Welcome to Synthpop Fanatic’s annual countdown of the best songs in synthpop, darkwave, futurepop, and adjacent genres. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know I take a broad view of synthpop—because genre definitions are ultimately meaningless and only good for taxonomy. What truly matters is the music. I love music made with synths, and I love it dark.
2024 has been an amazing year for synthpop. The year was stacked with unforgettable songs from legendary icons of the genre to rising newcomers in the dark music scene. It was also a year dominated by collaborations—a key ingredient of the streaming era—and you’ll see a lot of collabs among my list.
For the sixth year running, I’m thrilled to present my 100 favorite songs of the year. As always, I include each artist only once on the list to spread the love.
The complete list:
100. A Spell Inside – “Celebrate the Past”
“So alive / Dance into the night / So alive / Back in ’85.” I can think of no better way to kick off this countdown than with those lyrics from A Spell Inside’s infectious single “Celebrate the Past.” The beat roils, the synths ripple, and the German trio captures the joy we find in dark synth music. It’s uplifting, nostalgic, utterly irresistible.
99. Alex Braun – “Algorithm”
Alex Braun epitomizes German synthpop. The former !Distain singer returned this year with his second solo album, Dreamland. On “Algorithm,” he pairs tough beats with gently flowing melodies to explore the pervasive influence of computer algorithms on our lives. You can hear the unmistakeable production of Gerrit Thomas (of Eisfabrik and Funker Vogt), whose music is going to appear frequently throughout this countdown.
98. Rupesh Cartel – “Down This Road”
Rupesh Cartel, one of Sweden’s finest synthpop acts, continue their impressive output with “Down This Road,” one of two singles they released in 2024. The duo delivers easy-going charm here, bringing thoughtful lyrics to life with lovely vocals and a memorable chorus. This track is the first glimpse into an upcoming album that’s expected in 2025. They apparently recorded it in a van.
97. Current One – “Brokenhearted”
Swedish project Current One often uses music as a personal diary, and “Brokenhearted” is no exception. On this track, he reflects on humanity’s mistreatment of the planet with poignant lyrics like, “We thought that science was the key / to save the land, the sky, the sea / but all we did was disagree.” It’s a delightful concoction of syrupy synth riffs and crucial subject matter.
96. Alienare – “Against the Waves”
German synthpop duo Alienare take a lot of cues from Eisfabrick in their sound design and obsession with a single color— green, in their case. It should come as no surprise, then, that super producer Gerrit Thomas (of Eisfabrik and Funker Vogt) assists in the band’s output. “Against the Waves” is an understated ballad from their Lumen album that uses waves as a metaphor for life’s challenges while remaining true to the album’s lighthouse theme.
95. CØLDSTAR – “I See a Light”
Swiss duo CØLDSTAR often explore sci-fi themes in their music, but on their 2024 single “I See a Light,” they turn their attention to a more earthbound matter: sensory overload. Lyrics like “In this world of constant motion” explore the feeling of being overwhelmed, pairing introspection with a bopping, high-pitched beat. The track’s buoyant rhythm contrasts with its heavily accented, lower-register vocals to create a dynamic tension that makes the song captivating.
94. Code 64 – “The Shape”
Since their surprise return in 2021, Swedish futurepop band Code 64 has continued to crank out new, novel music. “The Shape” takes a very chill route that treads in retrowave territory. Its glistening synths, toe-tapping beat, and spiritual lyrics like “A dance of glimmers” feel more akin to M83 than the darker tones I typically gravitate toward, but it’s no less inviting.
93. Daniel Hall – “Some Things”
How do you make 18 albums and still find fresh ideas? Just ask Daniel Hall. The Australian musician’s latest, Apollo, features a darkly tinted standout called “Some Things” that mines melancholia in unique ways. Most lines of the track open with the phrase “Some things…” lending it a memorable refrain. A rattling synth riff with Middle Eastern flair—born from a recent trip to the region—elevates the track with unexpected intrigue.
92. Vioflesh – “Falls”
Chilean duo Vioflesh released a string of singles and EPs in 2024, including the popular track “Always.” However, my favorite from the set is “Falls,” a messy, atmospheric song about witnessing a friend writhing on the floor, succumbing to darkness. Pounding drum pads create a rhythmic trance, then the ecstatic synth riffs arrive to conjure musical chaos that complements the narrative.
91. Clan of Xymox – “X-Odus”
Clan of Xymox, the legendary Dutch pioneers of darkwave, returned in 2024 with their whopping 18th album. Its standout track, “X-Odus,” unleashes an electrifying burst of energy that feels both immediate and relevant. Ronny Moorings’ evocative guitar chords provide a striking counterpoint to his whispered delivery of the word “exodus.”
90. ManMindMachine – “Propaganda”
We last heard from ManMindMachine four years ago with their melodious charmer, “RetroFuturist.” Their return takes a far more aggressive turn. “Propaganda” opens with a vicious snarl, then launches into a pounding beat straight out of Front 242’s EBM playbook. The snarls return on the chorus, accenting rhythmic shout-outs reminiscent of Nitzer Ebb’s heyday. It’s an absolute furnace blast.
89. Glass Spells – “Without You”
California’s Glass Spells remain a band on the rise. Their last album Shattered infused synthwave into its title track. On their follow-up, Crystals, the defining single “Without You” leans heavily into Italo disco sounds that are surging in underground synthpop right now. A pouncing drum beat, twinkling pads, and Tania Costello’s gorgeous harmonies offer an alluring listen with strong ’80s vibes.
88. Cyferdyne – “Everything”
UK band Cyferdyne says their latest album, Exodus, may be their last. Blending electro-industrial soundscapes with melodic synthpop vocals, they capture the essence of peak aughts futurepop. You can hear this all over “Everything,” a track powered by potent beats, arpeggiated synths, and the kind of uplifting lyrics that cybergoths devour: “When the world seems too big, don’t be afraid.” At one point, the beat drops for a Robert Miles-like piano interlude that adds surprising bliss.
87. Plague Pits – “Binary Stars”
One way to make a song stand out is to surround it with instrumentals. That’s just what Swiss collective Plague Pits does on their Bukolik album. “Binary Stars,” one of its few vocal pieces, is a massive collage of layered electronics that evokes old-school analog charm with reverby keys and a piano melody reminiscent of early Depeche Mode. They toss in shimmering starbursts that make the track feel both grounded in retro influences and otherworldly.
86. Mind Machine – “Always Tomorrow”
Our latest look into the next album from Los Angeles-based synthpop duo Mind Machine is the dark, charming sounds of “Always Tomorrow.” Brian Belknap—also known for his work in BlakLight—offers soaring vocals that build to a big hook. Brian Olsen’s pummeling beats and layered synth riffs give the song a polished edge that showcases a duo firmly rooted in the present.
85. Red Cell – “From the Soil”
“From the Soil” marked the start of a new era for Swedish duo Red Cell as they work toward what I assume will be their next album. The first of several singles released in 2024, it highlights the band’s talent for combining sentimental lyrics with sharp production. Each towering line is punctuated by a blast of keys that culminate in an anthemic chorus of “Love will hear us / will fear us / will tear us.”
84. Hiltipop – “In Love”
Hiltipop is the solo project of veteran Swedish musician S.E.M. Hilti Johansson, a longtime fixture of Gothenburg’s synth scene. “In Love,” from his Moments in Love EP, features dream-like textures spun out of dense, fizzing synths and Johansson’s soothing croon, accentuated by purring harmonies. With “In Love,” he crafts a sound that feels nostalgic yet refreshingly now.
83. Linea Aspera – “Mycelium”
The highly influential Linea Aspera made a surprise return this year with “Mycelium,” their first new song since 2020. Named after the fungal network, the track exudes cold, distant vibes true to the band’s signature minimal synth sound. The song is built on a bubbling synthline that immediately recalls previous tracks, especially “Solar Flare” from their 2020 sophomore album, II.
82. Teledeath – “Stop”
Following a prolific 2023, New York’s Teledeath returned this year with the compelling track “Stop.” Driven by a propulsive beat and David Budet’s delicately crooned vocals, the song feels like an intense build that culminates in an explosive chorus of “I don’t feel a thing / pulse is quickening,” all underscored by clever keyboard arrangements that enhance its brooding spirit.
81. Bootblacks – “When You Want”
New lineup. New synth-heavy sound. My attention is piqued. New York band Bootblacks make exciting changes as they gear up for their fifth album, Paradise, now slated for a 2025 release. “When You Want,” the best of the pre-release singles so far, blends their post-punk roots with pulsing synths, creating an intense and engaging modern darkwave sound. While dynamic guitar chords still feature, the song is largely propelled by its synth foundation and strong vocal harmonies.
80. The Saint Paul – “DNA”
“DNA” is an stimulating ode to genetic code from German outfit The Saint Paul. Hypnotizing synth chords thump throughout, straddling the line between sleek futurepop and traditional synthpop. The highlight, though, is the way the vocals burst into a scream on the chorus, injecting raw emotion into the track’s entrancing sound.
79. Madeline Goldstein – “1996 Expectations”
Our first taste of Madeline Goldstein’s next full-length finds the Los Angeles-based musician exploring the darker side of synthpop. “1996 Expectations” features haunting synth melodies with a touch of EBM, paired with her beautiful, introspective vocals. Its sensual intensity and unique textures make it a gripping preview of what’s to come.
78. Dead Cool – “Are We Living, Are We Dead”
North Carolina duo Dead Cool are having quite the year. They played a string of UK shows, including London’s legendary Slimelight party, and saw their breakout hit “Stranger Kind” remixed by Chris Hall of Stabbing Westward. Amid all that, they still found time to release “Are We Living, Are We Dead,” a rousing, fist-in-the-air gothic anthem that matches the blistering rush of “Stranger Kind.”
77. Massive Ego – “In Your Own Darkness”
I thought Massive Ego was done. After calling it quits in 2022 due to health concerns, the band made a surprise return this year with “In Your Own Darkness.” Marc Massive delivers a deeply personal account of despair with a modest yet enchanting vocal performance. The song brims with the mysterious drama we expect from Massive Ego, while introducing guitar riffs to the band’s sound. It’s a welcome return, and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.
76. HellaMox – “One Man”
One of many collaborations we’re going to see in this countdown, HellaMox is a new project from Hella Helin (of e:lect) and Morten Kristensen (of Disrupted Being). Together, they weave moody atmosphere out of “One Man” with eerily vibrating keys and dark, mysterious vigor. It’s a proper duet, and the way they emphasize the words “One man” feels subtly reminiscent of Visage’s iconic line, “One man on a lonely platform,” lending the song an element of familiarity.
