The People Yearn for Recession Pop!
The new music out right now to soothe our weary Millennial souls
Times are tough, and when times get tough, music becomes escapism.
Who can forget the peak recession pop era in the late 2000s? When every other song was about putting your hands in the air and dancing, living forever, and skipping rent to pay for the illustrious ~bottles in the club?~
After a period of more low-key pop music, it feels like we’ve recently been catapulted into an era of bombastic pop. It’s our collective coping mechanism for the fact that we can’t afford eggs anymore.
While some of these new tracks are a direct nod to late 2000s recession-era pop, I’ve also included songs that reach back to even earlier, simpler times like the early-to-mid 2000s and the '90s. Because we need all the distractions we can get.
It-It’s the ~Cataracts~
No song captured the pure party atmosphere of recession-era pop quite like “Like a G6”, released in 2010 by Far East Movement featuring The Cataracts and DEV. From that bouncing synth hook to unforgettable lyrics like, "When we drink, we do it right, gettin’ slizzard," the track embodied the moment and made us all want to pop bottles in a major way.
And honestly? It still does.
Recently, I put this song to powerful use at one of my best friend’s birthday parties. We were in a karaoke room (shoutout to RPM Underground!), and I delivered a showstopping performance of the song while we ceremoniously popped champagne. A room full of Millennials (and Gen Zers) erupted, screaming the lyrics like a ritualistic ode to our early twenties.
I regrettably don’t have video of this moment; however, I do have video of when we sang “Defying Gravity” from Wicked in German. (Accidentally, mind you! We thought we were singing What Is This Feeling, in English… but fate intervened….)
My half-German ancestry JUMPED out here.
Ok, let’s get back on topic!
With “Like a G6,” Far East Movement, DEV and The Cataracts came, delivered, and then rode off into the sunset on the high of this iconic party hit. (This isn’t to say they didn’t release anything else, but nothing had quite this impact.)
I follow DEV on Instagram and my curiosity was PIQUED when she posted this a few weeks ago:
About a week later, they dropped “Make Ya Body Whistle”, a club track dripping in nostalgia for the days of sipping vodka Red Bulls in a grimy frat house.
The song starts off with a similar sounding yet different melodic bouncy synth (though it’s not quite as impactful as “Like a G6” in my opinion) with a very on the nose lyric callback:
“Poppin’ bottles in the ice like a hurricane, got me feelin’ so fly like an aeroplane”
Overall, I rate the track a 7/10 for a dance hit to play while hitting up the gym or cleaning. (I say this as I’m trying to convince my twenty-something self I’m still cool, I promise!)
The song is super fun, but not quite as infectious as the original. But you know what? I’ll take it in these trying times!
Lady Gaga is Singing Gibberish Again and the World Somehow Makes More Sense.
The song "Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga is literally laced with something because I cannot stop listening to it. This is Gaga at her best- a bit spooky, lines of gibberish in the chorus, crazy dance choreography, a bit weird and witchy. And a killer music video that really elevates the song.
She knew the world needed her and she delivered on a pop banger that is up there in quality with a “Judas” or “Bad Romance,” honestly. It’s that good!
As someone who has been a big fan since her debut album The Fame, I’m so excited to see what she does with the new album coming out this week.
This song is a must for any playlist that needs some hard-hitting energetic dance pop to help you forget our democracy is slowly crumbling.
Talk to the Machine, Girl!
This past Fall, I watched Pop Star Academy: Katseye on Netflix and emerged with a new fixation on K-Pop. As someone who loves big, in-your-face, produced pop, I could not believe I had been missing out on a whole world of music!
I mean, I had casually listened to Blackpink before and had awareness of the pop behemoth that is BTS, but through this show I discovered other artists like LE SSERAFIM and Aespa that fueled my gym and hot girl walk playlists for months (and still do!)
The show gives a behind-the-scenes look at how K-pop groups are formed, and if you loved Making the Band or Made, you’ll be hooked.
While the group that formed on the show has released a few tracks, one contestant who didn’t make the final lineup is making waves in bringing back the recession-era pop sound.
Meet Adela Jergova.
The 21-year-old Slovak singer/dancer was eliminated because they "saw her as a solo artist." And honestly? I agree.
Her first single, “Homewrecked,” was a solid debut. But it was “Superscar” that convinced me she could be a force in pop. I find the production so fresh, so dynamic and bold. Love it!
Her latest single, “Machine Girl,” released under a week ago, has a futuristic sound along with Imogen Heap-esque vocal stacking. The song was produced partly by the artist Grimes (which has not come without critique, of course,) especially since she also appears in the video.
With nearly 600K monthly listeners on Spotify, she’s poised to offer something fresh in the pop scene. I’m excited to see what she does next!
The Real Me is a Southern Girl
In 2008, Jessica Simpson released her last album after dominating the pop culture landscape and fascinating the world with her blonde, ditzy country girl persona.
Now in 2025 she’s made a return to music- and it’s not exactly what you’d expect.
Her new song “Use My Heart Against Me” is a totally fresh and new direction for her.
After reading her book Open Book last year (highly recommend!), I really do have a soft spot for Jessica and am rooting for her. But regardless of that, I do think this song is a great direction for her.
Instead of an overproduced, nostalgia-baiting pop comeback, she delivers a rootsy, rock-and-roll/country vibe with instrumentation reminiscent of The Black Keys (“Lonely Boy”, specifically).
She leaves the baby voice she used in the cover of “These Boots Were Made For Walkin’” she did for the Dukes of Hazzard movie behind, and sings with a muted twang.
The pop landscape has changed so significantly since her heyday and it’s a smart move to lean more into a different sonic landscape than trying to compete with the Sabrina Carpenters, Charlie XCXs and Chappell Roans of today.
I think the biggest danger she has is taking herself too seriously. A big part of her charm was her playfulness and I’d love to see her play into that. That’s something that I think she can bring from the current pop stars into her own music to bridge the gap from her days of old.
A return to her Southern roots may be just what she needs to enter this new chapter. I’m glad she feels free to do what she wants to do after a time of healing she desperately needed!
Yeah, I’m a Butterfly
Just when we needed her, MARINA (formerly Marina and the Diamonds, the Tumblr It Girl of the post-recession era) returned!
Her latest single “Butterfly” is a whimsical return to dramatics and artistry with a message of empowerment and self-love.
Featuring her soaring vocals with a baby-voiced chant in the chorus, it’s a floaty, glittering pop song that’s not as dynamic as some of her work from her 2021 album Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land- but it’s a welcome addition to the current pop landscape in my opinion.
I’m in love with the makeup and styling in the video, too. So gorg!
Who Knows What You’ll Find?
Taking it back to the 90s/Y2K dance music era—3 AM (La La La) by Australian band Confidence Man has been on repeat.
If you’re a fan of 90s era dance music, this will be a real treat for you.
I knew I was in for a treat when the first song on the album reminded me of “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue, one of my all time favorite pop songs. But it doesn’t sound like a weak cover- it’s fresh in its own way.
Starting off with the track “Who Knows What You’ll Find” you’re immediately transported into a world of dreamlike vibes and pure dance euphoria.
The whole album has variation in production to keep things interesting, while still retaining the nostalgia and fun party atmosphere. Their overall approach is super playful and just straight up fun. If you’re a fan of 90s music, particularly pop and dance- give it a listen. You’ll be glad you did!
Apparently their live performances are a trip as well. Incorporating swing dancing and acrobatic stunts, you’re not gonna be bored that’s for sure based on some of the recordings I found. I’m planning on checking out their show in Brooklyn and will report back!