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Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones

Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones
Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones
Note all articles are independently researched and written by myself. However, if you buy via one of the links it may be an affiliate and I may earn a small commission.

Not only an interesting read, Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones is available as a signed edition online.

I really enjoyed the David Bowie: A Life book by Dylan Jones, which is perhaps why I am drawn to this. But aloud because it covers an area of pop culture that was short-lived and hasn’t been overdone in terms of books and media since (if you ignore all the compilation albums of course).

The book, which is available to pre-order now, charts the rise of the New Romantics, a scene that grew out of the remnants of post-punk and developed quickly, but burnt out almost just as quickly whilst leaving a lasting creative and commercial legacy.

Set in what’s described as ‘one of the most creative entrepreneurial periods since the Sixties’, the era is pitched as a ‘huge influence on the growth of print and broadcast media’ and ‘arguably one of the most bohemian environments of the late twentieth century’.

It visually defined a decade and was also the catalyst for the Second British Invasion, when the US charts would be colonised by British pop music – Depeche Mode, Culture Club, Wham!, Soft Cell, Ultravox, Duran Duran, Sade, Spandau Ballet, the Eurythmics and many more – making it one of the most powerful cultural exports since the Beatles.

The story of the Blitz Kids, Synth-Pop and the Style Press from 1975 through to 1985 is covered in-depth, with the hardback book coming in at 688 pages. If you like the idea of that keeping you busy, the book is available to pre-order now ahead of the 1st October release date. But if you order it from Rough Trade, you can get your hands on a signed copy on day one – and for the same price as a standard copy anywhere else. £20 is that price.

Find out more at the Rough Trade website

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