5 Synth Rock Bands You Need to Listen to

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

If you’re a fan of classic rock, then you’ll love these five synth rock bands. From Depeche Mode to The Cure, these groups have defined the genre and continue to influence modern music. So crank up the volume and enjoy!

Introduction

Synth rock is a subgenre of rock music that makes use of electronic synthesizers. Synth rock bands typically mix together elements of pop music, electronic music, and rock music, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and unique.

If you’re looking for something new to listen to, or just want to explore the synth rock genre, here are five great bands to start with.

What is synth rock?

Synth rock is a type of music that uses electronic instruments to create a “rock” sound. These instruments may include keyboards, drum machines, and bass guitars. Synth rock bands often have a heavy use of synthesizers, which create the distinctive sounds heard in the music.

5 synth rock bands you need to listen to

With the resurgence of popularity in synth-pop and new wave music, it’s no surprise that synth rock is also on the rise. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your collection, here are five synth rock bands you need to listen to.

1. The 1975
2. Chvrches
3. Muse
4. Arcade Fire
5. Lorde

Why you need to listen to synth rock

When it comes to rock music, there are few things more iconic than the electric guitar. But in recent years, a new type of rock band has been on the rise – one that relies on synthesizers instead of guitars.

These synth rock bands have been gaining in popularity, with many of them achieving mainstream success. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, here are five synth rock bands you need to check out.

1. CHVRCHES

CHVRCHES is a Scottish synth pop band that formed in 2011. The band’s name is pronounced “churches,” and their music has been described as “electropop with a dark edge.”

2. Passion Pit

Passion Pit is an American synth pop band that formed in 2007. The band’s name comes from an experience frontman Michael Angelakos had at a French film festival, where he saw a short film called “Passiona” that left him feeling “passionate and pensive.”

3. Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons is a British folk rock band that formed in 2007. The band rose to prominence with their debut album, “Sigh No More,” which was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize. While the band does use synthesizers, they are primarily an acoustic guitar-based group.

4. Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is an American rock band that formed in 2008. The group rose to fame with their debut album, “Night Visions,” which topped the charts in several countries and won them a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance for their single “Radioactive.”
synthetic drums on some of their songs.

What makes synth rock unique?

Synth rock is a subgenre of rock music that is defined by the use of synthesizers and electronic instruments. These days, synth rock bands are often lumped in with other electronic rock bands, but there are some key elements that make synth rock unique. Here are 5 synth rock bands you need to listen to:

1. Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode is one of the most influential synth rock bands of all time. They formed in 1980 and released their debut album Speak & Spell in 1981. The album features heavy use of synthesizers, and it set the stage for the band’s subsequent experimentation with different electronic sounds.

2. New Order

New Order is another highly influential synth rock band. They formed in 1980 as a successor to the popular post-punk band Joy Division, after lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. New Order’s music features a mix of synthesizers, drum machines, and traditional instruments, and it helped to pioneer the “Madchester” sound of the late 1980s/early 1990s.

3. The Human League

The Human League was one of the first synth rock bands to achieve mainstream success. Their 1981 album Dare featured the massive hit single “Don’t You Want Me,” which helped to bring synthesizers into the mainstream consciousness. The band’s sound has continued to evolve over the years, but they remain one of the foremost purveyors of synth-based pop music.

4. OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)

OMD was formed in 1978 by Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, two schoolfriends from Liverpool, England who shared a love for electronic music. The band’s early work was strongly influenced by Kraftwerk, but they soon developed their own distinctive sound, characterized by catchy melodies and an emotive streak that set them apart from their more chilled-out contemporaries. OMD have been hugely influential on subsequent generations of synth-based pop bands.

The history of synth rock

Synth rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The style is typified by the use of synthesizers and electronic instruments, often in place of or in addition to traditional rock instruments.

While synth rock bands typically incorporate some aspects of traditional rock music, they also typically explore new sounds and textures made possible by synthesizers and other electronic instruments. As a result, synth rock often has a more experimental, avant-garde feel than traditional rock music.

The following are five synth rock bands that you need to listen to:

1. Kraftwerk – Kraftwerk is often credited as being one of the pioneering bands in the synth rock genre. The group was formed in Germany in 1970, and they continue to be active today. Kraftwerk’s early work was heavily influenced by avant-garde and electronic music, and they are considered one of the most influential groups in both synth rock and electronic music more broadly.

2. New Order – New Order is an English synth rock band that rose to prominence in the 1980s. The band was formed out of the ashes of Joy Division after lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980. New Order’s sound was heavily indebted to synthesizers and drum machines, and they had a major impact on the development of both synth pop and dance music.

3. Depeche Mode – Depeche Mode is another English synth rock band that was formed in 1980. Like Kraftwerk and New Order, Depeche Mode’s early work was heavily influenced by electronic music pioneers like Klaus Schulze and Vangelis. The band has been incredibly successful, selling over 100 million records worldwide, and they continue to be active today.

4. Talking Heads – Talking Heads were an American new wave band that formed in 1975. While the group didn’t achieve widespread success until later in their career, their early work laid the groundwork for their signature sound, which blended elements of punk, funk, art rock, and world music with experimental production techniques.

5 .Yellow Magic Orchestra – Yellow Magic Orchestra is a Japanese electronic music band that was formed in 1978. The group was strongly influenced by Kraftwerk, and they went on to become one of the most successful bands in Japan with a string of hit singles and albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The future of synth rock

Synth rock is a genre of rock music that makes use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments. It emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and came to prominence in the mainstream rock scene of the mid- to late 1980s.

The future of synth rock looks bright, with a new generation of bands taking up the mantle and bringing their own unique spin to the sound. Here are 5 synth rock bands you need to listen to.

1. Chvrches

2. Muse

3. LCD Soundsystem

4. Arcade Fire

5. Spoon

How to get into synth rock

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that synth-pop and new wave sounds have been making a comeback in recent years. Although these genres experienced their heyday in the 1980s, many modern artists have taken inspiration from these classics to create a new sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. If you’re looking to get into synth rock, here are 5 bands you need to check out.

1. CHVRCHES
2. Foster the People
3. MGMT
4. Passion Pit
5. Phoenix

10 essential synth rock tracks

1. “Cars” by Gary Numan
2. “Don’t Go” by Yazoo
3. “Enola Gay” by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
4. “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode
5. “Marianne” by The Human League
6. “Prime Time of Your Life” by Daft Punk
7. “She Wants to Move” by N.E.R.D
8. “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm
9. “Teenage Wasteland” by The Who
10. “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves

5 synth rock albums you need to own

In the world of rock music, it’s easy to get caught up in the same old sounds. But sometimes, it’s good to branch out and explore new genres and new bands. If you’re looking for something different, why not try synth rock?

Synth rock is a genre that combines the best of both worlds: the hard-hitting sound of rock music with the catchy melodies and beats of synthesizers. It’s a unique sound that can be both exciting and emotional, and it’s definitely worth checking out.

To help you get started, here are five synth rock bands that you need to listen to:

1. Chvrches
2. Passion Pit
3. M83
4. Holy Ghost!
5. Cut Copy

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