12 Recent Songs That Prove We're Basically Living In 1995

Prepare to feel a wave of nostalgic sounds.

1. "Finesse (Remix)" by Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B

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Released in 2018: OK, so obviously this song had to be at the top of the list! This track sounds like it is straight out of 1992, and it perfectly combines the sound of new jack swing artists’ TLC and Bell Biv DeVoe together. And to top it all off, the genius music video for it pays tribute to the classic early '90s sketch comedy show, In Living Color.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: TLC’s “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg,” and "What About Your Friends," Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Do Me!,” and Color Me Badd's “All 4 Love.”

2. "Flip and Rewind" by Boss Selection feat. Rashida Jones

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Released in 2016: This song is a pure nostalgia trip for anyone who enjoys early ‘90s R&B girl groups. And like “Finesse (Remix)” the music video fully embraces the decade, with Rashida (who also directed the video) paying tribute to early ‘90s music videos from Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Xscape, and TLC.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Xscape’s “Just Kickin’ It,” SWV’s “I’m So Into You,” and Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away.”

3. "No Sleeep" by Janet Jackson

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Released in 2015: Co-written by Janet along with her long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song is a strong return to her classic ‘90s sound. The track wouldn’t sound out of place on either of her two ‘90s masterpiece albums, Janet or The Velvet Rope.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Janet’s “That’s The Way Love Goes,” “Any Time, Any Place,” and “I Get Lonely.”

4. "Searchin" by Sonder

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Released in 2017: This talented LA trio created a song the both evokes classic sexy ‘90s R&B, and, at the same time, sounds timeless.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Keith Sweat’s “Nobody,” Shai’s “If I Ever Fall In Love,” and Silk’s “Freak Me”

5. "Midnight" by Jessie Ware

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Released in 2017: Big vocals coupled with lyrics about passionately longing for a lover make this sound like a lost ‘90s pop/R&B jam.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Zhané’s “Sending My Love,” Mary J. Blige’s “Reminisce,” and Sade’s “No Ordinary Love.”

6. "Infinity" by Mariah Carey

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Released in 2015: This song sorta flew under the radar as it was packaged within Mariah’s #1 to Infinity greatest hits album. And, honestly, it’s a shame it got ignored because this song sounds like a wonderful blend of everything we loved about Mariah’s ‘90s songs.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Mariah’s “Breakdown,” “Always Be My Baby,” and “Heartbreaker.”

7. "Behind Your Back" by Nelly Furtado

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Released in 2016: Nelly released this B-side after honoring Missy Elliot at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors – which she stated left her feeling nostalgic for the decade. The single definitely delivers in evoking that ‘90s pop/R&B sound.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: TLC’s “Baby-Baby-Baby,” Soul For Real's “Candy Rain,” and Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down.”

8. "Rewind" by Kelela

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Released in 2015: The infectious song evokes ‘90s songs by Groove Theory and Zhané that mixed chill R&B with a bit of trip hop.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Groove Theory’s “Tell Me,” Everything But The Girl’s “Missing,” and Ghostown DJ’s “My Boo.”

9. "Talk 2 U" by Brent Faiyaz

Brent Faiyaz/ youtube.com

Released in 2017: So it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Sonder’s Brent Faiyaz's solo effort also evokes classic ‘90s R&B. This track, like “Searchin,” sounds both straight out of the ‘90s and timeless at the same time.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Usher’s “My Way,” Blackstreet’s “Before I Let You Go,” and Jon B. and Babyface’s “Someone to Love.”

10. "You Already Know" by Fergie feat. Nicki Minaj

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Released in 2017: OK, so this song owes its ‘90-ish sound to sampling Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s 1988 classic hit song, “It Takes Two.” But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do a good job in delivering a song that sounds like an early ‘90s dance/hip hop song.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Heavy D & The Boyz’s “Now That We Found Love, 2 In A Room's "Wiggle It," and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations.”

11. "Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)" by KDA feat. Tinie Tempah and Katy B

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Released in 2015: This song is an awesome throwback to house music that combined rapping with big vocal choruses.

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Captain Hollywood’s “More and More,” Stereo MC’s “Elevate My Mind,” and M People’s “Moving on Up.”

12. "Telepathy (Le Youth Remix)" by Christina Aguilera feat. Nile Rodgers

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Released in 2016: This remix pays an excellent tribute to big vocal house music of the early ‘90s (you can almost imagine this song blasting at 3:00 a.m. at Limelight circa 1992). There aren’t many artists I can think of that could deliver a big vocal house track and, honestly, this song leaves me wondering why Xtina hasn’t released a ‘90s house album!

‘90s songs to listen to that sound like this: Robin S’ “Show Me Love,” Snap’s “Rhythm Is A Dance,” and CeCe Peniston’s “Finally.”

Listen to these throwback-ish jams here:

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