Exploring Music Genres: Synthwave

Synthwave is a retro-inspired genre of electronic music that draws heavily from many aspects from the 1980s. It creates a nostalgic feeling of arcade games, old action films, and science fiction. Synthwave has become an influential music genre that has grown into a symbol of nostalgia and retro-futurism.

Synthwave emerged in the early 2000s and it mainly developed through online music communities. The genre grew on internet platforms like YouTube and MySpace. In the 1970s to 1980s, the foundations for synthwave were laid. Electronic music pioneers experimented with synthesizers, while film soundtracks and arcade music became popular. In the 1990s, the interest in retro science fiction and cyberpunk grew and older synth-heavy music gained a cult-like popularity online. The early 2000s marked the official birth of synthwave as a music genre. Independent musicians began to recreate 1980s-inspired electronic music. The genre also became associated with fast cars, neon visuals, and futuristic cities. In 2010 to 2013, there was a notable spark in popularity following the release of a film that introduced synthwave-inspired music to much larger audiences. It also spread through YouTube playlists, gaming communities, and streaming services. Today, synthwave remains a popular music genre online and continues evolving. 

The production of synthwave music heavily uses reverb and delay to create a large and atmospheric sound. The songs are often mixed to sound ‘retro’ or similar to old cassette tapes and VHS recordings. Producers commonly use deep basslines, electronic drum patterns, layered synthesizers, and warm analog-style tones. Synthesizers are the most important instrument used in synthwave. However, electronic drum machines are heavily used and so are digital tools. Not all synthwave songs feature vocals but when they do they often include themes of love and heartbreak, nostalgia, escapism, night driving, cyberpunk, and loneliness. The vocals are often soft, emotional, heavily reverbed, or filtered to sound retro. 

Synthwave music has had a range of musicians who helped shape the genre into what it is today. Kavinsky, a French musician, actor, producer, and DJ, is one of the most recognisable synthwave artists. He helped bring the genre into mainstream culture through cinematic, driving music. He made ‘Nightcall’ which is one of the most iconic synthwave songs ever made. The Midnight is an American synthwave band, who blend synthwave with emotional songwriting and saxophone melodies. They released ‘Endless Summer,’ which became one the genre’s most beloved albums and helped popularise emotional nostalgic synthwave. Finally, the French electronic music musician, Perturbator, is known for his dark, aggressive ‘darksynth’ music. In 2014, he released the album ‘Dangerous Days,’ a defining darksynth album that was famous for its dark, futuristic sound. 

Synthwave is more than just a music genre; instead it is a celebration of retro-futurism, 1980s culture, and nostalgia. Over time, the music genre has evolved into a globally recognised style that influences modern music, video games, films, and digital art.