With the start of 2026, there has been a viral trend on social media about 2016 nostalgia. People have posted photos of themselves from 2016 and used filters that were popular during that time, frequently using captions like “2026 is the new 2016”. The song “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson has seen a surge in popularity alongside the trend as people use it as a representation of 2016 nostalgia. I want to take the opportunity to look back at my favorite songs that were released in 2016.
“Figure Me Out” by The Summer Set
This song is a pop punk anthem that would fit well in a coming-of-age movie. It’s the kind of song that just makes you want to sing along. While it has a very 2010s sound, it aged well and still sounds great ten years later.
“Royal” by Waterparks
Another pop punk song, this anthem really makes you want to sing. It’s upbeat but has somewhat sad lyrics. This song also sounds like it was definitely released in the 2010s and might sound nostalgic to people who listened to a lot of pop punk around that time.
“Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots
We all know it. This song was one of the most popular songs of 2016 and is great for reminiscing on the time. I still love it because of its unique sound, and it’s one of the longest-lasting songs on my liked songs list. It’s also a great song to experience live.
“HandClap” by Fitz and the Tantrums
This is one of those songs that you will probably know when you hear it. It was pretty popular around 2016, but I didn’t know what it was called until years later. It’s an energizing song that is great for working out, and it definitely serves up some 2016 nostalgia.
“Astronauts” by Rachel Platten
This was one of my absolute favorite songs at one point. The chorus feels like you’re soaring through the air. It has a similar sound to a lot of the pop songs of 2016 and brings a nostalgia factor as a result.
Hi! My name is Stephanie and I am a Marketing major and Music Industry Studies minor here at USC. I am currently in my third semester with WUSC and cohost The Tide on Tuesday nights!