Category:Synthwave

Synthwave, aka Retro Wave, is a retro-futuristic electronic music genre inspired by 1980s film soundtracks, video games, and synth-heavy music. It emerged in the mid-2000s and is closely associated with cyberpunk aesthetics.

Characteristics

• Heavy use of vintage synthesizers and analog sounds, recreating the 1980s aesthetic.
• Driving, pulsating basslines and arpeggios, creating a cinematic feel.
• Futuristic, neon-soaked atmosphere, often inspired by sci-fi and action movies.
• Influence from new wave, Italo disco, and film scores, blending nostalgia with modern production.
• Popular in film, gaming, and internet culture, associated with cyberpunk and synth-heavy media.

Artists and Labels

Synthwave has been championed by various artists and labels, including:

• Kavinsky
• Perturbator
• Carpenter Brut
• Com Truise
• Danger
• FM-84