Rhyming with Recession
By: Aisha Z.
Music, much like any other forms of art, has always been a mirror to society. It reflects our experience and emotions and provides an introspective view of the world that we live in. As such, music trends shift and differ between eras. The themes and tones of popular music almost always mirror the world’s current situation and sentiment—whether that be joy, hope, or even despair.
In the past, chart-topping hits were often characterized by their catchy, feel-good vibes. One notable example is the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, which was released in 2013 and became the best-selling song of 2014 in the United States. The song was, more or less, a reflection of said year.
But it’s not just about the melody. Many songs nowadays seem to no longer be about happiness or enjoying life like in the early 2010s. Instead, themes such as heartbreak, mental health struggles, and existential dread have become prevalent in the lyrics of many popular songs today. Billie Eilish, one of the most popular singers in this generation, is known for making music with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics about depression, anxiety, and disillusionment.Another version of this trend is when artists make songs with an upbeat melody which doesn’t exactly reflect the tone of their lyrics. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal”, for example, is considered alternative rock and pop-punk. But the lyrics express a teenager’s frustrations and worries when entering adulthood.
However, it seems like the tide has turned. Recent data shows a significant change in what listeners are gravitating towards. In 2023, Spotify’s year-end data revealed that over 60% of the platform’s most-streamed tracks were classified as “sad” or “melancholic” in tone, compared to just 25% a decade earlier. This data shows that music listeners nowadays seem to be more interested in listening to sad songs.
The increasing popularity of sad music is more than just a reflection of individual emotions; it is also a broader commentary on the current economic and social climate. According to the World Bank, the global economy in the first half of 2024 is set to be the slowest half-decade performance in 30 years. This, combined with the threat of rising inflation, youth unemployment rates, and increasing geopolitical tension, has resulted in a far more gloomy and skeptical view of the present day and future, especially within the younger generations.
As global recessions, income inequality, and the uncertainty of the job market become more pronounced, the public’s mental health also declines, influencing cultural expressions like music. The pessimism and anxiety expressed in today’s top hits reflects the fear and frustrations of a generation facing economic instability and an uncertain future.
While younger singers are not the only ones making sad music, it seems that Gen Z is the generation most commonly associated with this phenomenon. Many Gen Z listeners not only seek more melancholic and sad songs, but also relate to lyrics which express more pessimistic emotions.
Awareness of global economic and social issues is very prevalent amongst Gen Z. This generation is known to be outspoken and bold when it comes to voicing these issues. It is also known for having higher levels of mental health literacy and less stigma surrounding mental health issues. These characteristics may be the reason why sad songs become more popular amongst Gen Z. Songs about economic, social and mental health issues brought up themes that this generation not only cares about, but also relates to.
While the older generation might criticize Gen Z for having such a pessimistic view about the world and the future, Gen Z themselves seem to embrace said ideas and see no use in hiding them. The truth is that the world can be a scary place, and the future sometimes looks bleak. The younger generation seems to find sad songs as relatable and honest, providing a form of solace which validates their experiences and emotions. In this way, these “sad songs” are not just a collection of our woes and complaints, but also a platform to show empathy and solidarity, offering comfort in these times of uncertainty.