Gen Z is Redefining Music & We’re Here for It!

Our parents have arguably lived through the golden age of music, and this is no secret to Gen Z. Hold on, you didn’t know? Right, we’re guessing you missed the memo. The classics, according to Spotify at least, are in again!

Makes you think, huh? Perhaps we’ve previously been too bitter to accept how evergreen and timeless older music really is. Don’t worry though, let me get you up to speed.

So, Why the Past?

It’s fascinating, isn’t it? What is it about the classics that makes Gen Z feel so connected to it? But before we get into all of that, let’s take a look at this year’s listening history for the youth in Pakistan.

2024 saw a massive increase in listens for old Desi music. Sir Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan scored impressively high in just the month of January 2025, reaching 1 million+ and 800k+ listeners respectively.

The question is: what about these slow, long pieces of music is so fascinating to Gen Z, a generation struggling with short attention spans (stay with me)? Why are they interested in consuming music from their parents’ time?

Well, it goes back as far as the early 2000s. With the invention of the internet came ease of access. This made older music easily available and discoverable to Gen Z. Not just that though! This development allowed aspiring talent access to the samples they needed to reimagine older tracks through incredible modern remixing!

Plus, it’s no secret that Gen Z has increasingly been finding mainstream music disappointing. We get it! It’s lost the quality and originality it once had and Gen Z is looking for nothing more than authenticity. So, them seeking out older music isn’t really as surprising as you think.

We can’t forget the fact that emotions play a massive role in the fascination this generation has with the classics. Y’all, let’s be real for a second. The world’s going to shit and we’re barely holding on at the moment. All Gen Z is really looking for is a break.

And that’s exactly what they’re finding in older music! The appeal of 90s and 80s music, especially, lies in the comfort, escapism (which around 42% of Gen Z requires), and the representation it gives them for a less stressful, more carefree time! Looking for clear skin, watered crops, and a sorted life? Delulu genuinely is the solulu (please, don’t leave).

Yeah, they didn’t experience these eras firsthand but, with the current state of the world (we don’t even wanna talk about it, honestly), they’re almost yearning for some kind of relief!

Also, let’s keep in mind our parents’ taste in music influences ours all the time. Whether you’re trying to navigate domestic conflicts or just wanna find a way to connect with them on a deeper level, older music is a good listen regardless.

Finding the Perfect Balance

Life is all about balance. And Gen Z has perfected the thin line between the classics and newer, more modern music! Spotify shows the complete opposite sides of desi music coming together into one playlist: the top hits of 2024. From Hasan Raheem all the way to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gen Z is listening to anyone and everyone and they’re thriving through it!

It’s quite fascinating to take a peek into Gen Z’s listening patterns and how they’ve truly struck absolute gold! The perfect example, Coke Studio! Using a genius fusion of modern instruments with classical ones like the sitaar and tabla offering a next-level listening experience!

This is exactly what Gen Z is all about. A cup of steaming, hot chai, timeless contemporary music, and a break from their otherwise extremely stressful lives.