How to not sound old?

I'm not an accomplished composer by any stretch but was happy to accept the challenge when a non-musician friend asked me to come up with music for a new podcast she's working on.

Right now it's a quick, two section tune that consists of a programmed drum track and clacky finger-picky bass riffs. I was hoping it might be done as is and she's mildly happy with it, but she wants it to sound brighter. I gave her some classic sizzling, shoegazey guitar examples to check out. She thought that part of the brightness she wanted was there, but it definitely had a 90's sound to it and she's looking for something more current. I asked if maybe some elements of electronica might do it, but she's not a fan.

Any hints on what instrumentation or production techniques contribute to something sounding current these days?