The Prime: Pop Through The Ages (Electropop)

August 23rd, 2023 by Liz Kosik

by Liz Kosik ’25

Genre: Pop

Subgenre: Electropop

RIYL: Tove Lo, Empire of the Sun, Pet Shop Boys, Passion Pit

Electropop, or synthpop, rose to fame in the late 1970s as a subgenre of new wave pop music. It combined the electronic production techniques of disco and punk with the catchy beat and songwriting of pop music. In the 1980s, electropop evolved to include more dance-oriented beats, hitting the nightclub scene and becoming a staple of mainstream music.

The early 1980s marked the peak of electropop’s popularity. Prominent artists such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark became the face of electropop. Their music featured fast-paced rhythms, including their signature robotic-like synthesizers. As the 80s progressed, the sound of electropop grew. It started to blend with other genres like dance, house, and techno, influencing the development of electronic dance music (EDM) in the following decades. Electropop’s legacy can be seen in the continued popularity of synth-driven sounds.

Electropop continued to evolve and make its mark in the 1990s and early 2000s, adapting to changing musical trends and technological advancements. The 1990s and 2000s saw rapid advancements in music production technology, particularly in digital synthesizers, software, and computer-based recording. Artists began to further explore new sonic possibilities within the electropop genre. The availability of affordable electronic instruments and software empowered independent artists to create and experiment with electropop sounds, contributing to a diverse range of styles within the genre.

Today, numerous mainstream artists incorporated electropop elements into their music, resulting in chart-topping hits. Modern artists like Dua Lipa, Halsey, Doja Cat, and Daft Punk also incorporate elements of hip-hop, R&B, and dance music into their sound. Additionally, there has been a rise in the popularity of indie electropop artists, such as Tame Impala and CHVRCHES, who blend alternative rock and electronic sounds to create unique and distinctive music Electropops history is most likely my favorite, as the genre can blend together several of your favorite genres.

Want to get more into Pop-Punk? Check out some suggestions below!

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper

“Get Lucky” – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams

“Closer” – The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey