Grande, Ariana
On social media this year, the stan was ascendant, fueling commercial competition, trolling and other arcane battles. How did we get here? Source
Major artists looking to top the Hot 100 this year turned to a familiar formula made all the more powerful by the proliferation of fandoms online. Source
Tracks responding to real-time events and a spectrum of moods captured the hodgepodge feelings of life in lockdown. Source
The singer continues to make the mainstream pop album a looser, weirder and more conversational space on her sixth LP. Source
Hear tracks by Julien Baker, Arlo Parks, Helena Deland and others. Source
Lady Gaga transported viewers to “Chromatica” (in a mask) at an event that tried to make a virtual collection of performances and speeches appear like a communal celebration. Source
Over the last decade, pop’s sonic spaces grew isolated and claustrophobic. But this year the pendulum started to swing back toward solidarity, and even a glimpse of optimism. Source
Young artists lead the major categories as the Recording Academy strives to align its awards with the musicians pushing pop into the future. Source
