Electroclash is a style of music that revives New Wave synthpop instrumentation and melodies post-1997. Deadpan vocals were characteristic of many of the early electroclash bands. Larry Tee coined the term, but DJ Hell from Gigolo Records is also often regarded as one of the pioneers of the genre.

The term "Electroclash" first rose to media attention in 2001, when the Electroclash festival was held in New York. This music was a reaction against current electronic music, in favor of an artistic underground movement. These bands took inspiration from New Wave and modern art, and produced a synthesized pop sound. Many of these bands played at art galleries instead of traditional clubs. The artists that initially received the most media attention were Fischerspooner, Peaches, Chicks on Speed, and Miss Kittin and The Hacker. The song that many have thought given the nu-electro sound or blueprint (and a big inspiration to Fischerspooner according to Warren Fischer of the group) was I-f's "Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass". The genre had a peak of interest between 2002 and 2004, when many media outlets were focusing on it. Some media outlets heavily promoted the genre in the beginning. The Electroclash festival was originally held in 2001 and was held again in 2002 with subsequent live tours across the US and Europe in 2003 and 2004. The festivals have included performances by Felix Da Housecat, Peaches, Fischerspooner, Chicks On Speed, 2 Many DJs, DJ Erol Alkan, Princess Superstar, Mignon, W.I.T., Tommie Sunshine, Crossover, Mount Sims, A.R.E, Weapons, BIS, Avenue D, My Robot Friend, Soviet, and many more. The Guardian called electroclash and minimalist techno "two of the most significant upheavals in recent dance music history."

Artists associated with electroclash include Felix da Housecat, Miss Kittin and The Hacker, Tiga, Peaches, Le Tigre, Chicks on Speed, Fischerspooner, Ping Pong Bitches. and The Slants. Electroclash often overlaps with electropop, and pop artists such as Lady Gaga, Charli XCX and Rihanna draw on 1980's synthpop influences in a style similar to electroclash. The aesthetic is often associated with the 1982 film Liquid Sky.

Even though 2002 is known as the year of Electroclash, 2009 is known as the Electroclash Revival Year, thanks to the growth of electro music worldwide since the early 2000s and the release of material by Tiga, Peaches, Chicks on Speed, Avenue D, Fischerspooner and other electroclash artists during this year.