Club music is having a resurgence. The catchy melodies and staccato beats draw listeners in while transforming the morning commute into a flashy nightclub.
Hot Knife Magazine dubs this new era of hyperpop “recession pop”, referring to past years of economic struggle and an increase in songs you just can’t get out of your head. Similar to the “Pizza Meter” theory centered around the U.S.’s military activity as reported by The Sun, this type of carefree pop had a heyday during the 2008 recession.
The Billboard Hot 100 Singles for 2008 included “Low” by Flo Rida, “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry, “Don’t Stop The Music” by Rihanna, “Closer” by Ne-Yo, and more high-tempo hits. These songs were focused on having fun and losing yourself in the music. Today’s club pop has a different feel but the need to get up and dance remains.
HorsegiirL, a master hardcore DJ, entered the spotlight in 2023 when her single “My Barn My Rules” began trending on TikTok. It sits with 137,000 posts under the sound and it isn’t hard to see why. The track is constantly switching between chiming lyrics and fast samples. The lyrics evoke a sense of confidence and control from the listener, making the song’s experience that much more addictive.
After the release of Saltburn, Mason and Princess Superstar were thrust into the spotlight. A mashup of their respective songs, “Exceeder” and “Perfect” was used in a party scene in the movie. According to Deadline Hollywood, Saltburn grossed almost $3 million within its first five days at the box office and became a hit online, including its soundtrack. “Perfect (Exceeder)” has a constant bassline throughout the song that drives the tempo while flaunting lyrics like, “Gettin’ busy with the boys, hanging at the bar” and “Let me hear you scream if you want some more”. The track has become a summer classic for many.
Cork, Ireland is historic and cozy, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have an exciting dance scene. According to Deseret News, Kabin Crew is a group from the organization Kabin Studio located in the heart of Cork. Kabin Crew released “The Spark” earlier this spring and it immediately took off. The members, all ages nine to twelve, have an undeniable energy that transfers through this song. Positivity and passion are the biggest themes of this song, a stark difference from other popular clubbing songs. Kabin Crew urges the listener to “…get over any fear you have, just face it” and to find their spark.
I’d be remiss if I wrote an article about club music without talking about Charli XCX’s brat.” Dropping on June 7th through Atlantic Records, brat took over the internet with its ideas of high-energy clubbing and the subsequently named “brat summer”. In an interview with Off The Record, Charli said, “You’re that girl who is a bit messy and loves to party and maybe says dumb things sometimes. She’s honest, blunt, and a little bit volatile”. Charli represents this idea on “guess”, describing a party outfit she wears and the mysterious color of her underwear. The song is sensual and playful as it toys with the listener; it’s the ultimate club classic.
Kesha, with her previously chart-topping songs like “Timber” and “TiK ToK”, is back for another summer EDM hit. Variety noted how Kesha had recently settled a legal battle with her former producer and label founder. Ready to continue recording, Kesha released “Joyride” on July 4th. Currently at 8.4 million streams on Spotify, it feels like Kesha has her spirit back. Beginning with what one Reddit user named “club-ccordion”, the track dives into Kesha’s recognizable style. “I’m just looking for a joyride” and “I’m just looking for a good time” repeat, and the synth in the chorus makes the song so addicting to listen to.
Listen to these songs and more club classics on KBVR’s recession pop playlist:
