History
Electropop is a genre of electronic music that originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is a type of music that combines the use of synthesizers and electronic music production techniques with pop songwriting and composition. The genre grew to become popular during the 1980s, and today, it continues to play an essential role in the music industry.
The history of electropop dates back to the early days of electronic synthesizers. The earliest examples of electronic music can be traced back to the late 19th century, when composers like Giovanni Paisiello used the glass armonica to create ethereal soundscapes. In the early 20th century, composers like Edgard Varese and John Cage experimented with new techniques and developed the idea of musique concrete using tape recording and other electronic methods.
The genre started to take shape in the late 1970s, with the explosive growth of synthesizer technology. It was around this time that pioneers like Brian Eno, Kraftwerk, and Giorgio Moroder began experimenting with new synthesizers and electronic instruments. This period marked the beginning of a new era in music, one that was marked by the integration of technology with pop music.
One of the early examples of electropop is Kraftwerk's 1978 hit single "The Robots". This track was built on a foundation of synthesizers and electronic drums, with an unchanging beat and repetitive lyrics. This track was one of the first successful electropop songs, and it paved the way for many more to come.
As the 1980s dawned, the electropop genre continued to grow in popularity. The sound became even more polished and sophisticated, with artists like Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Gary Numan leading the way. These artists used electronic instruments to create catchy, melodic pop songs that became the soundtrack of the decade.
The popularity of electropop peaked in the mid-to-late 1980s. Bands like New Order and Pet Shop Boys produced a string of hits that are still remembered today. Even developed rock acts like Duran Duran started to incorporate electronic elements into their music. By the end of the decade, the genre had become so popular that it had started to influence mainstream pop music as well.
The 1990s saw the electropop genre take a backseat to the growing popularity of other electronic dance music styles like techno, trance, and house music. However, electropop still had a strong following among its fans. The 2000s saw the genre make a resurgence, with bands like Daft Punk and The Postal Service leading the way.
Today, the electropop genre continues to evolve and grow. Artists are using technology in new and exciting ways, and the sound of the genre is constantly changing. However, the essential elements that make up electropop – catchiness, rhythmic grooves, and melodic hooks – remain just as popular as they ever were.
Notable artists
Lady Gaga: Known for her elaborate visual performances, Lady Gaga is an icon in the Electropop genre. Her hit songs include "Poker Face," "Bad Romance," and "Born This Way." Her music is heavily influenced by dance and techno music.
Daft Punk: French duo Daft Punk is known for their unique blend of electronic music and disco. Their hit songs include "One More Time" and "Get Lucky." They were also the first electronic music act to win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Pet Shop Boys: British duo Pet Shop Boys is known for their synthpop and Electropop music. Their hit songs include "West End Girls," "Always on My Mind," and "Go West." They have sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Robyn: Swedish artist Robyn is known for her electronic dance music and Electropop. Her hit songs include "Dancing on My Own," "Call Your Girlfriend," and "Missing U." She has won multiple Grammy Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Calvin Harris: Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris is known for his blend of electronic music and pop. His hit songs include "Summer," "This Is What You Came For," and "Blame." He has won multiple Grammy Awards and has produced songs for numerous other artists.
The Postal Service: American band The Postal Service is known for their blend of indie rock and Electropop. Their hit songs include "Such Great Heights" and "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight." They have been cited as an influence by many other artists in the genre.
CHVRCHES: Scottish band CHVRCHES is known for their synthpop and Electropop music. Their hit songs include "The Mother We Share," "Recover," and "Leave a Trace." They have been praised for their powerful and emotive vocals.
M83: French band M83 is known for their blend of shoegaze and Electropop. Their hit songs include "Midnight City," "Wait," and "Do It, Try It." They have been cited as an influence by many other artists in the genre.
Grimes: Canadian artist Grimes is known for her experimental blend of electronic music and pop. Her hit songs include "Genesis," "Oblivion," and "Kill V. Maim." She has been praised for her unique vocals and production style.
Hot Chip: British band Hot Chip is known for their blend of electronic music and indie pop. Their hit songs include "Over and Over," "Ready for the Floor," and "Huarache Lights." They have been praised for their catchy hooks and danceable beats.
Broader context
One notable book on the subject is "Routledge Guide to Music Technology" (2006) by Thom Holmes. In the book, Holmes describes electropop as a fusion of "pop and electronic technology, hampered by none of the burdensome legacies of either." According to Holmes, the genre's focus on using electronic instrumentation to create pop-influenced melodies has had a tremendous impact on contemporary music, with electropop artists like Lady Gaga, Daft Punk, and Robyn continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the genre.
Another author who has explored the cultural significance of electropop is Ted Gioia. In his book "Love Songs: The Hidden History" (2015), Gioia examines the role of electropop in the evolution of romantic music. According to Gioia, electropop's use of electronic instruments to create clean, precise sounds reflects the contemporary obsession with technological progress, and its emphasis on catchy hooks and danceable rhythms highlights the importance of escapism in modern culture. Gioia claims that electropop has been a significant influence on popular music, with its impact felt through the incorporation of electronic instrumentation into mainstream pop.
A notable quote on the genre comes from the musician and producer, Brian Eno. In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Eno stated that electropop "is still the most dynamic, exciting kind of music for me." According to Eno, what makes electropop unique is its ability to simultaneously embody aspects of nostalgia and futurism, enabling artists to create music that is both contemporary and timeless. He also claims that the genre has been influential in the development of modern dance music, stating that "electropop is where the groove still is."
In addition to books and quotes, the genre has been analyzed in numerous academic journals. One such example is "Electropop: The Evolution of Synthpop" (2011) by Emily Rose Jackson, which explores the role of electropop in the larger evolution of the synthpop genre. According to Jackson, electropop represents a "new age of post-modern music" that is characterized by its use of electronic instrumentation, minimalism, and a focus on visual presentation. Jackson claims that electropop has had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing everything from fashion to film.
One of the significant factors that contributed to the rise of electropop was the increased availability of music equipment. During the 1970s, synthesizers and drum machines were typically expensive and only available to a privileged few. However, the introduction of the affordable, versatile synthesizer, the Minimoog, changed the music landscape fundamentally. It helped establish the new sound of electronic music, which quickly found its way into popular music culture.
The cultural and social context of the time also played a vital role in electropop's emergence. The 1980s were a time of significant economic, political, and social changes in the western world. Urbanization, the rise of consumerism, and the evolution of mass media led to a sense of political and cultural upheaval. Electropop's upbeat, catchy melodies and stadium-filling sound reflected the optimism of youth culture.
Parallel to this cultural revolution, the music industry transformed rapidly. Independent record labels, such as Mute and ZTT, emerged to release and promote electronic music. They made innovative use of technology to produce and distribute inexpensive singles and albums, which was crucial to the development of independent electronic music artists.
Journalists and media figures also played an essential role in shaping the public perception of electropop. Prominent British music publications such as the New Musical Express and Melody Maker championed electronic music and helped to promote emerging artists such as Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, and The Human League. Innovative music video directors, such as Godley & Creme and Kevin Godley, brought the visual sensibility of electropop to a wider audience.
New romanticism, with its extravagant clothing and theatrical performances, was the cultural style that aligns with the music's image-making. New romantics such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and Adam Ant fused electronic music with glamour and fashion, ushering in a new era of image-based pop.
The New Order's "Blue Monday," a 1983 single that established a new sound and style for the pop charts, proved that non-conventional electronic dance music could be a commercial success. Two years later, the Pet Shop Boys, with their breakthrough hit "West End Girls," signified a definitive fusion between dance music and pop. It continued to integrate more mature subjects like social commentary and political awareness without sacrificing the dance beats.
Other emerging sounds like the more experimental, darker, and gothic side of synthesizer music's genres like EBM, Darkwave, and Industrial heavily influenced the next seminal electropop trends, synthpop, and futurepop. Bands like Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, VNV Nation, Covenant, Apoptygma Berzerk, Covenant, Camouflage, and And One helped spot the sound and define the genre's aesthetics.