Synthwave — the music of neon nights and digital nostalgia. Discover the history of the genre, its subgenres, 80s aesthetics, modern artists, and 2024–2025 trends. Listen to the best Synthwave on Minatrix.FM.
Synthwave is one of the most iconic genres of modern electronic music, inspired by the aesthetics of the 1980s: neon lights, VHS culture, retro-futurism, analog synths, and the spirit of cyberpunk.
But Synthwave is no longer just a retro sound. In 2024–2025, the genre is experiencing a new resurgence, gaining fresh sonic ideas and an updated visual wave of popularity.
What is Synthwave?
Synthwave is a style of electronic music influenced by:
- 80s movie soundtracks,
- sci-fi atmospheres and neon megacities,
- arcade video games,
- analog synthesizers (Juno, Prophet, Moog),
- classic cyberpunk aesthetics.
The genre is characterized by:
- rich analog synths
- melodic leads
- retro basslines
- TR-707/808 drum machines
- warm nostalgia
- cinematic sound design
Synthwave creates a world where the past and the future blend into a neon haze.
History: from 80s cinema to the 2010s revival
While the sonic roots trace back to the 1980s (Vangelis, Jan Hammer, Moroder), Synthwave as a movement emerged much later.
2000s
The first wave of retro-inspired artists appears:
- Kavinsky
- College
- Power Glove
The soundtrack of “Drive” (2011) became the starting point of the genre’s global popularity.
2010–2020s
A new generation of producers blends retro synths with modern EDM aesthetics:
- The Midnight
- Gunship
- Perturbator
- Carpenter Brut
- Lazerhawk
Synthwave splits into sub-styles: chillwave, darksynth, retrosynth, outrun.
Sound and Subgenres of Synthwave
Retrowave
Soft, melodic, romantic — the soundtrack of nighttime drives.
Outrun
More dynamic, inspired by racing games and speed.
Darksynth
Heavy, aggressive, dark — cyberpunk, horror, industrial elements.
Chillwave
Calm, warm, relaxed — ideal for meditation and rest.
Synthpop Revival
Pop-oriented sound with vintage influences and vocal hooks.
Synthwave in 2024–2025: What’s New?
Synthwave is trending again — and here’s why:
1. The return of retro-futurism
Neon, VHS, cyberpunk — all of it is back thanks to movies, gaming, and fashion.
2. TikTok and visual aesthetic culture
Synthwave edits, neon worlds, aesthetic videos.
3. New hybrid subgenres
Fresh fusion formats have emerged:
4. A new generation of producers
Young artists actively use VST emulations of analog synths and create their own “neo-synthwave”.
Who to Listen to in 2025?
Alongside the genre classics, the following artists are gaining momentum:
- Elevate the Sky
- Droid Bishop
- Kalax
- Waveshaper
- Starcadian
- Midnight Danger
- Extra Terra (bass & cyberpunk fusion)
And thousands of independent artists on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Minatrix.FM.
Interesting Facts About Synthwave
- Synthwave is often called “music of nostalgia for the future.”
- Many artists still use vintage analog synths despite their high price.
- Darksynth has become an official soundtrack style for games, cyberpunk apps, and VR projects.
- Even major labels film VHS-styled videos due to the comeback of retro visuals.
- In 2024, Europe hosted a record number of Synthwave festivals.
Synthwave on Minatrix.FM
On Minatrix.FM you can:
- listen to Synthwave online,
- download high-quality MP3,
- explore playlists of classic and modern tracks,
- discover new artists and fresh releases,
- dive into the atmospheric world of neon and synths.
We update the Synthwave section daily to bring you the best of retro-futuristic music.
Conclusion: Synthwave is an endless neon night-drive
Synthwave is music that gives a sense of dream, speed, light, and eternal night.
It merges the past and the future, turning sound into cinema.
Discover Synthwave on Minatrix.FM — and start your neon journey.
