This list usually drops at the start of July to mark the true halfway point of the year. But I’m late. I’ve fallen behind thanks to work, travel, and general anxiety about—gestures about wildly. Luckily, great synthpop waits for no one. And 2025 has already delivered plenty of it—amazing debuts, unexpected comebacks, and synth hooks that remain stuck in my head.
And there’s plenty more to come. The rest of 2025 promises new music from Promenade Cinema, Cold Connection, White Lies, and maybe even a new album from Assemblage 23. Check my release calendar to keep up with the most promising new albums.
But before we get to that, let’s highlight the first half of the year in synthpop. Here are my 25 favorite songs from January through June 2025. These tracks are listed alphabetically by artists’ names because I’m not ready to commit to ranking them.
BLACKBOOK – “Suffer in Silence”
Swiss duo BLACKBOOK—the band with no bad songs—has released a handful of tracks this year that I suspect will one day fill a full-length. Every one of them is a bop, but “Suffer in Silence” stands out for its timeless synthpop melodies, spirited keyboard arrangements, and brooding lyrics wrapped in layers of wistful decadence.
BlakLight – “Buried Alive”
The long-awaited next album from American trio BlakLight is due this fall, and second single “Buried Alive” amps up the anticipation. This time, the band’s trademark bubbling arrangements are steeped in deeper darkness. Brian Belknap delivers sublime songwriting about obsession, with refined lyrics that cleverly weave “buried alive” and “barely alive” throughout the chorus.
Bootblacks – “Can You Feel It? (Anymore)”
So many delicious layers of sound. The overhauled darkwave project Bootblacks—now more electronic than ever—blend synth riffs, distorted guitar, drum programming, longing vocals, even saxophone into an intricate collage that sounds compelling and complex without ever feeling indulgent. “Can You Feel It? (Anymore)” is the standout track from a standout album that’s among the best LPs this year.
Chris Harms feat. VNV Nation – “The Grey Machines”
We’re not used to hearing VNV’s Ronan Harris sing harmonies with another vocalist. So it’s a real thrill to hear him feature on this track from Chris Harms’s solo album, which finds the pair trading verses about blue jumpsuits and new religions. “The Grey Machines” taps into modern-day anxieties about authoritarianism with sparkling synth arrangements and the same poetic finesse that VNV often employs in its own work.
CYLiX – “Devotion”
“Devotion” is an exquisite synthpop confection from Greek trio CYLiX. Built on a rubbery bassline, it layers thrilling synth arpeggios and romantic vocals about strange desires and pure emotions. It’s got that moody mid-2000s club feel I can’t get enough of—dark, dramatic, and totally danceable.
Dina Summer feat. Curses and Joshua Murphy – “Promise Me”
“Promise Me” is the sound of a darkwave supergroup. Dina Summer—a trio featuring members of Local Suicide and Kalipo—team up with DJ/producer Curses and guitarist Joshua Murphy for a track that channels the spirit of legendary artists like The Cult and Sisters of Mercy. Strumming guitars, thundering drums, twittering electronics, and cavernous full-throttle vocals give it that old-school goth-rock grandeur.
E:lect – “You”
Swedish duo e:lect generate infectious energy on “You,” a track from their 2025 album Forgotten Future. Blips, bleeps, and bops topple across the song’s running time. Synth arrangements slice through the mix. It could collapse into chaos, but they hold it together with exquisite programming and superb songwriting.
Fictional – “Your Whisper”
Among the best synthpop stories of the year, super producer Gerrit Thomas’ long dormant Fictional project made an unexpected return 25 years after “Blue Lights” first shook goth-industrial dancefloors. “Your Whisper” features vocals from Christian Schottstädt, lead singer of Depeche Mode tribute act Forced to Mode, and features Gerrit’s trademark thick beats and intricate programming.
Frozen Plasma feat. SITD – “Amnesia”
German duo Frozen Plasma celebrated their 20th anniversary this year with a series of live performances and a single called “Amnesia” that finds them teaming up with SITD. It’s a bustling dancefloor banger, but the real magic of the song lies in the juxtaposition of Felix Marc’s sweet melodies pitted against Carsten Jacek’s harsh vocals.
Hatif – “Take the Bait”
Swedish duo Hatif has carved out a place as one of the most unique bands in modern synthpop by integrating middle eastern sounds among the bleeps and beats. “Take the Bait,” the standout track from their Small States album, delivers intricately detailed sound patter with ghostly vocals.
Kite feat. Nina Persson – “Heartless Places”
The indomitable Kite continue taking us to heavenly places. On this year’s “Heartless Places,” they drown Nick Stenemo’s voice in gauzy filters, then accompany it with radiant vocals from Nina Persson of The Cardigans. The unexpected duet lends the tracks a unique aura—a nifty feat for a band built on unique auras.
Lights of Euphoria – “My Escape”
This tender electronic ballad finds Lights of Euphoria in a softer, more reflective mood. With delicate piano and a chorus that feels instantly familiar, “My Escape” carries the quiet grace of a song you’ve felt like you’ve always known. It’s a lovely moment from their ongoing late-career renaissance.
Lizette Lizette – “No Turning Back”
Swedish artist Lizette Lizette leans into mood and atmosphere on “No Turning Back,” a deep cut from their fourth album LaQueer. A slow, thumping rhythm and heavy reverb give the track a simmering tension, but it’s the wild ping-ponging synth effect that steals the show. It’s inventive, striking, and a perfect example of Lizette’s bold production instincts.
Mari Kattman – “Anemia”
Mari Kattman blends slinky club beats, industrial grit, and massive synth energy on “Anemia,” the lead single from her third solo album, Year of the Katt. Inspired by her real-life experience with iron deficiency, the track turns a health condition into a dark, danceable anthem—an impressive feat. That towering synth riff still hits like a jolt to the bloodstream.
Massive Ego – “(My) Death Song”
Massive Ego returned from the dead with a new look, new lineup, even a new sound. With carefully placed guitar from former Rosetta Stone guitarist Porl Young, “(My) Death Song” offers an intimate account of Marc Massive’s recovery and renewal. Its anthemic lyrics—“I’m bruised but I’m alive”—make this a rallying cry for anyone who’s faced hardship and had to crawl back from the brink.
On Moral Ends – “I Won’t Conform”
Swedish newcomers On Moral Ends caught my attention with “I Won’t Conform,” a tender but defiant synth track that crafts drama with confidence. Moody electronics and dynamic drums set the tone for lyrics about resilience in the face of adversity.
Optic – “A Weird Situation”
Swedish duo Optic blew me away last year with a quartet of superb synthpop songs. That momentum continues with “A Weird Situation,” an elegant, introspective track that blends immersive programming with lyrics about the perils of AI. The chorus is poetic and introspective, capturing unease with lines like: “Save me now from this unrelenting insanity—a man-made creation.”
OWLS – “Give Me Your Stare”
Irish producer OWLS delivers a dark, hypnotic standout with “Give Me Your Stare,” a brooding blend of post-punk, goth, and electronic moods. Gauzy vocals drift over clanking percussion, a ringing chime, and a slow, dragging synth line that gives the track its eerie pull. It’s atmospheric, intense, and unlike anything else on this list.
The Penthouse Plants – “The End of Anna”
The great unknown band The Penthouse Plants have a handful of songs to their name, but this is the one that should win them a wider audience. “The End of Anna” glides across an ebullient synth arrangement that might fill your heart with joy. But pay close attention to those lyrics. It’s actually a tragic tale about a character named Anna who takes her own life.
Rupesh Cartel – “Phantom Battles”
Swedish duo Rupesh Cartel kicks off one of the year’s best synthpop albums with “Phantom Battles,” a sleek and strikingly modern track. The reflective chorus of “We’re going down/In phantom battles all the time” hits with fiery passion, capturing the quiet struggles of daily life without leaning on retro melodies. It’s smart, moving, totally modern.
SJÖBLOM – “Weirdo (Universe Mix)”
Swedish darkwave act SJÖBLOM flip the script on their 2024 track “Weirdo,” transforming it into a shimmering synthpop gem. The jangly guitars are gone, replaced by lush electronics and a pulsing synth riff that sounds incredible in headphones. It’s a heartfelt ode to the beautiful weirdos we can’t live without.
Sleek Teeth – “Same”
After earning my pick for best new artist of 2024, California duo Sleek Teeth return with “Same,” their first release of the year. Whispered vocals add intrigue, but it’s that smashing hi-hat crashing into the chorus that delivers the real drama. A sharp, shadowy reminder of why they stood out in the first place.
The Sound Veil Society – “The River”
Newcomers The Sound Veil Society quickly move to the top of my most anticipated list with a single song to their name. “The River” is a lush, atmospheric marvel that bursts with layers of vintage synth melodies and lovely, contemplative vocals. I cannot wait to hear what they do next.
Vintage Voltage – “Into the Void”
Swedish mysterios Vintage Voltage have staked a claim as one of the most reliable new artists in the modern synthpop scene. Every song they release is a gem. “Into the Void” exemplifies the duo’s approach to refined songcraft, mixing exquisite synth arrangements, modern beats, and melancholic vocals.
VNV Nation – “Station 21”
The almighty VNV Nation aims for cinematic ambitions with “Station 21,” a sci-fi narrative that includes everything from Ham radio call signs to rockets fired at the sun. As with all things VNV, the lyrics are meant for much more than their literal meaning. “Station 21,” from the positive part of a pair of albums this year, examines grief for those who lit us up in electric dreams.
