Power Pop

Power pop is a heavier style of Pop Rock that combines the wistfulness of 1960s Pop melodies with loud, driving power chords. The genre is usually characterized by prominent (and sometimes jangly) electric guitars, clear vocals, crisp harmonies, economical arrangements, and an energetic performance. Lyrically, power pop is also underpinned by a sense of longing, introspection, and melancholy, with songs typically concerning love and heartbreak. The roots of power pop can be traced back to 1967 when the term was coined by The Who's Pete Townshend in reference to their single “Pictures Of Lily” and the earlier guitar-driven records of The Beach Boys (“Fun, Fun, Fun”). At the same time, The Beatles and The Byrds left their own indelible marks on the genre with songs like “Paperback Writer” and “I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better” respectively. These bands are generally considered the genre's direct antecedents, with most power pop artists basing their sound on a cross between all four.