Recession Pop: Chart-Topping Artists Reflect U.S. consumer Pessimism
NEW YORK – A surprising rebound in customary milk consumption coincides with a deepening sense of economic unease among U.S. consumers, a phenomenon economists are calling a “vibecession.” While economic indicators remain relatively stable, a recent Wall Street Journal-NORC poll reveals only 25% of Americans believe their living standards will improve in the future, mirroring a cultural shift reflected in the themes of popular music from artists like BLACKPINK, Lady Gaga, and Charlie XCX.
the shift towards affordability-evidenced by the 0.8% increase in ordinary milk sales last year, while choice milk consumption decreased 4.4% according to the USDA and NIQ-signals a broader consumer mindset. This “obsession with protein content and the atmosphere to save even $1,” as described by NIQ, is occurring despite a historically unremarkable unemployment rate and price level. The resulting disconnect between economic data and public sentiment is fueling the ”vibecession,” where pessimistic perceptions outweigh objective realities.
Economist Kyla Scanon defines a “vibecession” as a compound of ”vibe” (atmosphere) and “recession,” highlighting how widespread negative feelings about the economy can take hold independent of actual economic performance. This is underscored by a Wall Street Journal survey showing a widening gap between economic models predicting improved psychology and the actual plummeting consumer confidence.
The cultural resonance of this pessimism is visible in recent musical trends. Artists like BLACKPINK, Lady Gaga, and Charlie XCX, known for their frequently enough-optimistic and empowering anthems, are increasingly releasing music that acknowledges and reflects anxieties about economic hardship and uncertainty. While not explicitly political, the themes of struggle and resilience in their recent work tap into the prevailing mood of financial insecurity.
“one of the strengths of the United States is a constant optimism,” notes Neil Mercure of Stanford University, suggesting the current shift in sentiment is particularly noteworthy. The long-term implications of this “vibecession” remain to be seen,but it underscores the powerful influence of perception on economic behavior and the potential for sustained pessimism to impact future growth.
