Great summary, Notes, and well worth consideration.
Pop is whatever any specific party considers 'popular'. It doesn't mean 'the latest', 'the newest', the 'most different', the 'most unique'. Ultimately, it means how 'popular' it is with the listener. Every audience will have a specific idea of what they find popular. I can dig that.
Clearly you have developed skills to read an audience, and know what music they find to be 'popular'. In summary, 'one size doesn't fit all'

There's no right way or wrong way.