Alternative pop

Alternative pop (also known as alt-pop and left-field pop), is a term used to describe 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.[2] The Independent described alt-pop as "a home-made, personalised 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.[3]

Alternative pop
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsMid-1980s, United Kingdom
Derivative formsFuturepop
Other topics

History

According to AllMusic, the alternative scene's "left-of-center pop" failed to experience mainstream success during the 1980s,[4] although the UK alternative pop band Siouxsie and the Banshees saw success in that decade.[5] 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.[6] In the late '00s, American singer Santigold established herself as an "alternative pop hero" due to her apparent artistic conviction.[7]

Lana Del Rey performing at Irving Plaza, June 2012

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."[8] New Zealand alt-pop singer Lorde achieved global success in 2013 and 2014, topping charts and winning awards.[9] In 2022, American singer Billie Eilish was credited with marking the "ascendence" of alternative pop in the mainstream with her dark, downbeat pop.[3]

References
  1. Routledge, ed. (2019-12-21). POP ALTERNATIVO EN LA ÚLTIMA DÉCADA. p. 263. ISBN 9781351218726.
  2. "Alternative Pop | Definition of Alternative Pop by Merriam-Webster". Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  3. Beaumont, Mark (June 26, 2022). "Billie Eilish review, Glastonbury 2022: History-making set is 90 minutes of noir-pop catharsis". The Independent. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  4. "Alternative Pop/Rock Music Genre Overview". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  5. Goddard, Simon (2010). Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and the Smiths [Sioux, Siouxsie entry]. Ebury Press. p. 393. ISBN 978-0452296671.
  6. Eloise, Marianne (October 5, 2020). "From Avril Lavigne to Billie Eilish: a recent history of pop's alt-girls". The Forty-Five. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  7. Pelly, Jenn (December 20, 2022). "Confronting Music's Mental Health Crisis". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  8. Shouneyia, Alexa. "Songs That Defined the Decade: Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die'". Billboard. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  9. Mitchell, Tony (2018). "Lorde's Auckland: Stepping Out of "the Bubble"". Made in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand Studies in Popular Music: Ch. 3.


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