Counting down my favorite synthpop, futurepop, and darkwave songs of the month.
Written by: Chris Brandon
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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 2024 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. Chris Harms – “I Love You”
Lord of the Lost frontman Chris Harms teases his upcoming solo album, which will reportedly ditch guitars for ’80s synthpop sounds. First single “I Love You” offers evocative storytelling about death and regret with a sparkling synthpop melody.
9. Beyond Obsession – “No Echoes in the Room”
German duo Beyond Obsession open their new album King of Ashes with the haunting “No Echoes in the Room.” Its reverberating keys and clacking tin sheets craft a dark, textured soundscape brimming with melancholy and tension.
8. Crying Vessel – “A Taste I Can’t Deny”
On “A Taste I Can’t Deny,” Swiss-American duo Crying Vessel blend ’80s New Wave with mysterious post-punk undercurrents. Stuttering synth patter and bittersweet lyrics like “You got me begging for a taste of the other night” heighten the romantic anxiety.
7. Starsign – “Steal the Sun”
On “Steal the Sun,” German duo Starsign deliver traditional synthpop melodies with vibrating keys and an incredibly catchy chorus. I really like how the singer’s groovy voice lingers in the mix. This is a promising new act to keep an eye on.
6. A Flock of Seagulls – “Him”
The legendary ’80s New Wave band A Flock of Seagulls returned this year with Some Dreams, their first album of original material in 30 years. Second single “Him” pairs their classic synth-and-guitar sound with nostalgic lyrics about heartbreak and betrayal.
5. CHROM – “Agony”
German synthpop project CHROM continue their comeback with “Agony,” their second single this year following “Paralysed.” While less immediately catchy, Christian Marquis’s lovely vocals and a very unsettling siren motif make a lasting impression.
4. Isaac Howlett – “Endless Night”
Isaac Howlett, the voice of Empathy Test, shares his second solo single, “Endless Night,” a somber and sentimental ballad perfect for long winter nights. His beautiful vocals and heartfelt lyrics glide across delicate piano, with subtle production touches—like that stuttering beat moment—that set it apart from his work in Empathy Test.
3. Anders Manga – “Hollow”
North Carolina darkwave artist Anders Manga delivers eerie industrial rock vibes on “Hollow,” a track that reminds me so much of Gary Numan’s recent work. Its driving beat and incredibly hooky chorus of “Hollow, hollow heart within” make it a haunting dancefloor anthem.
2. Vintage Voltage – “The Only God I Know”
Swedish enigmas Vintage Voltage unveil a bold new direction with “The Only God I Know,” trading the vintage synthpop melodies of their first three tracks for dark, trance chords. The duo’s charming vocals remain the only remnant of their past sound. This is a welcome new evolution for the mystery band.
1. Optic – “Giving You Nothing”
Swedish duo Optic cap off their stellar year with “Giving You Nothing,” their fourth banger of 2024. Dark, trancey soundscapes meet an upbeat, forward-driving pace, while the dramatic lyrics and compelling vocals solidify their place as one of the year’s best artists.
