Genre research summarizes the key aspects of indie pop music. It emerged in the UK in the mid-1980s from post-punk bands signed to independent labels like Rough Trade and Postcard Records. Indie pop focuses on emotional experiences and life journeys in a lighthearted way using jangling guitars. Early influential artists included Primal Scream and The Pastels, but The Smiths came to dominate the genre with songs like "This Charming Man" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." The style was influenced by 1960s-1980s fashion and often featured retro clothing. While early indie pop had a moodier tone, modern versions tend to be more lighthearted and positive.

1. Genre research

2. What is it?
A sub genre of pop and alternative rock. Closely
related to Indie pop, but the difference from indie
rock to an extent is that it is more melodic, less
abrasive, and relatively angst-free.

3. Background
Emerged in the UK mid 1980’s during the post
punk explosion. Indie pop was founded by small
independent record labels, hence the name
‘indie’ for individual. Specifically London's
Rough Trade Records and Glasgow's Postcard
Records.

4. Indie pop is known for focusing on themes of
emotional experiences in a light hearted
fashion. It also includes lyrics based around
life journeys, spirituality to an extent and
change. It also has recognisable features of
jangling guitars which comes from the 60’s
style of rhythmical guitar.

5. Key artists
Earliest key artists of Indie
pop were Primal Scream
1982 and The Pastels 1981
both represented by C86.
But the genre was quickly
dominated by The Smiths.
Songs such as
- This Charming Man
- Heaven Knows I’m
Miserable Now
- Meat Is Murder

6. Fashion
Due to Indie pop’s creation being around the time of 60’s, 70’s
and 80’s fashion. The style is still present today in fans of the
genre.
Retro and vintage clothing has come back into fashion almost
35 years later. Some fans of the Smiths aspire to dress in
clothes such as
- Circular glasses
- Jackets with collars
- Doc martin shoes
Indie pop came around the post punk era which
inspired the look of dark colours and a gothic
image which can attribute to the indi pop
culture formulated by ‘The cure’

7. Attitudes
Indie pop gives off an acceptance of talking about
emotions and personal thoughts and feelings of the
artists. A lot of the songs are about love.
There is a definite attitude of moodiness and a
slight depressive nature to the artist in the early
stages of the genres development. But modern day
Indi pop is more light hearted with a more uplifted
and more positive image towards emotions, love
and life itself.