Art pop is a loose subcategory of Pop that is defined by its inventive, unconventional, or artistically ambitious approach. It often subverts or deconstructs existing pop tropes, such as by appropriating ideas from 'serious' art and music traditions, or by incorporating elements from eclectic genres in atypical settings. Art pop artists often reflect an affinity with art school practices or other non-musical inspirations such as pop art, literature, cinema, and theater.

While many examples of the genre may also be considered 'experimental pop' or 'avant-garde pop', the music need not be challenging or inaccessible. Art pop's main distinction from Art Rock is its departure from Rock idioms and its instrumental palette. Artists may instead draw on elements associated with Electronic, Experimental or Western Classical Music, in addition to traditional or non-Western sources.

Early artists who helped set the groundwork for the genre include 1960s figures such as The Beatles and Brian Wilson, who integrated pop accessibility with high-art inspirations. In the early 1970s, the genre was more explicitly explored by acts who incorporated art school sensibilities, stylization, and conceptualism prominently in their work, like David Bowie, John Cale, Brian Eno, 10cc, Sparks, Todd Rundgren, and Slapp Happy. Important 1980s art pop approaches included Kate Bush's melodramatic take on the genre and Grace Jones's detached, pop art-influenced blend of Dub and New Wave elements. In the 1990s, Björk represented the genre with a heightened emphasis on electronic and Dance influences. Recently, art pop artists come increasingly from indie music backgrounds, including St. Vincent and Julia Holter. Recent art pop artists have also blended the style with Contemporary R&B sensibilities, examples being Janelle Monáe and FKA twigs.