alt music infographic

Alt-Pop

Alternative pop

Indie pop

Alternative music

Pop punk

Punk

Hardcore punk

post-hardcore

"Alternative" music is a broad term, and it encompasses many smaller subgenres. Explore them here! (Keep in mind that many people have slightly different definitions of each genre, and some artists may fit into multiple.) This is by no means all-inclusive.

Grunge

alternative Rock

gothic rock

Goth

darkwave

indie rock

Alternative pop

Alternative pop is far lighter than the various subgenres of rock that compose most of the rest of alternative music. While it is possible to have a mix of alternative pop and alternative rock (for example, artists like Avril Lavigne), alternative pop is somewhat similar to mainstream pop in terms of sound, usually with subtle differences in lyrics and style. Some would define alternative pop as being produced by lesser-known artists, but its popularity has grown significantly in recent years, and many alt pop artists are now just as prominent as bands of other genres.