Synth pop

Synthpop is a style of popular music in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. While it might be argued that most current popular and commercial music in the industrialized world is realized via electronic instruments, synth pop has its own stylistic tendencies which differentiate it from other music produced by the same means. These include: the exploitation of artificiality (the synthesizers are not used to imitate acoustic instruments), the use of mechanical rhythms and "feel", the use of vocal arrangements as a counterpoint to the artificiality of the instruments, and the use of ostinato patterns as an effect. Synth pop song forms are generally the same as in "regular" pop music. Lyrically, synth pop has an affection for science-fiction themes.

Representative artists and ensembles

1980s

• Alphaville
• Book of Love
• Bronski Beat
• Camouflage
• Thomas Dolby
• Depeche Mode
• Devo
• Erasure
• A Flock Of Seagulls
• Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• Human League
• New Order
• Gary Numan
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
• Pet Shop Boys
• Real Life
• Talk Talk
• Ultravox
• XYMOX
• Yazoo
• Yello

1990s to Present

• And One
• Anna Ranger
• Alpinestars
• Covenant
• Client
• daft punk
• De/Vision
• Faint, The
• Fischerspooner
• Goldfrapp
• i am x
• jay-jay johanson
• Ladytron
• Lovelorn Boy
• Melotron
• The Postal Service
• Preteen