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New wave of new wave (often shortened to NWONW) was a short-lived UK alternative-rock revival in the early 1990s. It reactivated late-1970s/early-1980s post-punk, punk, and new wave ideas—tight, wiry guitar parts, punchy rhythms, and catchy but acerbic melodies—often delivered with a knowingly retro, pop-aware sensibility. The style was closely associated with British music press narratives around 1993–1994 and was frequently portrayed (and sometimes dismissed) as a media-led movement, especially once Britpop became the dominant mainstream alternative-rock story in the UK.

Britpop is a UK-centered movement of the early-to-mid 1990s that revived classic British guitar-pop values—memorable hooks, concise songcraft, and everyday storytelling—while positioning itself as a confident alternative to American grunge. It celebrated Britishness in sound and subject matter, drawing heavily on 1960s and 1970s British pop and rock traditions. Stylistically, britpop tends to feature jangly or crunchy electric guitars, sing-along choruses, and tuneful melodies over straightforward rhythms. Lyrics often focus on ordinary life, class, romance, and wry social observation, typically delivered in unvarnished British accents. The production is generally clean and punchy, favoring clarity over heavy effects and emphasizing immediacy and radio-friendliness.