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[Brilliance of Youth] A masterpiece of neo-acoustic. The essential go-to album for neo-acoustic!

If you’re fairly knowledgeable about Western music, you’ve probably heard of a genre called neo-acoustic.

Some of you may have learned about it because a favorite Japanese artist cited it as an influence.

In early-1980s Britain, many bands emerged on several indie labels that would later be considered prestigious, each expressing a distinctive musical approach centered on acoustic sounds.

Japanese music media collectively dubbed this movement “neo-acoustic,” or “neo-aco” for short, and that’s said to be where it all began.

In this article, we’re spotlighting a must-hear classic as your first step into neo-aco.

As a foundation, we’ll mainly be introducing British bands this time!

Playlist

[Brilliance of Youth] A masterpiece of neo-acoustic. The essential go-to album for neo-acoustic!
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastFalling and LaughingOrange JuiceAlongside Aztec Camera, in the neo-acoustic…
2eastReachPale FountainsAn album cover with a somewhat grim, heavy atmosphere…
3north_eastAppetitePrefab SproutNot just a neo-acoustic masterpiece, but a landmark of the 1980s…
4south_eastFortuneFeltFormed in 1979, Felt is/was highly …
5north_eastObliviousAztec CameraIn the genre known as neo-acoustic (neo-aco), it is considered iconic and...
6south_eastNo Sense of SinThe Lotus EatersThe Japanese title, named “Seishun no Album” (Album of Youth), is...
7eastObscurity KnocksThe Trash Can SinatrasThe most famous neo-acoustic b… since the 1990s
8eastWallflowerThe Monochrome SetIndispensable when talking about neo-acoustic and guitar pop…
9eastNothing to be doneThe PastelsNot just neo-acoustic—80s UK indie...
10eastHappy HourThe House MartinsIncluding neo-acoustic, especially the indie-type ba...
11eastYou Didn’t Love Me ThenThe Hit ParadeWhat a refreshingly innocent album ja…
12eastLife In A Northern TownThe Dream AcademyA band discussed within the framework of neo-acoustic…
13eastFreeze OutEast VillageDisbanded after releasing just a single album or EP...
14eastState Of ArtFriends AgainThe work Trap…, released in 1984,
15eastNorth Marine DriveBen WattBen Watt is Tracy Thorn’s...
16eastI’m FallingTHE BLUEBELLSJust from the band name “Bluebells,” it’s already spark—
17eastGentle TuesdayPrimal ScreamThe renowned British band Primal Sc…
18eastThe Boy With The Thorn In His SideThe SmithsMany great musicians have openly declared their influence...
19eastHead Start for HappinessThe Style CouncilIt’s not exactly pure neo-acoustic, so…
20eastFavourite Shirt (Boy Meets Girl)Haircut 100A distinctive, eye-catching name called “Haircut 100”…