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. digital ENERGY – “Addicted to You”
German duo digital ENERGY blend traditional electropop arrangements with a hard, booming beat on this club banger. The vocals—drenched in echoey reverb—give the song a futuristic sheen. The chorus goes lighter and gooier, with lyrics about personal obsession that make the song feel cheeky and fun. “Addicted to You” is produced by Gerrit Thomas of Funker Vogt, Eisfabrik, and Fictional—we’ll see him again on this list.
9. Stars Crusaders – “Hard to Be a God”
Italian futurepop/EBM band Stars Crusaders come out swinging with a bold, unforgettable declaration: “It’s hard to be a god.” The rest of the lyrics hardly matter—that line alone leaves an impression. Its intensity is matched by bombastic production: thumping beats, stabbing electronic effects, and a club-ready pulse. It’s dramatic and over-the-top, much like its title.
8. Shad Shadows – “Divination”
Shad Shadows is a new discovery for me, though the Italian duo has released several albums. “Divination” is the standout from their latest full-length, Wunderkammer Desire. Built on a roiling electronic base, the song layers in industrial textures and mysterious, gothic verses. But the real thrill comes in the chorus—a glittering, Goldfrapp-like moment that feels transported from another world, yet fits perfectly in this darkwave context.
7. Optic – “Drowning Man”
Swedish duo Optic continues their run of refined synthpop with “Drowning Man,” a lush, analog-tinged track steeped in melancholy. While it may not have the immediate hooks of last year’s “Bad Times” and “Dead for Real,” the song leans into subtlety and introspection, delivering thoughtful lyrics and an elegant piano arrangement. “Drowning Man” succeeds most in its mood—pensive, immersive, unmistakably Optic.
6. Lights of Euphoria – “My Escape”
Lights of Euphoria remain in the midst of a remarkable late-career renaissance, and “My Escape” extends that streak with grace and heart. Slower and more delicate than their recent output, this electronic ballad wraps tender vocals around a gentle piano arrangement. The line “Here in this haven, within these walls, time stands still” rolls out so naturally it feels like lyrics you’ve known forever.
5. Pictureplane – “Heaven Is a State of Mind”
The subdued yet beautiful “Heaven Is a State of Mind” finds Brooklyn-based artist Pictureplane traversing more delicate territory. The opening synths shimmer with Music for the Masses-era charm, while Travis Egedy’s low, understated vocals provide a grounding counterpoint to the track’s celestial glow. There’s no flashy melody, just a steady presence that lets the atmosphere do the work.
4. Lizette Lizette – “No Turning Back”
“No Turning Back” is my favorite moment from Lizette Lizette’s fourth album, LaQueer—a lush, mostly midtempo collection that reveals a softer side of the Swedish artist. Built on a deep, thumping beat and cloaked in echoing reverb, the track simmers with tension. But the real hook is a ping-ponging electronic effect that sputters in and out, adding texture and drama. It’s a sharp reminder of Lizette’s impressive production skills and their ability to craft mood with sound alone.
3. VNV Nation – “Save Me”
VNV Nation’s 12th studio album, Construct, leans into the band’s lighter side. The album is full of uplifting, life-affirming moments like the moving ballad “Save Me,” a happy-sad anthem that honors the people who’ve helped us find our strength. It begins with twinkling synths and a slow, emotional build—Ronan Harris sings two verses in a growing swell before the beat finally drops on the third. If this isn’t your favorite flavor of VNV, there’s another, darker album coming later this year.
2. Rupesh Cartel – “Phantom Battles”
Swedish duo Rupesh Cartel open their new album with “Phantom Battles,” a sleek and thoughtful slice of modern synthpop. Its catchy, reflective chorus—“We’re going down in phantom battles all the time. Keep fighting shadows all the time”—captures the quiet turmoil of everyday life. Viktor Ginner’s voice is as soothing as ever, gliding over crisp production that leans more into contemporary dance textures than retro synth nostalgia. It’s a powerful introduction to the album and a clear reminder of Rupesh Cartel’s unique place in the genre.
1. Fictional – “Your Whisper”
Fictional made a surprise return after 22 years away, and it was worth the wait. “Your Whisper” is an instant classic, hitting the beats that producer Gerrit Thomas promised—’80s vibes with modernized sounds. Christian Schottstädt, best known for his work in the Depeche Mode tribute band Forced to Mode, brings a deep, resonant vocal performance that channels the charisma of Dave Gahan without feeling like a copycat. The track’s sentimental hook, “Your whisper’s the sweetest sound,” lingers long after the song ends.
