![[1980s Nostalgia] What Is the World of Synthwave? — Recommended Popular Tracks](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MkgR0SxmMKo/sddefault.jpg)
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)
Neo Tokyo (Dance With The Dead Remix)Scandroid
An absolute killer tune that grabs you from the start with a danceable intro where searing guitars and synths boldly intertwine! Scandroid, launched in 2013 by multi-instrumentalist Klayton—also known for his work as Celldweller—is a major standout in the synthwave scene.
While it shares the common thread of expressing 80s elements through retro synth sounds in a modern form, Scandroid is notably more rock-leaning than many peers.
Neo-Tokyo, by Scandroid, is a track from the self-titled debut released in 2016, and the version I’m highlighting here is the remix released in 2017.
Remixed by Dance with the Dead—a popular synthwave duo known for their strong rock and metal influence—it’s even harder-hitting than the original.
Its exceptional popularity is evident from the fact that it’s been played over 13 million times on YouTube.
The cyberpunk-inspired visual imagery is spot-on, and personally, I can’t help but suspect it was influenced by AKIRA.
AndromedaDance with the Dead
Just looking at the unit name and logo is enough to make any classic horror fan grin, isn’t it? Dance With The Dead is a duo formed in Orange County, California.
With members who originally played in a metal band, their sound is notable for prominently featuring hard-hitting guitars.
Heavily inspired by ’80s culture and steeped in the essentials of synthwave—think horror films and directors like John Carpenter—they present a sonic world that differs from the wistfully melodic side of the genre.
The track featured here, Andromeda, is a killer classic from their 2014 album Near Dark.
Centered on tense, solid synths with searing, heavy guitars ringing out, their style is sure to capture the hearts of metal fans as well.
That said, it never becomes overly weighty; their knack for distilling it into something catchy and melodic really hits me personally.
Highly recommended not only for ’80s horror aficionados, but also for fans of dance music and industrial metal.
Running In The Night (feat. Ollie Wride)FM-84
When people think of the ’80s, many recall the music that flowed from the radio.
FM-84 embodies that very nostalgia in its name.
Based in San Francisco, Col Bennett, a.k.a.
FM-84, is known within synthwave for emotionally resonant tracks that appeal across generations, thanks to high-quality production and songwriting.
From their stellar 2016 full-length album Atlas—packed with songs you’ll want to blast while driving down the highway at midnight—I’m highlighting Running In The Night.
The intro alone, with its quintessentially ’80s electronic snare and wistful, hazy synth tones, instantly puts you “BACK TO THE 80’S.” The melody, delivered by guest vocalist Ollie Wride with a lustrous, emotional voice, is so beautiful it almost feels like it could have been a massive hit back in the day.
What’s great is that it doesn’t just dwell on nostalgia; it firmly sounds like music of the 2010s and beyond.
As a side note, if you want to dive deeper into synthwave, you should definitely subscribe to NewRetroWave, the channel hosting the music video!
NightcallKavinsky
If you’re interested in the music genre known as “synthwave,” this is a quintessential, even classic, track you should listen to first! Featured in the acclaimed 2011 film Drive, which brought director Nicolas Winding Refn global recognition, “Nightcall” is a song released in 2010 by French producer and DJ Kavinsky.
It opens with a somewhat serious intro, then builds atmosphere with vocoder-treated vocals, and the chorus’s melancholic female vocals evoke a certain nostalgia.
Simple yet refined, the track crafts a unique sonic world and is truly outstanding.
It was co-produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo—one half of Daft Punk—and mixed by fellow French electronic luminary SebastiAn, so the craftsmanship of these French electro heavyweights is also a highlight.
Moreover, the film Drive itself prominently features tracks by synthwave artists on its soundtrack—something you shouldn’t overlook.
If you like this song, be sure to check out the soundtrack as well!
A Real HeroCollege & Electric Youth
Alongside “Nightcall,” this is undeniably one of the essential tracks when discussing the greatest works of synthwave.
“A Real Hero,” a collaboration between College—the synth-pop/synthwave project by French electro artist David Grellier—and the Canadian synth-pop duo Electric Youth, was released as a single in 2010 and later featured in the 2011 film Drive.
Centered on a female vocal delivering a subtly wistful, poignant melody, the sound world—built on shimmering, 80s electropop–inspired synths and spacey ambience that crafts a dreamlike atmosphere—is both nostalgic and inviting, making it easy to enjoy even for those new to this kind of music.
Personally, I’d also recommend it to fans of post-2010s M83.
Incidentally, the “real hero” of the title is said to reference Chesley Sullenberger, a former Air Force pilot and commercial airline captain celebrated for his remarkable achievement as the “Hero of the Hudson.” I suggest reading the lyrics while looking into the aviation incident commonly referred to as US Airways Flight 1549’s emergency water landing.
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.
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.