Research Into The Pop and Indie Genres

POP:

'Pop' is a abbreviation of popular, the reason for the music being so popular is that it often borrows the best elements from other popular genres such as rock and dance. Pop is a well liked genre which is proven by its mass audience. 

Artists who belong to the pop genre are artists such as: 

Katy Perry

Beyoncé

Rihanna

Justin Bier

Drake

One Direction

Britney Spears

Bruno Mars

Nicki Minaj

Chris Brown

Pitbull 

LMFAO

Lady Gaga

Coldplay 

Here are some examples of songs from the pop genre:

Songs from the pop genre consist of short-to-medium length songs which means they are approximately 3 minutes in length. Within this time, a verse usually takes the opening spot, followed by a chorus which is then repeated along with catchy hooks. 

Examples of song lengths:

Examples of this lyric structure:

- Katy Perry 'Roar' = verse, hook, chorus, hook, chorus

- Justin Bieber 'Baby' = verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus

- LMFAO 'Sexy And I Know It' = verse, chorus, hook, verse, chorus, hook, hook, chorus 

INDIE:

'Indie' is the shortened version of the word 'independent', this genre consists of music produced independently from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries. The indie genre sometimes expands into genres such as indie rock and indie pop - therefore it may include music that is not independently produced as independent artists tend not to fall into a single genre.

Artists who belong to the indie genre are artists such as: 

Arcade Fire

Bastille 

Lana Del Rey

Arctic Monkeys

Fall Out Boys

Imagine Dragons 

HAIM

Beady Eye

Jake Bugg

The Killers

Keane 

Examples of songs from the indie genre:

Examples of song lengths:

I believe the the structure of alternative/indie music is very similar to that used in the pop genre, this means they include any of the following elements: verse-chorus-verse with catchy melodies, an emphasis on a strong central melody and a 4/4 rhythm (time signature).

Examples of song structure:

Foo Fighters 'The Pretender' = 

Alternative music sets apart from pop music when it becomes more experimental when it takes a risk - this is done with the instrumental side of things (acoustic guitar is a favourite instrument to use) as well as edgier lyrics which could be poetic or not politically correct. The lyrics tend to be extremely social and political, but nowadays they have become more mainstream, for example "Black Balloon" by the Goo Goo Dolls is about a girl with a heroin addiction.