Sophisti-pop explained

Sophisti-pop
Cultural Origins:	Mid-1980s, United Kingdom

Sophisti-pop is a pop music subgenre that developed during the mid-1980s out of the British new wave era.^[1] It originated with acts who blended elements of jazz, soul, and pop with lavish production.^{[2] [3]} The term "sophisti-pop" was coined only after the genre's peak in the mid-late 1980s.^[4]

Characteristics

Sophisti-pop is characterized by its extensive use of electronic keyboards, synthesizers and polished arrangements.^[2] 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^[5]) and Bryan Ferry's Bête Noire (1987) and Boys and Girls (1985).^[6]

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.^[5] AllMusic added Simply Red, Sade, Basia, and Swing Out Sister.^[2] Writer Iain Munn added to the list Level 42, the Blow Monkeys, and Joe Jackson's 1984 album Body and Soul.^[7]

Its popularity declined in the 1990s along with other synth-pop sub-genres.^[1]

See also

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

Further reading

• Web site: Hazel . Cills . Playlist: Underrated New Wave . . 15 June 2016 . 9 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160616214930/http://www.mtv.com/news/2893882/playlist-underrated-1980s-new-wave/. dead. 16 June 2016.

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jeff . Terich . Adam . Blyweiss . A.T. . Bossenger . Sam . Prickett . 10 Essential Sophisti-pop albums . Treble . 24 April 2014 . 9 May 2020 .
2. Web site: Pop/Rock » Punk/New Wave » Sophisti-Pop . . 21 October 2013 .
3. News: 9 different music genres in the internet age – 2/10 – Sophisti-Pop . . 7 September 2013 . 27 April 2016 .
4. Neil . Kirkham . 2017 . Polluting young minds? Smash Hits and 'high Thatcherism' . Journal of European Popular Culture . 8 . 2 . 139–152 . 10.1386/jepc.8.2.139_1 . 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. Web site: Jenkins . Jake . Sophisti-pop: The '80s' Most Elegant Genre . Sweetwater . 30 July 2021 . 13 September 2022.
6. Web site: Thomas . Inskeep . Alfred . Soto . The Bluffer's Guide – Sophisti-Pop . . 22 February 2007 . 21 October 2013 . 4 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110904011326/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/bluffer/sophisti-pop.htm.
7. Book: Munn, Iain . 2011 . 1996 . Mr. Cool's Dream: The Complete History of The Style Council . Wholepoint . 23 . 9780955144318.