‘Recession Pop’ Rises, Christian Music Grows Stronger/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report reveals that while global music streaming continues growing, its pace is slowing. Meanwhile, U.S. listeners are increasingly turning to “recession pop” and new Christian music, defying broader trends. Acts like Forrest Frank and nostalgia hits from the 2000s fuel the shift.
Recession Pop Rises Quick Looks
- Global audio streams hit 2.5 trillion in early 2025.
- U.S. streaming growth slows but volume climbs.
- Christian music surges, led by younger, female fans.
- “Recession pop” from 2007-2012 gains popularity.
- Pop hits from Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga resurface.
- R&B/hip-hop remains top U.S. streaming genre.
- Physical, digital album sales continue declining.
- Luminate reports streaming drives 92% of U.S. music consumption.
‘Recession Pop’ Rises, Christian Music Grows Stronger
Deep Look
NEW YORK (AP) — Halfway through 2025, the landscape of music streaming is shifting in subtle but significant ways, according to new data from Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report, released Wednesday. Even as the world listens to more music than ever, the rapid expansion of streaming is losing some steam — and unexpected trends are emerging, reshaping what Americans are pressing play on.
Globally, music lovers consumed a staggering 2.5 trillion on-demand audio streams in the first half of 2025, an increase from 2.29 trillion over the same period in 2024. In the U.S., listeners pushed streams up to 696.6 billion so far this year, compared to 665.8 billion last year.
Despite those impressive totals, the music industry is grappling with a notable slowdown in the rate of growth. Global streaming expanded 15.1% in 2024, but growth has cooled to 10.3% in 2025. In the U.S., growth fell from 8% last year to just 4.6% this year — a signal that the once-explosive streaming boom may be settling into a more mature phase.
Christian Music Defies Downward Trends
While overall streaming growth is softening, certain genres are bucking the trend — and none more prominently than Christian music. According to Jaime Marconette, Luminate’s vice president of music insights and industry relations, new Christian and gospel tracks are seeing robust momentum, even as streams for other new music (defined as tracks released in the past 18 months) have dipped slightly compared to last year.
“Christian music is thriving thanks to a younger, streaming-forward fanbase,” said Marconette. Luminate’s data shows that this audience skews 60% female and 30% millennial, embracing contemporary acts like Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake, and Elevation Worship.
This resurgence suggests that faith-based music is reaching listeners well beyond traditional church settings, becoming part of broader cultural and digital conversations.
Recession Pop Returns for Feel-Good Nostalgia
Alongside Christian music’s growth, another unexpected trend has gained momentum: the revival of “recession pop.” This term refers to infectious, high-energy hits released during the 2007-2012 period, a time defined by economic struggles yet buoyed by carefree anthems from artists like Kesha, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna.
In 2025, U.S. on-demand audio streams of pop music from that era have risen 6.4%. That growth not only outpaces the broader industry but points to a powerful undercurrent of nostalgia and escapism among listeners.
“We’re actually seeing pop music from those years outpace the growth of the industry at large,” Marconette explained. “When looking at performance of all genres from that period, listeners are gravitating toward pop in particular, highlighting a sense of nostalgia and potentially bigger themes of escapism.”
Tracks like Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” and Kesha’s “Tik Tok” have re-entered playlists as fans seek comfort in the upbeat, infectious sounds that once offered an escape during the Great Recession.
Dominant Genres and Changing Consumption Habits
Despite the new trends, some constants remain. R&B/hip-hop continues to reign supreme as the most streamed genre in the U.S., followed by rock, pop, country, and Latin. Rock has seen particularly strong growth in the U.S., along with Latin and country — underscoring how genre tastes are diversifying even amid slowing growth overall.
Meanwhile, the transformation in how Americans consume music marches on. Streaming now accounts for a staggering 92% of all music consumption in the U.S., while physical and digital album sales continue their steady decline. This digital dominance reflects how deeply streaming has woven itself into everyday life, from commutes to workouts to social media trends.
Luminate’s findings also emphasize that while the streaming market is maturing, there remains significant room for niche genres and older music to shine. As consumer behavior evolves, trends like the Christian music resurgence and the “recession pop” revival demonstrate that emotional connections — whether rooted in faith or nostalgia — can still disrupt the music landscape.
Looking Ahead
Whether driven by spiritual connection or a yearning for simpler times, these shifts hint at the complex psychology behind what listeners seek in an era marked by uncertainty and change. Artists and industry professionals will be closely watching how these trends evolve in the second half of 2025 — and whether new genres or older favorites might take center stage once again.
As the year progresses, the industry’s challenge will be maintaining engagement in a market where growth is no longer a given, and where consumers increasingly crave authenticity and emotional resonance in their music choices.
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