Sunshine pop

Sunshine pop (originally called soft pop and soft rock^[1]) is a loosely defined form of pop music that was first associated with early soft rock producers and songwriters based in Los Angeles, California, during the mid- to late 1960s. Its studio-centric sound was primarily rooted in folk rock and easy listening, typically featuring rich harmony vocals and progressive elements, while lyrics combined idyllic imagery with a subtle awareness of societal change, melancholic undertones, and countercultural themes. It was among the dominating music styles heard in television, film, and commercials of the era.

Branching from the nascent California sound, the movement initially straddled multiple styles among many groups who existed briefly while adapting to evolving music trends, resulting in much crossover with bubblegum, folk-pop, garage rock, baroque pop, and psychedelia. Most groups were less successful sound-alikes of acts such as the Mamas & the Papas, led by John Phillips, and the 5th Dimension, whose songs were initially helmed by Jimmy Webb. Curt Boettcher produced numerous key records for the Association, Eternity's Children, his band the Millennium, and with collaborator Gary Usher (Sagittarius). Though the Beach Boys rarely approached the style, Brian Wilson's production of their 1966 album Pet Sounds was a foundational influence on this milieu, as were the arrangements of Burt Bacharach.

By the late 1960s, the sound had regional variants ranging from the Free Design in New York to Pic-Nic in Spain, although most acts largely struggled to sustain commercial success amid shifting popular music trends. In the 1970s, new waves of soft rock were heralded by acts such as the Carpenters and Fleetwood Mac, whose successes eclipsed that of many earlier groups. Renewed interest in sunshine pop, initially led by Japanese fans, developed in the 1990s among record collectors and musicians, especially those associated with Tokyo's Shibuya-kei scene, where the work of Roger Nichols was a central influence. Many sunshine pop records were subsequently anthologized and reissued by labels including Rhino (Come to the Sunshine), Collector's Choice, and Sundazed, in addition to indie rock music circles reviving the genre's prominence.