Caramel

Caramel was a French indie pop group active during the mid-1990s, serving as a key bridge between the UK's Sarah Records-style twee pop and the burgeoning international indie pop scene. Formed in 1993, they were part of a specific lineage of French bands that looked toward 1960s pop and British jangle-rock rather than the mainstream French rock of the time.

Their discography, primarily released on cult labels like Marsh Marigold and Harriet Records, is characterized by a minimalist production aesthetic and a focus on melodic simplicity. Musically, they utilized clean-toned guitars, occasional brass flourishes, and dual-language vocals that emphasized a breathy, intimate delivery. While they remained an underground phenomenon, they are highly regarded by collectors of 90s indie pop for their ability to balance the 'shambling' energy of garage pop with sophisticated, almost baroque melodic structures. Their cultural position is firmly rooted in the 'fanzine culture' of the 90s, representing a globalized version of the indie-pop aesthetic that connected scenes in France, the UK, and the US.