Futurepop

Futurepop is an increasingly popular genre which can essentially be summed up as the evolution, or future, of synthpop. It combines synthpop elements with influences from trance and electronic body music (EBM). The term was originally coined by Ronan Harris of VNV Nation and Stephan Groth of Apoptygma Berzerk; while Harris has in recent years expressed regret for the term, calling it "embarrassing," the label has stuck.

Typically faster in tempo than regular synthpop, futurepop also incorporates extended chord progressions and arpeggios from trance to create a more upbeat, anthemic sound. Stemming from its roots in EBM, futurepop also utilizes driving electronic beats in the background and often uses echo effects and reverberation on the vocals. The end result is a dancefloor-friendly, uplifting experience that has risen to being one of the most popular genres on the darktronica scene at the moment.

Although VNV Nation and Apoptygma Berzerk have both started to move away from futurepop on recent releases, a swarm of other bands have been cropping up to take their place. The other heavyweight of the genre is Sweden's Covenant; Namnambulu caused a big splash during its brief existence, and a number of others such as Rotersand and Mesh have risen to the top of the coveted Deutsch Alternative Charts (DAC). Many other synthpop groups have started moving towards futurepop in recent years, as well.

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