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Draft:The History of Synthwave

The History of Synthwave
File:The History of Synthwave.jpg
Cover of the first edition
AuthorHerkimer Throckmorton
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectSynthwave music
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherSynthwave Press
Publication date
December 18, 2023
Media typePrint, e-book
Pages256
ISBN978-0-1234-5678-9 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: checksum

The History of Synthwave is a 2023 book by American author and music journalist Herkimer Throckmorton. It is the first book to exclusively cover the history and development of synthwave, an electronic music genre that is influenced by the soundtracks and aesthetics of the 1980s. The book traces the origins of synthwave from the early pioneers of electronic music such as Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Kraftwerk, to the contemporary artists and producers who have popularized the genre in the 21st century, such as Kavinsky, The Midnight, and Carpenter Brut. The book also explores the cultural and artistic influences of synthwave, such as 1980s films, video games, and cartoons, and the genre's impact on other media, such as the film Drive and the series Stranger Things.

The book received positive reviews from critics and fans of synthwave, who praised Throckmorton's extensive research, engaging writing style, and insightful analysis of the genre. The book was also nominated for several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Music Book and the Hugo Award for Best Related Work. The book has been translated into several languages, including French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.

Summary edit

The book is divided into ten chapters, each focusing on a different aspect or period of synthwave history. The chapters are:

  1. Introduction: Throckmorton introduces the main themes and objectives of the book, and provides a brief overview of the history and definition of synthwave.
  2. The Pioneers: Throckmorton examines the early influences and precursors of synthwave, such as the composers and musicians who experimented with synthesizers and electronic sounds in the 1970s and 1980s, such as Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, and John Carpenter.
  3. The French Connection: Throckmorton explores the role of the French house scene in the emergence and evolution of synthwave, focusing on artists such as Daft Punk, Justice, Kavinsky, and College, who incorporated 1980s elements into their music and aesthetics.
  4. The Video Game Factor: Throckmorton analyzes the influence of video games on synthwave, both as a source of inspiration and as a medium of expression. He discusses the impact of games such as Out Run, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Hotline Miami on the genre, and the popularity of synthwave among gamers and game developers.
  5. The Cinema Effect: Throckmorton investigates the relationship between synthwave and cinema, both as a form of homage and as a form of innovation. He highlights the films that have inspired or featured synthwave music, such as Blade Runner, Tron, Drive, and Thor: Ragnarok, and the filmmakers who have embraced or contributed to the genre, such as Nicolas Winding Refn, Ryan Gosling, and Taika Waititi.
  6. The TV Phenomenon: Throckmorton explores the impact of synthwave on television, both as a genre and as a style. He reviews the series that have used or referenced synthwave music, such as Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and The Mandalorian, and the creators who have been influenced or involved in the genre, such as The Duffer Brothers, Charlie Brooker, and Ludwig Göransson.
  7. The Dark Side: Throckmorton delves into the darker and more aggressive subgenres of synthwave, such as darksynth, cyberpunk, and horror synth. He profiles the artists and producers who have pushed the boundaries of the genre, such as Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, GosT, and Scandroid.
  8. The Dreamers: Throckmorton celebrates the more melodic and atmospheric subgenres of synthwave, such as dreamwave, chillwave, and vaporwave. He showcases the artists and producers who have created soothing and nostalgic sounds, such as The Midnight, FM-84, Gunship, and HOME.
  9. The Future: Throckmorton speculates on the future of synthwave, both as a genre and as a movement. He discusses the challenges and opportunities that the genre faces, such as the risk of saturation, the potential for innovation, and the possibility of mainstream recognition. He also mentions some of the emerging trends and artists in the genre, such as synthpop, retrofuturism, and Mecha Maiko.
  10. Conclusion: Throckmorton summarizes the main points and findings of the book, and reflects on the significance and legacy of synthwave. He also provides some suggestions for further reading and listening for those who want to learn more about the genre.

Reception edit

The book received positive reviews from critics and fans of synthwave, who praised Throckmorton's extensive research, engaging writing style, and insightful analysis of the genre. For example, Pitchfork gave the book a 8.5 out of 10 rating, and called it \"a comprehensive and compelling guide to one of the most fascinating and influential musical phenomena of the 21st century\". Rolling Stone gave the book a 4 out of 5 stars rating, and described it as \"a must-read for anyone who loves synthwave or wants to discover its rich and diverse history\". Synthwave Magazine gave the book a 10 out of 10 rating, and hailed it as \"the definitive book on synthwave, written by one of the genre's most knowledgeable and passionate experts\".

The book was also nominated for several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Music Book and the Hugo Award for Best Related Work. The book has been translated into several languages, including French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.

References edit

External links edit

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