Anthony Fantano recently sat down with The Needle Drop writer Victoria Borlando to talk Britpop — the iconic ‘90s UK music movement pioneered bands like Oasis, Blur, Pulp, and Suede. The conversation was inspired by Borlando’s July feature here on The Needle Drop, which explored not only the musical side of Britpop but its deep cultural and political roots as well — and why its revival resonates today.

Britpop is more than a sound. Emerging between 1992 and 1999, it was a British cultural moment rooted in everyday life, regional identity, and politics. It heavily embraced colloquial UK speech and leaned in on the vocalist's strong regional accents while blending indie rock, punk, glam, and ‘60s revival influences. The sound reached the top of UK charts, one of the last times guitar-driven, primarily independent British bands dominated mainstream pop in the country.

So, is today's revival more about the sound or the spirit of Britpop? Borlando argues that Britpop was nostalgic even in its heyday, borrowing heavily from earlier British music. What’s really being revived now, she explained, is the political and cultural energy: Britpop arose during the decline of Thatcher-era austere conservatism and the rise of and ultimate disillusionment with Tony Blair’s New Labour — as well as the tail-end of the Troubles, a violent and destabilizing war attempting to reunite Ireland with the Northern counties — and today’s musicians are responding to a similar climate of political frustration and uncertainty.

When looking at the major bands in Britpop, Borlando described Pulp and Blur’s new records as mature works that add new perspectives to their catalogs. These new records from Britpop giants stand strong on the backs of Jarvis Cocker’s lyrical brilliance in the case of Pulp, and Damon Albarn’s ability to balance Blur’s rock roots with his more experimental projects.

Oasis may face the biggest risk of releasing new music, though. Their comeback tours are built almost entirely on Definitely Maybe and What’s the Story Morning Glory? — albums that fans hold sacred. A new record could easily tarnish or solidify their legacy. Oasis’s recent reunion seems fueled more by spectacle than a renewal of creative energy.

Several contemporary acts, however, are channeling Britpop’s spirit without being weighed down by the nostalgia of it all. Declan McKenna, Courting, bar italia, shame, and English Teacher are all bands weaving political critique, humor, and top-notch performances into their music — much like their Britpop predecessors. These bands aren’t trying to “go back” but instead reframe Britpop’s ethos for the present.

After all, Britpop’s revival isn’t about living in the past but rediscovering how music can speak to everyday people, class struggles, and national identity with the humor and resilience of its own people. You may occasionally hear criticisms that dismiss Britpop as complacent or government-friendly, but bands like Pulp and Blur have always offered sharp social critiques, often from working-class perspectives outside of the confines of London.

While today’s fragmented streaming-driven music landscape may contrast with the broad marketing-driven cultural dominance Britpop once enjoyed, the revival makes clear the ongoing need for music that connects across classes, culture, and politics, while still being a hell of a lot of fun.

Read The Year of Britpop Revivalism here.