>Deep Dive: Exploring Synthwave Subgenres – From Retrowave to Vaporwave
Deep Dive: Exploring Synthwave Subgenres – From Retrowave to Vaporwave
By AI Workflow Solutions, LLC
Introduction: The Retro-Futuristic Sound That Never Fades
Synthwave, the neon-drenched genre that exploded in the late 2000s, pays homage to the sights and sounds of the 1980s. But it's far from a singular sound. Over the years, synthwave has splintered into multiple subgenres, each with its own distinct flavor. This blog takes a deep dive into these related genres—including retrowave, outrun, darksynth, dreamwave, vaporwave, and chillwave—and explores how they were created, what they sound like, and how they relate to the broader synthwave movement.
1. Retrowave
How It Was Created
Retrowave is perhaps the most inclusive and expansive cousin of synthwave. While synthwave leans into cinematic and sci-fi nostalgia, retrowave encompasses a broader homage to all things '80s, including pop, rock, disco, and even funk. Artists use authentic hardware like the Yamaha DX7 and Roland TR-808 to recreate the era’s sonic textures. The genre is not just about sound—it's an aesthetic and cultural revival. Retrowave visuals are often accompanied by pink neon grids, chrome textures, and imagery that recalls VHS tapes, cassette players, retro sports cars, and sunsets that never set.
Notable Artists
- Kavinsky – Known for his track "Nightcall" from the *Drive* soundtrack, Kavinsky merges dark storytelling with retro electro vibes.
- FM Static – A band that combines retrowave sonic textures with narrative songwriting, often blending soft vocals with warm synth lines.
- Lifelike – A French producer who focuses on smooth, disco-inspired synth textures that feel ripped from the MTV era.
Similarities to Synthwave
Both genres share a love for vintage synths, analog textures, and a nostalgic view of the 1980s. The major difference lies in retrowave's broader musical scope and its willingness to experiment with pop structures and diverse influences. Retrowave can be cinematic, danceable, or even romantic, while synthwave tends to remain more narrowly focused on mood and atmosphere rooted in retro-futurism.
2. Outrun
How It Was Created
Outrun was born directly from the adrenaline rush of arcade racing games, particularly Sega’s 1986 hit *Out Run*. This subgenre is all about speed, both sonically and visually. Fast-paced drum machines, pulsating basslines, and shimmering synths power its soundscape—perfect for a digital highway at night. Outrun visuals often feature grid lines vanishing toward a neon horizon, muscle cars blazing through stylized landscapes, and characters wearing sunglasses at night.
Notable Artists
- Kavinsky – Again, his style blends seamlessly into outrun’s hyper-stylized, noir atmosphere.
- Mitch Murder – Known for high-energy, nostalgic compositions that channel the feeling of 8-bit arcades and chase scenes.
- Miami Nights 1984 – A group that combines cinematic drama and synth pop to create sonic joyrides.
Similarities to Synthwave
While outrun shares the synthwave aesthetic, its tone is more aggressive and energizing. Outrun is essentially synthwave in overdrive—less dreamy, more visceral. It emphasizes action and momentum, where synthwave often pauses to ponder.
3. Darksynth
How It Was Created
Dark, moody, and intense, darksynth is what happens when synthwave crosses paths with horror and industrial music. Inspired by soundtracks of dystopian and horror films, darksynth leans on distorted synths, heavy bass, and unsettling melodies to build an ominous and cinematic world.
Notable Artists
- Perturbator
- Carpenter Brut
- Dan Terminus
Similarities to Synthwave
Despite its heavier nature, darksynth shares synthwave’s love of analog gear and retro-futurism. Think of it as the dark mirror of synthwave’s more optimistic side.
4. Dreamwave
How It Was Created
Dreamwave is where synthwave becomes meditative. This genre is drenched in ambiance and emotion, favoring slow tempos, lush synths, and a dreamy, nostalgic vibe. Often instrumental, dreamwave is perfect for stargazing, introspection, or late-night drives under glowing streetlights.
Notable Artists
- Tycho
- Timecop1983
- FM-84
Similarities to Synthwave
Dreamwave retains the core retro elements of synthwave but dials down the urgency in favor of smooth, atmospheric immersion.
5. Vaporwave
How It Was Created
Unlike the others, vaporwave is as much a commentary on consumerism as it is a musical genre. Built from heavily manipulated samples of elevator music, smooth jazz, and pop, vaporwave is surreal and often ironic. It’s a genre that distorts nostalgia into something disorienting and sometimes dystopian.
Notable Artists
- MACINTOSH PLUS
- Blank Banshee
- Vektroid
Similarities to Synthwave
While synthwave uplifts nostalgia, vaporwave deconstructs it. Both use vintage influences, but vaporwave does so with a glitchy, surreal twist.
6. Chillwave
How It Was Created
Chillwave emerged in the late 2000s alongside synthwave but developed as a more subdued, ambient cousin. It blends lo-fi production with dreamy synths and soft vocals (if any), focusing on mood over melody. It’s the musical equivalent of a sun-drenched afternoon filtered through VHS static.
Notable Artists
- Washed Out
- Toro y Moi
- Neon Indian
Similarities to Synthwave
Both genres thrive on retro textures, but chillwave opts for haziness and mellow vibes over synthwave’s cinematic drama.
Creating the Sound: Tools and Techniques
Across all these genres, artists lean on a similar toolkit, blending analog gear with modern software.
- Analog Synths & Drum Machines: Moog Sub 37, Roland D-50, Yamaha DX7, TR-808
- Sampling: Especially vital in vaporwave, using FL Studio, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro
- Cinematic Influence: Films like Blade Runner and Escape from New York often guide tone and atmosphere
- Plugins & Digital Tools: Serum, Omnisphere, u-he Diva, iZotope Ozone for mastering
Conclusion: A Spectrum of Nostalgia
Each of these synthwave-related genres provides a unique sonic experience. Whether you're chasing adrenaline with outrun, exploring shadows with darksynth, or relaxing to the ambient textures of chillwave, these genres offer a soundtrack for every mood. They were built using a powerful mix of vintage hardware, modern digital tools, and a shared desire to reimagine the past for today’s listeners.
Neon Odyssey—our own contribution to this vibrant musical universe—honors these traditions while carving out something distinctly modern. From its analog textures to its retro-futuristic soul, it's a love letter to the endless creative potential of the synthwave movement.
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