Britpop was a British music and cultural movement that emerged in the early 1990s and dominated UK popular culture during the mid-1990s. Musically, it produced bright, catchy alternative rock that deliberately referenced British pop music of the 1960s (like The Kinks and The Beatles) as a direct reaction to the dour themes and dominance of American-led grunge .

The aesthetic, which became a key part of the larger cultural moment known as Cool Britannia , was defined by a strong emphasis on British national identity and working-class pride. Britpop translated its sonic reverence for the past into a distinctly British style that merged elements of Mod culture, casuals , and punk -derived irreverence.

The term "Britpop" was coined by the media and became part of a larger British cultural movement known as " Cool Britannia ," which aimed to celebrate British culture and creativity. This period saw a major resurgence of interest in British fashion, art, and politics, with the music scene being at the forefront of this revival.

The most prominent bands associated with Britpop were Oasis, Blur, Suede, and Pulp, often referred to as the “big four” of the movement. While each band maintained a unique style, they shared common traits such as catchy melodies, sharp lyrics, and a deep reverence for past British pop sounds. For instance, Oasis drew heavily from The Beatles, while Blur was influenced by The Kinks and the Mod subculture.

The peak of Britpop is often marked by the famous chart battle between Blur and Oasis in 1995, which the media dubbed “The Battle of Britpop.” This rivalry received extensive coverage and was symbolic of the movement's large-scale cultural and musical impact, making it a defining feature of 1990s British pop culture.

Britpop as a whole largely fizzled out around 1997–98 due to several significant cultural and musical events: Blur released Blur (1997), marking a departure toward alternative rock; Radiohead’s OK Computer (1997) shifted the scene toward a more futuristic and experimental sound; Oasis's highly anticipated Be Here Now (1997) was widely criticized as overproduced; the death of Princess Diana in August 1997 marked a cultural turning point; and the Spice Girls debut in 1996 recaptured pop's supremacy on UK radio. Pulp's final album, This Is Hardcore (1998), was often seen as representing a "comedown" from the Britpop party.

This decline led to the emergence of successor movements:

The Britpop aesthetic was defined by accessible, everyday pieces that elevated British heritage brands and subcultural uniforms. This "Mod-ual" (Mod + Casual) look was championed by the "big four" bands: Oasis, Blur, Suede, and Pulp.

The look was driven by a blend of working-class street style and 1960s Mod Revival fashion, resulting in a cohesive aesthetic that became synonymous with the era's " lad culture ":

The genre was defined by its reverence for past British pop sounds and its distinct sonic approach. The four most prominent acts associated with the genre were Oasis, Blur, Suede, and Pulp (often referred to as the "big four").

Oasis famously drew heavily from The Beatles, while Blur was influenced by the Kinks and mod subculture. The sound was generally guitar-based, characterized by catchy hooks, sharp lyrics that often referenced British life and culture, and a distinct lack of the dour themes that dominated American alternative rock at the time.