08/01/2026
In the past, the summer seasons have been defined by breakout songs. Catchy, carefree anthems like “Call Me Maybe” or “Espresso” were crowned the “Songs of the Summer,” becoming cultural anchors representing collective optimism and joy during the warmer months. In recent years, however, global crises and increasing social anxiety may be impacting that kind of “monocultural” celebration. While events like the World Cup brought people together, this summer has also seen extreme weather, parasitic outbreaks, and wildfires, making it difficult to capture the collective enthusiasm and carefree fantasies songs of the summer often provide.
This isn’t totally new — after 2024’s Brat Summer, last year saw a similar SOS vacuum that ended up being filled by an emotional Ben Platt cover of Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi,” an unlikely contender. But it makes sense: Music and media consumption has become increasingly fragmented thanks to the streaming era and hyper-personalized FYPs. Audiences are now discovering new music while scrolling through their feeds, which likely look very different from their peers’ feeds. Instead of rallying behind one universally shared song, niche communities and fandoms are now choosing their own summer songs based on what resonates with them personally. This even includes AI-generated “songs,” like this summer’s viral “Melissa, I’m drunk and outside” TikTok track, getting more exposure than radio hits.
