artrock

Art rock is a form of rock music that emphasizes artistic ambition, experimental approaches, and the album as a cohesive statement rather than as a collection of singles. It emerged in the late 1960s in Britain and the United States, drawing on avant-garde, classical, and theatrical traditions to broaden the aesthetics and structures of rock.

Musical aims often included longer forms, unusual time signatures, extended instrumental passages, and creative studio techniques such as tape manipulation, overdubbing, and synthesizers. Concept albums, elaborate artwork, and theatrical performances were common, intended to create immersive experiences or raise questions beyond conventional pop themes.

Early embodiments include The Velvet Underground and Pink Floyd, with the 1970s also seeing bands such as King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, and Roxy Music shaping the genre. Artists like David Bowie and Brian Eno pushed toward art pop and experimental textures, while Talking Heads blended art-rock sensibilities with other contemporary styles. Over time, art rock overlapped with progressive rock, glam, and post-punk, and influenced later movements in indie and alternative rock.

In criticism, art rock is often distinguished from straightforward rock and pop by its emphasis on concept, experimentation, and sonic exploration, though the boundaries between styles have been fluid. Today the term can describe music that foregrounds artistic intent and studio craft, even when embedded in broader rock or pop idioms.