The Song Planner

Synthwave Pop

tagStarted 2013Peak 2016-2021Last big hit still active

Located in 3 routes

Pop → Electropop / SynthpopElectronic / Dance → Electropop / SynthpopElectronic / Dance → Synthwave / Retrowave / Vaporwave

Vocal-driven synthwave that pairs the genre's neon retro-80s production with proper pop songcraft. Gated reverb snares, glassy FM bells, soaring analog leads, and wailing sax solos back yearning, romantic vocals. Cinematic and nostalgic, built for night drives, with widescreen choruses and a soft-focus VHS glow.

History

When instrumental synthwave matured around 2013-2014, a song-oriented wing emerged adding lead vocals and conventional verse-chorus structures. The Midnight (Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan) and FM-84 with vocalist Ollie Wride defined the sound, building devoted online followings and a touring circuit through the late 2010s.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Pop

Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Midnight
  • https://vehlinggo.com/fm-84/
  • https://synthwave.fandom.com/wiki/The_Midnight