I'm bored and wanted to put something together just for fun - so I've decided to put together a top-10 countdown of the songs that I think are the best in the Synthwave genre for anyone who's mildly intrigued by the genre to check out. Dunno how many people here are intrigued by the genre, but still, was bored.
If you don't know or haven't heard me babble on about it in the discord, and you're somehow stumbling upon this like "wtf is this shit", synthwave (sometimes also called retrowave, futuresynth or particularly outrun when referring to the art) is a genre of EDM that's heavily inspired by 80s film soundtracks and video games.
While synthwave isn't all I listen to, the genre by itself probably comprises at least 45% of my spotify playlist, so it was time to be big nerd and put it into a top-10 format.
10. The Midnight - Kick Drums & Red Wine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqBbWWCQwrg
This wouldn't be a list from me if it didn't start with something by The Midnight. Kick Drums & Red Wine will forever hold a special place in my heart - while it wasn't the first time I had heard a synthwave song, it was the song that inspired me to search for more music in the genre, both from The Midnight and otherwise. Definitely worth a listen (though I suppose if I thought a song wasn't worth a listen I wouldn't put it on the list) if you're interested in the genre.
9. Jon Bellion - 80's Films (The Midnight Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3sJbD3vaSg
Jon Bellion's '80's Films' has a neat vibe to it on its own, but my mistake was listening to this version first, because now the original is forever ruined for me. '80's Films' definitely is not a synthwave track by itself, but the song is thrust into the genre with a masterful remix from Tim McEwan of The Midnight that gives the song a completely different vibe. Listening to this track is perfect on drives home from work as the sun sets - speaking from experience.
8. HOME - Hold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ty-qFZZPZk
As someone put it in the comments section of the song, describing this song as "Resonance's younger, underrated brother" is apt. Hold is a marvelous bit of music overshadowed by HOME's masterpiece known as Resonance (below), which is truly a shame. HOME is an extraordinary artist with many hidden gems to be found in his arsenal, and Hold is no exception.
7. Scandroid - Neo Tokyo (DANCE WITH THE DEAD Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkgR0SxmMKo
A bit of a polarizing track, Neo Tokyo shows the opposite side of the spectrum of what the synthwave genre can be. Before I knew what synthwave was, I fell in love with Dance With The Dead, though I don't listen to them as much anymore. Still, Neo Tokyo is a showcase of a grittier, more intense style of synthwave, much like Dance With The Dead itself, and is a fantastic song to listen to when you're going like 130/km on the highway. I mean what?
6. The Weeknd - Blinding Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHI8X4OXluQ
What is easily the most well-known synthwave track ever produced to this point, Blinding Lights is a fantastic introduction to the genre. The Weeknd's foray into synthwave was a more than welcome surprise for me late last year. Blinding Lights is a dark, intense track that showcases the best aspects of synthwave, complimented by The Weeknd's unquestionably amazing vocal talent, this song is a must-play.
5. SYML - Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0osziTUQlwQ
If I had one song to showcase to everyone why I think The Midnight are the undisputed kings of the synthwave genre, without a doubt in my mind Clean Eyes is that song. I hesitate to call this song a "remix" because if you take a moment to listen to the original song (link below), it's not a remix at all. It's a complete reworking of the original song. Tim McEwan completely flipped the original folk-sounding song on its' head and created a dark, intense synth track that is simply one of the best.
(Link to original - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGvS285hfjA )
4. Synthwave Goose - Joaquin Phoenix Was Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64R2nVOhhgg
Both in title and in sound, Joaquin Phoenix Was Here is easily the single most unique synthwave song I've ever come across. Mixed with a muffled, dark sound in mind, this is an amazing song that's great to zone out to, and I cannot emphasize enough how much Joaquin Phoenix Was Here stands out from the rest of the pack. What a unique track.
3. Shadows - The Midnight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGwtkJaQ9n0
Shadows is a dark, brooding, eerie song from The Midnight that speaks for itself the second you turn it on. Perfectly accompanied by rainy night drives through near the docks of Vancouver (or any major city, I suppose) or on a long drive home from work, Shadows is a masterpiece in synthwave music elevated by Tim McEwan's masterful mixing and Tyler Lyle's powerful vocals.
2. HOME - Resonance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GW6sLrK40k
The aforementioned song Resonance is a must-listen for anyone first discovering the synthwave genre. Resonance is a masterpiece that showcases all of the best qualities that synthwave has to offer, and is best experienced with a kick ass set of headphones.
1. Timecop1983 - Static (feat. The Midnight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCwR2k6rImQ
Static is easily my favourite synthwave track of all-time. A masterpiece from Timecop1983, only elevated by Tyler Lyle's vocals, Static speaks for itself.
