Synth-pop

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{{Electronic music top}}

{{Electronic music top}}

'''Synth-pop''' (short for '''synthesizer pop''';{{sfn|Trynka|Bacon|1996|p=60}} also called '''techno-pop'''<ref name="SR">{{cite journal|title=High-fidelity sound systems|journal=[[Stereo Review]]|year=1983|volume=48|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVkJAQAAMAAJ&q=%22technopop%22+%22synthpop%22}}</ref><ref name="electrosynth">{{harvnb|Collins|Schedel|Wilson|2013|p=97|loc="synth pop (also called electro pop, techno pop, and the like)"}}; {{harvnb|Hoffmann|2004|p=2153|loc="Techno-pop, also termed synth-pop or electro-pop"}}</ref>) is a [[music genre]] that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the [[synthesizer]] as the dominant musical instrument.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Synth-Pop Music Guide: A Brief History of Synth-Pop|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/synth-pop-music-guide|website=Masterclass|date=7 June 2021}}</ref> It was prefigured{{Clarify|date=July 2025}} in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in [[progressive rock]], [[electronic music|electronic]], [[art rock]], [[disco]], and particularly the [[Krautrock]] of bands like [[Kraftwerk]]. It arose as a distinct genre in Japan and the United Kingdom in the [[post-punk]] era as part of the [[New wave music|new wave]] movement of the late 1970s.

'''Synth-pop''' (short for '''synthesizer pop''';{{sfn|Trynka|Bacon|1996|p=60}} also called '''techno-pop'''<ref name="SR">{{cite journal|title=High-fidelity sound systems|journal=[[Stereo Review]]|year=1983|volume=48|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVkJAQAAMAAJ&q=%22technopop%22+%22synthpop%22}}</ref><ref name="electrosynth">{{harvnb|Collins|Schedel|Wilson|2013|p=97|loc="synth pop (also called electro pop, techno pop, and the like)"}}; {{harvnb|Hoffmann|2004|p=2153|loc="Techno-pop, also termed synth-pop or electro-pop"}}</ref>) is a [[music genre]] that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the [[synthesizer]] as the dominant musical instrument.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Synth-Pop Music Guide: A Brief History of Synth-Pop|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/synth-pop-music-guide|website=Masterclass|date=7 June 2021}}</ref> It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in [[progressive rock]], [[electronic music|electronic]], [[art rock]], [[disco]], and particularly the [[Krautrock]] of bands like [[Kraftwerk]]. It arose as a distinct genre in Japan and the United Kingdom in the [[post-punk]] era as part of the [[New wave music|new wave]] movement of the late 1970s.

Electronic musical synthesizers that could be used practically in a recording studio became available in the mid-1960s, and the mid-1970s saw the rise of electronic art musicians. After the breakthrough of [[Gary Numan]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1979, large numbers of artists began to enjoy success with a synthesizer-based sound in the early 1980s. In Japan, [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]] introduced the [[TR-808]] rhythm machine to popular music, and the band would be a major influence on early British synth-pop acts. The development of inexpensive [[polyphonic synthesizer|polyphonic]] synthesizers, the definition of [[MIDI]] and the use of [[Dance music|dance]] beats, led to a more commercial and accessible sound for synth-pop. Thus, its adoption by the style-conscious acts from the [[New Romantic]] movement, together with the rise of [[MTV]], led to success for large numbers of British synth-pop acts in the US during the [[Second British Invasion]].

Electronic musical synthesizers that could be used practically in a recording studio became available in the mid-1960s, and the mid-1970s saw the rise of electronic art musicians. After the breakthrough of [[Gary Numan]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1979, large numbers of artists began to enjoy success with a synthesizer-based sound in the early 1980s. In Japan, [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]] introduced the [[TR-808]] rhythm machine to popular music, and the band would be a major influence on early British synth-pop acts. The development of inexpensive [[polyphonic synthesizer|polyphonic]] synthesizers, the definition of [[MIDI]] and the use of [[Dance music|dance]] beats, led to a more commercial and accessible sound for synth-pop. Thus, its adoption by the style-conscious acts from the [[New Romantic]] movement, together with the rise of [[MTV]], led to success for large numbers of British synth-pop acts in the US during the [[Second British Invasion]].

"Synth-pop" is sometimes used interchangeably with "[[electropop]]",<ref name="electrosynth"/> but "electropop" may also denote a variant of synth-pop that places more emphasis on a harder, more electronic sound.{{sfn|Jones|2006|p=107}} In the mid to late 1980s, duos such as [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]] and [[Pet Shop Boys]] adopted a style that was highly successful on the US dance charts, but by the end of the decade, the synth-pop of bands such as [[A-ha]] and [[Alphaville (band)|Alphaville]] was giving way to [[house music]] and [[techno]]. Interest in synth-pop began to revive in the [[indietronica]] and [[electroclash]] movements in the late 1990s, and in the 2000s synth-pop enjoyed a widespread revival and commercial success.

"Synth-pop" is sometimes used interchangeably with "[[electropop]]",<ref name="electrosynth"/> but "electropop" may also denote a variant of synth-pop that places more emphasis on a harder, more electronic sound.{{sfn|Jones|2006|p=107}} In the mid to late 1980s, duos such as [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]] and [[Pet Shop Boys]] adopted a style that was highly successful on the US dance charts, but by the end of the decade, the synth-pop of bands such as [[A-ha]] and [[Alphaville (band)|Alphaville]] was giving way to [[house music]] and [[techno]]. Interest in synth-pop began to revive in the [[indietronica]] and [[electroclash]] movements in the late 1990s, and in the 2000s synth-pop enjoyed a widespread revival and commercial success.

The genre has received criticism for alleged lack of emotion and musicianship{{Clarify|date=July 2025}}; prominent artists have spoken out against detractors who believed that synthesizers themselves composed and played the songs. Synth-pop music has established a place for the synthesizer as a major element of [[pop music|pop]] and [[rock music]], directly influencing subsequent genres (including [[house music]] and [[Detroit techno]]) and has indirectly influenced many other genres, as well as individual recordings.

The genre has received criticism for alleged lack of emotion and musicianship; prominent artists have spoken out against detractors who believed that synthesizers themselves composed and played the songs. Synth-pop music has established a place for the synthesizer as a major element of [[pop music|pop]] and [[rock music]], directly influencing subsequent genres (including [[house music]] and [[Detroit techno]]) and has indirectly influenced many other genres, as well as individual recordings.

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==