From the late 2000s to now, the 80s had a really good comeback, with groups like M83, MGMT, CHVRCHES, The Naked and the Famous, and The Bleachers. For nearly a decade, we have enjoyed the nostalgic sounds of unnecessary amounts of reverb, gritty bass lines, echoey vocals, simplistic synthesizers, and punchy snare drums. However, it’s starting to look like it’s the 90s turn to come back in the music industry.

A few big names, as well as new ones, are taking on the classic style. Most notably, Bruno Mars recently released his song “Finesse”, which draws heavily from 90s b-boy and hip-hop culture. The use of the string hits, synth bass, and softer drum kits take anyone that has experienced 90s music back in time.

While this may be the most obvious hit to call back to the era, artists like The Weeknd, SZA, John Legend, and Khalid, four of the largest R&b singers currently on the radio, are bringing back the genre with hit after hit; all using emotional lyrics, smooth and simple production, and singing in the higher octaves. The Weeknd even featured the famous electronic duo from the late 90s, Daft Punk, in two of his songs on the album “Starboy”.

Speaking of electronic, many of the subgenres are making a comeback as well. Trance is one of the subgenres returning to festivals, with acts like Above and Beyond, Seven Lions, and Virtual Self all popularizing a modernized form of trance that still keeps the energetic and ethereal feeling, as well as the consistent and fast-paced rhythms. Techno is also making a return to the dance scene, with artists like Rezz and I_o taking the atmospheric and dark forms of dance, and bringing them up to date with more solid production. And of course, electro funk is being revised as well, with artists like Oliver and The Knocks bringing the swinging rhythm and disco-inspired vocals back from the era of Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers in a subgenre known as “electro-funk”.

While rock is not making its way onto the charts as frequently as it used to, there are still bands that attempt to replicate the feeling of grunge, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see these bands gain popularity. Superheaven, White Lung, and Speedy Ortiz all replicate the catchy guitar riffs, drums, and the overall tone that one would find in a Nirvana song.

So while we may look to the 80s for nostalgia still, it seems we are progressing to the age where the 90s is our main source of nostalgia in our culture.