Here are my favorite songs of the month in synthpop, futurepop, darkwave, and adjacent genres. If you want to follow my music discovery this year, subscribe to my 2026 playlist on Spotify. New songs are added every Friday. Sort by “Date Added” to see new tracks appear at the top of the playlist.
10. MENTAL DISCIPLINE — “Rise Again”
Russian artist Mental Discipline is known for ecstatic futurepop that often features guest vocalists from across the scene, particularly his songs with Felix Marc. He takes lead himself on “Rise Again.” The music surges forward with the energy of fuzzed out guitar, while tinkling piano keys and other organic-sounding touches soften the track. Sweet, sentimental vocals project lovely New Wave melodies that make the song feel earnest and uplifting.
9. CRED — “Free Soul”
Sweden’s CRED continue to emerge as a compelling presence in modern synthpop, with a sound I’ve compared to synthpop legends like Depeche Mode thanks to their brooding atmosphere and dramatic baritone. “Free Soul” adds a bit more bite to their catalog, riding a steady drum kick and swirling synthesizers while feisty vocals full of attitude insist: “I’m a free soul. I will not be controlled.”
8. CRYING VESSEL — “Bound in Mystery”
Swiss-American act Crying Vessel blend ’80s New Wave with shadowy post-punk undercurrents. Last year, they released an ambitious pair of albums. This year, they became a trio with the addition of another guitarist/vocalist. “Bound in Mystery” lives up to its title, filtering infectious melodies through a dark, gauzy atmosphere that gives everything a haunted glow. The vocals occasionally recall pre-“Jeans” era Boy Harsher, and I especially love the way they crank up the energy on the chorus.
7. MAD MISSION — “Feel”
Mad Mission is a brand-new Swedish synthpop duo made up of lifelong friends Robert Johnsson and Fredrik Forssell. I only just discovered them last week, so I haven’t had the opportunity to cover previously released gems like “Gasoline,” which was produced by famed studio veteran Gareth Jones. “Feel” is another highlight from their debut album, Into Orbit. Its rich, warm synth lines and organic vocals give the song a modern sound while still carrying traces of classic synthpop influences.
6. PART2 — “And It Feels Like”
PART2 remain an underrated and still somewhat mysterious Swedish trio that makes elegant, traditional synthpop filled with delicious melodies and melancholic vibes. I write about them every time they release a new song, and their output has really picked up this year. “And It Feels Like,” their third 2026 track and counting, ranks among their brightest work. It’s an upbeat, joyous song that rides a buoyant piano refrain as explosive little synth bleeps burst through the mix, but the real joy comes from the delicate vocals that rise dramatically into the titular chorus.
5. SILKE BISCHOFF — “Tears”
Legendary ’90s German act Silke Bischoff are making a surprise comeback this year, led by founding musician Axel Kretschmann. “Tears,” built from a previously unreleased recording that includes vocals from singer Felix Flaucher who died in 2017, serves as the title track of a forthcoming collection of remastered songs. All of their material feels new to me since the band’s catalog remains unavailable and they never made much impact in the States. The song rides a bouncy beat with a mysterious, energetic aura, but its power largely resides in a rhythmic hook: “I’ve never been thinking that I would fall in love again.” Unexpected blips and bleeps unspool in avant-garde fashion that reminds me of modern-day icons Diorama.
4. WHEN IN ROME UK — “Human Nature”
“Human Nature” is an unexpected new song from ’80s synthpop icons When In Rome, best known for their hit “The Promise.” Of note, this is When In Rome UK, featuring original members Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, not the competing When In Rome II formed by founding keyboardist Michael Floreale. Rather than resting on familiar sounds, “Human Nature” delivers a dark, mysterious vibe, with sultry, almost funky Michael Hutchence-esque vocals that explore the cruelty fueled by political, religious, and personal differences. The song thrives on a hammering drumbeat and brassy synth riffs that sound like horns, while wailing background vocals elevate its energy.
3. SOFT VEIN — “Learning to Talk”
California electronic artist Soft Vein, the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Justin Chamberlain, trades the harsher darkwave tones of his earlier work for a softer, more sentimental strain of synthpop that should appeal to fans of Choir Boy and Nation of Language. “Learning to Talk” continues a run of beautiful singles that has me excited for his upcoming third album. It’s full of soft, intimate vocals and synth lines that practically flutter. I love the way he ratchets up their pitch during the pre-chorus, giving the song a sudden rush of energy.
2. ANDERS MANGA — “Don’t Deliver Us From Evil”
North Carolina darkwave artist Anders Manga pairs a brooding baritone with a spooky persona that combines gothic-rock grandeur and electrified menace. “Don’t Deliver Us From Evil” is this month’s unofficial earworm, thanks to a catchy-as-hell chorus that has lodged itself in my brain: “I believe the flames are coming / I believe the flames will come for us / Don’t deliver us … from evil.” That long pause does a lot of heavy lifting.
1. JULIA GAETA — “Bleed”
New-to-me Julia Gaeta, an American artist based in Paris, blends ethereal sensuality with the hard edges of industrial music. “Bleed” revels in that tension, setting her whispery vocals and a memorable hook (“Why should we come down from this?”) against a throbbing beat and clanking percussion. I especially love the sheet-metal rattle that seems to accelerate as the song builds.
