What is "neotraditional country"

n. A subgenre of country music popularized starting in the early- to mid-1980s, emphasizing traditional country sounds rather than popular music sounds. Produced in direct response to the growing influence of country pop music.

Neotraditional country, also known as "new traditional" country, is a country music style that emphasizes the instrumental background and a "traditional" country vocal style. Neotraditional country artists often dress in the fashions of the country music scene of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Some neotraditional artists are sometimes associated with the alternative country movement.