| Alternative pop | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Alt-pop |
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1980s–2000s, United Kingdom |
| Typical instruments | |
| Other topics | |
Alternative pop (also known as alt-pop) is pop music with broad commercial appeal that is made by figures outside the mainstream, or which is considered more original, challenging, or eclectic than traditional pop music.[1] The Independent described alt-pop as "a home-made, personalized imitation of the mainstream that speaks far closer to actual teenage experience", and which is commonly characterized by a dark or downbeat emotional tone with lyrics about insecurity, regret, drugs, and anxiety.[2]
According to AllMusic, the alternative scene's "left-of-center pop" failed to experience mainstream success during the 1980s,[3] although the UK alternative pop band Siouxsie and the Banshees saw success in that decade.[4] Canadian singer Avril Lavigne's success in the early 2000s, including her hit single "Sk8er Boi", helped set the stage for a subsequent generation of female alt-pop singers.[5] In the late 2000s, American singer Santigold established herself as an "alternative pop hero" due to her apparent artistic conviction.[6]
In the early 2010s, American singer Lana Del Rey developed a "cult-like following" with her "cinematic, beat-heavy alt-pop", which was characterized by an "alluring sadness and melodrama".[7] New Zealand alt-pop singer Lorde achieved global success in 2013 and 2014, topping charts and winning awards.[8] In 2022, American singer Billie Eilish was credited with marking the "ascendence" of alternative pop in the mainstream with her dark, downbeat pop.[2]
- ^ "Alternative Pop | Definition of Alternative Pop by Merriam-Webster". Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Beaumont, Mark (June 26, 2022). "Billie Eilish review, Glastonbury 2022: History-making set is 90 minutes of noir-pop catharsis". The Independent. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
- ^ "Alternative Pop/Rock Music Genre Overview". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Goddard, Simon (2010). "Sioux, Siouxsie". Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and the Smiths. Ebury Press. p. 393. ISBN 978-0-452-29667-1.
- ^ Eloise, Marianne (October 5, 2020). "From Avril Lavigne to Billie Eilish: a recent history of pop's alt-girls". The Forty-Five. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
- ^ Pelly, Jenn (December 20, 2022). "Confronting Music's Mental Health Crisis". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Shouneyia, Alexa (November 21, 2019). "Songs That Defined the Decade: Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die'". Billboard. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, Tony (2018). "Lorde's Auckland: Stepping Out of "the Bubble"". Made in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand Studies in Popular Music: Ch. 3.