How a Wave of Ascendant Pop Stars Could Define the Next Decade of Music

While 2019 may not have been an explosive year in pop music, it teed up the personalities and story lines that could define the next decade in listening. A new generational gap opened up, one separating the veteran stars of the '10s--think Beyoncé, Drake, Rihanna and Taylor Swift--from a new crop of ascendant artists like Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Post Malone. A quiet year for the former group included live albums, B-side compilations and a focus on nonmusical pursuits.