Recession Pop is Back — But There's No Recession

Grocery prices continue soaring to new heights, a stock market crash is slowly unfolding, and inflation continues to rise, fueled by tariffs. Everywhere you look, signs of economic turmoil appear to be clear. However, there’s a glimmer of hope: recession pop music is back in full force. Just like during the 2007–2009 economic crash, Americans are once again finding comfort in upbeat pop music that helps them navigate the uncertain economic times.

You may not be familiar with the term “recession pop,” which refers to the uplifting, feel-good pop music that emerged during the Great Recession. Today, we're seeing a similar trend with songs that offer a carefree, escapist vibe. As the economic outlook becomes more uncertain, there seems to be a connection between difficult times and music that provides a much-needed escape onto the dancefloor. 

A few examples of songs from this era include “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna, and the many hits from The Black Eyed Peas that dominated throughout the Great Recession. Others include “We R Who We R” by Ke$ha, any Pitbull hit from this era, and “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO are also classics on this list. The lauded Lady Gaga ascended the pop throne during this time, with “Just Dance” standing as a prime recession pop example. The song’s notorious chorus—“Just dance / Gonna be okay”—captures the spirit of this phenomenon perfectly: a hopeful escape through the power of music.

The inescapable “Brat Summer” offered a much-needed escape from the looming political anxieties and the uncertainty of our economic and political futures. While Brat as an album is undoubtedly great, Charli XCX’s rise to fame was fueled by the necessity of a fun, “party girl” escape—one that the album delivered with its playfulness and entertainment. This mirrors how The Fame by Lady Gaga gained traction during the Great Recession, when people turned to music for a carefree refuge amid the hardships they were facing. 

Lady Gaga is proving once again that she’s a master of the escapist pop formula with her latest hit “Abracadabra,” which has become inescapable across advertisements, TikToks, streaming platforms, and beyond. This song marks a triumphant return for the artist who truly excels in the art of pop music. Gaga’s ability to create infectious, larger-than-life songs that blend escapism with a catchy beat is unmatched, and “Abracadabra” is the perfect example of how she continues to define and elevate the genre, even as times shift. Her return has been nothing short of a tour de force. While Lady Gaga hasn’t abandoned her signature pop style, the key difference now is that the public is once again completely tuning in, yearning for the same kind of escapism that “Just Dance,” “Bad Romance,” and “Born This Way” provided in their anthemic glory.

Just look at this year’s GRAMMYs Album of the Year nominees—over half of them were pop albums, some of the biggest of the year. This is especially true for nominees like Short n’ Sweet, BRAT, and The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess—unapologetic, fun pop music that became some of the most successful albums in the past year. Some might argue that Taylor Swift’s moody The Tortured Poets Department didn’t hit the same level of success because it’s the antithesis of the current pop landscape, which is all about lighthearted, quintessential fun.

The interesting thing about the resurgence of recession pop music is that we aren’t technically in a recession, despite what seems to be the prevailing public sentiment. While economic indicators might tell a different story, consumers are sharing a narrative of hardship, rising prices, and the shrinking luxury of affordability—challenges that have persisted since COVID-19 especially. Recession pop is less about a specific genre of music and more about the behavior of music listeners. Pop music will always feature carefree, party anthems and thumping hits that provide an escape, but it resonates even more deeply when life feels especially tough, whether we’re in a recession or not. 

As an avid pop enjoyer, I’m definitely not complaining about the pop music renaissance we’re witnessing… if only it didn’t always seem to be preceded by times of hardship. What can I do? The only magic I have is… “Abracadabra, abra-oo-na-na.”