This topic probably will not get much attention here, and Synthwave is not one that I've explored that much.

Definition from https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/Synthwave/

https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/Synthwave/ wrote: Also known as: Outrun Electro, Retro Electro, Neo 80s Synthwave is a form of Electronic music that takes most of its inspiration from synth music and pop culture from the 1980s. Musically, synthwave is often instrumental and has a "futuristic" theme, with large, throbbing, retro synths. House influenced heavy drums (often side-chained) are also very popular. It draws inspiration from a variety of genres that originated and/or was most popular during the 1980s, including, but not limited to, Synthpop, Progressive Electronic, Italo-Disco, Electro-Disco and other derivative styles. Synthwave albums are generally arranged in a style that is similar to a Film Soundtrack, Film Score, Television Music or Video Game Music album. The visual element of synthwave is important as well. Album covers are heavily influenced by 1980s films (especially Science Fiction and Action movies, such as Blade Runner or The Terminator), TV shows (specifically Miami Vice and Knight Rider), video games (notably OutRun and similar titles), and other elements important in 1980s culture. The origins of synthwave can be traced back to French Electro House scene in the mid-2000s. Artists such as Kavinsky combined House music with elements of 1980s Electronic music, complete with 1980s inspired artwork. Soon after, several French producers, such as College, Anoraak and Minitel Rose began producing similar styled music. There have also been some synthwave soundtracks, such as Drive and Hotline Miami. Since then, many record labels have been set up dedicated to this sound (the most important being the French label Valerie, American label Italians Do It Better, and the Canadian label Rosso Corsa Records), and a slew of producers have emerged from around the world, as the scene continues to flourish. Note: Not to be confused with Minimal Wave which is sometimes called "Synth Wave."

This is Com Truise's "Data Kiss" off his 2012 album In Decay, which I discovered in the film trailer for "High-Rise". This video uses footage from the 1981 film "Looker":



And Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein's Tangerine Dream reminiscent music from Stranger Things:



Is there any music that you like from this musical world?

I'ma big fan of a lot of Electronic Music, including retro ones such as Kosmischer Läufer.

I guess vaporwave is kind of related? Everything on the Bludhoney label is good, mostly leaning quite heavily towards ambient though.

Not sure if these qualify as Synthwave but as long as it also says Retro Electronic

I’m stuck on a little device right now, which makes posting harder.

Vompatti, Vaporwave does have a relation in nostalgia (has retro qualities) and a think that there is overlap with Synthwave, and I enjoyed that. I think it tends to rely more on sampling, and jingles and kitsch.

Icarium: Ultravox has Inspired retro Synth pop, so there is a musical relation. The track you linked to is from 1980, and that is the period that Synthwave and plenty of retro electronic music evokes. Some big influences on Synthwave would be 80s Vangelis, John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream and Goblin (a fair amount of this retro music I’ve heard might also be classified as Synth pop).

Saperlipopette: I enjoyed all of that music greatly. I knew the Umberto, and had heard The Unseen and Vic Mars before. Great reminder, love the music. Indeed, i wanted to cover not just Synthwave but retro electronic music generally (such as those and Kosmischer Laufer).

Polymorphia: “Erectro” seems upstanding to me.

^ Sorry, I had forgooten to check this topic until now, listening, very interesting music.

Another



By the way, I think "'Erectro' seems upstanding to me" fell flat, but then I do make the most flaccid of jokes.

Edited by Logan - February 23 2019 at 10:36

^ Thanks George, I hadn't heard that before.

This is more chillwave, but nice.

Edited by S1973 - August 03 2023 at 09:56

Edited by S1973 - March 23 2019 at 06:06