The Top 10 Synthwave Albums of 2023:

10. Along by demin

9. Slow Tapes by l y n x

8. Rogue by Wice

7. Axiom by PYLOT

6. First Person Shooter (Original Documentary Soundtrack)
by Various Artists

5. Premi​è​re Anthologie by Adieu Aru

4. Data Fire by Korizon

3. Between the Moon and Stars by Futurecop!

2. Unicorn by Gunship

1. Wavefinder by Sferro & Makeup and Vanity Set

Honorable Mentions

TRIFECTA by A.L.I.S.O.N, VIQ, Krosia

Katarsi by Katarsi

(Not really synthwave, but this is just too good to ignore!)

Evenings 夕​暮​れ Vol. 1 by Hotel Pools

Favorite tracks: Promenade, Morning Mist

Better Hours is out now via Bandcamp  and Spotify

Hailing from Portland, Hotel Pools is a vanguard of the burgeoning chillsynth scene. Astounding from the very first release, each album has built upon the last, innovating the growing chillsynth sound not just Hotel Pools, but for the new synthwave subgenre as a whole. Hotel Pools sound also contains elements of vaporwave and synthwave too, making for a beautiful mix of genres that bled together perfectly.

That first release, “Fall 18,” is a hazy masterpiece in its own right. Soon after 2018’s “Fall 18” came 2019’s “Constant,” and 2020’s “Still.” It’s frankly rare to hear an artist drop something so refined for their first album, so the ability to continually cultivate and expand upon that original sound is particularly impressive. Hotel Pools has done just that, with the more cohesive, lush, and melodically interesting sounds of “Constant” quickly growing a cult following.  “Still” propelled the already pristine Hotel Pools sound into new territories with a much more clear and refined production style – and even brought Hotel Pools into our Top 10 Retrowave Albums of 2020.

“Palmscapes” itself is the culmination of Hotel Pools’ growth. The melodies are instantly absorbing, wrapping around you like waves on a shoreline, pulling you deeper into an ocean of chillsynth bliss. The production is much crisper than the early Hotel Pools releases, but still somehow manages to retain their overall hazy effect, making “Palmscapes” sound like a  memory feels. We also hear an increased emphasis on percussion, with the beats of tracks like “Oceanside” and “Nowtro” taking a more complex and interesting approach reminiscent of Com Truise’s work. The overall effect is the creation of a cinematic soundscape that perfectly compliments and elevates the already astounding Hotel Pools sound to new extraordinary heights.

Topping off the whole experience are some really amazing collabs from other chillsynth and vaporwave headliners like Krosia, VIQ, Forhill, Upsen, Echosoft, and Decisive Koala, as well as some fantastic artwork from Andrew Walker (@designsince86.) They’re all fantastic artist in their own right, and you should really go listen to them too!

At the time of this writing, “Palmscapes” is mostly sold out in physical media – something we’ve come to expect from Hotel Pools releases. However, there are still a few physicals left, so go grab them here before they cost a hundred dollars on Discogs!

The best part of this compilation isn’t the music though – 100% of the money raised goes to help wildlife victims of the Australia bushfires. Saving Koalas (and a lot more animals) with the power of synth!

Yep, that’s right – all proceeds from this compilation go directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the WIRES wildlife Rescue. I can’ think of any better reason to support a release – and that’s not even to mention that the artists and tracks on “To Australia With Love” are absolutely pure bliss.  Grab the full release double cassette or digital edition here!

Artists on this Compilation:

Zane Alexander – soundcloud.com/thezanealexander
A.L.I.S.O.N – soundcloud.com/alis_on
Secret Attraction – soundcloud.com/secretattraction
MRCH – soundcloud.com/mrchmusic
Diamond Cafe – soundcloud.com/tristanlovesdiamonds
Persona La Ave & Baraka – soundcloud.com/personalaave & soundcloud.com/barakamakesmusic
Channel Select – soundcloud.com/channel-select
Isaac Galvez – soundcloud.com/splaszh
Lorean & MyNamE soundcloud.com/lorean-music & soundcloud.com/mynameofficial
RISONAM – soundcloud.com/risonam
De Lorra – soundcloud.com/delorra
Foewi – soundcloud.com/user-153919822
VCRNOT – soundcloud.com/vcrnot
Limousine – limousinemusic.bandcamp.com
Dreamstation1986 – soundcloud.com/dreamstation1986
System96 – soundcloud.com/systemninesix
Flavio La Barre – soundcloud.com/flaviolabarre
Eagle Eyed Tiger – soundcloud.com/eagle-eyed-tiger
Francci – soundcloud.com/franccisw
Jasper De Ceuster – soundcloud.com/de-ceuster-jasper
Krosia – soundcloud.com/krosia
Kattch – soundcloud.com/kattch
Gibarian – soundcloud.com/gibarian_music
Dreambuster – soundcloud.com/dreambuster
Peregrihn – soundcloud.com/peregrihn
VIQ – soundcloud.com/viqmusic
Japser Mitchell – soundcloud.com/jaspermitchell
DEPARTURE – soundcloud.com/departure_music
LeBRON feat. Wilga – soundcloud.com/thisislebron & soundcloud.com/wilga-music
Special Q – soundcloud.com/specialqmusic
SOVATE – soundcloud.com/sovate

Friday afternoons mean one thing – the NRW Weekly Selection.
We’re striving to bring you the best of the best. From outrun to darksynth, we have your weekend covered!

Check out who hit our top spots this week:

Ollie Wride – Thanks in Advance

Arcade High – Select Start

Trevor Something – Play Your Game

Krosia – Dive