Ep. 22: “Baddies Get Saddies” - The Sound and Politics of Sad Boy Summer

In Episode 22 of Anything But Toto, Bianca and Julian present a working theory: what if the end of Brat Summer and the rise of 2025’s “Sad Boy” music moment aren’t just musical trends — but symptoms of a bigger political and cultural shift?

 

They trace a narrative from the euphoric highs of 2024 — Charli, Sabrina, Chappell, Taylor, Beyonce, Billie, and Ariana — to a 2025 dominated by uncertainty, grief, and male uncertainty. As the Biden/Kamala era of feminist pop gives way to a new presidency built on macho bravado and male rage, pop culture enters a holding pattern: no song of the summer, no girlie anthems, just a flood of emotionally confused men with microphones.

 

From the softness of Justin Bieber’s Swag to Joe Jonas' post-divorce reflections, from Oasis’ brotherly reunion to Djo’s brotherly ballads — this episode digs into how masculinity is being redefined in the era of Trump. Is the music industry unintentionally staging a group therapy session for conflicted men?

 

Also covered in this episode:

- Paul McCartney’s “Got Back” tour comes to Canada.

- Kesha’s Toronto show

- Bianca’s second interview with Beach Boys tour member, Matt Jardine

- Ari Aster’s Eddington

- Bianca and Julian’s rewatch/first viewing of Desperate Housewives

 

A season with no anthem and a whole lot of feelings — “Sad Boy Summer” is here, and it's saying more than we think. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

 

Theme song by Daniel Konikoff

 

Email us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com