If Hawkins Had Spotify: The Music Stranger Things Characters Would Be Listening to in the 2020s
Mixtapes were never just props in Stranger Things — they were emotional lifelines. They carried confessions, comfort, and survival, often saying what the characters couldn’t. If the show took place in the 2020s, that intimacy wouldn’t disappear. It would simply move from cassettes to playlists, built late at night, revised constantly, and shared with intention.
Music would still be how these characters processed fear, love, grief, and growing up. Here’s what that would sound like today.
Eleven — Quiet Power, Loud Feelings
Eleven’s music taste would be shaped by intensity. She’d gravitate toward artists who make vulnerability feel powerful and silence feel heavy, drawn to songs that live between anger and sadness. Her playlists wouldn’t be long, but they’d be deeply personal — music she uses to ground herself when everything feels out of control. Artists like Billie Eilish, AURORA, Mitski, and Ethel Cain match her emotional frequency, offering soundscapes that feel isolating yet affirming.
Max — Music as Survival
For Max, music would still be armor. In the 2020s, she’d lean into confessional indie and emotionally raw alt-pop, using sound to process grief instead of avoiding it. Her playlists would swing between quiet devastation and loud release, depending on the day. Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, and Clairo would soundtrack her healing — music that doesn’t rush recovery but understands it.
Robin — Joy, Chaos, and Self-Expression
Robin’s taste would be bold, curious, and unapologetic. She’d love artists who bend genres, embrace theatricality, and turn identity into sound. Her playlists would feel like emotional whiplash in the best way — hyperpop highs next to deeply introspective indie. Chappell Roan, Japanese Breakfast, and Caroline Polachek reflect her love for music that’s smart, expressive, and slightly unhinged.
Nancy — Cinematic and Intentional
Nancy would approach music thoughtfully, drawn to artists who tell stories with emotional precision. Her playlists would feel curated rather than chaotic, filled with songs about ambition, womanhood, and the pressure of expectations. Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Maggie Rogers, and Taylor Swift’s folklore and evermore era would give her space to think, reflect, and recharge.
Steve — Effortlessly Nostalgic
Steve’s taste would surprise people — not because it’s obscure, but because it’s good. In the 2020s, he’d gravitate toward melodic indie rock and modern alt that feels warm and familiar. His playlists would sound like late-night drives and summer evenings, music that’s comforting without trying too hard. Wallows, Peach Pit, Dayglow, and The 1975 fit his evolved, quietly cool energy.
Jonathan — Escaping Inward
Jonathan would remain deeply introspective, drawn to music that feels like an emotional retreat. He’d favor slow-burning, atmospheric artists whose songs linger rather than resolve. Radiohead, Beach House, Slowdive, and Bon Iver would dominate his playlists — music that turns isolation into something almost sacred.
Mike — Sincere and Steady
Mike’s music taste would reflect emotional honesty. He’d gravitate toward indie rock that lets feelings simmer beneath the surface, choosing artists who value sincerity over spectacle. His playlists would be full of longing, loyalty, and quiet intensity. The National, Arctic Monkeys, Alex G, and The Strokes mirror how deeply he feels — even when he doesn’t always say it out loud.
Dustin — Metal Curious, Chaos Adjacent
Post-Eddie, Dustin’s taste would evolve. He’d still love fun, upbeat songs, but he’d also develop a genuine appreciation for loud guitars, dramatic builds, and metal that feels theatrical rather than aggressive. His playlists would bounce between classic rock, modern alt, and metal-adjacent tracks — music that feels rebellious, emotional, and alive. Artists like Metallica, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Turnstile would sit alongside more playful picks, reflecting his curiosity and loyalty to Eddie’s influence.
Lucas - Steady and Thoughtful
Lucas’s music taste in the 2020s would be grounded and intentional. He’d gravitate toward songs that help him think clearly and stay calm when things get overwhelming, favoring music that feels honest without being too heavy. His playlists would be practical, reliable, and low-drama — the kind you put on to walk, think, or reset. Artists like Tame Impala, Frank Ocean, Mac Miller and Steve Lacy fit his vibe: reflective, melodic, and emotionally balanced without tipping into chaos.
Hopper — Worn, Honest, and Grounded
Hopper would stick to storytelling. In the 2020s, his playlists would lean toward Americana and heartland rock — songs about regret, resilience, and trying to be better. He listens to music that feels lived-in and honest. Bruce Springsteen, Jason Isbell, Zach Bryan, and Johnny Cash speak to his emotional core, offering understanding rather than escape.
Joyce — Endurance Through Emotion
Joyce’s playlists would be built around survival. She’d gravitate toward emotionally powerful artists whose songs acknowledge pain without losing hope. Big voices, big feelings, and lyrics about holding on would define her listening habits. Fleetwood Mac, Florence + The Machine, Phoebe Bridgers, and Adele would give her space to feel — and keep going.
Holly — Growing Up Online
If the show took place in the 2020s, Holly’s music taste would be shaped less by older siblings and more by the internet. She’d grow up absorbing pop through TikTok clips, YouTube rabbit holes, and songs that feel bigger than her age but emotionally familiar. Artists like KATSEYE, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter fit her world perfectly: pop that’s expressive, emotional, and built for singing along in your room. Holly wouldn’t just listen to music — she’d perform it, memorize lyrics, and build little identities around her favorite songs, quietly becoming the most online Hawkins kid without anyone realizing it yet.
