Sophisti-pop

Sophisti-pop is a genre characterized by lush instrumentation, intricate rhythms, and polished production, often incorporating electronic and jazz elements. Emerging in the late 1970s and flourishing in the 1980s, it evolved from the post-punk and new wave movements, reflecting a growing sophistication in pop music. Sophisti-pop's distinctive sound is marked by prominent use of saxophone, lush keyboards, and soulful, often androgynous vocals. With its blend of art rock, funk, and pop sensibilities, the genre appealed to a diverse audience, particularly in the UK, where it became a staple of the era's musical landscape. Sophisti-pop's emphasis on atmospheric textures and introspective lyrics set it apart from more overtly commercial pop styles, while its experimentation with electronic and world music influences positioned it as a precursor to later genres like acid jazz and trip-hop.

Latest Sophisti-pop Release
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Songs For A Nervous Planet
Album - 22 Tracks - Released October 25, 2024

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A Certain Ratio
ABC
Alison Moyet
Altered Images
Aztec Camera
Bajune Tobeta
Black
Bronski Beat
Bryan Ferry
Carmel
Chris Rea
David Sylvian
Donald Fagen
Eurythmics
Everything But The Girl
Haircut 100
Heaven 17
ICEHOUSE
Joe Jackson
Level 42
M People
Micah Barnes
New Peace Music
Nicholas Krgovich
Rick Astley
Roxy Music
Sade
Scritti Politti
Simply Red
Spandau Ballet
Squeeze
Sting
Talk Talk
Tears For Fears
The Beautiful South
The Blue Nile
The Communards
The Dream Academy
The Human League
The Lotus Eaters
The Pearlfishers
The Style Council
Wet Wet Wet
ivy.
Sade
Tears For Fears
Sting
Eurythmics
Simply Red
Bronski Beat
Rick Astley
The Human League
Spandau Ballet
Chris Rea
Everything But The Girl
Bryan Ferry
Roxy Music
Talk Talk
The Beautiful South
Wet Wet Wet
Level 42
Squeeze
The Communards
ABC
Joe Jackson
Black
ICEHOUSE
The Style Council
Alison Moyet
M People
The Dream Academy
Donald Fagen
Aztec Camera
The Blue Nile
David Sylvian
Heaven 17
Scritti Politti
Haircut 100
Altered Images
A Certain Ratio
Carmel
The Lotus Eaters
Bajune Tobeta
Nicholas Krgovich
ivy.
The Pearlfishers
New Peace Music
Micah Barnes