Mar 27, 2025

Michael Oakley – Synthwave with a Strong 80s Pop Influence

If there’s one thing the 80s gave us—aside from mullets, neon windbreakers, and walkmans the size of bricks—it’s music that actually felt like an escape. Big synths, even bigger hair, and melodies that made you feel like the protagonist in your own cinematic montage. And right there, somewhere between a midnight drive and the glint of a neon-lit city skyline, is where Michael Oakley exists.

Michael Oakley is part of the synthwave scene, sure, but he's not just recycling retro vibes. No, he’s injecting heart and polish into a genre that could have easily stayed a nostalgia loop. His music is where 80s pop meets modern production—think of it as if your favorite John Hughes movie soundtrack got remastered in 4K.

Let’s hit play on his story.

From Glasgow With Synths

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland—a place more famous for its rain than retro—Michael Oakley grew up immersed in the pop royalty of the 80s. Think Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, and a solid dose of A-ha. Instead of jumping on the indie rock bandwagon like many of his peers, Oakley took a detour into synths, sparkles, and cinematic emotion.

And thank neon for that.

Before fully diving into synthwave, he had a background in music production and DJing. That experience shines through in his tracks—they’re not just nostalgic, they’re crisp, rich, and emotionally dialed-in.

His breakthrough came with the album California, a collection of synthwave tracks that feel like a convertible ride down the Pacific Coast Highway—even if you're just stuck in traffic with your Spotify on. Tracks like “Turn Back Time” and “Rabbit in the Headlights” don’t just nod to the past—they high-five it, hug it, and then offer it a Red Bull.

Why Oakley Stands Out

Now, let’s get something straight: synthwave isn’t just about copying 80s soundscapes. It’s about channeling that era’s spirit while layering it with today’s emotion and tech. Oakley nails that balance.

Here’s what makes his music click:

Emotional Storytelling: Every Oakley track feels like a mini movie. You’re not just listening—you’re feeling things. Sometimes heartbreak, sometimes hope, sometimes the urge to buy a fog machine.
Melodic Hooks: He writes choruses that stick with you, even when your AirPods die. You’ll find yourself humming them in the shower, or while pretending your morning coffee is a cocktail on a Miami balcony.
Polished Production: His sound is clean, powerful, and layered like a perfectly baked synthwave lasagna. (And yes, we just said that.)

And here’s the kicker—his music doesn’t sound like someone trying to be the 80s. It sounds like someone who loves the 80s, but knows they have something new to add to the mix.

Oakley’s Fashion Game? Strong.

Let’s take a detour from the music for a sec.

Have you seen the guy’s style? Oakley rocks the kind of jackets that look like they belong in an arcade-themed action movie. Leather, denim, futuristic shades—it’s all in rotation. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if he browses Newretro.Net from time to time.

Our brand fits right into that aesthetic: retro-inspired clothing that doesn’t feel like costume cosplay. We’re talking:

Timeless leather jackets that scream “main character energy”
Denim that pairs perfectly with your synth playlist
Sunglasses that make you feel like you’ve got your own personal VHS filter
Sneakers that moonwalk into every room before you do

You don’t have to live in a vaporwave dream to dress like it. (Though we won’t judge if you add a fog machine to your bedroom.)

Albums That Hit Different

Back to Oakley’s discography. If you’re just discovering him, here’s a quick cheat sheet:

California (2017): His debut album, and wow—what a debut. This one's a love letter to West Coast dreams and 80s heartbreak. Every track glows with nostalgia but hits with real emotional weight.
Introspect (2019): More mature, more personal. This album dives deeper into Oakley’s life, from love and loss to self-reflection. It’s still synthy, still catchy, but there’s more depth in the storytelling.
Odyssey (2021): Arguably his most polished and cohesive work yet. The synths hit harder, the themes run deeper, and there’s a sense of confidence in every track—like Oakley’s fully found his voice.

Oakley doesn’t just make albums. He builds worlds. Listening to his work feels like flicking through a vintage photo album of memories you don’t remember having—but somehow miss anyway.

Synthwave Isn’t a Niche—It’s a Mood

If you’ve ever felt like modern pop just doesn’t hit you in the feels the way it should, synthwave is your genre. And Michael Oakley? He’s your new favorite artist.

This isn’t just music to listen to—it’s music to live in.

You throw on a track, slip into your retro jacket, pop on those oversized shades from Newretro.Net, and suddenly your walk to the grocery store feels like a slow-mo scene from an 80s action flick. (Tom Cruise optional.)

Who Turned on the Time Machine? (Spoiler: It Was Oakley)

Michael Oakley isn’t just making music that sounds like the '80s—he’s bottling the feeling of it. The optimism. The drama. The sense that anything could happen... as long as you had the right soundtrack.

But where does that magic come from?

Well, Oakley has openly talked about his influences—and honestly, it’s like scrolling through a greatest hits list from your dad’s record collection (if your dad was really cool and had a thing for synths). Artists like:

Howard Jones
Pet Shop Boys
Simple Minds
George Michael
And yes, a huge helping of Tears for Fears

But here’s the trick: he’s not just copying. He’s studying the DNA of those legends and then remixing it with a modern heartbeat. It’s what gives his tracks that cinematic edge, that polish, that emotionally-crushing-while-still-danceable quality.

And let’s be real—this guy could probably score an entire Netflix retro drama tomorrow and we’d binge-watch the whole thing just for the soundtrack.

Live Shows: Synthwave in the Flesh

If you think Oakley’s studio work is tight, wait until you see him live. The man doesn’t just perform—he curates an atmosphere.

We’re talking laser lights, fog, visuals that look like they were pulled from an old VHS tape, and of course, those smooth-as-silk vocals floating over pulsating synths. It’s not just a concert—it’s a time portal.

You’ll see the full range of retro diehards in the crowd:

People in bomber jackets and fingerless gloves
Couples who look like they stepped out of a DeLorean
And folks like you—probably rocking something sharp from Newretro.Net, because let’s face it: if you’re showing up to a synthwave show, you gotta dress the part

(And yes, those leather jackets from our store do look 37% cooler under a strobe light. Verified.)

Synthwave’s Not Just Nostalgia—It’s a Movement

You know what’s wild? Synthwave started as this little internet subgenre—music for people who missed an era they didn’t even live through. But thanks to artists like Michael Oakley, it’s grown into something way bigger.

It’s a mood. A vibe. A complete cultural aesthetic.

From indie video games to movies to TikTok edits—synthwave is everywhere. It’s become the sound of modern escapism. And Oakley? He’s at the front of that neon-lit wave, surfing it like a Miami Vice extra with a synthesizer.

And the coolest part?

He’s still evolving. With every release, you can hear him stretching the boundaries of the genre, introducing new sounds, new textures, and more personal storytelling. He’s not boxed in by nostalgia—he’s using it as fuel.

For the Dreamers and the Night Drivers

Michael Oakley’s music is for people who dream bigger at night. For those who love a good melancholic hook wrapped in sparkle. For those who feel like life should come with a backing track—and a little more slow-mo walking under streetlights.

If you’ve ever had a long drive where you just had to turn the volume all the way up… if you’ve ever felt a lyric hit harder because it reminded you of someone you shouldn’t be texting… then yeah, you get it.

His music isn’t just entertainment—it’s emotional architecture.

And if you want to live in that architecture a little more fully, it helps to look the part. That’s where Newretro.Net comes in again. We're not here to sell you a costume. We’re here to offer the pieces that make you feel like your truest, most stylish synth-driven self.

You don’t have to be in a band. You don’t need a keytar. But when you’re rocking a clean retro-fit jacket, some sleek shades, and Oakley’s “Control” blasting through your headphones—suddenly, the ordinary feels cinematic.

Where to Start? Here's Your Oakley Playlist Starter Kit:

If you're just jumping into the world of Michael Oakley, here’s a cheat code playlist to set the mood:

“Turn Back Time” – Instant classic. Emotional and euphoric.
“Control” – Feels like a lost hit from a '90s dancefloor and we mean that in the best way.
“Is There Anybody Out There” – A lonely night drive in audio form.
“Wake Up!” – Energetic, defiant, and begging for volume.
“Rabbit in the Headlights” – Darker, moodier, and very much main-character-core.

Pro tip: play this while scrolling through Newretro.Net. We’re not saying it’ll make the clothes look even better—but we’re also not not saying that.

Michael Oakley isn’t just part of the synthwave genre—he’s shaping it. He’s proving that the past isn’t something to escape—it’s something to reimagine. And as long as he’s behind the synth, we’re all in for a wild, emotional, perfectly lit ride.

So go ahead. Turn the volume up. Throw on that retro jacket. And step into the future... by way of the past.

We’ll see you under the neon.