What is Synthwave?
Where It Started
Synthwave didn’t come out of a record label or a club scene. It came from memory. Not personal memory—but a shared idea of the 1980s that lives in movies, TV reruns, old video games, and glitchy VHS tapes.
It started online in the 2000s. Forums like NeoGAF, YouTube channels that uploaded retro ads, and blogs trading film scores all helped build an early base. No one planned it. It grew because people found each other. They had the same images in their heads: neon lights, slow-motion car shots, polygonal sunsets, synths ringing out in the background.
Core Influences
Synthwave’s foundation is easy to trace. If you’re trying to make this kind of music or just want to understand it better, these are the major building blocks.
1980s film scores
John Carpenter’s self-produced horror themes. Brad Fiedel’s The Terminator. Harold Faltermeyer’s Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. These scores used analog synthesizers for tension, drama, and atmosphere. Their influence runs through almost every Synthwave track. Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Kraftwerk set the stage for how synths could be used outside of rock. Their work gave electronic music its emotional edge. Arcade games like OutRun and home consoles like the NES and Sega Genesis produced music that was basic in structure but rich in mood. Their limited hardware shaped a sound that emphasized repetition, rhythm, and hooks.
Key Artists
Here are some of the most influential or popular Synthwave acts. If you’re new to the genre, start here.
Kavinsky – His song Nightcall (featured in Drive) is one of the first Synthwave tracks to reach a wide audience. His album OutRun helped define the genre’s themes and tone.
Com Truise – More experimental and textured, his music blends Synthwave with glitch and IDM. Galactic Melt is a standout release.
Mitch Murder – Known for clean production and upbeat moods. His work feels like a corporate training video turned dance track.
Perturbator – One of the key names in darker Synthwave. His music leans cyberpunk and horror. Start with Dangerous Days.
The Midnight – Brings full vocals and saxophone solos into the mix. Their album Endless Summer is often a starting point for fans.
FM-84 – Works with singers to create Synthwave anthems. Running in the Night became a viral hit.
Gunship – Combines synths with pop songwriting and deep cinematic themes. They often collaborate with visual artists and voice actors.
Essential Albums
Here are a few records that show different sides of Synthwave:
Kavinsky – OutRun (2013)
Sets the template: moody, cinematic, and concept-driven.
The Midnight – Endless Summer (2016)
Mixes pop, nostalgia, and emotion into a polished package.
Perturbator – Dangerous Days (2014)
A hard-edged take on the genre with horror elements and intense pacing.
Mitch Murder – Interceptor (2014)
Bright, fun, and feels like it could have come from a long-lost arcade cabinet.
FM-84 – Atlas (2016)
Vocal-driven Synthwave with strong hooks and emotional payoff.
Com Truise – Iteration (2017)
Dense and layered. Less about nostalgia, more about texture.
Mainstream Boost
The 2011 film Drive introduced millions to this sound. Kavinsky’s Nightcall, used in the opening credits, paired perfectly with the film’s minimalist tone and retro aesthetic. After Drive, Synthwave started showing up in trailers, commercials, and indie games.
These weren’t just coincidences—they showed how this sound could work across media.
Where It Lives Today
Synthwave still thrives in online spaces. You’ll find it on Bandcamp, in Spotify playlists, and as soundtracks in indie games. Artists release albums independently and build followings through visuals, Discord communities, and merch drops. While the core aesthetic remains, the sound continues to grow. Some producers now mix it with house, techno, ambient, or metal.
Want to make Synthwave yourself? You don’t need a studio. Most producers use simple setups—Ableton, FL Studio, or Logic Pro, plus a few soft synths like TAL-U-No-LX, Dexed, or Serum. The focus is on sound design, not complexity.
You can start with a drum pattern, layer in a saw wave lead, add a bass arpeggio, and play with effects. That’s enough to sketch something real.
