Choosing Texas" Became a Hit** - Moss analyzes the song's unexpected appeal, arguing it's more about relatability and vibe than pure sadness.
• 4 (07:03) **Political Appropriation of Ella Langley** - The far right and left are trying to claim Langley for their own narratives, despite her public silence on politics.
• 5 (09:12) **The "Sad Girl Summer" Trend** - The host introduces the theory that 2026 is the summer of sad girl music, and Moss agrees it's a fair assessment.
• 6 (13:54) **Alex Frank on Olivia Rodrigo's Sad Anthems** - Vogue contributor Alex Frank breaks down Olivia Rodrigo's album, which literally has "sad" in the title, as the defining sad pop record of the summer.
• 7 (16:15) **Phoebe Bridgers and Ariana Grande's Bleak Summers** - Frank explains how other major pop stars are also leaning into sadness and cultural despair.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app