Jangle UK
tagStarted 1980Peak 1983-1987Last big hit 1988From United Kingdom
Located in 2 routes
Bright, chiming British indie pop built on ringing, arpeggiated 12-string-style guitars in the Byrds tradition, light propulsive rhythms and yearning, literate vocals. Melodic and bittersweet, it prizes melancholy lyricism, treble-bright clean tones and a fey, romantic sensibility over volume or aggression, often shading into wistful, jumper-clad twee.
History
Born from Postcard Records' Glasgow 'Sound of Young Scotland' around 1980, jangle ran through Orange Juice and Aztec Camera into the Smiths, whose Marr/Morrissey records made it iconic. NME's 1986 C86 cassette codified the scruffier indie-pop wing, seeding twee and shoegaze before Britpop absorbed its melodicism.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle_pop
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C86_(album)
- https://www.allmusic.com/style/jangle-pop-ma0000004449