[1980s Nostalgia] What Is the World of Synthwave? — Recommended Popular Tracks
Have you heard of the music genre that’s already become a major movement overseas, known as “SYNTHWAVE”? Drawing influence from the retro synthesizer sounds and broader culture of the 1980s—films, dramas, and more—it creates a nostalgic yet retro-futuristic world, including its distinctive artwork.
With roots in home-recording artists releasing their work primarily online, it has gained worldwide attention as an internet-born genre, much like lo-fi hip hop.
So this time, we’re showcasing a selection of classic tracks that color the world of “Synthwave,” which is still relatively unknown in Japan! It’s perfect as background music for nighttime drives—enjoy.
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[80s Nostalgia] What Is the World of Synthwave? — Recommended Popular Songs (11–20)
Tech NoirGUNSHIP
If you’re a fan of UK rock and pop from the 2000s onward, you’re probably familiar with the popular band Busted.
Gunship is a project newly started by the vocalist and bassist from Charlie Simpson’s other band, Fightstar, and it delivers a full-on 80s-retro synthwave sound.
Those who know Fightstar for their grunge- and alternative rock–influenced, distinctly 2000s post-hardcore/screamo style might be surprised, but you may actually find yourself impressed—who knew the members had this kind of musical sensibility? Released in 2015, Tech Noir is a track included on their self-titled debut album from the same year.
It’s a beloved song with over nine million views on YouTube, pairing a wealth of carefully chosen 80s references in its visuals with a melodic, nostalgic charm.
Even listeners who tend to shy away from electronic sounds will be drawn in by the outstanding melodies.
Their sonic world has earned high praise even from audiences unfamiliar with their previous band or background—so take this opportunity to dive in!
1982 Space ProgramWaveshaper
I feel like in the synthwave genre, it’s common for artists, unit names, and even track titles to openly flaunt their love for the ’80s, and the piece featured here—“1982 Space Program”—absolutely gives off that straight-down-the-middle vibe.
Waveshaper is the artist moniker of Swedish electronic musician Tom Andersson, who cites not only ’80s culture but also pioneering electronic musicians like Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, and Jean-Michel Jarre as influences.
He also appears in the synthwave documentary The Rise of the Synths—narrated by one of the genre’s gods, director John Carpenter himself.
Waveshaper’s “1982 Space Program” was released in 2015 and is included on the album Exploration 84, which came out the same year.
It’s classic, straight-ahead synthwave: the retro synth sounds, paired with the visuals, create a somewhat spacey atmosphere, and the texture is striking in how it feels both like dance music and like a film score.
GloriaThe Midnight
How should I put it—the unit name “The Midnight” seems to embody the synthwave aesthetic itself.
Formed in 2012, they’re a duo of Tyler Lyle, based in Atlanta, and Tim McEwan, based in Los Angeles, who came together inspired by soundtracks like the one from the film Drive.
Today, they’re among the most popular acts in the synthwave scene.
Their sound not only reflects a longing for synth-pop and new wave, but also incorporates elements of AOR and city pop, resulting in tracks that not only appeal to synthwave enthusiasts but also have the potential to reach a wider audience of music fans.
The song “Gloria,” which I’m introducing here, was released in 2014 and can be considered an early masterpiece in their career.
It’s also included on the EP Days of Thunder released the same year, and its driving synths and catchy chorus create a flawless 80s nostalgia.
The music video, which uses footage from the classic film Back to the Future, fits so perfectly it almost makes you think it was actually used in one of the movie’s scenes.
Since visual imagery is crucial to the synthwave genre, be sure to check out the MV as well!
Exclusive CoupéMYRONE
An instrumental masterpiece whose every detail can only be described as quintessentially ’80s! Just as the title “Exclusive Coupé” suggests, elements like the ’80s aesthetic, cars, a jazz-fusion-tinged sound, and a hard-edged guitar push that bubbly, retro vibe to its peak.
The architect of this meticulously crafted world is the Los Angeles–born guitarist MYRONE, aka Hugh Myrone.
Given that one of MYRONE’s albums is titled “Drift Stage,” it’s easy to imagine just how much he loves the car and game-music culture of that era.
His boundless love for the ’80s fully embodies the spirit of synthwave, yet the fact that this instrumental centers more on guitar than synths is distinctly MYRONE’s signature.
If you enjoy high-velocity tracks by fusion bands like T-SQUARE or soundtracks from ’80s car-racing video games, this comes with my highest recommendation—no reservations needed!
NightdriveVHS Dreams
Anyway, first check the artist name and the track.
“VHS Dreams” with a song titled ‘Nightdrive’—you can’t help but be impressed by how strongly that proclaims synthwave; if it weren’t synthwave, what would it be? VHS Dreams is the project of George Dervenagas, born in Greece and based in the UK.
In the early days it seems to have leaned toward a vaporwave style, but starting with the 2015 album Trans Am—which includes the track ‘Nightdrive’ featured in this article—it moved closer to the sound world regarded as synthwave.
A slightly cheap-sounding drum machine and looping synth bass lead the track, while the sparkling lead melodies evoke that quintessentially synthwave sense of wistfulness.
That said, it’s not blatantly catchy; its understated pop sensibility and balance are striking, creating a subtly dark atmosphere that works really well.
It feels like a song that expresses, in a contemporary form, another facet of the ’80s—one that isn’t simply bright and cheerful.
I Am The ProgramMega Drive
That near-futuristic intro—evoking the unique tension of a sci-fi film or video game soundtrack—already sounds so cool! With a title like “I Am The Program,” Mega Drive, an American synthwave artist, instantly conjures a cyberpunk vibe.
As you can tell from the artwork of past releases, there’s a cohesive worldbuilding at play, and in some cases the music is even discussed within the bounds of the “darksynth” genre.
The track featured here, “I Am The Program,” was released in 2013.
The version uploaded by the hugely popular “must-know” synthwave channel NewRetroWave on YouTube has garnered over 6.6 million views, and the song is also included on the album Hardwired released the same year.
This dark instrumental piece, retro yet somehow refreshing, offers a different appeal from vocal-driven synthwave that pushes poignant melodies to the forefront.
Mega Drive also contributed to the soundtrack of the international game Hotline Miami 2, so be sure to check it out if you’re interested!
Crockett’s ThemeMichael Cassette
With an artist name that proudly proclaims ’80s retro from the outset—in a way that’s delightfully tacky—Michael Cassette is a Finnish DJ and producer who originally formed a duo called Komytea.
He’s been active in the progressive house and trance scenes, releasing work on Anjunadeep, a sublabel of the renowned UK label Anjunabeats.
Given that background, he might not be a pure synthwave artist.
That said, his 2010 album Temporarity unfolds a dramatic sound that pushes ’80s electronic music elements to the forefront, making it a classic that can be heard as a pioneering synthwave work.
The track featured here, Crockett’s Theme, appears on that album, and the original was composed by Czechoslovak composer Jan Hammer.
It’s the theme for a character in the popular TV series Miami Vice—an archetypal ’80s theme within the synthwave world—so choosing this track perfectly aligns with the spirit of synthwave.
New TomorrowMiami Nights 1984
The hugely popular 1980s TV drama Miami Vice is one of the most commonly used motifs in the synthwave scene, and Miami Nights 1984 makes that claim boldly right in their unit name.
It’s a synthwave project by Canadian artist Michael Glover, who not only releases his own tracks but also handles remixes for popular synthwave acts like GUNSHIP.
His 2012 track New Tomorrow is a quintessential synthwave anthem that nails the genre to perfection.
The retro-soaked synth bass that blares from the intro is a guaranteed knockout, and the shimmering synth phrases on top—mellow and pleasing—leave a strong impression with their superb quality.
Despite its major-key, bright, and positive vibe, it subtly weaves in elements of wistfulness and melancholy—an essential facet of synthwave.
Be sure to check out the album Turbulence, released the same year!
Scarlet Speedster (feat. Rhea Raj)Wayfloe
If you’re the type who gets intrigued just by seeing elements like modern, weighty beats filtered through EDM, floating retro synths with an ’80s flair, and a languid female vocal melody, then you’ve got to check out Scarlet Speedster! Wayfloe, whose sleek artist photos are seriously cool, is a Canada–France music duo that counts as the younger generation in the synthwave scene.
They released their debut album NeonWest in 2019, which includes the track featured here, Scarlet Speedster.
Featuring female singer Rhea Raj, this song is—just as mentioned above—a quintessential synthwave gem.
While it is a vocal track, the vocals never overpower; instead, they blend seamlessly with the track’s world-building, a sense of balance that really stands out.
Across the album as a whole, both the instrumentals and the vocal features share that same atmospheric sound world—something you could call Wayfloe’s signature.
If you’re into synthwave, of course, but also vocal-driven EDM or electronica, this will be right up your alley!
Who You Run ToThe Bad Dreamers
For fans of vocal-driven synthwave, this is a must-hear classic! The Bad Dreamers, based in LA, have been gaining attention among synthwave fans, touring with genre pioneers like FM-84 and delivering a similar sonic palette.
Despite their dark-sounding name, the music is endlessly mellow and romantic, with a sublime nocturnal vibe.
“Who You Run To” is their landmark debut single, released in 2017—a track whose high level of polish captivated many synthwave enthusiasts.
The tightly programmed, quintessentially ’80s drums, the shimmering, slightly wistful synth tones, the tastefully layered guitars, and the emotive, soaring vocals are all superb.
Their 2018 debut album, “Songs About People Including Myself,” which features vocals on every track, is sure to please music fans who love the AOR-tinged atmosphere of the ’80s.
In conclusion
By listening to this selection of quintessential masterpieces and popular tracks, hasn’t the true nature of synthwave started to come into view, even just a little? It’s still a culture that isn’t widely known in Japan, so let this article be your springboard—and take a step into the retro-futuristic nocturnal world of the fascinating music genre known as “synthwave.”