What’s trending on Shelf and what does that say about the culture? Each month, we mine Shelf’s data to uncover the TV, film, music and books that Gen Z can’t get enough of — and why.
Why is Gen Z So Obsessed With Yearning?
The heaving chests and sweaty pecs in Wuthering Heights and ‘Heated Rivalry.’ The heart-stopping reveal of Nic Vans’ secret admiration for Olandria on 'Love Island USA.’ The Summer I Turned Pretty’s hot-ass “Dress scene,” which shows Belly and Conrad Fisher’s connection crescendo after a years-long passionate build. It’s been impossible to miss — yearning is everywhere in pop culture right now. We’re talking music, film, television, and books (according to Shelf global trends) with no signs of relenting.
RAYE’s “WHERE THE HELL IS MY HUSBAND!”
Why can’t we get enough? Shrinks may say it has something to do with our need to connect to others. (As psychologist Diana Hill, Ph.D. writes in Psychology Today, “we yearn for belonging and understanding; for meaningful relationships, intimacy, and inclusion; to be part of the group.”)
For Gen Z (and in a world that feels more splintered by the minute), this can be particularly potent. A 2025 Teens and Screens report shows more than 60% of those surveyed want to see more romantic relationships that are, “more about the friendship between the couple than sex.” It takes meaningful connection sustained over time for friendships to build, and yes, plenty of yearning for some of these friendships to progress into romance. Some say Gen Z is in a “sex recession.” But we see something far more nuanced: a generation whose horniness has soul. Ready to feel the burn? Check out the top trending media, below:
Yearning-Centered Media on Shelf
1. Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving
2. Daniel Caesar’s “Who Knows”
3. Bridgerton Season 4
4. Raye’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
5. Heated Rivalry on HBO
6. Bruno Mars’ The Romantic
Does Gen-Z Crave the Analog Era, or Just Its Soundtrack?
Yearning may have captured Gen Z’s playlists, reading lists, and watch lists, but not every trend hits so deep. We’re talking about going analog. It’s something that media outlets like Fortune and CNBC report as rebooting an economy of physical things, as we seemingly covet point-and-shoot cameras, vinyl records, notebooks and other tactile objects over digital versions. Here at Shelf HQ, we’re finding users are on board, but in a far more specific — and practical — way.
“I'd be lying if I said physical [media] was my overall preference, because I'm aware of everything I'd lose in the switch,” says Seli, a 24-year old Shelf user. Another user, Ananya, 26, agrees, saying, “Gen Z is def used to digital convenience (Netflix, ebooks, music streaming, etc.) and personally it’s something I love having access to.” So it’s not exactly a shocker that Shelf data shows users' trend toward analog is rooted in audio only. Who among us would trade the ease of streaming TV and movies for that DVD life?
But here’s the kicker: the appeal of throwback audio isn’t only about wax as a format. “It’s more of a symbol of fandom rather than the actual sound,” says 25 year-old Shelf user Asia. “By purchasing a vinyl, you are not only monetarily supporting an artist, but [you’re getting a] physical symbol that says, ‘hey, I’m more than just a casual listener of this artist.’”
As it turns out, vinyl as a flex can carry even more clout when showing a sonic taste for the analog era, too. Massive bands of the ‘90s (the kind found on the era’s essential film and TV soundtracks like Mallrats, The Crow, Wayne’s World, and Beverly Hills, 90210) are all over the Shelf charts in 2026, including those below:
