r/newretrowave

And he is using AI again. For obvious reasons I will not link the new song but if anybody also listened to it, you could tell me if you also think it's AI.

LA artist Yuko Rade dropped his "Sweet Dreams" album last month (https://yukorade.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-dreams). It contains a blend of synth, rock, and pop songs. In particular, this track stands out because the solo guitar work is done by none other than Droid Bishop!

Hey everyone,

I’m curating a very specific 30-track playlist designed to feel like a continuous cyberpunk night drive. Instead of just throwing random songs together, I structured it into a 3-phase narrative arc:

🌃 Phase 1: Leaving the Neon City (Dreamwave, atmospheric, moody - e.g., Timecop1983, Home)

🏎️ Phase 2: Highway Hypnosis (Darksynth, heavy bass, adrenaline - e.g., Carpenter Brut, Perturbator, Mega Drive)

🌅 Phase 3: The Endless Road (Nostalgic Retrowave, sunrise vibes - e.g., The Midnight, FM-84)

I’m currently at exactly 30 tracks, but I want to make sure the flow is perfect. I feel like I might be missing some undisputed Darksynth anthems for Phase 2, or some deep-cut Retrowave for the outro.

What are 1 or 2 absolute "must-have" tracks you think belong in this specific journey?

*(I dropped the link to the current tracklist in the comments so you can see what's already in and avoid duplicates!)*

Thanks in advance, can't wait to update the list with your recommendations!

I’ve been working on a synthwave playlist called Neon Main Street, and I’ve got the first five waves built out now.

The idea I’ve been working on a synthwave playlist called Neon Main Street, and I’ve got the first five waves built out now.

The idea isn’t just to dump a bunch of synthwave tracks into one playlist and hit shuffle. I’m trying to actually program it.

Each wave is roughly 45 minutes and is supposed to feel like a little nighttime drive with its own arc: you enter the atmosphere, establish some movement, build through different textures and energy levels, hit a real peak, then come back down into decompression and afterglow before the next wave starts.

I’m also trying to balance a few different things without making it feel formulaic: the obvious genre heavy hitters, deeper cuts, recognizable songs or reworks for people who aren’t already into synthwave, and eventually a small number of crossover tracks that aren’t technically synthwave but still fit the world.

The biggest thing I’m trying to avoid is making it feel like “Synthwave Essentials” with the same handful of artists over and over. I want someone who actually knows the genre to listen and feel like the playlist has some depth, while somebody who doesn’t know synthwave can still get into it.

I’m five waves in now, and I’d really like some outside ears on it.

If you’re into synthwave, I’m especially curious about the sequencing and flow. Does the energy architecture actually work? Are there sections that feel out of place? Any artists or tracks you think I’d be committing malpractice by leaving out?

And obviously, most importantly: do you actually enjoy listening to it?

I’m not looking for people to just tell me it’s good. If something feels weak or badly sequenced, tell me. That’s useful.

I’m going to post the playlist in a comment So the link doesn’t take over this post.

Hey everyone! I just released my first album as Looking for Luna - Names on the Wall. It’s inspired by The Midnight (of course), but also draws heavy inspiration from Billy Ocean, Midnight Star, brothertiger, FM-84, Go West, Steve Winwood and Chaka Kahn.

It took about 5 years working on it on and off and features a bunch of my friends lending their vocal talents! Jangle Boy is a YouTuber, Justin Young is the vocalist and guitar player of Better Blooms and Loraine, Jeff my life is a fellow synthwave/retro wave artist, Kelsey Rivers is an alternative RnB artist, and Allie Argent is an indie girly.

Pretty much everything music wise was made in-synthesizer, primarily Vital. I played guitar and sang, and the various saxophones and trumpets are sampled one shots and riffs chopped and flipped that I layered with brass VSTs.

I made the art myself in Aseprite! This is the Luna we’re looking for. She and the name were inspired by my youngest daughter outside one night staring at the sky saying, “daddy I’m looking for Luna (the moon)” and basically the whole concept of the project was born from that.

Currently I’m working on an animated album visualizer that I was hoping to release along side it but that probably won’t be done for a few more months (it’s an insane amount of work).

Absolutely NO AI was used at any stage of production of the music OR the artwork.

I hope some folks give it a listen! I’m really proud of it and would love to see what everyone thinks!

Thanks for reading!

A classic. UK band Gunship reached out to fans to get samples not only in the song, but also to contribute their nostalgia for the 80s in the music video. Folks like Andy Last from Beyond Synth can be seen doing the Die Hard air vents😄