Overview
#Synthwave (also #Retrowave or #Outrun) represents an electronic music genre inspired by 1980s film soundtracks, video game music, and synth-pop, emerging around 2009-2011 and exploding via Stranger Things (2016), Hotline Miami (2012), and Drive (2011) soundtrack. The hashtag documents neon nostalgia, VHS aesthetics, and music as time machine to an imagined 1980s future.
History & Cultural Impact
Synthwave emerged from internet communities (Reddit r/outrun, YouTube, Bandcamp) around 2009-2011, inspired by John Carpenter scores, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, and 80s Miami Vice aesthetics. The movement defined retro-futurism:
- Pioneers — Kavinsky (“Nightcall” 2010, Drive soundtrack), Mitch Murder, Lazerhawk, Miami Nights 1984, Power Glove
- Visual aesthetic — Neon grids, sunsets, Lamborghini Countach, palm trees, VHS distortion, retro-futuristic cityscapes
- Musical characteristics — Analog synths (Juno-106, DX7 sounds), arpeggios, gated reverb, 100-120 BPM, instrumental focus
- Subgenres — Darksynth (Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, horror-influenced), dreamwave (FM-84, The Midnight, vocal/emotional), vaporwave overlap
- Cultural catalysts — Drive soundtrack (2011), Hotline Miami game (2012), Stranger Things (2016 synth score), Kung Fury (2015)
- NewRetroWave channel — YouTube channel (2M+ subs) centralized community, uploaded synthwave 24/7
- Peak years — 2015-2019 (Stranger Things effect, Blade Runner 2049, Turbo Killer video)
- Current state — Established genre, Netflix/film integration, car culture overlap, Halloween aesthetic
The hashtag reflects synthwave’s dual nature: nostalgia for era fans didn’t experience, and longing for optimistic retrofuturism vs dystopian present.
Platform Presence
- YouTube: NewRetroWave channel dominance, music videos (Turbo Killer 80M+ views), mixes
- Instagram: Neon aesthetics, car photography (DeLorean, Countach), retro art
- Spotify: “Synthwave” playlist (1M+ followers), algorithmic curation
- Reddit: r/outrun (500K+ members), aesthetic debates, artist discovery
- TikTok: “Synthwave summer” aesthetic content, car edits, 80s nostalgia (2021+)
The hashtag activity surged 2016-2019 (Stranger Things), remains elevated via car/gaming culture.
Related Hashtags
#Kavinsky #Outrun #NewRetroWave #StrangerThings #80sAesthetic #Retrowave #Darksynth #HotlineMiami #Drive #VaporwaveAesthetic
Sources
- Synthwave history (Pitchfork, Vice, Bandcamp Daily 2012-2020)
- Kavinsky “Nightcall” and Drive soundtrack impact
- NewRetroWave YouTube channel analytics
- Stranger Things cultural influence studies