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.

Top Sub-Genres
Sheffield Indie
Latest C86 Release
Top Artists Spotify Logo
The Primitives
The Soup Dragons
Orange Juice
Half Man Half Biscuit
Felt
Marine Girls
Top Playlists
The Sound of Galician Indie 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 40 C86 artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 402 releases .

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

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