How does synthpop differ from other electronic genres?
Put simply, the emphasis is on melody and vocals, more so than the other electronic genres. In most dance-oriented electronica, the emphasis is less on melody and lead vocals (apart from the occasional vox sample or repeated riff) and more on the electronics, the instrumentation. In Synthpop, however, while the electronic instrumentation is present, the music relies entirely on melody and catchy lead vocals, much like conventional pop music.
