Laura Fares: Retro-Funk Synthwave From a Percussion Powerhouse

There’s a certain sound that instantly sends your brain spinning into neon lights, leather jackets, and synths that hit you right in the feels. That sound? It's the heartbeat of Synthwave. And one of the people at the very center of it, drumsticks in hand, is Laura Fares—better known as LAU.

From Buenos Aires to Barcelona (via the UK Synth Underground)

Let’s start at the beginning. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, LAU grew up with rhythm in her blood. Today, she’s based in Barcelona, Spain, but her journey to synth stardom took a scenic route through the UK’s music scene, where she spent over two decades sharpening her sound—and her sticks.

She’s not just a singer. She’s a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and serious percussionist. Think less “I took drum lessons once” and more “I’ve played live with Ricky Martin and opened for Adele.”

Yeah. That level.

The Drum Queen Behind the Curtain

Before LAU’s dreamy synth vocals started pulsing through headphones worldwide, she was already making noise—literally.

As a session drummer, she’s worked with:

• Sam Sparro

• Taio Cruz

• Clean Bandit

• The Wanted

• Big Black Delta

• Even One Direction (bet you didn’t see that coming)

She toured the globe, sometimes opening for icons like Robyn, Adele, and Erasure, where she added her rhythmic magic behind the scenes. Basically, if the 2000s had a beat, there’s a decent chance Laura Fares helped lay it down.

It’s like she’s the Forrest Gump of modern pop music—just keeps showing up at the right place, making things cooler.

Synthwave’s Spark: Aztec Records

But being a hired gun only goes so far when you’ve got your own vision. That’s why in 2010, Fares co-founded Aztec Records, a now-iconic name in the synth and retrowave world, with Ariel Amejeiras.

Aztec Records isn’t just a label—it’s a family of retro-future misfits:

• Bright Light Bright Light

• NINA

• Sunglasses Kid

• Bunny X

These artists bring the dreamy, nostalgic, VHS-filtered sound of a universe that never existed but always should’ve. And yes, you can absolutely blast these tracks while cruising in your car wearing a Newretro.Net leather jacket and vintage shades. Trust us, it works.

Aztec’s not just a brand—it’s a time machine. And Laura’s driving it.

Meet LAU: The Solo Era

After years of backing up pop royalty and curating synth talent, it was time for LAU to step into the spotlight herself.

Her solo project officially launched in 2020, and since then she’s dropped not one, not two, but three albums:

• Believer (2021)

• Circumstance (2022)

• Digital Dream (2024)

Each release feels like a chapter in a neon-lit, heart-wrenching, synth-heavy novel. She’s got this gift for mixing slick, retro-inspired production with emotionally raw lyrics that make you want to dance and cry at the same time. (We’ve all been there.)

Some standout singles?

• “Stunning” (used in a Hailey Bieber ad for Victoria’s Secret—yeah, it’s that good)

• “We Had Magic”

• “Recognise”

• “True”

• “Wicked Game” (with The Last Concorde)

• “Laser Eyes” (with AKRAS)

• “Maneater” (with R3ZMA)

If Spotify Wrapped had a heartbreak-to-groove ratio, LAU would be in the 99th percentile.

From Vinyl Dreams to Fashion Statements

There’s this cool synergy between Synthwave music and retro fashion. Think about it: both are about capturing a vibe—nostalgia meets futurism, style meets swagger.

That’s where Newretro.Net comes in. While LAU is remixing 1980s synth sounds for the 2020s, Newretro.Net is doing the same in fashion. We’ve got the denim jackets, the chunky sneakers, the bold sunglasses—everything you need to look like you walked off the cover of a retro-futurist album.

You don’t just listen to Synthwave. You wear it.

So, whether you're blasting “Digital Dream” from your Bluetooth speaker or styling a classic bomber jacket with pixel-sharp flair, remember—this whole movement is about owning your aesthetic. Laura gets it. We get it. You get it.

Why LAU Stands Out in the Synth Crowd

Let’s be real: Synthwave isn’t exactly short on talent. But LAU stands out not just because she makes bangers (she does), but because she’s built an empire while staying authentic. There’s no posturing. No overly filtered personas. Just pure, retro-futuristic artistry.

And her accolades show it:

• Named a Keychange Artist in 2022

• Her debut album Believer was nominated for multiple Spanish MIN Awards (including Album of the Year)

• A finalist at the Amazon Music BIME Equity Awards

That’s not just scene recognition—that’s international respect.

So, what’s next for this percussion powerhouse turned Synth Queen?

Well, if her latest album Digital Dream is any indication, she’s just getting started...

From Drummer to Dreamweaver: LAU as a Performer

There’s a huge difference between backing someone else’s tour and leading your own. When LAU launched her solo career, she wasn’t just stepping out from behind the drums—she was stepping into her own identity.

On stage, LAU’s not just a singer. She’s a one-woman retro-funk machine. She controls the synths, lays down guitar lines, and yes—still plays the drums live. It’s like watching a time-traveling music cyborg who escaped from an ‘80s movie soundtrack and learned how to DJ.

When LAU hits the stage, it’s not just a concert—it’s an experience:

• Neon visuals that feel like a Tron reboot

• Vintage drum kits and glowing synth pads

• Outfits that blend glam rock with Miami Vice (we see you, shoulder pads)

• And of course, her signature bold confidence, which radiates from her first beat to her last encore

She’s toured across Europe and the US, performing at festivals, synthwave nights, and clubs that feel like they exist in some alternate reality where VHS never died.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to see Prince, Debbie Harry, and Daft Punk’s secret cousin play a show together—just watch LAU.

Synthwave with Substance

Here’s the thing: a lot of synthwave sounds great. The vibe is easy to love. But where LAU truly elevates her art is in the substance.

Beneath the shiny exterior of songs like “Recognise” or “True” are themes about:

• Self-discovery

• Love and loss

• Mental health

• Personal empowerment

LAU’s lyrics are personal. There’s an emotional honesty you don’t always get in retro-pop. Whether she’s singing about falling for someone who feels like a dream, or dancing through the wreckage of a breakup, her songs hit because they’re real.

In a world of Instagram filters and AI-generated everything (don’t worry, I’m self-aware), LAU brings something deeply human to the retro-future aesthetic.

And that’s what makes her timeless.

Global Reach, Indie Roots

Despite going solo, Laura Fares has never strayed far from the indie ethos that built her. Through Aztec Records, she continues to uplift new synthwave talent, offering a platform for other voices with retro dreams and modern beats.

In fact, it’s that same collaborative spirit that keeps her sound evolving. From her work with artists like NINA on the beautifully melancholic Sleepwalking album, to more recent collabs with rising stars like AKRAS and R3ZMA, she’s constantly leveling up.

She doesn’t gatekeep the scene—she grows it.

And you’ve got to admire that hustle. While some artists cling to the spotlight, LAU builds a disco ball big enough for everyone.

Music Meets Style (Again)

Quick sidebar—but one worth exploring.

It’s hard to talk about LAU without talking about aesthetic. Because Synthwave is more than just sound—it’s an entire look. And LAU? She embodies it flawlessly.

Leather jackets? Check.

Big sunglasses? Always.

Retro-futuristic flair that says “I’ve seen Blade Runner 27 times and I’m proud of it”? You know it.

And that’s exactly where brands like Newretro.Net align perfectly with LAU’s vibe. Our pieces aren’t cosplay—they’re lifestyle. You want to feel like the main character in your own neon-lit music video? Start with our vintage-inspired denim, aviator shades, or chunky sneakers that feel lifted straight from a 1985 arcade.

Much like LAU’s music, Newretro is for those who appreciate the past, but want to wear it into the future.

What’s Next for LAU?

We get it. LAU’s done a lot.

But she’s not stopping. Her latest album, Digital Dream, is filled with new sounds, daring collabs, and themes that explore the blurring line between our online identities and real selves. It’s a concept album for the modern era—where dreams, technology, and memory collide.

And she’s hinted at more to come:

• New videos

• International dates (fingers crossed for that North America tour!)

• Possible new side project? 👀 (No spoilers, but stay tuned...)

Plus, her continued involvement with Keychange, the EU-backed initiative to empower underrepresented genders in music, proves that she’s not just here to make noise—she’s here to make change.

LAU is showing artists everywhere that you can be glamorous and grounded, retro and relevant, fierce and full of feeling.

TL;DR (but why would you skip this??)

• Laura Fares, aka LAU, is not just an artist—she’s a genre-defining force.

• From drumming for pop stars to leading her own synthwave revolution, she’s a master of reinvention.

• Her solo music blends emotional storytelling with killer production, rooted in the retro but made for now.

• Her fashion sense = pure retro-future fire, much like Newretro.Net’s gear. (Coincidence? We think not.)

• She continues to empower new voices through her label and initiatives.

• And she’s only just begun.

So whether you’re vibing out to “Stunning” on your night drive, flipping through LAU’s discography, or just figuring out how to wear your leather jacket with that smirk of cool confidence—it’s safe to say...

The retro-funk synthwave revolution is alive and well. And Laura Fares is leading it—drumsticks in hand.