Definition
A pop music genre of the 1980s built around synthesizers and electronic production, typically featuring catchy melodies, danceable beats, and polished production designed for radio and club play. Synth-pop prioritized accessibility and commercial appeal while maintaining the electronic experimentation of new wave.
Example Usage
Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode brought synth-pop to the mainstream with infectious beats and moody atmospheres.
Origin
Evolved from new wave and electronic experimentation in the late 1970s and early 1980s; became a dominant commercial force after affordable home synthesizers (like the Minimoog and Prophet-5) made electronic production more accessible.
Fun Fact
Synth-pop was initially dismissed by rock critics as superficial and overly commercial, but artists like Depeche Mode and New Order demonstrated the genre's artistic depth and emotional resonance, influencing everything from house music to modern pop.
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “synth pop” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator