Best Synthwave

When highly evolved AIs set out to eradicate mankind, the carnage that ensues fills the air with the stench of fresh blood and burning bodies. In a desperate bid to prevent the calamity from ever occurring, a scientist bets everything on a remnant from the past. Turning the clock back a hundred year...

Valhalla Supermassive is a powerhouse reverb and delay plugin renowned for its massive, otherworldly soundscapes. Its unique algorithm allows for incredibly long, lush reverbs and complex, modulated delays, perfect for creating cinematic textures and experimental sound design within Ableton Live. Th...

Skies of Arcadia is a Japanese role-playing game released in 2000. Players control Vyse and his crew as they navigate a world shattered by conflict aboard their airship, the Liberian. The game’s notable feature is its expansive open world and strategic combat system focused on aerial battles against...

Katana ZERO is a high-octane, neo-noir action platformer that perfectly encapsulates the 'high-tech, low-life' aesthetic. Players control a samurai with superhuman abilities navigating a drug-fueled dystopian city. The game features a unique time-manipulation mechanic where players must plan out the...

The Waldorf Quantum is a masterpiece of hybrid synthesis, combining wavetable, granular, and FM engines with an analog filter. It offers a massive sound palette that can transition from organic, grainy textures to sharp, metallic leads. Its unique 'Quantum' engine allows for complex modulation paths...

Autobahn is a 1974 studio album by Kraftwerk. It’s notable for establishing the “motorik” rhythmic pattern—a driving, repetitive beat—and significantly influencing electronic music genres like synthwave and retrowave. The album's atmospheric soundscapes and exploration of themes related to travel an...

The Arturia KeyLab 61 MkIII is a powerhouse MIDI keyboard designed for serious music production. Its semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys provide a comfortable playing experience, while the extensive array of assignable knobs, sliders, and pads offers unparalleled control over your DAW and virtual...

The S61 is renowned for its deep integration within the Native Instruments ecosystem, particularly with Kontakt and Komplete libraries. It features a solid 61-key range and a control surface designed to mirror professional hardware synthesizers. It provides a highly structured and reliable workflow,...

Hotline Miami is a 1989 Miami-based top-down shooter where an unnamed protagonist systematically eliminates members of the Russian mafia. Players utilize animal masks to gain unique combat abilities, progressing through levels marked by escalating violence and a descent into psychological distress....

Native Instruments Komplete 14 is a comprehensive suite of virtual instruments, effects, and sounds for music production. It includes a vast library of sampled instruments, synthesizers, and effects plugins, providing a wide range of sonic possibilities. Komplete 14 is a valuable resource for both b...

Out Run, released in 1986, was an arcade racing game developed by Sega utilizing innovative hardware and graphics. Players navigated a nonlinear course attempting to reach designated locations while managing a timed race with a selectable soundtrack. The game featured a hydraulic motion simulator de...

The Blue Nile is an electronic music album notable for its immersive atmosphere and evocative synthwave soundscapes. Characterized by melancholic melodies and dreamy textures, it’s frequently recognized as a seminal work within the retrowave genre. The album appeals to listeners interested in ambien...

Transistor is a narrative-driven action RPG developed by Supergiant Games. The game utilizes a unique control system centered around manipulating sound waves through a transistor device. This mechanic allows players to shape combat and traversal within its cyberpunk setting. It’s particularly appeal...

The Moog Subsequent 37 is a compact polyphonic analog synthesizer that captures the classic Moog sound in a modern, accessible package. It features a high-quality analog engine with multiple oscillators and filters, allowing for rich, warm tones. Its design is inspired by vintage instruments but inc...

*Currents* solidified Tame Impalas position as one of the most exciting and innovative bands in contemporary rock. The albums shimmering synths, swirling psychedelic textures, and Kevin Parkers distinctive vocals create a truly immersive and hypnotic listening experience. Its a landmark achievement...

It has been 50 years since mankind began its migration to the terraformed Mars, where they live in comfort due to advancements in AI. Carole lives in the metropolis of Alba City, working part-time by day and playing keyboard by night. Tuesday has run away from her home in Hershell City to escape the...

Eighteen-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki has failed his college entrance exams, but after pulling some strings, he manages to land a job at the Sion Artificial Intelligence Corporation. SAI Corp is responsible for the creation of "Giftias"—highly advanced androids which are almost indiscernible from norma...

The Moog Grandmother is a semi-modular analog synthesizer that provides the classic Moog sound with modern usability. It features two oscillators, a ladder filter, and a variety of modulation sources. Its 'easy' mode makes it accessible for beginners, while its modular capabilities allow experienced...

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre is a landmark electronic album released in 1976. It significantly popularized synthesizers and ambient music, establishing a foundational sound for genres like synthwave and retrowave. The work’s atmospheric textures and melodic structures appeal to listeners interested...

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a first-person shooter expansion set in a reimagined 1980s Canada. Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt, a cyborg operative, battles a dragon infused with blood plasma on a tropical island. The game’s distinctive synthwave aesthetic and incorporation of classic media like *Miami Vice...

Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 captures a groundbreaking live performance featuring the duo's signature pyramid stage and immersive visuals. The concert showcased a meticulously crafted mix of their influential electronic music catalog, primarily synthwave hits, appealing to fans of French electronic music...

The *Drive* soundtrack is a collection of instrumental music composed for Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 film. Featuring contributions from Cliff Martinez, Kavinsky, and College, it utilizes synthwave and retro-electronic elements to create an atmosphere of tension and stylish cool. This soundtrack is...

The “DUNE feat. Hatsune Miku” project presents a music video animation of Kenshi Yonezu’s song Suna no Wakusei incorporating the vocals of Hatsune Miku. Minakata Laboratory created the visuals, blending elements of futuristic and cyberpunk aesthetics with synthwave influences. This work is notable f...

The Erica Synths Black Sequencer is a modular Eurorack device designed for complex rhythmic creation. It provides sixteen independent sequencer tracks allowing for intricate patterns and polyrhythms. Notable features include probability sequencing which introduces randomness into the timing, and per...

A stylized, retro-inspired spin-off that pays homage to 1980s action movies and arcade games. Set in a neon-soaked cyberpunk future, it features exaggerated combat, synthwave music, and over-the-top visuals. While not a traditional Far Cry entry, it captures the series' core loop of exploration and...

While not a traditional heist, this film functions as a getaway movie, where the soundtrack is as crucial as the action. The protagonist plans and executes a series of high-speed escapes synchronized perfectly to the music. Its a pure, kinetic adrenaline rush, making the act of escape feel as choreo...

Eye of the Beholder was a role-playing game initially released in 1991 for MS-DOS and later ported to Amiga, Sega CD, Super NES, Atari Lynx (unreleased), and Game Boy Advance. Developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc., the game featured a soundtrack by Yuzo Koshir...

Andrew Huang is a musician and educator known for his unique electronic music explorations. He produces engaging tutorial content focusing on vintage synthesizers, sound design, and experimental techniques. His interactive approach makes complex production concepts accessible to musicians of all lev...

Zombi 2 is a 1979 Italian horror film directed by Lucio Fulci. The movie expands upon George A. Romero’s *Dawn of the Dead*, featuring Tisa Farrow and Ian McCulloch. Known for its graphic gore and innovative use of synthwave music, it's a cult classic appreciated by fans of Italian exploitation horr...