The 16 Best Synthwave Songs of All Time

From genre-defining outrun anthems to gritty darksynth cult favorites, this lineup spans neon nostalgia and underground grit alike. Which track owns the night?

1. 1
   In the Face of Evil

   Magic Sword's arpeggio-driven anthem that crossed into mainstream culture via Hotline Miami 2 and a Thor: Ragnarok trailer.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Nightcall

   Kavinsky's brooding 2010 synth-pop track that defined the outrun sound after appearing on the Drive soundtrack.
   897pts
3. 3
   Nightfall

   A melodic Waveshaper single blending sleek synths with a nostalgic outrun mood.
   636pts
4. 4
   Tech Noir

   Gunship's cinematic single steeped in 80s sci-fi imagery and film-score atmosphere.
   636pts
5. 5
   Voyage

   Lazerhawk's atmospheric cult-favorite track built around driving arpeggios and widescreen synth pads.
   636pts
6. 6
   Interceptor

   Mitch Murder's smooth, melodic title track that showcases the genre's nostalgic 80s instrumentation.
   538pts
7. 7
   Empty Streets

   A moody Scandroid single from Klayton's synthwave project, later reworked in a notable GosT remix.
   538pts
8. 8
   A Real Hero

   The dreamy, vocoder-laced duet by College and Electric Youth that became a defining anthem of the synthwave revival.
   418pts
9. 9
   Turbo Killer

   Carpenter Brut's aggressive, distorted synth anthem that helped launch the darksynth subgenre.
   418pts
10. 10
    Running in the Night

    FM-84's upbeat, radio-ready single with vocals by Ollie Wride, a genre-defining crossover hit.
    418pts
11. 11
    On the Run

    A driving, melancholic Timecop1983 track from the album Night Drive.
    418pts
12. 12
    Nightdrive With You

    Anoraak's dreamy 2008 track widely credited as one of the genre's foundational anthems.
    418pts
13. 13
    Humans Are Such Easy Prey

    One of Perturbator's most-streamed tracks, a menacing darksynth cut from the album I Am the Night.
    269pts
14. 14
    Sunset

    A guitar-tinged fan favorite from The Midnight's breakthrough album Endless Summer.
    269pts
15. 15
    Robots Never Sleep

    A gritty, guitar-infused darksynth track by Dance With The Dead blending retro electro with metal energy.
    269pts
16. 16
    Ocean Drive

    Miami Nights 1984's lush, romantic track evoking sun-soaked 1980s Miami nightlife.
    269pts