Hit shuffle on “Blue Neighbourhood” by Troye Sivan, apply your Kylie Lip Kits, take a sip of your Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino, get on your hoverboards and get ready to do the mannequin challenge
In 2015, DJ Snake, Major Lazer and MØ released “Lean On” — never knowing that it would be one of the many songs to define 2015 and 2016 — and act as a classic on the soundtrack of Gen Z’s childhood. Ten years later, in 2026, the song has re-entered charts. In its service as a time capsule, the opening synths and the first verse of the song mean something different to us now than it did then:
“Do you recall, not long ago
We would walk on the sidewalk
Innocent, remember?
All we did was care for each other”
In recent times, it has become just one of the many nostalgia-inducing songs that have taken turns in this vibe shift back to 2016.
Photo from Pinterest.com
The Beginning of a Vibe Shift
This ‘2016 revival’ has been in the works for a few years — with Kylie Jenner returning to her era-defining sea-foam blue hair in 2024, alluding to the days when King Kylie reigned. On Oct. 14th, 2025, Jenner’s collaboration with musical duo Terror Jr was released under the name “Fourth Strike” — a nod to Terror Jr’s 2016 single, “3 Strikes,” which was featured in a Kylie Cosmetics commercial for lip gloss. Due to Terror Jr’s enigmatic status at the time, it was heavily rumored that Jenner herself provided the vocals for the track used in her commercial.
Photo from Pinterest.com
In 2024, the British singer and songwriter, Chrystal, released “The Days (NOTION remix),” which has since gone viral on TikTok. Whether it is used over a party girl’s fit check or a gym bro’s lifting session — the song oozes with vibes comparable to that of “#SELFIE” by The Chainsmokers, and its virality could not have come at a better time. More recently, in 2026, celebrities and influencers have begun posting nostalgic 2016 dumps on Instagram, and with these endorsements, the vibe shift seems to have come to its full fruition.
Photo from @jacobsartorius on Instagram
The Music
Speaking of music: pop music from 2016 just sounds different. Maybe we remember it fondly because we were young enough not to care about cultivating a niche music taste yet — or maybe songs from this era have stuck with us because of their connotation with wired headphones, the Rose Gold iPhone SE and mornings riding the bus to school.
Photo from Pinterest.com
Whatever the reason might be, the genre of synth and EDM beats behind powerhouse-female-pop vocalists will always scratch that 2016 itch. In 2016, Ariana Grande adopted her beloved femme fatale persona for her third studio album, “Dangerous Woman,” including the timeless collab with Nicki Minaj, “Side To Side.” Charli XCX released the “Vroom Vroom” EP, marking the beloved “hyperpop” era of her career that she helped trailblaze. Beyoncé released her sixth studio album “Lemonade” amidst marital problems with husband Jay-Z, including standout tracks like “Sorry” and “Formation.” Among these defining albums, singles from the 2016 era like “Hotline Bling” by Drake, “Roses (feat. ROZES)” by The Chainsmokers and “Panda” by Desiigner leave their lasting impression, even in 2026.
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Memories that Define Childhood
In 2016, YouTuber Tana Mongeau was already on the rise for her outrageous yet relatably authentic storytime videos, Starbucks hadn’t remodeled to It’s bleak and modern look yet, the first season of “Stranger Things” came out and the Rio de Janeiro filter seems to wash over every memory from the year. The world in 2016 seems more simple in our nostalgic reminisces of it, which might be the reason for Gen Z’s obsession to go 10 years back in time. Or, maybe it’s just the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia talking.
Photo from @tanamongeau on Instagram
Other infamous fads that we remember fondly from the 2016 era are the random pizza and alien embroidered t-shirts, Adidas Superstar Shelltoes, LED Shoes, hoverboards, the mannequin challenge and casual posting on Instagram, always edited to have white borders.
Photo from Pinterest.com
Is It Really “2016”?
With the widespread mass longing and appreciation of the 2016 aesthetic making it’s way across social media, true nostalgia-buffs have been asking, are we really solely nostalgic for this one year? Or is “2016” being used as a namesake to encapsulate all of the childhood nostalgia of 2013-2016 grouped together? In a semi-viral TikTok debating this ‘2016 revival’, user @oliviaffraser lists cultural artifacts from 2013 that have been recently connoted with the 2016 revitalization instead, like “starbucks vanilla frappuccinos, victoria’s secret satin pink robes, eos lip balms, and the iconic valencia filters.” In 3 years, will we be nostalgic for 2017, misremembering it as 2019?
Photo from Pinterest.com
Check out VALLEY’s 2016 Pinterest board here. What makes you the most nostalgic for 2016? Let us know on Instagram @VALLEYMag! #like4like #f4f #instacute #tbh&rate #goals #vibez #tb
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