10.

Makeup and Vanity Set & Sferro – Memory Screen

9.

Neon Nox x LukHash – Midnight Run

8.

Neilio – CYPHER (feat. Kaarin Zoe Lee)

7.

Preston Knight – Human (feat. Hello Meteor)

6.

Wice – City Nights (Feat. J+1)

5.

Dreamhour – She’s Everything (feat. Dokodoko)

4.

House Of Serpents – Ritual (feat. Battlejuice)

3.

Timecop1983 – Read My Mind (feat. Josh Dally)

2.

Kid Moxie & NINA – Electric Kiss

1.

PYLOT x Tyler Lyle – Time Bomb |Visualizer|

10. Fixing Me With Love by Sunglasses Kid & Primo the Alien

One of perhaps the most exciting trends in synthwave these past few years has been a greater emphasis on rhythmic elements and an almost optimistic tendency from the vocalists in the scene. “Fixing Me With Love” has both of these in full force in a killer track with one of the best choruses of the year hands down. When the drums drop out and Primo’s voice shares the spotlight with the chiming melodies from Sunglasses Kid the song lures you in further before everything in the song hits even harder. 

Listen to the song here.

9. Overload (ft. Tokyo Rose) by Tonebox

On January 1, 2020, the grim music video for Overload by Tonebox featuring the always impressive Tokyo Rose debuted on NRW’s channel. Little did we know that bloodbath video would tonally be a match for the year the world seems to have been collectively having. Video aside, the song is a moody and atmospheric piece which builds a foreboding atmosphere from beginning to end and doesn’t sound like it would be out of place on some acid house alternate universe version of Akuma. 

Listen to the song here.

8. Synthian (ft. LAU) by NINA

The titular track from NINA’s album from this past June shows why the German singer is and has been such a sought after vocal commodity in the retrowave scene. This time paired with a more laid back and more hip-hop inspired beat for much of the song, everything here elicits a dreamy energy that makes it something truly special. 

Listen to the song here.

7. A New Quest (Droid Bishop Remix) by Magic Sword

I’m not sure how fair it is to include a remix on a collaborations list, but come on, it’s Magic Sword, one of the most phenomenally consistent acts in the scene. And who is remixing? Only Droid Bishop, another one of the most accomplished artists in the scene, and one who released a serious AOTY contender this past September. The “A New Quest” remix fuses the ethereal with the triumphant, creating the rare and odd feeling of a round of applause greeting you in a liminal space. 

Listen to the song here.

6. Work It Out by Team Sweatwave

As a species, we are far, far too cruel to one another to have deserved something as great and incredibly fun as the Team Sweatwave album from May 2020. You can argue that this is more of a supergroup than a collaboration, but let’s not get pedantic about it, nerd. Polemic Heart’s vocals on “Work It Out” are one of the most unique and hook-laden vocals of the year, unquestionably. In fact, the synth work and guitar work by the collaborative team of Turbo Knight, YORU, Dimi Kaye, Gryff, and Polemic Heart is really something magical. It’s no surprise that some of these artists are going to show up later in this list. 

Listen to the song here.

5. Funk All Night Long (ft. Yasmina) by Zyodara

Remember what I said earlier about the heightened focus on funk and rhythmic expression in the scene? “Funk All Night Long” is what you get if you push that to a Solid Gold extreme. There’s groovy syncopation throughout the track, and impeccable control of space, and a restrained and soothing vocal performance that pulls listeners through the nearly 4 minute funky romantic bop. 

Listen to the song here.

4. Let’s Get Wild (ft. Dimi Kaye) by Yoru & Turbo Knight & Syst3m Glitch

Hello Yoru, Turbo Knight, and Dimi Kaye! It’s been a while (in a very dude-from-Staind voice)! Some of the folks from earlier in this list are joined by the excellent Syst3m Glitch and have crafted perhaps the most montage-worthy song from the scene this year. It has a vocal performance that’s unique and alternates between a standard delivery of catchy hooks and the occasional flair for the dramatic. The energy here is always at a high, and we’re all luckier because of it. 

Listen to the song here.

3. Sunset Strip by Veeshy & Phonic Youth

I’m going to level with you. I wasn’t really following Veeshy or Phonic Youth. When I first heard “Sunset Strip” about a month ago that changed. This song is dreamy in a way that most synthwave tracks aspire to, with a masterful control of automated effects and layering throughout. In a year that was notably strong with vocal-based tracks, “Sunset Strip” is still an absolute standout. 

Listen to the song here.

2. Reverse by Primo the Alien & Gryff

Sometimes I’ll listen to an artist who makes only instrumentals and fantasy cast vocalists for the artist. I almost always imagine Gryff, and with the quality of the tracks they’ve released this year, it’s easy to want Primo the Alien to be the voice on tracks as well. You can only imagine the enthusiasm with which I smashed that play button in August when “Reverse” came out, a collaboration between two of the best that the scene has to offer. The fact that the two powerhouses to share the spotlight on the track and never allow it to feel cluttered, and even make space for a crooning saxophone solo that will have you making that face that looks like you smelled something bad when you really just heard a saxophone lick that friggin’ rips. Urgh. Just seriously listen to this song if you haven’t yet. 

Listen to the song here.

1. Her Broken Smile (ft. Tessa Hedrick) by DEADLIFE

I like optimism in my synthwave. I think I’ve been pretty clear with that particular preference in this list. But do you want to know something I like even more? When an artist completely seems to throw out convention. “Her Broken Smile” has moments of hyperpop and glitch and industrial music sprinkled throughout, and it’s anchored by an absolutely showstopping vocal performance. It has just enough weird elements sonically and enough hooks that when it starts to veer into unconventional composition territory, you are completely hooked and need more. The subtleties and maximalism of the song makes it feel like music for the edge of the abyss. And what could be more appropriate for 2020. Hope you don’t disappear. 

Listen to the song here.

10. Moondragon – Apex Predator (feat. Meteor)

9. Absinth3 – Starlight (feat. Oceanside 85)

6. Slicarus – After School (feat. ill Esha)

7. ALEX – Youth (feat. Rachel McAlpine)

6. Sebastian Gampl – Without You (feat. Tommy Reeve)

5. Michael Oakley – California (feat. Missing Words) 

4. Timecop1983 – Girl (feat. SEAWAVES)

3. FM-84 – Never Stop (feat. Ollie Wride)

2. New Arcades – Irreparable (feat. NINA)

1. Scandroid – Neo Tokyo (Dance With The Dead Remix)

Track 4 edited to “GIRL”. Changed from Lovers.

Futurecop! – Growing (feat. Timecop1983 & New Arcades)

http://youtu.be/PBLXsm9qqEE

It’s not just one time travelling cop, but two! Solid production, as you would expect from the legendary Futurecop! is bolstered by the synth wave mainstay Timecop1983 and New Arcades for some synth policing magnificence. Nostalgia galore and the bittersweet lovesick feeling – this track has it all.

Timecop1983 – Breaking Waves (feat. Phaserland)

http://youtu.be/fkpu9ZDtzYs

Very non-boring and sleak, Timecop has been prolific this year and this is one of his better 2014 tracks. There’s that Rosso Corsa breeziness and levity that you imagine coupled with shots of carefree high school kids playing beach volleyball.

Highway Superstar – Take My Time (featuring Dana Jean Phoenix & Chris Page)

http://youtu.be/LaSw4rVJy08

Highway Superstar (whose album I reviewed back in January) really brought the good synth wave vibe with this electric duet between Dana Jean Phoenix and Chris Page that sounds better with each listening. A dancey exchange between two lovers hits all the right notes in that 80s power pop way.

Timecop1983 – Dreams feat. Dana Jean Phoenix

http://youtu.be/VOj-USZaz4Q

Yes, Timecop1983 again. This track, also taken from Cop’s last album Journeys, is a good example of high-sheen synth wave production that doesn’t delve into the emmentaler, if you catch my drift. Dana Jean, one of the top vocalists in our beloved music scene, lends her magic and the whole thing just takes you there.

College feat. Nola Wren – Save the Day (Official Video)

http://youtu.be/4bnb8ti0JGU

College returned in 2014 with this collab with Nola Wren and it has everything you may expect from the untouchable Frenchman: minimalistic synth soundscape, a wistful vibe, non-cliche structure. Personally I find it just a teeny bit tinny and too reminiscent of the somewhat disappointing 2013 Heritage LP (albeit not instrumental).

New Arcades – Don’t Let Go (feat. Chloe Pamplin)

http://youtu.be/Z4MYjcVx7Zw

The incredible synth hook is only marred slightly by the generic male vocals. That big stadium sound is worth gold. Has a tinge of that Futurecop!-esque nostalgia tinged throughout (not a surprise as New Arcades is signed to the FC’s label). Perfect for listening on a sunny winter day to warm your synth heart.

Jordan F – Losing Touch (feat. Rromarin)

http://youtu.be/GKLQqW_SwkM

Jordan F surprised everyone with his strong LP release this September but before that in March he released an EP that included this very interesting collab with Rromarin. The somewhat repetitive structure of the track can be forgiven for the sheer nostalgia oozing out of the speakers and singer’s sultry vocals.

Nightcrawler & Diana Gitallog – The Legacy

http://youtu.be/tYL1LYtmlVs

Nightcrawler’s album Metropolis was released earlier in 2014 and while it had some interesting collaborations, most of them were forgettable. Not this one though. Pure outrun epicness; this mini synth-phony mixes Nightcrawler’s dystopian vision with Diana Gitallog’s prowess for sticky synth hooks into something good.

STARFORCE & Action Jackson – Time Shock

http://youtu.be/LJCJpG_qETw

Pure outrun gem, Time Shock has all the elements of a great synthwave collaborations – this one between the strong artists STARFORCE and Action Jackson. Intrigue, neon lights, sports car chases, retro-futuristic feel, this track packs many powerful audio images into its 4 and a half minute length.

Tommy ’86 feat. Sally Shapiro – Why Did I Say Goodbye

http://youtu.be/8qaFr9LW9jA

Sally Shapiro turns everything she touches with her super unique voice into gold and Tommy ‘86 is a lucky fella to have collaborated with this maiden of the synth wave seas. Of course, it wouldn’t be a S. Shapiro record without that exquisite italo sound her vocals are doused in.