[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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[1980s Nostalgia] What Is the World of Synthwave? — Recommended Popular Tracks (1–10)
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!
A Race Against TimePYLOT
Synthwave doesn’t exclusively use analog synths; there are plenty of tracks that feature guitar sounds as well.
PYLOT is a music producer who debuted with a single in 2015, known for artist visuals featuring a helmet like the protagonist in the ’80s film The Wraith, with an identity and background shrouded in mystery.
The track discussed here, A Race Against Time, is his fourth single—a superb song that, while rooted in retro ’80s synth sounds, uses a fairly loud backing guitar as a great accent.
The key is the balance: the synths remain the core, and the guitar is introduced mainly to thicken the overall sound.
The arrangement skillfully contrasts calm and intensity, making it dramatic and undeniably cool, and of course, romantic melodic lines are woven throughout.
As an aside, it’s said that PYLOT’s true identity is Tim Butler, an electronic musician who has also worked under the name Rundfunk.
BrokendateCom Truise
I can’t help but feel a certain deflating irony from the stage name that riffs on Tom Cruise, but the American artist Com Truise has been drawing attention in the electronic music scene with meticulous, synth-obsessed production.
He took part in Daft Punk’s remix album Tron: Legacy Reconfigured, so some of you may have first discovered him there.
His full-length album Galactic Melt, released in 2011, centers on an ’80s-style, nostalgic synth sound while embracing genres like electronica and synth-funk, resulting in a delightfully retro work where electronic sounds fly freely.
It’s even been described as “Boards of Canada time-traveling to the ’80s,” which already tells you it’s anything but ordinary.
Among the tracks introduced here, Brokendate stands out as one of the most nostalgic on this uniquely flavored album—a popular song whose poignant melody hides within playful analog-synth textures.
[80s Nostalgia] What Is the World of Synthwave? — Recommended Popular Songs (11–20)
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!
Turbo KillerCarpenter Brut
That’s an incredible—no, downright outrageous—artist name.
The person behind it is Franck Hueso, a synthwave artist from Poitiers, France, using it as his stage name.
Although an electronic musician, his sound leans heavily into metal and rock, and he even performs live with metal band musicians.
For the devoted fans: it’s surprising to learn he originally worked as a producer for Deathspell Omega, a cult-favorite French black metal band.
Carpenter Brut’s 2015 track Turbo Killer is a standout that fuses hard guitar with electronic music, and it’s racked up over 10 million views on YouTube.
It evokes the world of ’80s horror movie soundtracks while carrying the lineage of 2000s French electro—an undeniably cool vibe.
The track is also included on EP III, the third release in the EP series that started in 2012, and in 2017 all three EPs were compiled into the album TRILOGY.
In The Face Of EvilMagic Sword
Just from the name Magic Sword, some might mistake them for an epic metal band, but they’re actually a synthwave trio from Idaho, USA.
That said, the impression isn’t entirely off: within synthwave’s core 80s themes, they incorporate symphonic elements reminiscent of fantasy RPGs and films, presenting a sound distinct from dreamier, pop-leaning synthwave.
The track introduced here, “In The Face Of Evil,” was released in 2015 and was also used in the official trailer for the 2017 film Thor: Ragnarok, so even if you don’t know the name Magic Sword, you may have heard the song.
While anchored by a serious, heavy synth sound, the simple yet resounding long guitar tones that enter partway through add an epic quality that aligns with metal themed around fantasy.
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.