Question

The term _____ was loosely applied to several sounds of the mid-1980s, some of which reflected certain characteristics of earlier styles.

a) New Wave
b) Post-punk
c) Goth rock
d) Synth-pop

Answer 1

The term 'New Wave' best fits the description given for the mid-1980s sounds that represent a variety of musical influences and a departure from traditional genres.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term you are looking for is New Wave. New Wave was a genre that emerged in the mid-1980s and was characterized by its embodiment of various musical influences and styles. It loosely brought together a diversity of sounds, some of which drew upon the characteristics of earlier styles such as punk, pop, rock, and the avant-garde. New Wave often incorporated a more polished production compared to the raw nature of punk and post-punk, utilizing synthesisers and other electronic effects to create a unique and identifiable sound that resonated with the attitudes and aesthetics of the time.

The term itself has since been used to describe a variety of music from that era that did not fit neatly into traditional genre definitions but reflected a new sensibility in music that was both a continuation and a departure from previous rock and pop music forms.