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 2025 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. PART2 – “Everytime I Close My Eyes”
The underrated Swedish trio PART2 delivers another elegant confection. “Everytime I Close My Eyes” builds on a steady, pulsing beat and tonally shifting synth arrangements, but the best part is the resonant vocals that float above the mix with raw, delicate emotion. Sweetly sentimental lyrics add to the song’s graceful charm.
9. CRED – “The Change”
Swedish unknowns CRED made my June countdown with their dreamy single “Chasing,” which I compared to OMD for its playful tones and softly crooned vocals. New track “The Change” is all Depeche Mode. The vocals drop into a deeper, darker rumble that bellows over a gunfire drumbeat and intricate programming. I’m still getting to know CRED, but it’s nice to see them diversify their sound with clear influences from the greats.
8. Panic Priest – “To Live Another Day”
American artist Panic Priest returns with his first new song since 2022’s PSYCHOGORIA. “To Live Another Day” blends guitar and synthesizers into a polished pop sound that recalls Duran Duran in their prime. Meanwhile, Jack Armondo’s deep baritone adds an element of dark intrigue as his voice rises and falls with skillful aplomb. A remarkable first taste of his Once Wild album, due in August.
7. Massive Ego – “Man Become Monster”
Dark pop project Massive Ego is a restless act, seamlessly shifting from sweetly introspective tracks like “(My) Death Song” to fiery darkwave anthems like “My Religion is Dark.” But they also have an incredibly provocative side. It doesn’t get more provocative than: “Active shooter with a grudge, I feel his pain,” from the opening lines of “Man Become Monster.” Marc Massive and company take aim at the monstrous men in power with dramatic riffs, spitfire drums, and snarling attitude.
6. Nuovo Testamento – “Dream On”
The Italian-American trio Nuovo Testamento has gracefully evolved their style from darkwave origins by mining the overlooked sounds of ’80s Italo and freestyle. This year’s Trouble EP expands their sonic palette once again, this time introducing ’90s pop and dance elements. “Dream On” ratchets up the fun with the unmistakable tones of the Korg M1, while vocalist Chelsey Crowley praises the virtues of individuality.
5. Nine Inch Nails – “As Alive As You Need Me To Be”
“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” is the first proper song by Nine Inch Nails in seven years—and their best in more than 20 (if you don’t count “Compress/Repress,” released under the Reznor/Ross banner). The first taste of NIN’s upcoming Tron: Ares score finds a funky groove and vocal cadence reminiscent of their Year Zero era, but with pummeling electronics that are pure Tron bliss.
4. Vintage Voltage – “Catch Me If You Can”
Swedish duo Vintage Voltage has steadily become one of the most reliable new acts in modern synthpop. Their seventh offering, “Catch Me If You Can,” showcases their remarkable talent—just listen to the incisive synth arrangements that oscillate across a monster beat, or the way the vocals wring delicious melody out of a plainspoken phrase like, “You will never stop me even if you try your best.”
3. CHROM – “Beyond the Trees”
The revived German act CHROM—now a solo project from frontman Christian Marquis—delivers another delectable slice of modern synthpop. “Beyond the Trees” follows last year’s singles “Paralysed” and “Agony” but turns down the tempo for a simple yet effective ballad. There’s no fussy synth riff, no dramatic refrain—just gorgeous melodies and intimate prose about reuniting with someone you’ve lost. Goosebumps all around.
2. Promenade Cinema – “Play With Fate”
“Play With Fate,” from British duo Promenade Cinema, opens with reverberating keys before blasting off with a deep, cavernous beat. But the real magic begins when Emma Barson’s mysterious vocals arrive, lending the song a mystical aura. Further layers of sound tumble into an intricate yet delicate cacophony of delightful noise. It marks the welcome return of one of the best synthpop bands of the modern era.
1. Isaac Howlett & A State of Flux – “Spiralling”
There’s an unexpected moment near the end of “Spiralling” where the tension swells and synth riffs burst with firepower, blasting the song’s final seconds full of energy like the finale of a fireworks show. It’s among my favorite music cues of the year—and the clearest sign yet that this is not Empathy Test redux. The only vestiges of that project, currently on indefinite hiatus, are Isaac Howlett’s delicate vocals and the raw vulnerability of his lyrics. Try not to empathize with a line like: “Depression runs in the men / On my mother’s side.” “Spiralling” lands at the intersection of mental health and anxiety about the state of the world, making it one of the most relatable songs I’ve heard in some time.
