The Return of Recession Pop

Can music predict an economic crisis? The resurgence of high-energy, feel-good pop in 2024 suggests that, once again, we might be dancing through difficult times.

Available via @charlie_xcx © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended

Just a few months ago, as 2024 drew to a close, a familiar term resurfaced on TikTok and quickly went viral: Recession Pop. A concept first coined by music critics years ago, it's now making a striking comeback, perfectly aligning with today’s uncertain economic and social landscape.

In an era defined by Pink Pony Club anthems from Chappell Roan, the sugary-sweet pop of Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX’s Brat aesthetic, the revival of Recession Pop feels almost inevitable. The world isn’t exactly thriving, and when times get tough, pop music has a way of responding—by offering pure, unfiltered escapism.

Unlike traditional genres, Recession Pop isn’t defined by a specific sound but rather by the cultural and economic moment that fuels it. The genre first took shape in the late 2000s, against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis—a time when economic hardship affected nearly everyone, regardless of class.

The stars of 2010's Recession Pop: Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kesha and Nicky Minaj at the MTV VMA's in 2010. Source: Kesha.fandom.com © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended

In response, pop music became fast, euphoric, and relentlessly optimistic. High-BPM anthems with carefree lyrics urged listeners to push aside their worries and just enjoy the moment. Looking back, songs like I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas, Just Dance by Lady Gaga, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, and We Found Love by Rihanna weren’t just chart-topping hits; they were cultural antidotes to collective anxiety.

History has shown that when the world faces hardship, music evolves to counterbalance it. The Great Depression of the 1920s saw the rise of blues and swing, while Britain’s economic struggles in the ’70s and ’80s fueled the disco explosion.

Music, much like any form of art, reflects its era—but often not in the way one might expect. Rather than mirroring despair, it frequently acts as a counterforce, providing an escape hatch from reality. During times of economic downturn, uplifting, high-energy music becomes more than entertainment; it becomes essential.

This is where pop, often dismissed as superficial or commercial, reveals its true cultural power. What some perceive as "disposable" or "bubblegum" music can, in difficult times, take on a deeper role—offering relief, a sense of unity, and even a form of resistance against collective anxiety. The same bright, euphoric tracks that critics might label as trivial become, instead, a soundtrack to resilience, proving that joy itself can be a radical act when the world feels uncertain.

This pattern repeated itself throughout the 2010s, but by 2015, Recession Pop had faded. Slower-tempo urban and hip-hop tracks took center stage, mirroring a cultural shift toward introspection and a more subdued energy. But now, as financial struggles and global uncertainty mount once again, that signature high-energy sound is making a full-force return.

With the cost of living soaring and economies stagnating, Recession Pop is undeniably back. Just look at the streaming charts: after years of dominance by hip-hop and low-BPM urban music, there’s been a shift. Listeners are gravitating toward faster, punchier beats—sounds that practically demand movement.

There’s something about today’s pop landscape that feels distinctly familiar. Its pulse-racing rhythms, addictive hooks, and striking visuals (think Chappell Roan’s theatrical performances or Addison Rae’s glossy throwback aesthetic) are tailor-made for escapism. TikTok is flooded with music fans declaring, “Recession is here”, not as an economic analysis, but as a commentary on pop music’s shifting tides.

But this time, Recession Pop isn’t just about partying. While today’s Recession Pop borrows heavily from its 2010s predecessor, it also carries a distinctively 2020s identity. Sonically, it blends dance, disco, and rave—but thematically, it dives deeper.

Artists like Chappell Roan and Charli XCX are infusing their high-energy pop with more personal, emotionally charged lyrics. Themes of queer love, family trauma, and female friendships are woven into their music, making this new wave of Recession Pop more than just a call to hit the dance floor. It’s an outlet for self-expression and identity.

The stars of 2020's Recession Pop: Charlie XCX and Chappel Roan at the Grammy Awards this year. Source: GettyImages.com © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended

The aesthetic, too, has evolved. While early Recession Pop often revolved around wealth, excess, and hedonism, today’s version leans into bold fantasy and theatricality. Chappell Roan’s exaggerated stage presence and Addison Rae’s absurdist music videos (see: Diet Pepsi) are clear signs that audiences crave spectacle over realism—if only for a night. Perhaps the strongest signal that Recession Pop has fully returned? Lady Gaga’s much-anticipated comeback album, Mayhem.

The queen of early 2010s pop isn’t just returning—she’s returning to her roots. Mayhem is a deliberate throwback to the high-energy sound that first made her famous. In Gaga's words Mayhem - which is a synonym for chaos - is a reflection of the messy world we are living in, but it ultimately delivers the message that we can find peace through self-expression. For many, it’s the ultimate nostalgic rush, but in the context of economic uncertainty, it’s also a striking full-circle moment.

A viral joke on X (formerly Twitter) humorously suggests that cultural trends—like Lady Gaga’s resurgence—are indicators of looming financial doom. And while the meme is obviously tongue-in-cheek, there’s some truth to the idea that pop music’s mood swings align with society’s anxieties.

Lady Gaga in her Mayhem era. Source: RollingStone.com © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended

Of course, the resurgence of Recession Pop isn’t exactly a cause for celebration. Historically, its presence has coincided with financial instability, uncertainty, and collective stress. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from past economic downturns, it’s that music will always find a way to lift spirits. And while no one is thrilled about inflation or job market instability, it’s hard to deny the nostalgic thrill of hearing a high-energy pop track blast through the speakers again. So maybe, just maybe, we’ll follow Lady Gaga’s advice one more time: “Just dance, it’s gonna be okay.”