A Preview of Summer Music for 2026

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart

Episode: A Preview of Summer Music for 2026

Aired: June 24, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart
Guests: Nate Sloan & Rhianna Cruz (Switched On Pop podcast)

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Episode Overview

This episode of All Of It serves as a musical roadmap for Summer 2026. Host Alison Stewart welcomes Nate Sloan and Rhianna Cruz, co-hosts of Switched On Pop, for a lively, insightful breakdown of the summer's most anticipated albums, from indie rock to pop and Latin styles. The conversation dives into how established and emerging artists are responding to the cultural climate, blending genres, and connecting with new generations. The tone is conversational, enthusiastic, and geared toward both casual listeners and serious music fans.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Strokes – Reality Awaits

Release: July 24, 2026

• Sound & Aesthetic:
  • 80s-inspired album art and retro textures.
  • Retains "signature downtown sleaze and aesthetic messiness," while infusing urgent political themes.
  • "Kind of a classic rock album in many ways," but modernized for today's climate.
  • Notable Quote (Nate Sloan, 01:27):

    "They are giving a big fu to the system… they are not shy about saying, this is what's wrong with the state of our country. And they're putting it right into the song."

• Track Highlight: "Going Shopping" displayed a lyric-driven, direct political statement.
• Expectations:
  • The band isn’t resting on its laurels, matching the "moment we’re at" culturally and politically.

[00:39 – 03:25]

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2. Madonna – Confessions on the Dance Floor Part 2

Release: July 3, 2026

• Evolution from 2005’s Classic:
  • Recaptures club/dancefloor magic with “house music, disco music,” and spiritualized party themes.
  • "Conflation of the dance floor with religious themes… the dance floor will save you."
    (Rhianna Cruz, 03:39)
• New Collaborations:
  • Features artists like Arka (electronic/experimental), reggaeton star Fade, plus surprise collaborations with younger pop acts (e.g., Sabrina Carpenter, whom Madonna performed with at Coachella).
• Cultural Impact:
  • Madonna’s ongoing connection with underground and queer culture, and her push to remain relevant for both her original fans and new listeners.

Sample lyric highlight:

"That's why I like to go dancing / Safety in numbers" (05:06)

[03:25 – 06:23]

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3. Olivia Rodrigo – you’d seem pretty sad for a girl so in love

Release: Summer 2026 (exact date unspecified)

• Emotional Arc:
  • An album about “desire unfulfilled.” The first half explores longing, the second half deals with the reality of fulfillment and its letdowns.
  • Rodrigo’s “signature lyrical specificity and vocals” praised as consistently strong for such a young artist. (Nate Sloan, 06:53)
• Cross-Generational Appeal:
  • References ‘The Cure’—both thematically and in song titles/duets (a track with Robert Smith).
  • "It feels like you’re listening to a friend kind of unpack their drama… in the form of an album."
    (Nate Sloan, 08:40)
• Track Highlight: “drop Dead” showcases her confessional, conversational songwriting style.

[06:23 – 09:34]

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4. Charli XCX – Music Fashion Film

Release: July 24, 2026

• Shift in Sound:
  • Moves from high-energy, club-focused "Brat Summer" pop toward "rock textures, a lot more guitars… a little bit more intimate."
  • Reflects wider trends: “things… really going to be taking off this summer are not the massive EDM-influenced big room spaces but rather things that are more intimate, more sultry.” (Rhianna Cruz, 09:50)
• Cultural Relevance:
  • Known for "tapping into what the culture wants and she feeds off it," shaping the summer soundscape.

[09:34 – 10:58]

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5. Ariana Grande – Petal

Release: July 31, 2026

• Style & Growth:
  • Continues in the airy, moody sonic space of previous album (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).
  • “Showcase for her vocal technique,” heavily collaborative with Max Martin and Ilya.
  • First single: “hate that I made you love me”—self-reflective, lush harmonies, all lowercase trend continues.
• Impact of Musical Theater:
  • Despite her ‘Wicked’ fame, “this is more of a continuation” of her established sound, not a musical theater detour. (Nate Sloan, 11:24)

[10:58 – 13:18]

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6. Halado Tropical – Halado Tropical (self-titled debut)

Release: July 16, 2026

• Collaboration:
  • Side project of Helado Negro and Reina Tropical, marrying “sounds of the tropical Latina diaspora.”
  • “Really kismet collaboration,” perfect for creating a “chill” summer mood.
• Musical Vibe:
  • Down-tempo, beach-ready, relaxed Latin-inspired tracks.
  • Quote (Rhianna Cruz, 14:33):

    "They kind of fit to sit on the beach with, you know, a cold drink in your hand and take a deep breath and relax."

[13:18 – 15:15]

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7. Allison Russell – In the Hour of Chaos

Release: July 10, 2026

• Theme:
  • Despite its title, "it's actually… about finding peace and centering yourself in a time of chaos."
  • Includes collaborations, such as a children's choir featuring her daughter, notably on “Cold April.”
• Track Highlight:
  • “Cold April”—praised for warmth, uplifting energy brought by the children’s choir.
• Unique Energy:
  • “Usually I kind of don’t love a children’s choir on a song, but… this is a happy exception.” (Nate Sloan, 15:31)

[15:15 – 17:00]

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8. Rapid-Fire Shoutouts: Other Summer Picks

• Steve Lacy: Returning with his first album since Gemini Rights, titled oh yeah? (Rhianna Cruz, 17:11)
• Kelela: New album with "down tempo electronic, little trip hoppy sound."
• Sid: New solo album Beard—“woozy, sexy, throwback R&B… also about embracing insecurities.” (Nate Sloan, 17:35)

[17:00 – 17:59]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On The Political Urgency of The Strokes:
  "Anytime you see this band live or see any press they're doing, they are not shy about saying, this is what's wrong with the state of our country. And they're putting it right into the song."
  —Nate Sloan (02:45)

• On Madonna’s Relevance:
  "She's always kind of been tapped into what's happening in the underground, to what's happening in queer culture… she's getting production from people like Arka, working with reggaeton artists… and I think that's great."
  —Rhianna Cruz (05:43)

• On The Summer Vibe:
  "Down-tempo is gonna be the move of the summer."
  —Rhianna Cruz (14:36)

• On Olivia Rodrigo’s Maturity:
  "It feels like you’re listening to a friend kind of unpack their drama to you in the form of an album."
  —Nate Sloan (08:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Start of Episode / Summer Music overview: 00:39
• The Strokes – Reality Awaits: 01:13–03:25
• Madonna – Confessions on the Dance Floor Part 2: 03:25–06:23
• Olivia Rodrigo – you’d seem pretty sad for a girl so in love: 06:23–09:34
• Charli XCX – Music Fashion Film: 09:34–10:58
• Ariana Grande – Petal: 10:58–13:18
• Halado Tropical: 13:18–15:15
• Allison Russell – In the Hour of Chaos: 15:15–17:00
• Shoutouts – Steve Lacy, Kelela, Sid: 17:00–17:59

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Episode Tone

Warm, collaborative, and insightful; the hosts and guests speak with deep enthusiasm and critical appreciation for both established and emerging artists. Listeners are encouraged to explore a variety of genres and reflect on how music mirrors and shapes the larger cultural moment.

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Summary

This special episode provides a vibrant, forward-looking map of 2026’s summer music, covering major releases across pop, rock, Latin, and R&B. Listeners will walk away with new names to watch, deeper context for each artist's evolution, and a sense of the cultural moment’s influence on musical styles and themes. The consensus: "chill," transcendent, and self-reflective music sets the tone for summer.

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For those who want to soundtrack their summer with depth, context, and a bit of New York attitude—this is your must-listen episode.

Transcript

[Sponsor/Announcer]

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[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. It's officially summer, and that means tunes at the beach, blasting it in your car or in your earbuds as you walk around. Maybe the Strokes will define the sound of this season with their new record, Reality Awaits. Or perhaps we'll have a sequel to Brat Summer with the new Charli XCX album, Music Fashion. There's tons of new music to look forward to, and joining us to give us their recommendations are the team behind the Switched on pop podcast, Nate Sloan. Hey, Nate.

[Nate Sloan]

Hi, Alison. Great to see you.

[Alison Stewart]

Good to see you. And Rhianna Cruz. Hey, Rihanna.

[Rhianna Cruz]

Hey. Happy to be here.

[Alison Stewart]

So let's start with the Strokes. They're releasing a new album called reality awaits on July 24th. This is one of your picks, Nate. The album art sort of has the aesthetic of the 1980s. How is that translating to sound?

[Nate Sloan]

There's a lot of retro, throwback textures here. It's kind of a classic rock album in many ways, but it still retains the signature downtown sleaze and aesthetic messiness that we've come to know and love from the Strokes, this time with an urgent political message that updates their sound for 2026.

[Alison Stewart]

Wow. Well, let's listen.

[Music Clips/Vocals]

I'm going out my mind Throwing all my plans out the window don't want to waste my life I see you on the other side. I've been thinking about what I want to say But I'm a woman now, Lisa. That's what they tell me.

[Alison Stewart]

Anyway, tonight. This is the first Strokes albums in six years. Do you expect anything new or different?

[Nate Sloan]

I expect a lot more of what we're hearing on this track and what the band has been doing in their live shows and interviews, which is they are confronting this political moment head on. They are giving a big fu to the system. Anytime you see this band live or see any press they're doing, they are not shy about saying, this is what's wrong with the state of our country. And they're putting it right into the song. Right. The worst reality gets, the less you want to hear about it. That's what they sing in Going Shopping, which we just listened to. So they're not resting on their laurels. They're trying to meet the moment we're at.

[Alison Stewart]

I like it. Rihanna. Madonna's Confessions on the Dance Floor Part 2 comes out July 3rd. Remind us what its prequel, 2005's Confession on the Dance Floor was like and how this evolves it.

[Rhianna Cruz]

Oh, man. Confessions on the Dance Floor was a amazing record dedicated to the sounds of the club. And, you know, you're hearing a lot of house music. You're hearing a lot of disco music. There's a conflation of the dance floor with religious themes. You know, like, the dance floor will save you.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Right.

[Rhianna Cruz]

She says it on Get Together. This Is My Religion. So we're hearing a lot of that in the singles that we're getting off of Confessions too. It's her returning to this disco sound. It's her returning to this. This dance floor that has been with her her entire career. You know, she's lived on the dance floor. Now in the late stage of her career, she's revisiting it and putting it all out there.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's listen to Madonna sing. I feel so free.

[Music Clips/Vocals]

Let's do it right.

[Rhianna Cruz]

It's really hard for me to try

[Music Clips/Vocals]

Trust people Can you play me? I never know why people like me. That's why I like to go dancing

[Rhianna Cruz]

Safety in numbers

[Music Clips/Vocals]

that's why I like to go dancing Safety in numbers Safety in numbers More. Come here, baby I can't give you much. Do it right

[Alison Stewart]

that's Madonna. So, Rihanna, what do you think will happen with Madonna? Collaborating with younger artists like Sabrina Carpenter, like we saw at Coachella? Will that continue? Will that affect her sound?

[Rhianna Cruz]

Yeah. I mean, the thing about Madonna is that she's always kind of been tapped in to what's happening in the underground, to what's happening in queer culture. You know, she's always been an avid supporter of the LGBTQ community, and we see all of that integrated into this rollout. You know, she's getting production from people like Arka. She's working with even reggaeton artists like Fade. They're all on this album. And I think that's great, you know, because I think we live in a pop time that maybe a little bit oversaturated. And Madonna is trying to cut through all of it while appealing to her older fans, but also younger people, you know, who might not be as Familiar

[Alison Stewart]

with her older work, I'm talking with Switched On Pop's Nate Sloan and Rihanna Cruz, here to share the most anticipated albums of the summer and their recommendations about what to be listening to during this hot season. Let's talk Olivia Rodrigo as an album called you'd seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. All lowercase, by the way. We noticed that throughout this. Every lowercase right now on your podcast, Nate, you called her a meditation on desire unfulfilled. What did you mean?

[Nate Sloan]

Well, it's. It's. The first part of the album, I think is really about desire, wanting to be with someone. I mean, she. She sings about. In the song drop Dead, she sings about being pressed up in the bathroom line. You're looking like an angel on the walls of Versailles. It's all about, like, how badly you want to be with someone. And then what's interesting, in the second half of the album, she kind of fulfills that desire and discovers that it's not everything she anticipated. It's kind of the rise and the downfall of a relationship over the course of an album. It's marked by her signature lyrical specificity and vocals, and it's a great listen from beginning to end.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's hear Olivia Rodrigo with drop Dead.

[Music Clips/Vocals]

I know that the bar closes at 11 I hope you never finish that beer you know all the words did just like heaven and I know why he wrote them loud that you're standing right here oh one night I was born in bed and stopped you on the Internet. It's feminine intuition. Cause I always had a vision of it standing like this all pressed up in the bathroom line you lookin like an angel on the walls of her side of most alive I never been.

[Alison Stewart]

You know, Nate, I've heard people describe this as sort of a confessional album. Do you think find it that way?

[Nate Sloan]

Oh, yeah. It's very vulnerable. I mean, to be clear, she's not naming names, she's not calling out anyone specifically, but it's. It's very honest. It's very hard on your sleeve. It feels like you're listening to a friend kind of unpack their. Their drama to you in the form of an album. And so I'm really curious to see how this resonates with people. I think three albums in, she's one of our brightest pop stars we have at the moment. And this album is, you know, it's remarkably consistent for someone so young.

[Alison Stewart]

And it gets to the older folks like me because it's got the cure on it.

[Nate Sloan]

It's got The Cure. Yes. We had. We just heard a shout out to their song Just like Heaven. And she also has a song called the Cure and a duet with Robert Smith. So, yeah, we're crossing generations here. Alison, Rihanna.

[Alison Stewart]

Another one of your picks for Summer is Charli XCX's album called Music Fashion Film. It's supposed to be released on July 24. What is it about Charlie's music, or Charlie even, that creates sort of these big events around her albums?

[Rhianna Cruz]

Yeah, I mean, I think Charlie is really great at accessing the zeitgeist. She's really great at tapping into what the culture wants and she feeds off of it. You know, when Brad Summer was the main thing, you know, a couple years ago, it was because everybody was really fiending for reasons to go outside, reasons to party, kind of let loose a little bit. And what she's trying to do with this new record is kind of step back from that a little bit like reel it in. You know, she's using a lot more rock textures, a lot more guitars, a lot less big, you know, club filling synths and kind of keeping it a little bit more intimate. And I think it reflects larger cultural trends of where we're at musically, where we're kind of skewing down tempo. I mean, we listened to the Olivia Rodrigo song just now. The things that are really going to be taking off this summer, I think, are not the massive EDM influenced big room spaces, but rather things that are more intimate, more sultry. And we hear that in the Charlie singles.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm talking with Switched On Pop's Nade Sloan and Rihanna Cruz. They're sharing some of the most anticipated albums of the summer. Ariana Grande has a new album out called Petal. It's gonna come out on July 31st, I should say. This is one of your picks, Nate. She's coming off the wicked juggernaut. Has her soundwriting changed or her voice changed at all now that she's sort of tapped back into her musical theater ro?

[Nate Sloan]

Yeah, no, I mean, so far we only have one single from this album, so we'll have to see. But based on the evidence of that track, no, I would say this is more of a continuation of the sound that we heard on her previous album, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It's very spacious and moody and really showcase for her vocal technique. The track that is out right now is called hate that I made you love me, Alison. It's also all lowercase, so that is clearly a thing right now. And it is kind of a Little pointed, a little self reflective, filled with beautiful vocal harmonies. Collaboration with her longtime co writers and co producers Max Martin and Ilya. I think it's probably going to sound similar to what we've heard from Ariana in the past.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, let's listen.

[Music Clips/Vocals]

I can't tell you why but something inside is dancing with fire Eyes lit like the sky Turn tears into diamonds look good at goodbyes Just know that I will find my way from you like flowers from a tomb While you decide who you are and I can see right through like shadows on the moon yeah, I, I, I hate that I made you love me Sorry if I made me type your eyes.

[Alison Stewart]

That is the latest from Ariana Grande. Rihanna, I want to ask you, I hope it's, it's Halado Tropical, Is that correct? Ah, yes, I got it right. This is the first release from this collaboration made of Halado Negro and Reina Tropical. What's unique about this pairing? We've had him on the show. I don't think we've had her the other on.

[Rhianna Cruz]

They're both really great musicians. Yeah. What is so special is that both El Auto Negro and Reina Tropical access these sounds of the tropical Latina diaspora. And when you put the two of them together, it's kind of a really kismet collaboration that feels natural, it feels right. There's musical chemistry between the two of them and it is coming at a perfect time, you know. The album comes out on July 16th. They're self titled, a lotta Tropical record and it is set to soundtrack the summer with these chill again. I said earlier that down tempo is gonna be the move of the summer. And these tracks are very chill. They're Latin inspired, you know, they're kind of fit to sit on the beach with, you know, a cold drink in your hand and take a deep breath and relax. And I, I hear that in these

[Alison Stewart]

songs I'm hearing it's a chill summer.

[Rhianna Cruz]

Absolutely.

[Alison Stewart]

That's gonna be the vibe. Let'. It's like when you're a kid and you put your hand out of the window in a car.

[Rhianna Cruz]

Exactly. I was listening to this in the car the other day and I was doing exactly that.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk about Alison Russell. I want to make sure I get her in here. In the Hour of Chaos. It comes on, comes out July 10th. Nate, what is unique about Alison Russell?

[Nate Sloan]

Yeah, you know, you just gave us that album title. In the Hour of Chaos. You might think, oh, this is going to be a really loud, chaotic, crazy album. But that's not the case, it's actually, I think, about finding peace and centering yourself in a time of chaos. She has a lot of really cool collaborators on this record, but I think one of my favorite collaborators is the children's choir that appears on the song Cold April, which is actually the choir that her daughter sings in. Usually I kind of don't love a children's choir on a song, but I have to say this is a happy exception because of the energy and fun they bring to this song. That's Cold April.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, we can listen to it with Nate's approval. This is Cold April.

[Music Clips/Vocals]

3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3. I already know Sometimes it snows in April I heard my mother singing way back when I was a Promises vanish in the dark 88 keys on a broken heart it couldn't make it better but it made it feel all right Even when you feel your whole world is crumbling

[Alison Stewart]

still gonna try to I endorse that, Nate. Before we go, who do you wanna shout out that we didn't get a chance to talk about? Rihanna. Who did you want to shout out?

[Rhianna Cruz]

Steve Lacy is coming out with the new record. We last heard from him with the number one single Bad Habit, his first album since 2022's Gemini Rights. It's called oh yeah with a question mark, which I love. And I'd also like to shout out Colella. She's coming out with a new record again with that down tempo, electronic, little trip hoppy sound.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay. Nate, how about you?

[Nate Sloan]

Well, it's funny, Rihanna mentioned Steve Lacy. Steve Lacy was in a band with the singer Sid, and Sid has a new album, her first in four years called Beard. It's woozy, sexy, throwback R B. And that song title, I guess was inspired by the peach fuzz on her face. So it's also about embracing insecurities. This is gonna be a great release.

[Alison Stewart]

I hear a little bit of Sid. Thanks to Nate Sloan and Rihanna Cruz from Switzer. Thanks for joining us.

[Nate Sloan]

Great to be here.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

WNYC Studios is supported by Odoo. When you buy business software from lots of vendors, the costs add up and it gets complicated and confusing. Odoo solves this. It's a single company that sells a suite of enterprise apps that handles everything from accounting to inventory to sales. Odoo is all connected on a single platform in a simple and affordable way. You can save money without missing out on the features you need. Check out odoo@o d o o dot com. That's o d o o dot com.

[Alison Stewart]

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[Sponsor/Announcer]

Anywhere?

[Rhianna Cruz]

What about fancy places like the Canopy in Paris? Yeah, Hilton Honors, baby.

[Alison Stewart]

Or relaxing sanctuaries like the Conrad in Tulum? Hilton Honors, baby. What about the five star Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives? Are you gonna do this for all 9,000 properties? When you want points that can take you anywhere, anytime?

[Rhianna Cruz]

It matters where you stay.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Hilton for the stay.