For more than 40 years, synthpop has stayed strong in the music scene, with artists, like Neon Indian, Miami Horror and Yelle, paving the way for success. Blending indietronic sound with post-punk/dance-pop energy, the genre has easily garnered positive critics and mass appeal.
So, to honor the great musical genre, we rounded up a selection of 24 stylish synthpop songs. Tune in below as we feature the sounds of HWYS, Uffie, Daze and more.
Synthpop Songs List:
- Poom – Adagio
- STRFKR – Aliens
- Neon Indian – Baby’s Eyes
- Charli XCX – Babygirl
- Arlie – Barcelona Boots
- HWYS – Beaches
- Gibbz – Bright Lights
- Ronika – Distraction
- Ben Browning – Even Though
- Uffie – First Love
- SPEAK – Gates (Ra Ra Riot Remix)
- M83 – Go!
- Washed Out – Hard To Say Goodbye
- BØRNS – I Don’t Want U Back
- Daze – Lov U
- Hot Chip – Move With Me
- Anoraak – Oblivion
- VHS Collection – One (RAC Mix)
- Triggerfinger – Perfect Match (Compact Disk Dummies Rework)
- Yelle – Romeo
- Roosevelt – Shadows
- Miami Horror – Sign Of The Times
- Klyne – Still Not Over You
- St. Lucia – Tokyo
Adagio
Produced By: Poom
Why You Should Listen: A little beach pop never hurts. And, Poom’s Adagio is exactly that. Fusing smooth French vocals with jazz-like rhythms, the Parisian act impresses with ease. So, kick back, turn up the volume and listen below.
Aliens
Produced By: STRFKR
Why You Should Listen: STRFKR gets cosmic in this 2-minute medley, Aliens. Released via Polyvinyl Records on his Vault Vol. 3 album, the galactic single is the quintessential chill-pop track. Truly out of this world? We think so.
Baby’s Eyes
Produced By: Neon Indian
Why You Should Listen: Every time we listen to Neon Indian’s Vega Intl. Night School, another track seems to grab our attention. First, it was Slumlord. Then, it was Bozo. And then, it was Dear Skorpio Magazine. Now? It’s Baby’s Eyes: an interstellar journey into sound.
Babygirl
Produced By: Charli XCX
Why You Should Listen: Charli XCX and Uffie on a track? That’s what we call electropop elegance. With cool, calm and collected energy, the pair of musicians create feel-good rhythms that are second to none. Check out the pair’s single, Babygirl, below.
Barcelona Boots
Produced By: Arlie
Why You Should Listen: Welcome newcomer, Arlie, to The French Shuffle. The Nashville-based band has an astoundingly wide sound, filled with alternative inspiration and electric energy. What impressed us most about the talented act? Simply put, the intermingling of their vocals and instrumentals is epically delightful.
Beaches
Produced By: HWYS
Why You Should Listen: Last time HWYS featured on The French Shuffle, the indie-pop act dazzled listeners with the serene sounds of Bliss. Today, we set sights on Beaches – a transformative track with glowing atmospheres and a light tempo.
Bright Lights
Produced By: Gibbz
Why You Should Listen: “I just wanna dance all my cares away,” said one Soundcloud user after hearing Gibbz’s single, Bright Lights. And, we think that you’ll agree. The 3-minute song is a fantastic blend of upbeat rhythms and flowing 80s vibes.
Distraction
Produced By: Ronika
Why You Should Listen: The return of 80s-style synthpop is here, courtesy of London-based musician, Ronika. In sweet single, Distraction, the skilled act bends dark-pop and synthwave into one glowing anthem.
Even Though
Produced By: Ben Browning
Why You Should Listen: Since refocusing on his solo project, Cut Copy’s Ben Browning has been on a roll, releasing quite a few psychedelic indie-pop hits. Halfway through 2018, the prolific producer unveiled 12-track LP, Even Though, which features a wave a dreamy sounds and post-disco energy. Check out the lead single from the album below.
First Love
Produced By: Uffie
Why You Should Listen: Uffie’s Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans LP will always have a place in our music collection. With singles, like ADD SUV, Pop The Glock, Difficult and MCs Can Kiss, it’s hard to imagine modern-day electronic music without it. One single, though, is often overlooked: First Love. If you haven’t heard it, it’s definitely worth a listen.
Gates (Ra Ra Riot Remix)
Produced By: SPEAK & Ra Ra Riot
Why You Should Listen: Looking for bright sounds, crisp vocals and laid-back rhythms? Look no further – Ra Ra Riot has you covered. There’s something so pure about the way the indie pop group reworked SPEAK’s single, Gates. Definitely a must-hear:
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Go!
Produced By: M83
Why You Should Listen: M83’s Go! can only be described as a melancholy masterpiece. Between the beautiful soundscapes and Mai Lin’s sensual vocals, listeners will get lost in colorful noises all around.
Hard To Say Goodbye
Produced By: Washed Out
Why You Should Listen: Ready to relax? Then, Hard To Say Goodbye is the perfect song for you. Low energy, light sounds and tranquil lyrics characterize this 4-minute single. Listen to Glass Animals or RAC? Then, you’ll definitely like this track.
I Don’t Want U Back
Produced By: BØRNS
Why You Should Listen: Now, BØRNS is likely the most mainstream artist in this roundup. But, don’t let that stop you from tuning in. The Michigan-based singer-songwriter effortlessly mingles emotive pop with indie-electronic tones. And, guess what? The result is amazing.
Lov U
Produced By: DAZE
Why You Should Listen: This list wouldn’t be complete without a feature from nu-funk fiend, Daze. The producer’s single, Lov U, sounds like a slow jam tribute to Romanthony-Daft Punk collaboration, One More Time. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
Move With Me
Produced By: Hot Chip
Why You Should Listen: Magical. Progressive. Chic. Those are the first three words that come to mind when listening to Hot Chip’s Move With Me. While the song is a slight departure from the sounds of fifth studio album, In Our Heads, it’s nonetheless impressive.
Oblivion
Produced By: Anoraak
Why You Should Listen: Since when did Anoraak sound like Yuksek’s second cousin? Well, that’s the case with transformative track, Oblivion. Amongst the monophonic leads, jazzy pianos and atmospheric synths, listeners can expect to be dancing all night long.
One (RAC Mix)
Produced By: VHS Collection & RAC
Why You Should Listen: RAC always rises to the occasion with monumental indie-electronic mixes. This time, the phenomenal producer takes on New York-based band, VHS Collection, and their alt-rock anthem, One, reworking it into an electrifying piece of work. Tune in below:
Perfect Match (Compact Disk Dummies Rework)
Produced By: Triggerfinger & Compact Disk Dummies
Why You Should Listen: Indie dance accents and synthpop spirit? Yes, please. That’s exactly what you can expect from Compact Disk Dummies in their rework of Triggerfinger’s Perfect Match. If you enjoyed their single, Holy Love, then you’ll definitely like this.
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Romeo
Produced By: Yelle
Why You Should Listen: It’s crazy to think that we’ve been listening to Yelle for more than 10 years. Regardless, we’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Studio albums – Pop Up, Safari Disco Club and Complètement Fou – have all influenced our music tastes. And today, we add another song to that cluster: Yelle’s Romeo.
Shadows
Produced By: Roosevelt
Why You Should Listen: Marius Lauber, also known as Roosevelt, has indeed joined the ranks of synthpop royalty, given his sensational release, Shadows. It’s packed with tropical grooves, indie disco accents and smooth beats that will make you want to move.
Sign Of The Times
Produced By: Miami Horror
Why You Should Listen: Miami Horror’s The Shapes is arguably one of the best EPs we’ve heard in recent years. With immense 80s rhythms, upbeat kits and new wave nostalgia, the 5-track release has become a staple in the synthpop scene. That being said, lead single from the EP – Sign Of The Times – is a must-hear.
Still Not Over You
Produced By: Klyne
Why You Should Listen: Still Not Over You is an oddly heartwarming, yet sad single, all in one. Crafted by Because Music superstar duo, Klyne, the track’s warm and fuzzy spirit is highly intoxicating and simply brilliant. Also, if you really enjoy the release, be sure to check out Mall Grab’s remix too.
Tokyo
Produced By: St. Lucia
Why You Should Listen: And last, but not least, we have St. Lucia’s Tokyo. Reminiscent of their debut album, the extraordinary track leans more on the indie side, while still maintaining an electronic-pop edge. Imagine something like MGMT, but with a cosmic feel.
Looking for more synthpop? Check out these five female synth-pop artists.