Synthwave is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the mid-2000s and is heavily influenced by 1980s film soundtracks, video game music, and pop culture. It is characterized by its focus on nostalgic retro-futurism, as well as its general lack of complexity in comparison to other genres like drum and bass. Synthwave is differentiated from other electronic music genres by its heavy reliance on synthesizers and melodic basslines. It stands out for its heavy reliance on analog synthesizers and vintage drum machines, both of which help to create a synth-heavy soundscape. Synthwave has become a notable genre in the music industry, having seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. One key aspect of Synthwave is its connection to nostalgia. The genre is heavily influenced by the music and culture of the 1980s, and often incorporates elements like retro-futuristic imagery, neon colors, and references to classic films and video games. This has helped to create a unique aesthetic that is closely associated with the genre. Another important aspect of Synthwave is its use of technology. The genre relies heavily on synthesizers and other electronic instruments, and often incorporates elements like arpeggiated basslines and soundscapes. This has helped to create a distinctive sound that is instantly recognizable to fans of the genre. Overall, Synthwave is a genre of electronic music that is characterized by its focus on nostalgia, its heavy reliance on synthesizers and melodic basslines, and its unique aesthetic. It has become a popular genre in recent years, and continues to evolve and grow as more artists experiment with its sound.
electronic music, nostalgia, synthesizers, melodic basslines, retro-futuristic imagery
CITATION : "David Clark. 'Synthwave.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=336609 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Synthwave is a genre of electronic music that typically consists of fast-paced rhythm and melodic synthesizer elements such as arpeggiated basslines and soundscapes. It is a style of electronic-based music that emerged in the early 1980s, heavily influenced by film and television music of the era. The genre is an amalgamation of elements from multiple genres, including synth-pop, electro, and Italo disco. Synthwave also has its roots in progressive rock and early hip hop. The genre has been used in many media including video games, television and film. Its various equivelents in other languages include “Synth-Punk” (German), “Synth-Menace” (Spanish), “Synth-Goth” (Italian), “Synthetic Dream” (Chinese), “Synth-Utopia” (Japanese), “Synth-Aor” (Portuguese), “Sintótronica” (Russian), “Synth-Psychedelicum” (Korean), “Synth-Disco” (Swedish), and “Synth-Power” (Hindi).
Synth music, electronic music, synth-pop, electro, Italo disco, progressive rock, early hip hop, synth-punk, synth-menace, synth-goth, synthetic dream, synth-utopia, synth-aor, sintótronica, synth-psychedelicum, synth-disco, synth-power, synthwave music.
Synthwave is a noun, which refers to a type of electronic music that combines aspects of 1980s synth-pop with more modern dance and techno elements. In terms of synonyms, some applicable words would be ‘synthpop’, ‘outrun’, and ‘retrowave’; applicable antonyms are ‘acoustic’ and ‘orchestral’; cognates include ‘analog’ and ‘retro’. Variants of ‘Synthwave’ may include ‘Synthpop’, ‘Synth’, ‘Outrun’, ‘Retrowave’ and ‘Retrosynth’.
Linguistic, Morphological, Etymological, Historical, Development, Genre, Retro.
Synthwave is a portmanteau of the words synthesizer and wave, and refers to a genre of electronic music which was created in the 1980s. The genre has interesting morphological and etymological characteristics which have been shaped through its evolution from electro, disco, and a number of other genres. From a linguistic perspective, Synthwave music can typically be distinguished by its significant use of 80s-style synthesizers and catchy bass-lines. It also usually incorporates classic drum machines, heavily filtered drums, and retro-effects making its musical production sound antiquated and vintage. It is also important to note that the genre has developed with symbolic and lyrical variations, containing esoteric, futuristic and nostalgic references. The technological development of synthesizers has enabled the genre to call upon a wide range of sonic possibilities which has contributed to the genre’s rise in popularity.
Etymology, Morphology, Pragmatics, Semantics, Grammar.
Synthwave is an electronic music genre heavily influenced by 1980s film soundtracks, video game music, and pop culture. It is a genre that emerged in the mid-2000s as a continuation of the retrowave style, further characterized by a heavy reliance on synthesizers and melodic basslines. Synthwave is differentiated from other electronic music genres by its focus on nostalgic retro-futurism, as well as its general lack of complexity in comparison to other genres like drum and bass. This genre also stands out for its heavy reliance on analog synthesizers and vintage drum machines, both of which help to create a synth-heavy soundscape. Synthwave has become a notable genre in the music industry, having seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Synthwave, Retrowave, 80s Music, Synths, Retro-Futurism.
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