The Best of Synth Pop and Indie Rock Music

A blog about the best synth pop and indie rock music.

Introduction

In the 1980s, a new type of music emerged that combined elements of pop and rock with synthesizers and other electronic devices. This new genre, known as synth pop, quickly gained popularity with audiences around the world.

The sound of synth pop is often described as being very clean and polished, with catchy melodies and hooks that are easy to remember. The focus is often on the synthesizers and other electronic instruments, rather than on the vocals or lyrics.

Indie rock is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was originally used to describe independent (or “indie”) record labels, but soon came to be associated with a particular sound and style of music.

Indie rock is often characterized by its DIY ethic, as well as by its eclectic range of influences. Unlike most commercial popular music, which tends to be derivative and formulaic, indie rock is often experimental and unpredictable. This can make it difficult to categorize or pigeonhole into a single musical style.

Despite its name, indie rock is not necessarily “independent” from the mainstream music industry. In fact, many successful indie rock bands have been signed to major record labels. However, these bands often maintain a certain degree of control over their own careers, and they are usually not beholden to the demands of radio programmers or other industry gatekeepers.

If you’re looking for something new and different in your musical diet, then check out our list of the best synth pop and indie rock bands

What is synth pop?

Synth pop is a type of electronic dance music that was popular in the 1980s. It is a genre of popular music that uses synthesizers and drum machines. It was one of the first genres of electronic music.

The history of synth pop

The history of synth pop is inextricably linked to the development of the synthesizer as a musical instrument. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a number of musicians began to experiment with synthesizers, which were then relatively new and expensive instruments. These early pioneers included composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, who used synthesizers in his electronic music compositions; keyboardist Keith Emerson, who employed them in his work with the rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer; and German electronic music group Kraftwerk, whose use of synthesizers defined their distinctive sound.

As synthesizers became more affordable and user-friendly in the late 1970s, they began to find their way into the hands of more and more pop and rock musicians. By the early 1980s, synth pop had emerged as its own distinct genre, characterized by its use of synthesizers for lead melodies and bass lines, as well as its focus on melody and hooks rather than guitars and drums.

Synth pop enjoyed its greatest mainstream success in the 1980s, with artists like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Pet Shop Boys, New Order,Human League achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. However, by the end of the decade synth pop was overshadowed by other genres like house music and grunge. In the 1990s and 2000s synth pop experienced something of a resurgence thanks to indie rock bands like Phoenix who blendedSynth-pop with other genres such as garage rock to create a new sound that was both nostalgic and modern.

The sound of synth pop

Synth pop is a type of popular music that uses synthesizers to create a catchy, often danceable sound. The genre emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and has since spawned a number of subgenres and offshoots.

While synth pop is often seen as being closely related to new wave music, the two genres can actually be quite different. For one thing, synth pop tends to be more upbeat and positive in tone than new wave, which often has a dark, edgy sound. Additionally, synth pop usually relies less on traditional rock instrumentation than new wave does, instead focusing on electronic keyboards and synthesizers.

If you’re looking for some good examples of synth pop, check out hits like “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode or “Cars” by Gary Numan. You can also find lots of great synth pop songs in movies and TV shows; for instance, the popular Netflix series Stranger Things prominently features a range of classic ’80s synth pop tunes.

What is indie rock?

Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. It is characterized by a DIY ethic, and a raw and unpolished sound. Indie rock has been described as “a style of alternative rock that draws its primary influence from punk rock and new wave.”

The history of indie rock

Independent rock, also called indie rock, is a genre of rock music that originated in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1970s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with subgenres that include lo-fi, noise pop, emo, slowcore, post-rock and math rock. The term “indie rock” is sometimes used interchangeably with “alternative rock,” although the two genres are different.

The origins of indie rock can be traced back to the American underground music scene of the 1970s. Underground music at that time was not easily accessible to the mainstream public, and so it was primarily distributed through grassroots channels such as independent record labels, college radio stations and fanzines. This DIY ethic characterized much of the early independent music scene, and helped to establish indie rock as a distinct genre.

In the 1980s and 1990s, indie rock became more commercially successful, due in part to the popularity of alternative rock. Many indie rock bands achieved mainstream success during this period, including R.E.M., Nirvana, Pavement and Sonic Youth. In the 2000s and 2010s, indie rock experienced a renewed surge in popularity, with bands such as The Strokes, Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend achieving widespread success.

The sound of indie rock

Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1970s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produced and was initially used interchangeably with alternative rock or “guitar pop rock”. In the 1980s, the use of the term “indie” started to shift from its reference to recording companies to describe the style of music produced on punk and post-punk labels. During the 1990s, grunge and punk revival bands in the US and Britpop bands in the UK broke into mainstream success.

The term “indie rock” was used originally to describe garage bands and post-punk groups. The Indiechart website includes Sub Pop, Touch and Go, K Records, Matador, Merge, Domino, Drag City and Bloc Party as part of their “indie rock” definition. Simon Reynolds says that these labels “were reacting against the perceived artistic and commercial conformity of major [record] labels”. Reynolds mentions that most of these labels were founded during 1984–1985; he says that “[t]he initial impulse was essentially one of reaction – against punk for being too tastelessly commercialized or jingoistic or self-serious, against new wave for being way too calculationally samey in sound and image”. These labels were also ” responding to a marketing opportunity created when some guitar-oriented indie bands crossed over into mainstream success.”

The best of synth pop

Synth pop and indie rock are two of the most popular genres of music today. They both have their own unique sound and style. Synth pop is usually more upbeat and happy, while indie rock is usually more mellow and sad.

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode is an English electronic band that formed in Basildon, Essex in 1980. The group’s original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals, occasional lead guitar), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, main songwriter after 1981), Andy Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter from 1980 until late 1981).

The band made their recorded debut with the single “Dreaming of Me”, released on Mute Records in February 1981. Depeche Mode’s first album Speak & Spell was released in October 1981 and peaked at number ten on the UK Albums Chart. Clarke left the group after the release of the album; he was replaced by Alan Wilder (drums, keyboards, occasional songwriter) who joined in December 1982. Gore took over primary songwriting duties and often composed music within a few hours using a synthesizer and a drum machine.

The band achieved global success with their next album, 1983’s Construction Time Again. It peaked at number two in the UK and was certified double platinum in the US. The album’s first single “Everything Counts” topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. The second single “Love, in Itself” peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart while also becoming their first top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart; it would eventually be certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). An accompanying world tour included stops in North America and Australia.

After completing work on their fourth album Some Great Reward (1984), which entered the UK Albums Chart at number five and was another commercial success worldwide, Depeche Mode began to experience personal difficulties which threatened to dissolve the group. In May 1995 after 17 years with Mute Records including all 13 of their studio albums to date; they signed with major label Reprise Records for a reported $30 million contract covering six albums over four years with an option for a further two more if certain targets were achieved; this deal placed them as one of Warner Music Group’s highest-paid artists at that time.

Erasure

Synth-pop outfit Erasure was one of the most commercially successful dance-oriented bands of the late ’80s and early ’90s. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Vince Clarke (formerly of Depeche Mode and Yaz) and singer Andy Bell, the English duo relied heavily on sequenced keyboard sounds, sharp melodies, sexual overtones, and a glossy production to score a string of U.K. Top Ten pop hits, including “Sometimes,” “Victorialy!,” “Oh L’amour,” “Chains of Love,” “A Little Respect,” and their signature tune, “Superstar.” In America, Erasure broke through in 1988 with their fourth album, The Innocents; propelled by the No. 3 single “Chains of Love” and the No. 2 hit “A Little Respect,” The Innocents went platinum, as did its predecessor, Wild!.

While Clarke continued to write catchy pop tunes with strong melodies and memorable hooks, he also experimented with different styles on later albums; 1991’s Chorus found the duo incorporating elements of house music into their sound, while 1994’s I Say I Say I Say was a more subdued affair that reflected Bell’s newfound interest in Northern soul. Loveboat followed in 2000, returning Erasure to more dance-oriented territory; Nightbird appeared four years later. In 2006, Erasure celebrated their 20th anniversary with a new album entitled Light at the End of the World; a greatest-hits collection entitled Hits! The Very Best of Erasure followed in 2007. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Yazoo

Yazoo was a British synth-pop duo from Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom, consisting of former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke (keyboards) and Alison Moyet (vocals). Formed in late 1981 after the disbandment of their previous group, the two released their first single, “Only You”, in March 1982. The record topped the UK Singles Chart and went to number two in Australia.

The best of indie rock

Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1970s. Indie rock is characterized by a DIY ethic, with many bands self-producing their recordings and distributing them through independent record labels. Indie rock has been described as a “catch-all” term for rock music that is not influenced by mainstream culture, though there are differences between Indie rock and alternative rock.

The Smiths

One of the most influential bands of the 1980s, The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The group consisted of lead singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. The Smiths’ music was characterized by Marr’s guitar-playing style and Morrissey’s distinctive vocals, as well as their thoughtful, intelligent lyrics. Although they only released four studio albums during their short time together, The Smiths had a major impact on the British music scene, helping to spearhead the rise of indie rock and influencing countless other artists. After breaking up in 1987, the band has been cited as an influence by many subsequent musicians.

The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses are an English rock band, formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band’s most prominent lineup consisted of lead vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni. The band released their debut album, The Stone Roses, in 1989. The record was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and receiving considerable acclaim from music critics.

The Libertines

The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The band, centered on the songwriting partnership of Barât and Doherty, has also included John Hassall and Gary Powell throughout its history. The band was part of the garage rock revival and spearheaded the movement in the UK.