Recession pop returns: here’s what it means and the top artists

IN TIMES of hardship, economic or otherwise, people turn to music for solace, energy, and much-needed escapism.

- LUTHO PASIYA [e-mail]

That’s why, in 2025, recession pop – those boppy, high-energy tracks that defined the late 2000s – is making a roaring comeback.

This electrifying blend of euphoric beats and trip down memory lane isn’t a nostalgic price lane; it’s just a timely reminder that music provides solace in tough times, from its tinkling pop radio charts, the rejuvenated soundscape is a necessary escape for many grappling with inflation and layoffs.

What is recession pop?

Originating during the economic turmoil of the late 2000s, recession-pop encompasses an era of dance-floor anthems designed to help listeners forget their woes. Works like Lady Gaga’s