Ever since that event the decade went from the light hearted party all the time vibe of the early 10s to a grim and gritty era that's still going strong unfortunately

Ever since that event the decade went from the light hearted party all the time vibe of the early 10s to a grim and gritty era that's still going strong unfortunately

That was just one of the events that changed the course of events for the decade but the true tone shift was in 2013. 2013 was the biggest shift year in the entire decade.

Ever since that event the decade went from the light hearted party all the time vibe of the early 10s to a grim and gritty era that's still going strong unfortunately


The culture from 2014-2016 was still bright, it started getting dark around 2017.

The culture from 2014-2016 was still bright, it started getting dark around 2017.


I actually thought 2014-2016 was pretty dark, especially as it got closer to the November 2016 elections. Late 2017-2019 felt brighter, like the calm before the storm that was the Early 2020's.

I’d say it started even earlier with the Trayvon Martin shooting in February 2012.

Events that took place in 2012 changed the tone of the decade. Once we got into 2013 it was pretty clear what we were heading for. So I’d say 2012-2013 got us into the core ‘10s.

Events that took place in 2012 changed the tone of the decade. Once we got into 2013 it was pretty clear what we were heading for. So I’d say 2012-2013 got us into the core ‘10s.


I remember 2012 and even the first half of 2013 feeling like upbeat and somewhat brighter times. 2014 and 2014 is when I definitely felt a shift.

I think the shift in a darker direction really started in 2015. Listen to 2014 pop music, 90% of it is very bright and cheery. 2015 is when music started getting that dystopian vibe, alongside the early days of Trump entering the political scene

I think the shift in a darker direction really started in 2015. Listen to 2014 pop music, 90% of it is very bright and cheery. 2015 is when music started getting that dystopian vibe, alongside the early days of Trump entering the political scene


For me I felt it in late 2013, but maybe that's because of my personal life was darker so my perception of the world around me was reflected by it. I think of songs around that time such as Holy Grail by Jay Z, Counting Stars by OneRepublic, and Wake Me Up by the late Avicii to have somber tones. I actually don't remember 2015 having dark sounding music, at least not songs such as Uptown Funk, Hotline Bling, Cheerleader by OMI, or Sorry by Justin Bieber. Also the music doesn't always reflect the actual vibe of the time as the music during the pandemic period actually had fun and upbeat tones with the retro pop, and the same during the Great Recession period of the late 2000's/early 2010's.