Art pop is a sub-genre of pop music that began in the 1960s when artists like Brian Wilson, The Beatles, and Phil Spector began pushing against the previously perceived limits of pop. The genre blends the melodies of pop with unconventional elements such as progressive structures, unusual time signatures, abrupt tempo changes, and vocal experimentation, with inspiration from orchestral, choral, and electronic music. While art pop is not an inherently dark genre, The Headless Crow features artists, albums, and songs that exhibit a darker aesthetic.