C86

C86 is a genre of indie pop music characterized by its jangly guitar work, driving rhythms, and wry, witty lyrics. Emerging in the mid-1980s, C86 drew inspiration from post-punk's DIY ethos and the melodic sensibilities of 1960s pop. The genre's heyday, roughly spanning 1985-1988, saw a proliferation of lo-fi recordings, often released on small, independent labels. C86's cultural significance lies in its role as a precursor to the Britpop movement, as well as its influence on the US college rock scene. With its blend of catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and ramshackle production, C86 carved out a distinct niche between the more polished sounds of mainstream pop and the avant-garde experimentation of post-punk. Notable for its emphasis on melody and lyrical storytelling, C86's rough-around-the-edges charm has endeared it to fans of indie and alternative music.

Latest C86 Release
undefined album image
Music For Late Nights
Album - 12 Tracks - Released July 25, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
The Primitives
The Soup Dragons
Orange Juice
Half Man Half Biscuit
Felt
Marine Girls
Top Playlists
OCTA New Music Weekly 1 C86 artist
The Sound of Svensk Indie 1 C86 artist
OCTA - Folk / Singer-songwriter / Misc 1 C86 artist
Springworks - Indie Songs We Love 2 1 C86 artist
Nugglets 1 C86 artist
Goth Dance Party 1 C86 artist

RecentMusic users are tracking 39 C86 artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 414 releases .

Join them and feed your new music addiction, and add the C86 artists you love!

Get Started Browse Arists
  1. July 25, 2025
  2. July 8
  3. July 1
  4. June 16
  5. June 13
  6. May 27
  7. May 16
  8. May 9
  9. March 14
  10. March 7
  11. March 7
  12. February 14
  13. February 7
  14. January 24
  15. January 17
  16. January 7
  17. January 3
  18. December 1, 2024
  19. November 29
  20. November 29
  21. November 15
  22. November 15
  23. November 14
  24. November 8
  25. November 1
  26. November 1
  27. October 1
  28. September 20
  29. September 11
  30. September 5
  31. September 1
  32. August 16
  33. August 16
  34. August 9
  35. August 9
  36. August 1
  37. July 19
  38. July 1
  39. June 28
  40. June 21