Synthwave is nothing new. It’s been around since the early to mid 2000s, and you’ve probably heard it in movie soundtracks like Drive, but you may not have really recognized it as a unique genre of music. But trust me, when you take synthwave out of the background, bring it to the forefront, and really listen to it, there’s a strong probability you’ll be hooked.

The retro synthesizer stylings with driving electronic drums and bass beats take initial cues from the 80s and add futuristic elements that can make a song feel both old and new at the same time. Most synthwave is purely instrumental, but those artists that choose to incorporate vocals seem to enjoy the most widespread appeal and chance for crossover success. Whether you’re looking for some nostalgia, soothing background sounds for work, or music to play when you drop your convertible top and take a drive on a summer night, here’s eight essential synthwave bands you should know:

FM-84

I don’t know that I’d been consciously aware of synthwave until I first learned about an artist known as FM-84. The first time I heard “Arcade Summer” off of the album Atlas, I stopped what I was doing and shared the album with everyone I knew on social media. I didn’t know it then, but once I heard the vocals of Ollie Wride on “Running in the Night,” I would use FM-84 as my measuring stick for every other synthwave band I could find.

Following FM-84’s debut EP Los Angeles, the addition of Wride’s vocals to Col Bennett’s instrumentals on Atlas proved to be the magic ingredient to propel an already stellar sound into the stratosphere. No longer just a featured performer, Ollie Wride joined FM-84 and the two are now on a North American tour and recently released a new single, “Bend and Break.”

Lazerhawk

Lazerhawk first came on my radar through an odd source: on the soundtrack to an independent documentary feature about arcade game collectors titled The Video Craze. With the movie’s tagline of “Where were you in ’82,” the smooth synth instrumentals fit perfectly with the sense of nostalgia for a simpler time that most people who fondly remember the glory days of the arcades long for. The Austin-based Garrett Hays’s music can often be classified as the synthwave subgenre “Outrun” after the famous arcade game of the same name, which allowed players to change radio stations mid-game. The fast-paced “Overdrive” is a perfect example of the Outrun genre and a synthwave song that trades tranquility for intensity.

Thunder Porpoise

Despite the absurd name poking fun at the common synthwave naming paradigm, Thunder Porpoise is no joke. Ranging from the breezy, deceptively simple sounding “Summer Retrograde” to the sublime orchestral remix of “Sequencer – Time” (which leads me to believe the mysterious composer has some experience scoring movies), Thunder Porpoise deserves more attention than it receives in a crowded synthwave pool. Check out “At the Gates” below and tell me you can’t imagine the song fitting seamlessly in a new Robocop or Turbo Kid soundtrack.

The Midnight

Unlike many digital-only synthwave bands, Los Angeles-based The Midnight are bringing their music to the real world with their third live tour, regularly selling out not-so-small venues. Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle play their respective drum pads and guitars with ease and prove that synthwave isn’t just for geeky nerds but the masses. Unlike many instrumental-only synthwave bands, The Midnight rely heavily (and rightly so) on tenor Tyler Lyle’s vocals, but what really sets them apart is the spotlight-stealing saxophone solos in songs like”Vampires.” Catch them on tour or listen to their recent album Kids, featuring the subversive counter-culture anthem “America 2.”

Arcade High

While arcades are a common theme for synth/retrowave, Pittsburgh-based Arcade High goes all in. Synthwave sounds with almost chiptune-like aesthetics, this band doubles down on the intensity with many songs that straddle the line between synth and EDM, such as “Cool Inc.” And as far as the Outrun subgenre goes, they probably have the most on-the-nose song with “Outrun This!” Look out for their new sophomore album, Pixel Passion, now available for preorder.

Futurecop!

Most synthwave bands I come across are male led. Fortunately, Futurecop! knows this and instead pairs with female vocalists to present a much softer and unique sound that makes them stand out from the rest. I especially love the song “Lost Love” featuring DWNTWN and “Fade Away” featuring NINA. The British artist’s new album, Voltrana, features a number of featured female vocalists including Parallels and Computer Magic.

Betamaxx

If you’re looking for a collective of great synthwave artists, look no further than the Rosso Corsa record label. They offer a lot of variety, but besides the previously mentioned Lazerhawk, the real standout is Betamaxx. The solo project of Nick Morey, Betamaxx’s music can be heard on the Kung Fury soundtrack and on Amazon’s Red Oaks (to name a few). Mixing analog with digital, Betamaxx’s retro sound works just as well with screaming guitar riffs (“Black Pantera“) as it does with soft, soulful vocals (“Something Else“). Betamaxx will be making his first UK appearance at the upcoming Retro Future Festival in London.

Wolf Club

My most recently discovered artist (thanks to NewRetroWave on Twitter!) is already in heavy rotation. After digging around online, I found that Wolf Club consists of UK-based Steven Wilcoxson and Chris Martin and together have been releasing music since at least 2014 with their album Back to the City. Their 2018 album Infinity sold out initially and is now enjoying a vinyl repressing. If you want to feel like you’re time traveling, Wolf Club is for you. Enjoy their just-released top-notch music video for “Sway” before you devour the rest of their impressive back catalog.

If you’re looking for the latest in synthwave, be sure to check out the previously mentioned New Retro Wave on Twitter, and if you’re looking for some more female synthwave sounds, check out the Ladies of Synth album on Bandcamp.

What’s your favorite synthwave band? Shoot me an email at preston (at) theroarbots.com and let me know.