SYNTHWAVE
WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?Synthwave (or in a broader term, Retrowave) is a subcultural movement focusing on the revival of the musical and artistic tropes of the 1980s era. Synthwave music places the "traditional" electronic music production techniques of the 80s into a modern environment, using present day's solutions, while trying to retain the original feeling and mood of the eighties. Most synthwave productions revolve around classic themes and subjects from the era, including but not limited to love, freedom, partying, action, space travel, or computers. It also heavily incorporates motives from cult classic movies and television series of the era, e.g. The Terminator, Blade Runner, Miami Vice, Rambo, Mad Max, Die Hard, or Knight Rider.
What the 80s thought the future will feel like, synthwave tries to give that to you today.
-via Megahit
https://www.megahit.hu/The visuals associated with Synthwave draw a lot of inspiration from graphics often seen during the '80s, such as sunset graphics, neon grids, neon lights, '80s sports cars, wireframe vector graphics, pixel art that is designed to look like an old school 8-bit video game, video cassettes, arcades, malls, etc.
Some people will confuse the visuals of Synthwave with the ones from the Vaporwave genre, but there are key differences in not only what is used in the art of the respective aesthetics, but also the tone of it: while Vaporwave can tend to have a more tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic tone to it, Synthwave is incredibly earnest with its love of everything 80s and is made in tribute to the era rather than critiquing it. Despite this, however, it's not uncommon for artists from the two scenes to collaborate to make art or music (one noteworthy example includes Synthwave artist Bart Graft collaborating with Vaporwave/Future Funk artist Bubble Keiki to produce the album, Emerald.
The music evokes a sense of nostalgia for the 80s, capturing the spirit of an era defined by futuristic visions. Synthwave artists also incorporate elements of other genres like rock, pop, and disco, creating a unique fusion of sounds.
Synthwave, also hitting the charts as Retrowave or Outrun, is an electronic music genre that burst onto the scene in the early 2000s. It’s a genre that’s all about instrumental vibes, heavily drawing on the synthesizer-driven melodies from classic 80s Sci-Fi movies (think ‘Escape from New York’, ‘Robocop’) and iconic TV shows (like ‘Knight Rider’, ‘Street Hawk’, ‘Miami Vice’). It’s a throwback to the 80s New Wave era, echoing the sounds of legends like Depeche Mode and The Cure. The name ‘Synthwave’ itself is a blend of SYNTH(esizer) and (new)WAVE. Pioneers like Jean-Michel Jarre, Giorgio Moroder, Wendy Carlos, John Carpenter, Vangelis, and Tangerine Dream have left an indelible mark on this style. The genre’s rhythm foundation is also distinctive, featuring classic 80s drum sounds (kick, snare, hat), all treated with compressed filters reminiscent of the Filtered House Music from the French Touch era.
However, Synthwave artists aren’t just about retro vibes; they also embrace modern tech to craft their sound. They use current musical gear to create pulsating bass lines with SideChain compression, and sometimes, they incorporate the hard-hitting kicks or snares found in House Music, Electro Rock, or Hip Hop. Synthwave has given birth to a few sub-genres too. There’s Darkwave (or Darksynth), which draws its eerie ambiance from horror movie soundscapes. Synthpop is another, featuring vocals processed to mirror that classic 80s sound. Dreamwave offers a more melancholic, romantic feel, while Futursynth takes direct inspiration from retro-futuristic film scores. We’re set to showcase some standout tracks from each of these styles, giving you a clear taste of their unique flavors. Moreover, this fusion of old and new keeps Synthwave fresh and exciting.
Drive - Movie Trailer (2011) HD
Kavinsky - Nightcall (Drive Music Video)
College - A Real Hero (feat. Electric Youth) Drive 2011 edited version [HD]
Miami Vice TV series modern trailer
Knight Rider - Original Show Intro | NBC Classics
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