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Sophisti-pop is a pop music subgenre that developed during the mid-1980s out of the British new wave era. It originated with acts who blended elements of jazz, soul, and pop with lavish production. The term "sophisti-pop" was coined only after the genre's peak in the mid-late 1980s.

Characteristics

Sophisti-pop is characterized by its extensive use of electronic keyboards, synthesizers, and polished arrangements. Artists also utilized cutting-edge studio technology and perfectionist recording methods. The genre has been described as mellow, romantic, and atmospheric, with artists often adopting a sharp, well-dressed and well-groomed visual presentation.

History

Stylus Magazine suggested that acts had been influenced by the work of Roxy Music (such as 1982's Avalon, often cited as the first sophisti-pop album), and Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls (1985) and Bête Noire (1987).

Sweetwater named major artists in the genre as including the Blue Nile, Prefab Sprout, the Style Council, Scritti Politti, Everything but the Girl, and Danny Wilson. AllMusic added Simply Red, Sade, Basia, and Swing Out Sister. Writer Iain Munn added to the list Level 42, the Blow Monkeys, and Joe Jackson's 1984 album Body and Soul.

Its popularity declined in the 1990s along with other synth-pop sub-genres.

See also

• List of sophisti-pop artists
• Progressive soul
• Plastic soul
• Progressive pop
• Quiet storm

References

1. ^ Terich, Jeff; Blyweiss, Adam; Bossenger, A.T.; Prickett, Sam (24 April 2014). "10 Essential Sophisti-pop albums". Treble. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
2. ^ "Pop/Rock » Punk/New Wave » Sophisti-Pop". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
3. "9 different music genres in the internet age – 2/10 – Sophisti-Pop". The Economic Times. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
4. Kirkham, Neil (2017). "Polluting young minds? Smash Hits and 'high Thatcherism'". Journal of European Popular Culture. 8 (2): 139–152. doi:10.1386/jepc.8.2.139_1. Retrieved 13 December 2018. 'Sophisti-pop' (Inskeep and Soto 2007) is a term now used, retrospectively, to describe a collection of 'intelligent', lavishly produced British pop acts of the mid–late 1980s.
5. ^ Jenkins, Jake (30 July 2021). "Sophisti-pop: The '80s' Most Elegant Genre". Sweetwater. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
6. Inskeep, Thomas; Soto, Alfred (22 February 2007). "The Bluffer's Guide – Sophisti-Pop". Stylus. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
7. Munn, Iain (2011) . Mr. Cool's Dream: The Complete History of The Style Council. Wholepoint. p. 23. ISBN 9780955144318.

Further reading

• Cills, Hazel (15 June 2016). "Playlist: Underrated New Wave". MTV. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2020.

External links

• Hue and Cry noting AllMusic's usage of the term.

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