Mar 01, 2025

Electric Youth – Dreamy, Synth-Driven Duo

If you’ve ever had a nostalgic daydream of neon city lights, late-night drives, and a universe where everything sounds like it was made for the perfect 80s movie montage, chances are Electric Youth has been part of your soundtrack.

This Canadian duo, made up of Bronwyn Griffin and Austin Garrick, is pure synth-pop magic. If the name sounds familiar, you might remember them from “A Real Hero”, their breakout track with College, which became the unofficial anthem of Drive (2011) – a movie so drenched in retro-futuristic coolness it basically created an entire aesthetic movement.

But there’s much more to Electric Youth than just that one song. Their dreamy sound, packed with cinematic emotion and pulsing synth beats, makes them a must-listen for anyone who loves retro-futurism, new wave vibes, and music that feels like a memory you forgot you had.

The Sound: Nostalgia in High Definition

Electric Youth isn’t just about making music; they’re about crafting a feeling. You know that moment when you're driving at night, city lights blurring past, and everything feels like it belongs in a movie? That’s their entire vibe.

Their music blends:

Ethereal vocals – Bronwyn’s voice has this airy, wistful quality, like she’s singing straight into your subconscious.
Synth-heavy soundscapes – Layers of warm, analog synths that could make even a rainy Tuesday feel like a scene from Blade Runner.
Timeless melodies – Every song sounds like it could’ve been made in 1986 or 2086.

It’s no surprise that their music often lands in movies, commercials, and TV shows. It’s cinematic by design – emotional, atmospheric, and dripping with cool.

Speaking of cool, if you’re into this aesthetic (which, let’s be real, you are), you’d probably love what we do at Newretro.Net. We take that same love for the past and turn it into killer denim jackets, retro sneakers, and sunglasses that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie.

From Bedroom Studio to Hollywood Soundtracks

Like many great electronic acts, Electric Youth started small. Austin was a producer, Bronwyn was a singer, and together, they started making music in a tiny home studio. Their early releases gained traction in the indie electronic scene, but everything changed in 2011 when “A Real Hero” landed in Drive.

You know the scene—the quiet intensity, Ryan Gosling brooding behind the wheel, the slow build of the synths. That moment turned Electric Youth from underground synthwave artists into genre icons.

But they didn’t stop there. Unlike some artists who get a one-hit wonder moment and fade away, they doubled down. Over the years, they’ve:

Released multiple albums, including Innerworld and Memory Emotion, each packed with rich, atmospheric synth-pop.
Collaborated with major artists and producers in the synthwave and electronic scene.
Created music for films and even an entire unreleased soundtrack for a Nicolas Winding Refn movie.

Yes, you read that right. They made an entire soundtrack for Breathless, a film that never got finished. But instead of letting the work go to waste, they released it as Breathing—a dreamy, wordless album that feels like floating through space.

Why They Matter in the Retro-Futurism Scene

Let’s be honest: retro-futurism is having a moment. Whether it’s in fashion, film, or music, people are obsessed with that mix of old-school nostalgia and futuristic cool. Electric Youth sits right at the heart of that movement.

Their music doesn’t just imitate the 80s—it reimagines it. While plenty of artists in the synthwave scene go for pure homage (which, don’t get us wrong, we love), Electric Youth adds a modern touch. Their songs feel like they belong in an alternate reality where Tron was real, flying cars exist, and everyone wears sleek leather jackets.

Speaking of which—have you ever noticed how synthwave and fashion go hand in hand? The neon glow of city streets, the retro aesthetics, the cool-factor of a classic denim or leather jacket? That’s exactly what Newretro.Net is all about. It’s not just clothing; it’s a lifestyle—a way to look like the protagonist of your own retro-futuristic movie.

Their Influence on Modern Synth Music

Since their breakout, Electric Youth has inspired an entire wave of synth-driven artists. You can hear their influence in acts like:

The Midnight – Another powerhouse in the synthwave scene, blending nostalgic synths with modern production.
Timecop1983 – Known for lush, dreamy soundscapes that feel straight out of a cyberpunk romance.
FM-84 – Bringing that emotional, cinematic energy to new heights.

But what makes Electric Youth stand out is their ability to balance dreaminess with drive. Their songs aren’t just background music; they make you feel something. Whether it’s nostalgia, excitement, or that strange, bittersweet feeling of remembering something you never actually experienced.

And let’s be real—who doesn’t want their life to feel like an epic, synth-powered adventure?

The Evolution of Their Sound

If you go back and listen to their early tracks versus their newer releases, you’ll notice a fascinating evolution. They’ve gone from:

Pure, dreamy synth-pop – Think Innerworld (2014), full of shimmering pads and nostalgic melodies.
Cinematic storytelling – Breathing (2019) was essentially a film score, proving they could create immersive experiences.
More intricate, layered soundscapes – Memory Emotion (2019) introduced richer textures and deeper emotions.

They’ve never been afraid to experiment and grow, which is probably why their music still feels fresh—even in a genre that thrives on nostalgia.

The Secret to Their Timeless Appeal

Ever noticed how some music just never gets old? Electric Youth has mastered that rare ability to sound nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. But what’s their secret?

It all comes down to a few key elements:

1. Emotional Depth

A lot of synthwave artists lean heavily on aesthetic—neon grids, VHS filters, and retro-cool vibes. But Electric Youth goes beyond that. Their music isn’t just stylish; it’s deeply emotional.

The way Bronwyn sings, it’s like she’s pulling from a place of pure feeling—melancholy, longing, and quiet hope all wrapped in one.
Their lyrics tell stories, often about love, memory, and that strange, beautiful sadness of time passing.
Even their instrumentals feel personal, like each synth line was handcrafted to hit you in the soul.

This is why their music resonates across generations. Whether you grew up in the 80s, discovered them through Drive, or just found them on a late-night synthwave playlist, their songs feel like they were meant for you.

2. That Perfectly Balanced Sound

Some artists in the synthwave scene go full retro, making music that could easily be mistaken for something straight out of 1985. Others lean so modern that they lose the magic.

Electric Youth? They live in that perfect in-between space.

They use real analog synths, giving their music that warm, organic quality.
Their production is crisp and modern, keeping things fresh without losing the nostalgic charm.
They balance catchy pop hooks with cinematic depth, making songs that work just as well in a club as they do in a quiet, introspective moment.

This is the kind of sound that works in any era. It’s not trying too hard to be retro, and it’s not so polished that it loses its soul.

3. Their Cinematic Approach

A lot of synthwave artists love movies, but Electric Youth takes it to another level.

They don’t just make songs that could fit in movies—they make songs that feel like movies.
Their use of soundscapes, dramatic builds, and atmospheric layers makes every track feel like it belongs in an epic, neon-lit film.
Even when they’re not officially scoring a movie, their music ends up in countless soundtracks, TV shows, and even commercials.

Listening to Electric Youth is like stepping into a dream world, where every moment feels bigger, more dramatic, and just a little more magical.

And honestly? That’s why they pair so well with retro-futuristic fashion. The right denim jacket, vintage sneakers, or sleek sunglasses can make you feel like the main character in your own movie. That’s the whole philosophy behind Newretro.Net—wearing something that makes everyday life feel like an adventure.

Electric Youth’s Best Tracks – A Must-Listen List

If you’re new to their music (or just want to rediscover some gems), here’s a starter pack of their best songs:

🚗 The Classics

A Real Hero (with College) – The song that made them famous, and still one of the greatest synthwave tracks ever.
Right Back to You – Catchy, dreamy, and packed with that signature Electric Youth magic.

🌌 The Deep Cuts

Innocence – A hauntingly beautiful track that feels like a memory you can’t quite place.
If All She Has is You – Slow, emotional, and pure nostalgia in sonic form.

🎬 For That Cinematic Vibe

The Best Thing – It sounds like it was made for the ending scene of a sci-fi love story.
Breathless – A wordless, atmospheric track that’s perfect for night drives.

If you’re into driving at night, staring out of windows dramatically, or just vibing in a neon-lit room, this playlist is mandatory listening.

The Legacy of Electric Youth

Some artists come and go, but Electric Youth has built something that lasts.

They helped define the modern synthwave movement, inspiring countless artists in the scene.
Their music continues to be used in films, shows, and ads, proving that their sound is truly timeless.
They never stopped evolving, always pushing their music into new, exciting places.

And at the end of the day, what makes them so special isn’t just their music—it’s the feeling they create.

That feeling of driving through the city at night, the streetlights reflecting off your sunglasses.
That feeling of being in a movie, even if it’s just for a moment.
That feeling of nostalgia for a time you’ve never actually lived in, but somehow miss anyway.

That’s what Electric Youth is all about. And that’s why we’ll still be listening to them years from now.