Page "Synthpop" Paragraph 7

In its second phase in the 1980s, the introduction of dance beats and more conventional rock instrumentation, made the music warmer and catchier and contained within the conventions of three-minute pop.

Synthesizers were increasingly used to imitate the conventional and clichéd sound of orchestras and horns.

Thin, treble-dominant, synthesized melodies and simple drum programmes gave way to thick, and compressed production, and a more conventional drum sound.

Lyrics were generally more optimistic, dealing with more traditional subject matter for pop music such as romance, escapism and aspiration.

According to music writer Simon Reynolds, the hallmark of 1980s synthpop was its " emotional, at times operatic singers " such as Marc Almond, Alison Moyet and Annie Lennox.

Because synthesizers removed the need for large groups of musicians, these singers were often part of a duo where their partner played all the instrumentation.