Recommended masterpieces and popular songs of Western electro-pop and synth-pop
Genres like electropop and synth-pop have a history spanning over 40 years.
If you start digging into their connections with so-called techno and dance music—or even the differences between electropop and synth-pop to begin with—you’ll find there’s no end to it.
Setting that historical background aside for now, we’ve researched and curated a wide-ranging selection of classic and contemporary electropop and synth-pop tracks from Western music, all centered around catchy, pop-oriented melodies!
You might even notice how genres connect across eras.
To music fans who are intrigued, we hope you’ll give it a read.
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Best Western Electropop/Synthpop Songs and Popular Tracks (11–20)
CarsGary Numan
Gary Numan from the UK took the world by storm with his android-like, inhuman look and cutting-edge electropop sound.
He began his career in his teens with a band called Tubeway Army, and after the band split, he went solo.
His solo debut single, Cars, released in 1979, was an instant smash, hitting No.
1 in the UK and No.
3 in the US.
Looping synth phrases, mechanical beats, vocals stripped of any human warmth—his sound had a profound influence on the artists who followed.
Gary himself has openly said he’s a fan of Ultravox and John Foxx, so it’s fun to listen while comparing their sounds.
1901Phoenix
Phoenix, France’s finest rock band.
They’re deeply versed in a vast range of music from around the world and keep producing works of overwhelming polish, so you can’t simply lump them into electropop or synth-pop.
That said, let’s spotlight 1901, the track released in 2009 that put their name on the global map.
It’s a wonderful classic, bursting with irresistible pop energy and glittering ’80s-style synth tones that spark excitement.
Even fans of electropop and synth-pop should find it a great fit.
The album that features the song, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, has a strong synth-pop character as well, so give it a listen and you’ll be glad you did!
The Look Of LoveABC
Listening to this song probably brings back memories for many of you of hitting the disco night after night.
With their instantly memorable name, ABC is a quintessential band from the UK’s so-called New Romantic scene.
While not pure electropop, their sound—lavishly incorporating disco elements and synth textures—was produced by the legendary Trevor Horn, a figure indispensable to any discussion of the 1980s music scene.
Taking that into account, this track surely stands as one of the quintessential synth-pop classics.
I recommend enjoying it together with its flashy music video, which perfectly encapsulates the peak era of MTV!
CloserTegan and Sara
A twin-sister duo from Canada who made their debut on a label run by the legendary artist Neil Young.
Even Taylor Swift has publicly declared herself a fan.
Their early sound leaned toward alternative rock and indie folk with a rustic feel, but they gradually shifted styles and fully embraced synth-pop with their 2013 album Heartthrob, which became a hit—not only in Canada but also reaching No.
3 on the U.S.
charts.
The lead single Closer was featured on the popular American TV show Glee, helping propel them to a full-fledged breakthrough.
It’s a masterpiece where brilliant pop sensibilities, shimmering synths, and bittersweet melodies and lyrics fuse together perfectly!
Maybe YouSay Lou Lou
Say Lou Lou is a duo of strikingly beautiful twin sisters with Australian and Swedish heritage.
They originally performed under the name Saint Lou Lou, later changing to their current moniker.
Their nomination for the BBC’s “Sound of 2014,” which spotlights promising new artists each year, quickly boosted their profile.
The track introduced here is effectively their debut single, released under their previous name.
Their refined, dreamy synth-pop sound—where elegant, floating melodies are woven from hazy synth textures and impeccably tight sibling harmonies—still boasts remarkable quality today.
Pay attention to the subtly cool, Nordic atmosphere and their melodic sensibility that avoids being overly catchy.
Happy Little PillTroye Sivan
A song released as a digital download in 2014 by Troye Sivan, a South African–born Australian actor and singer.
Inspired by Troye’s friend’s struggle with depression, it addresses loneliness and coping with various events in life.
Recommended Masterpieces and Popular Songs of Western Electropop to Synth-pop (21–30)
That’s Not My NameThe Ting Tings
A song by the British duo The Ting Tings, consisting of drummer Jules De Martino and singer-guitarist Katie White.
It was originally released as a 7-inch single in 2007.
The track reached No.
1 on the UK charts and became a hit in countries such as Ireland, the United States, and the Czech Republic.