Maximum Love: Sultry Night-Drive Synthwave Duo From the UK

Imagine this: It’s late at night, your car’s interior lights glow softly, your sunglasses reflect city lights bouncing off rain-slicked streets. A cool synth melody is flowing from the speakers, a soundtrack that makes you feel like the protagonist in your own neon-lit movie. This is exactly the kind of atmosphere brothers Taylor and Jordan Howell, the masterminds behind Maximum Love, create with their smooth, evocative synthwave tracks.

These siblings from St Albans, UK, aren’t just musicians—they're time-travelers with synthesizers, transporting listeners straight into the heart of the 1980s. Since their formation in 2014, Maximum Love has become synonymous with sultry night-drive music, blending influences from chillwave, electro, and classic synthwave, echoing the unmistakable sounds of legends like Daft Punk, while adding their own modern flair.

Brothers in Synthwave

Taylor and Jordan Howell didn't just decide one day to hop onto the synthwave bandwagon—these two were practically born into neon. Growing up together, the brothers bonded over the nostalgic films, futuristic dreams, and synthesized beats of the 1980s. Their journey wasn't a straight shot to stardom, though. Like any great retro-themed movie, their story has twists, turns, and a killer soundtrack to match.

Their first big splash into the neon sea came with the release of the Midnight Astronaut EP in 2014. And let’s be real, the name alone was enough to intrigue anyone with a soft spot for retro vibes. The standout track, "We’ve Just Begun," didn’t just gently nudge the synthwave community—it catapulted them to the front page of Reddit in 2015, proving to the digital world that Maximum Love wasn’t just another duo imitating the classics. They were here to redefine them.

The Retro Revivalists

What sets Maximum Love apart from countless synthwave artists cluttering playlists nowadays? Well, besides their striking use of analog equipment like the iconic Juno-106 synthesizer and vocoder-driven vocals, these two brothers understand something crucial: atmosphere matters.

They craft tracks designed specifically for those quiet, introspective drives late at night or moments when you feel lost yet completely at peace. Their music wraps around listeners, creating sonic landscapes filled with emotion, nostalgia, and a subtle yet undeniable cool factor. Tracks like "Feel Electric" (2016), "Let Go" (2020), and their hypnotic single "Forever" (2022) exemplify this magical formula. Each piece is an emotional rollercoaster ride—only this rollercoaster is sleek, neon-lit, and goes great with leather jackets.

And speaking of leather jackets—if Maximum Love had an official wardrobe, it would undoubtedly feature retro-inspired fashion from Newretro.Net. You know the vibe: denim jackets with just enough fade, retro-styled sneakers reminiscent of VHS tapes (yeah, sneakers inspired by videotapes!), and leather jackets that practically scream, “I'm the cool hero in an 80s movie.” It's exactly the kind of style Taylor and Jordan embody through their music. Not too flashy, just effortlessly cool—perfectly matched to the subtle swagger of Maximum Love’s music.

Rise to Stardom (With a Retro Twist)

After their first EP, Maximum Love didn’t slow down. Far from it. They released a steady stream of powerful singles and EPs, including Dead by Dawn (2016) and Vision (2017), steadily building a devoted fanbase across digital platforms and live performances.

Their 2018 debut album, Under the Shadow, further solidified their place in the synthwave landscape. It’s an album brimming with moody synth lines, infectious rhythms, and lyrics that linger in your mind. Then came the impressive Jupiter in 2020—reaching #3 on the iTunes Canada charts. Jupiter featured standout tracks like "Red Lights," which even hit #1 on iTunes Estonia, and the dreamy "Starfields," landing at #56 on the US Electronic charts.

What makes Maximum Love especially exciting, beyond their fantastic chart placements, is their ability to seamlessly blend nostalgic appeal with contemporary relevance. Not only did tracks from Jupiter and other singles appear prominently in popular culture—soundtracking video games like The Ascent (2021), appearing in Nvidia's flashy RTX reveal trailer, and accompanying Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon promotional materials—but they also regularly enhanced live streams by popular gamer Dr Disrespect.

The Impact of "Feeling It" and "Dead to Me"

In 2022 and 2023, Maximum Love continued to conquer playlists with their addictive singles "Feeling It" and "Dead to Me." These tracks highlight the duo’s evolution from pure retro mimicry into their own fully realized sound. "Feeling It" pulsates with bright synth hooks and catchy melodies ideal for summertime road trips. In contrast, "Dead to Me" takes a darker, moodier turn—proving Maximum Love's versatility and depth, capable of conveying a broader spectrum of emotional experiences.

Listeners couldn’t get enough, pushing Maximum Love’s streaming numbers beyond 100 million by early 2024—a testament to their growth and the universal resonance of their music.

More Than Just Music

Maximum Love isn’t just about making music—they’re about creating entire experiences. Their first-ever live show at the Outland Sunset Neon Cruise in London (2018) wasn’t just another gig; it was an immersive retro dream come true. Fans danced under neon lights aboard a boat cruising London's River Thames—because why see a synthwave concert on dry land when you can sail through a neon-lit river?

This kind of creativity and immersive storytelling is at the heart of what makes Maximum Love special. They’re not just musicians; they’re visionaries crafting soundtracks for the movies we all wish we lived in.

By now, you’ve probably realized Maximum Love isn't just another synthwave duo pushing nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. These brothers are like the directors of their own retro-futuristic film, curating each beat, synth line, and lyric with cinematic precision. With their latest album, Apollo, released in November 2024, they've taken their synth-driven storytelling even further, solidifying their status as genuine musical innovators rather than mere imitators of the past.

The Next Chapter: Apollo Takes Flight

Apollo isn’t just another album. It’s a synthwave odyssey—one that pairs perfectly with midnight drives beneath neon signs, or perhaps even a casual night-in spent scrolling through a vintage VHS collection. Each track delivers a carefully constructed vibe, as though tailor-made to soundtrack an 80s sci-fi film we never knew we needed but desperately wish existed.

The album’s standout single, "A Star Will Rise," perfectly captures this vibe. Smooth, sultry, yet pulsating with an undercurrent of anticipation—it's the musical equivalent of driving through a neon-lit tunnel, emerging into a world filled with possibilities. It’s exactly the sort of uplifting yet mysterious soundscape that fans crave from Maximum Love.

Analog Charm Meets Digital Precision

If you're wondering what gives Maximum Love their uniquely authentic yet polished sound, look no further than their instruments. Their trusty Juno-106 synthesizer—practically a third member of the band—alongside classic vocoders, form the core of their sonic identity. But it’s not just about vintage gear; it’s how they use it, bringing modern production techniques and contemporary energy into the mix. This blend of old-school authenticity and new-school innovation is precisely why Maximum Love continues to resonate so powerfully with fans across generations.

Live Experiences That Go Beyond Music

Maximum Love’s live performances are legendary for creating full-on immersive experiences rather than simple concerts. Remember their first live show aboard the Outland Sunset Neon Cruise? That wasn’t an isolated incident—it was just the beginning. Their shows are known for atmospheric lighting, dynamic visuals, and a careful selection of fashion that always screams retro-cool. It wouldn’t be surprising if you spotted attendees rocking gear from Newretro.Net at their gigs—because let's face it, nothing pairs better with synthwave than a slick pair of retro sunglasses, a worn-in denim jacket, or some bold, 80s-inspired sneakers.

Speaking of fashion—there's something particularly satisfying about sliding into a fresh Newretro.Net leather jacket, cranking up Maximum Love’s latest tracks, and feeling like you've just stepped into an episode of Miami Vice. You know the feeling: effortlessly cool, slightly mysterious, and ready for whatever the night (or your Spotify playlist) throws your way.

A Band That Moves Beyond Boundaries

Maximum Love's music isn’t just confined to streaming platforms or live events. They've made a notable impact in gaming and online communities, placing multiple tracks in video games like The Ascent (2021), as well as regularly featuring on streams by the legendary gamer Dr Disrespect. Their catchy, cinematic music has also appeared prominently in marketing for high-profile tech products like Nvidia's RTX reveal and Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon promotions. This proves that synthwave—and specifically Maximum Love’s brand of synthwave—isn't limited to retro enthusiasts alone. It has mass appeal, capable of adding emotional depth and excitement to nearly any form of media.

Embracing the Future While Honoring the Past

The brothers have cleverly navigated the delicate balance of staying true to their retro roots while innovating enough to keep their sound fresh. This is perhaps most evident in recent tracks like "Heavy Lies the Crown" and "Dead to Me," which integrate darker lyrical themes with more complex synth textures, revealing a maturity that continues to evolve from album to album.

It's no wonder they've amassed over 100 million streams by 2024—clearly, audiences around the world are connecting deeply with Maximum Love’s uniquely evocative approach to synthwave. They're not just riding the wave of nostalgia—they're reshaping it.

Where to Go From Here?

As Maximum Love continues to blaze their neon-lit trail, fans are eagerly awaiting what's next. More live shows? New collaborations? Another game-changing album to further push synthwave's boundaries? The possibilities are limitless.

But one thing is certain: Maximum Love isn’t slowing down anytime soon. These two brothers from St Albans have successfully managed to create something magical—a musical world that both honors and transcends its roots. They're not just artists; they're curators of atmosphere, champions of analog sound, and creators of an unforgettable synth-driven legacy.

So next time you find yourself driving through the night, city lights reflecting off your sunglasses, consider this: life’s a lot cooler when Maximum Love’s sultry beats are your soundtrack. And while you’re at it, why not match the vibe with a classic look from Newretro.Net? Trust us, synthwave sounds even better when you’re dressed like the main character in your favorite retro movie.

Maximum Love has proven once again that the night belongs to the bold—and the bold have the best music.