However, recent adult contemporary music may feature synthesizers (and other electronics, such as drum machines). The electric guitars are normally faint and high-pitched. The format is heavy on romantic sentimental ballads which mostly use acoustic instruments (though bass guitar is usually used) such as acoustic guitars, pianos, saxophones, and sometimes an orchestral set. Like most of pop music, its songs tend to be written in a basic format employing a verse–chorus structure. It is usually melodic enough to get a listener's attention, and is inoffensive and pleasurable enough to work well as background music.

Īdult contemporary tends to have lush, soothing and highly polished qualities where emphasis on melody and harmonies is accentuated. Adult contemporary is generally a continuation of the easy listening and soft rock style that became popular in the 1960s and 1970s with some adjustments that reflect the evolution of pop/rock music.

For other uses, see Adult contemporary (disambiguation).Īdult contemporary music ( AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, R&B, quiet storm and rock influence.