In the first half of 2025, the music industry has observed a significant shift in listener preferences, with a marked resurgence of ‘recession pop’—the upbeat, carefree pop music that dominated the charts during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
This trend emerges as overall streaming growth shows signs of slowing, suggesting a collective turn towards nostalgia and escapism among audiences. According to data from Luminate, U.S. on-demand audio streams grew by 4.6% in 2025, a decline from the 8% growth observed in 2024. Globally, the growth rate also decreased, from 15.1% in 2024 to 10.3% in 2025. Despite this overall deceleration, streams of pop music from the ‘recession pop’ era have increased by 6.4% in the U.S. this year.
Iconic tracks such as Kesha’s “Tik Tok,” Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.,” and hits from artists like Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna are leading this revival.
Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, attributes this trend to listeners’ desire for nostalgia and escapism. He notes that pop music from the late 2000s and early 2010s is outpacing the growth of the industry at large, highlighting a collective yearning for the familiar and uplifting tunes of that period.
This resurgence of ‘recession pop’ underscores the cyclical nature of musical trends and the enduring appeal of certain eras. As streaming platforms continue to evolve, understanding these shifts in listener behavior becomes crucial for artists and industry professionals aiming to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.