A new music wave is dominating TikTok feeds this summer, and it’s giving major 2010s flashbacks. Dubbed “recession pop,” the upbeat, high-energy style is experiencing a full revival—despite the U.S. not being in a recession.
Recession pop first took off during the late 2000s and early 2010s, when artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Katy Perry delivered glittering anthems of escapism amid economic downturns. Now, those same sounds—pulsing beats, euphoric choruses, and unapologetic glamour—are back in heavy rotation, thanks to TikTok.
A Nostalgic Escape
Clips featuring Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World)” and Gaga’s “Just Dance” have gone viral on TikTok dance challenges, while Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.” has become a Fourth of July staple yet again. Gen Z users, many of whom were toddlers during the songs’ original release, are discovering them as “new classics.”
“It’s the kind of music that makes you forget everything for three minutes—it’s pure serotonin,” one TikTok user posted alongside a viral dance to Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream.”
Why Now?
Cultural critics suggest that the revival is less about economic hardship and more about seeking joy in uncertain times. Social feeds are flooded with neon outfits, roller-skating throwbacks, and DIY light shows—all syncing perfectly with the carefree soundtracks.
Music platforms are noticing too: Spotify’s “Recession Pop” playlists have climbed into the Top 20 most-streamed in the U.S. this week, while Apple Music reported a 45% jump in plays of late-2000s pop hits compared to last year.
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A Summer of Feel-Good Nostalgia
While new music from Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eilish is holding strong, the surprising takeover of recession pop shows just how deeply nostalgia resonates with American audiences in 2025. For TikTokers and festival-goers alike, the genre has officially become this summer’s soundtrack.