1Recently, lately, or nowadays — refers to a fairly recent period of time, from the last few days up to the past several months. Used as both an adverb and a noun.
近頃、仕事が忙しくて休む暇がない。
Lately I've been so busy with work that I don't have time to rest.
近頃の若者はスマホをよく使う。
Young people these days use smartphones a lot.
近頃は暖かい日が続いている。
Lately, warm days have been continuing.
あの店、近頃あまり人気がないみたいだ。
That shop doesn't seem very popular these days.
2A dated, literary intensifier meaning 「terribly」 or 「extremely」; rarely used in modern conversation.
近頃殊勝な心がけだ。
What a wonderfully commendable attitude.