Synthwave is a genre of electronic music that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a nostalgic and retro-inspired genre that draws heavily from the music and culture of the 1980s. Synthwave is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, electronic drums, and other electronic instruments, as well as its incorporation of elements from science fiction, horror, and action film soundtracks.
While synthwave has its roots in the electronic music scene of the 1970s and 1980s, it has evolved into a distinct genre of its own. It has become popular among fans of electronic music, as well as those who are drawn to the genre’s nostalgic and retro-inspired aesthetic. Synthwave has also become popular among fans of science fiction, horror, and action films, who appreciate the genre’s incorporation of elements from these genres. Whether you are a fan of electronic music or simply appreciate the cultural and aesthetic influences of the 1980s, synthwave is a genre worth exploring.
Synthwave and Its Roots
Synthwave is a genre of music that has its roots in the 1980s. It is a style of electronic music that is heavily influenced by the soundtracks of action, science-fiction, and horror films of the time. Synthwave is also known as outrun, retrowave, or futuresynth. The genre is characterized by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments.
One of the early pioneers of synthwave was Tangerine Dream, a German electronic music band that formed in the late 1960s. Their music had a significant influence on the development of the genre. Other notable influences on synthwave include John Carpenter, Vangelis, and Kraftwerk.
Synthwave gained popularity in the early 2010s, with the release of the movie Drive and its accompanying soundtrack. The movie’s soundtrack featured artists like Kavinsky, The Midnight, FM-84, and Mitch Murder. These artists helped to popularize the genre and bring it to a wider audience.
One of the defining characteristics of synthwave is its use of gated reverb. This technique was popularized in the 1980s and involves cutting off the natural decay of a sound using a noise gate. This creates a distinctive sound that is often associated with the genre.
Synthwave is closely related to other genres like retrowave, dreamwave, and vaporwave. These genres share many of the same influences and characteristics, but each has its own unique sound. Darksynth, for example, is a subgenre of synthwave that is characterized by its darker and more aggressive sound.
synthwave is a genre of music that pays homage to the electronic music of the 1980s. It is a nostalgic and retro style of music that has gained a dedicated following in recent years.
Influence on Popular Culture
Synthwave has had a significant impact on popular culture since its emergence in the early 2000s. The music genre has become synonymous with nostalgia for the 1980s and its associated aesthetics, including neon lights, retro-futurism, and cyberpunk. Synthwave draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including action, science-fiction, and horror film soundtracks of the 1980s, as well as the decade’s art and video games.
One of the most significant ways that synthwave has influenced popular culture is through its impact on the music industry. The genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with artists like The Weeknd incorporating synthwave elements into their music. The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights” is a prime example of this, featuring a driving synthwave beat that has become synonymous with the genre.
Synthwave has also had an impact on film and television, with shows like Stranger Things incorporating synthwave-inspired soundtracks into their storytelling. The show’s music, composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the band S U R V I V E, features a blend of synthwave, techno, and chiptune elements that perfectly capture the show’s 1980s setting.
In addition to film and television, synthwave has also influenced video games, with titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City featuring a soundtrack that draws heavily from the genre. The game’s soundtrack, which includes tracks from artists like The Cure and Flock of Seagulls, perfectly captures the feel of Miami in the early 1990s, with a blend of funk, punk, and synthwave elements.
synthwave has become an integral part of pop culture, with its influence felt across a variety of mediums. From music to film to video games, the genre’s unique blend of nostalgia and futuristic elements has captivated audiences and helped to shape the cultural landscape of the 21st century.
Subgenres and Their Characteristics
Synthwave has several subgenres that have emerged over the years. Each subgenre has its own unique characteristics that distinguish it from the others. Here are some of the most popular subgenres of synthwave and their defining characteristics:
Outrun
Outrun is perhaps the most popular subgenre of synthwave. It is characterized by its fast tempo, driving rhythms, and upbeat melodies. Outrun draws inspiration from 80s action movies and video games, and its visual aesthetic often features palm trees, neon lights, and gridlines. Artists such as Kavinsky and Mitch Murder are known for their contributions to the outrun genre.
Darksynth
Darksynth, as the name suggests, is a darker and more aggressive subgenre of synthwave. It draws inspiration from horror movies, metal, and electronic music. Darksynth is characterized by its heavy use of distorted synths, driving rhythms, and ominous melodies. Artists such as Perturbator and Carpenter Brut are known for their contributions to the darksynth genre.
Dreamwave
Dreamwave is a more ambient and atmospheric subgenre of synthwave. It draws inspiration from the visual aesthetic of VHS tracking artifacts and magenta neon. Dreamwave is characterized by its use of ethereal synths, reverb-heavy drums, and slow, dreamy melodies. Artists such as FM-84 and Timecop1983 are known for their contributions to the dreamwave genre.
Retrowave
Retrowave is a subgenre of synthwave that is all about mimicking the styles made popular in the original 80s boom period. Retrowave has several sub-sub-genres under its umbrella, each focusing on one of those mimicked styles. The best way that I can separate them is by describing a scene and letting you imagine the soundtrack for it.
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of synthwave that draws inspiration from the visual aesthetic of technology and science fiction. It is characterized by its use of glitchy synths, futuristic sound effects, and driving rhythms. Artists such as Dan Terminus and Mega Drive are known for their contributions to the cyberpunk genre.
Synth-Pop
Synth-pop is a subgenre of new wave that emerged in the early 80s. It is characterized by its use of synthesizers, electronic drums, and catchy melodies. Synth-pop draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including post-punk, EBM, and electro. Artists such as New Order and Depeche Mode are known for their contributions to the synth-pop genre.
the subgenres of synthwave offer a diverse range of styles and sounds. Whether you prefer the fast-paced rhythms of outrun or the dreamy melodies of dreamwave, there is something for everyone in the world of synthwave.
Modern Synthwave Artists and Their Impact
The current generation of synthwave artists has brought the retro genre to new heights with their fresh take on the nostalgic sound. Many of these artists have gained mainstream recognition, with some even topping the charts.
One notable example is The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights,” which features heavy synthwave influences. The song’s success has helped bring the genre to a wider audience and has even sparked a resurgence of 80s-inspired pop music.
Carpenter Brut is another prominent figure in the synthwave scene, known for his blend of French house and industrial music. His high-energy tracks have gained a cult following and have even been featured in films and video games.
David Grellier, the mastermind behind the synthwave project College, has been producing music since the early 2000s. His cinematic synthwave soundscapes have been featured in numerous films and TV shows, cementing his influence on the genre.
Other modern synthwave artists have also made significant contributions to the microgenre. Ollie Wride, for instance, has been praised for his popwave sound, while Miami Nights 1984 has gained a following for his cyberpunk-inspired tracks.
Power Glove and Mega Drive are two artists known for their heavy use of synthpop and science fiction themes, respectively. Meanwhile, Home has been praised for his unique take on the genre, incorporating elements of funk and soul into his music.
the impact of modern synthwave artists cannot be overstated. Their contributions have helped shape the genre into what it is today, and their influence can be heard in many other forms of music.
