Various Artists - The Sun Shines Here (The Roots Of Indie-Pop 1980-1984)

This 74-track compilation, released by Cherry Red, serves as a meticulous prequel to their acclaimed Scared to Get Happy box set. It captures the pivotal transition between 1980 and 1984, when the jagged intensity of post-punk began to soften into the melodic, DIY aesthetic that defined early indie-pop. By spotlighting seminal labels like Postcard, Whaam!, and Creation, the collection tracks the evolution of a scene that rejected the polished artifice of the mainstream in favour of jangly guitars, earnest lyricism, and a fiercely independent spirit.

The set is widely praised for its eclectic curation, balancing influential acts like The Pastels, Josef K, and The Teardrop Explodes with deeply obscure "lost" gems. While critics occasionally note the absence of a few heavy hitters like Orange Juice, the anthology is lauded for documenting the genre's "year zero" and providing essential context for the C86 movement that followed. It’s a vibrant, scholarly, and often nostalgic look at a period of immense creative freedom, proving that the roots of indie-pop were as much about a shared attitude as they were about a specific sound.

The Sun Shines Here (The Roots Of Indie-Pop 1980-1984) is a comprehensive 74-track 3CD box set from Cherry Red Records that acts as a prequel to their acclaimed Scared to Get Happy collection. It meticulously documents the fragile period when the angular, aggressive energy of post-punk began to dissolve into the melodic, DIY aesthetic of indie-pop. By focusing on these four formative years, the set highlights how a vibrant cross-section of British youth culture moved away from punk’s harder edges toward a brighter, more ambitious sound that eventually culminated in the C86 movement.

Critics from Louder Than War have lauded the compilation for its focus on an era that hasn't been "compiled to death," allowing many tracks to retain a sense of freshness and mystique. The first disc, in particular, is noted for its dual identity, functioning as both a post-punk anthology and a proto-indie-pop guide. This versatility allows the set to bridge the gap between "important" household names and lo-fi, shoestring recordings from underground mainstays like The Wee Cherubs and The Cinematics.

The curation is diverse, showcasing a wide range of regional scenes—particularly those emerging from Scotland, Liverpool, and Manchester. Reviewers at AllMusic highlight the fascinating stylistic contrasts, such as the slick jazz-pop of Weekend alongside the lo-fi charm of the Mo-Dettes and the sophisticated pop of The Pale Fountains. This variety illustrates just how fragmented and creative the independent music scene became as it distanced itself from the punk explosion of the late '70s.

While highly praised, some critics from The Arts Desk argue that the "indie" label used here is somewhat loose, as the collection includes major label-funded releases alongside DIY singles. There is also slight quibbling over the definition of "indie-pop" and whether the period is better described as the latter stages of post-punk. Nevertheless, the consensus is that The Sun Shines Here is an essential, high-quality historical document that offers incredible value for its depth and rare, often first-time-on-CD material.

Three CD's ripped to MP3

The 3CD collection features 74 tracks, beginning on Disc One with contributions from artists like Wah! Heat, The Teardrop Explodes, Josef K, and Au Pairs. Disc Two highlights include songs from Scritti Politti, Everything But The Girl, Prefab Sprout, and Marine Girls. The final disc features tracks from The Pastels, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Pulp, and Aztec Camera, among others.