There's a lot of localization involved in these feelings as well. In Europe, the 90s were broadly seen as similarly upbeat as the 80s but perhaps a little less synthetic. In the UK, for example, europop, the Spice Girls, bubblegum dance (like the Venga Boys), jingly-jangly Britpop, etc. are more commonly associated with the 90s than grunge, alt rock, or punk revival as were more popular in the US. (When "retro" stations are playing "90s music" in the UK, they're not usually playing the Smashing Pumpkins or Dave Matthews Band, alas, but banal 90s pop.)