TikTok trend signals return of recession pop as economic anxiety rises

Key facts

• Recession pop is a term for upbeat pop music from around 2010 seen as a response to the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
• A TikTok trend suggests recession pop is returning, interpreted as a bad sign.
• Artists associated with recession pop include Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Dua Lipa.
• Amanda Kiefer wrote on The Current that these songs shared themes of luxury, escapism, and radical optimism.
• The trend accelerated toward 2012 with hits like Jay Sean and Nicki Minaj's '2012: It Ain't the End,' Britney Spears' 'Till the World Ends,' and Rihanna/Calvin Harris' 'We Found Love' (128 BPM).
• BBC music reporter Mark Savage found that by 2017, average BPM of UK hits fell to 104 from a 2009 peak of 124; US hits fell to 90.5 BPM.
• New releases cited as evidence of the return include Charli XCX's album 'brat' and Kesha's single 'Joyride'.
• The article links the trend to economic anxiety, inflation, poor job market, and declining mental health among youth ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.