Art Pop

Art Pop emerged in the late 1960s as a cheeky blend of pop accessibility and highbrow art influences, with musicians deciding that why not throw a bit of avant-garde into the mix, because who doesn’t enjoy a baffled look on the faces of casual listeners? Characterised by eccentric production, theatricality, and an often playful use of modern themes, it sounds like someone threw a paintbrush into a jukebox, resulting in melodies that can be gloriously catchy yet cleverly pretentious all at once. Many artists in this genre manage to evoke reactions of either sheer admiration or polite confusion, leaving fans with the delightful challenge of explaining their favourite tracks to disinterested friends over a pint.