Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast sound or adult-oriented rock) is a broad music style and aesthetic commonly associated with soft rock one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Drawing on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. The term yacht rock was coined in 2005 by the makers of the online video series Yacht Rock, who connected the music with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of boating. It was considered a pejorative term by some music critics.

Though bordering America, the home of rock and roll, Canadian artists such as Neil Young, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Arcade Fire have each carved out a sound and style that is uniquely their own—leaving an indelible mark that continues to influence and inspire generations of musicians.