Synthwave: when the 80s plug their synths into the future

Say “synthwave” and your brain instantly lights up with pink-and-blue neon, endless 3D grids vanishing into the horizon, sports cars speeding through the night and VHS-style logos. Behind this ultra-distinct aesthetic lies a real musical story, shaped by movie soundtracks, French touch, video games and a big dose of unapologetic nostalgia.

Let’s dive into the history of synthwave: its origins, pioneers, key artists, subgenres… and where to find synthwave tracks for your videos, podcasts and gaming sessions.

1. What is synthwave music?

Synthwave (sometimes called retrowave or futuresynth) is a retro-futuristic electronic genre inspired by the soundtracks of 70s–80s action, sci-fi and horror movies, as well as video games, TV jingles and the pop culture of that era.

Its DNA includes:

• heavy use of synthesizers, often echoing legendary analog and digital gear (Juno, Jupiter, DX7, etc.);
• drum machines with tight, mechanical grooves;
• round bass lines, lush pads and simple yet insanely effective chord progressions;
• an atmosphere that swings between nostalgia, melancholy, nocturnal adrenaline and “false memories” of a past you may not even have lived through.

Even though the sounds clearly evoke the 80s, the production is totally modern: compression, stereo image, sound design… Synthwave isn’t just vintage cosplay, it’s a contemporary reinterpretation of a past sonic world.

2. Origins: VHS tapes, synths and geek culture

The legacy of the 70s–80s

Before people ever used the word “synthwave”, there were the pioneers: film composers from the 70s and 80s who laid the foundations of the sound. Sci-fi, thriller and horror soundtracks were built on analog synths, repeating motifs and a constant sense of tension.

These textures made a deep impression on a whole generation of viewers. Years later, many of them became musicians, producers and beatmakers, determined to recreate that feeling of “watching a VHS movie way too late at night”.

Nostalgia gets organized

In the mid-2000s, the internet allowed this nostalgia to turn into an actual movement. Forums, blogs, YouTube channels and entire communities started celebrating:

• TV show intros,
• 8-bit and 16-bit video games,
• action and sci-fi soundtracks,
• commercials and TV idents dripping with 80s aesthetics.

Synthwave is born from this geeky, movie-obsessed culture that proudly embraces neon lights, 3D grids, sports cars and lone anti-heroes.

3. The key role of French touch and early pioneers

France played a major role in shaping modern synthwave. Emerging from the electronic and French touch scene, a new wave of producers started mixing:

• the efficiency of house and electro,
• the melodic sensibility of 80s soundtracks,
• carefully crafted visuals inspired by VHS covers and arcade cabinets.

Artists like Kavinsky, College and others close to the French touch universe laid down the blueprint: mid-tempo beats, synthetic bass lines, simple but memorable melodies and a nocturnal, cinematic mood.

At the same time, the shadow of classic film composers loomed large over the movement: minimalist horror scores, sweeping sci-fi pads, catchy police-series themes… All of this fed into the synthwave sound long before the genre had a name.

4. The breakout moment: movies, video games and TV shows

Synthwave truly moved from niche curiosity to a identified genre thanks to a powerful combination: cinema, video games and TV series.

The turning point of modern soundtracks

Certain modern soundtracks became springboards for the genre. One film in particular, with a meticulously stylized direction, featured:

• a nocturnal, urban, neon-drenched visual world;
• a lone driver cruising through the city;
• slow, electronic tracks loaded with tension, romance and mystery.

This blend of arty cinema and retro-futuristic electronic music introduced synthwave to a much wider audience than the core electronic-music crowd.

Video games: 80s aesthetics, now playable

Video games also played a decisive role. Some titles fully embraced retro aesthetics:

• visuals reminiscent of arcade machines and 8/16-bit consoles,
• stylized violence and underground vibes,
• nervous, saturated, often dark synthwave soundtracks.

These games quickly became cult hits, especially among PC gamers and indie-culture fans. As a result, synthwave naturally established itself as the soundtrack of a whole retro-gamer universe.

Series and mainstream culture

The rise of series inspired by the 80s – with their bikes, suburban neighborhoods, and mix of sci-fi, horror and kids’ adventure – helped synthwave explode even further. The main themes, driven by synthesizers, became instantly recognizable and gave the genre worldwide visibility.

From that point on, synthwave stopped being a weird internet niche: it turned into a sonic aesthetic everyone could recognize, even without knowing the name.

5. Iconic synthwave artists

The synthwave scene is incredibly rich, but a few names keep popping up when discussing the genre’s history and leading figures.

Some of the most emblematic:

• Kavinsky – Nocturnal moods, deep bass, cold and cinematic soundscapes. His tracks perfectly embody the fantasy of a lone car cruising through the night.
• College – Nostalgic melodies, bittersweet emotion, a sound that feels like an 80s arthouse film. His vocal collaborations helped push the genre into the mainstream.
• Carpenter Brut – High-octane, metal-tinged synthwave with B-movie, gore and horror aesthetics. Ideal for fans of raw, explosive energy.
• Perturbator – Cyberpunk atmosphere, aggressive sound design, dark and apocalyptic vibes. A central figure of the genre’s most intense, shadowy side.
• The Midnight – Romantic, highly melodic synthwave, blending vocals and saxophone with big nostalgia. Perfect for imaginary road trips and late-night sessions.

Around these headliners, a whole galaxy of international artists continue to develop the sound in every direction: more cinematic, more pop, more dance-driven, closer to video-game music… The genre is alive and constantly fed by new producers.

6. The main variants of synthwave music

Like any living genre, synthwave quickly branched out into subgenres, each with its own mood and imagery.

Outrun / Retrowave

This is probably the most widely recognized face of synthwave:

• pink/blue visuals, sports cars, endless neon grids;
• mid-tempo grooves, driving bass lines, steady momentum;
• the feeling of “eternal night on the highway”.

This variant is especially popular for sports, driving, dynamic video edits and action-oriented streams.

Darksynth

Darker and more extreme, darksynth blends:

• heavily saturated bass,
• pounding, almost martial drums,
• metal and industrial influences,
• gore, cyberpunk and horror visuals.

It’s a harder, more aggressive branch of synthwave, beloved by fans of dystopian games, brutal aesthetics and apocalyptic worlds.

Dreamwave / Chillwave / Romantic synthwave

On the opposite side of the spectrum, some artists explore a softer version, often called dreamwave:

• slower tempos;
• airy textures and wide, enveloping pads;
• melancholic melodies, often with a romantic edge.

It’s a perfect fit for contemplative videos, timelapses, chill content, intimate podcasts or laid-back streams.

Pop synthwave and hybrid styles

Many pop, RnB and mainstream electronic artists have borrowed synthwave’s codes: retro drum machines, square bass, shining synth leads, instantly catchy hooks.

As a result, synthwave now goes far beyond “retro niche music”. It has become a full-fledged sonic vocabulary used in radio hits, music videos, ads and indie projects alike.

7. Why does synthwave resonate so strongly today?

Synthwave ticks several very contemporary boxes:

• Nostalgia – It revives a powerful visual and sonic universe – the 80s, VHS, arcades – even for those who never experienced that decade.
• Highly recognizable aesthetic – It’s a genre you can identify in seconds, ideal for giving a strong identity to a video or creative project.
• Flexible usage – Vocal or instrumental, soft or aggressive, synthwave can work in many contexts: gaming, podcasts, YouTube videos, trailers, motion design, indie films…
• A bridge between geeks, musicians and creators – It unites passionate communities used to streaming, online platforms and visual storytelling.

In short, synthwave has become one of the signature sound languages of the digital era, somewhere between nostalgia and imagined futures.

8. Where to find synthwave music for your videos, podcasts and gaming?

If you love synthwave and need tracks to soundtrack your projects, there are simple ways to access quality music while respecting copyright.

A large synthwave collection on MusiquesLibreDeDroit.fr

For your videos, podcasts, streams, creative projects or even some professional uses, you can explore a curated selection of synthwave tracks here:

https://www.musiqueslibrededroit.fr/section/synthwave/

On this page, you’ll find:

• a large collection of synthwave tracks ready to use;
• high-quality artists covering a wide range of moods (outrun, dark, chill, cinematic, etc.);
• music tailored for different contexts: gaming, YouTube videos, podcasts, trailers, branded content…

The big advantage: you stay fully inside the synthwave universe you love while benefiting from a clear and transparent legal framework.

Always check the terms of use

Before you drop a track into your content, always take a moment to read the terms of use:

https://www.musiqueslibrededroit.fr/conditions-dutilisation/

There you’ll find all the key information:

• which usages are allowed (personal projects, professional use, monetization, etc.);
• any mandatory credits (artist mention, link, etc.);
• restrictions (type of broadcast, resale, redistribution, and so on).

This step is essential if you want to protect your content, avoid claims or automated blocks and work peacefully in the long term.

Conclusion: a retro soundtrack to tell today’s stories

Synthwave is like the 80s finding a USB charger and plugging straight into the present. Born from VHS nostalgia, arcade machines and movie soundtracks, it has grown into a fully-fledged, globally recognized genre.

Today, it powers creators’ imaginations: gamers, podcasters, indie filmmakers, streamers and brands all use synthwave to give their projects a distinctive, emotional edge.

And if you want to dress your videos, podcasts or streams with synthwave sounds in a clear legal framework, the collection available on MusiquesLibreDeDroit.fr is an excellent starting point:

• quality tracks,
• a 100% retro-futuristic spirit,
• transparent terms of use.

The neon lights are on, the synths are warmed up – now it’s your turn to write your own story, to a synthwave soundtrack.