Anything But Toto is a music podcast that is equal parts review, rant, and retrospective. Join Bianca and Julian as they dive into new releases and old favourites, offering insightful – albeit, nitpicky – analyses of music composition, production, and consumption. You never know who or what will be discussed next, but rest assured, this is a Toto-free space.
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Anything But Toto is a music podcast that is equal parts review, rant, and retrospective. Join Bianca and Julian as they dive into new releases and old favourites, offering insightful – albeit, nitpicky – analyses of music composition, production, and consumption. You never know who or what will be discussed next, but rest assured, this is a Toto-free space.
Ep. 22: “Baddies Get Saddies” - The Sound and Politics of Sad Boy Summer
Anything But Toto
1 hour 21 minutes 7 seconds
3 months ago
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
Anything But Toto
Anything But Toto is a music podcast that is equal parts review, rant, and retrospective. Join Bianca and Julian as they dive into new releases and old favourites, offering insightful – albeit, nitpicky – analyses of music composition, production, and consumption. You never know who or what will be discussed next, but rest assured, this is a Toto-free space.
