2016 is back, baby — so dig out those fake glasses, skinny jeans, beanies and be prepared. As soon as the ball dropped for 2026, it became clear that this year is the new 2016. Instagram was flooded with 2016 throwback photos, TikTok was blowing up catchy sounds from that era and everyone was reminded of the Snapchat dog filter.
There are similarities between these years that are hard to ignore. Drake is still popular in the big 26, and staying relevant for over a decade is a task that is hard not to applaud. In 2016, his music was playing all over the radio stations and in schools. The Guardian highlights some of his hits from 2016, such as “Feel No Ways” and “Fake Love.” A year prior, “Hotling Bling” was released, and no one can forget the thousands of memes it created.
Carrying on the music trends of both years, Berklee cites “recession music” as hyperpop that helps take minds away from the recession or economic struggle going on. This term was coined during the 2008 stock market crash, when pop flourished and remained popular until the 2016 era. Recession music is becoming popular again, but according to a quick glimpse at public Spotify playlists, the question that is raised is did it ever go away?
In 2016, the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga were everywhere, and in 2026, hyperpop artists such as Chappell Roan and Charlie XCX are blowing up the charts. Recession music focuses on listening our troubles away through easy, sing-along songs that just make people happy.
Now moving on to hit television, “Stranger Things” is another great example of a recurring trend in 2016 and 2026. The first season was released on July 15, 2016, and the series finale aired on Jan. 01, 2026. It really has been 10 years of demogorgons, waffles and Eleven.
So, when everyone's mom asks, “Why does Steve look so old?” just answer, “That is what happens when it takes ten years to make five seasons of a show where only four years are supposed to pass.”
For goodness sake, that show lasted longer than most friendships and boyfriends.
The Tumblr era also helped define 2016. Tumblr is a social media app that became popular for diary-like posts, aesthetic photos and fandoms. It was an internet sanctuary where people could truly nerd out. Whatever they were into, Tumblr had it. The app still exists, even though less popular; the blogs are still there.
In 2026, try getting onto the app. It is fairly easy to set up, and the opportunities are endless. Post anything about adventures, the shows and movies everyone is obsessing over and even outfit inspiration. Someone will listen, and why not explore a new app while pretending to study for those upcoming exams?
Deep down, bringing 2016 back is a trend where people can reminisce about better times during a current time that often feels overwhelming. It’s like looking through rose-colored glasses at a hostile environment that was hard to imagine a decade ago.
Even if some of Gen-Z may feel too young to remember 2016 clearly, it is still fun to look back at such a defining time for pop culture.
Raegan Nelson is a freshman studying psychology in hopes of becoming an art therapist in the future. She is passionate about the arts, literature and psychological issues in the past and present. In her free time, she loves to paint, draw, read or watch horror movies.
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