We often called this segment Retro Pop Revival, but today we’re calling it Re-imagined because the following acts are re-writing where the boundaries lie within this movement. We can dig it.
NINA and Radio Wolf aren’t just dropping collabs for the hell of it. We already had a hunch, but our conviction pays in full with the release of Tokyo Cowboy. NINA and Radio Wolf are trailblazers. They’re opening new stylistic realms that honor NINA’s legacy as a synthwave super artist, while embracing a wider scope of influence that channels the stylistic super soup of popular music.
Tokyo Cowboy sheds so many influences in one song, it’s hard to start on one without overshadowing the rest. How does a mix of erotic electro pop, dubstep, and western themed soundtracks suit you? How about the influence of ZZ Top and Eurythmics mixed with Prodigy? And with NINA leaning into her German accent, Tokyo Cowboy is a heightened version of her sex appeal. The traditionally modest beauty might be entering her late 80s Madonna phase. Come on, vogue. Let your body dance to the music.
Tokyo Cowboy is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Synthwave hits the dance floor on Somebody To Love, the new single from Cassetter and The Lightning Kids. Unlike the hyper produced retro pop hits known to The Weeknd and Dua Lipa, Somebody to Love retains a classic sensibility familiar to synthwaves first heroes while injecting some new electronic dance inspired energy. The erotic spoken word vocal blended with the sparse singing parts adds to the electro pop assimilaition. The combination offers some nice crossover potential. Hear for yourself.
Cassetter is featured on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
Permadeaf finds the balance between 80s pop and modern indietronica on their infectious new release Closer Than Ever. Stylistically they bridge comparisons between Passion Pit and FM-84. The band also cites Empires of the Sun and The Midnight as influences.
Like all of them Closer Than Ever has the ability to break out of its niche and leaves room for the project to adapt into different stylistic realms. It’s all courtesy of its undeniable catchy appeal and intellectually impressive composition. Even more, the end section evolves like a modern Tears for Fears. We can dig it.
Hear Closer Than Ever now on our Best New Synthwave Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 