1980s

Synth-pop emerged in the late 1970s and exploded in the 1980s, proving that anyone with a keyboard and a haircut could achieve pop stardom, particularly if they wore tight trousers and sported sunglasses indoors. Characterised by catchy melodies, glossy production, and an uncanny ability to make even the most mundane lyrics sound utterly fabulous, it had the uncanny knack for making you feel like you're dancing in a neon-lit arcade. This genre also popularised the idea that if you wore enough makeup, your musical talent was almost irrelevant, which, let’s be honest, is a lesson that still resonates today.