Mar 26, 2025

Orax – A Darker, Cyberpunk-Oriented Take on Synthwave

Orax – A Darker, Cyberpunk-Oriented Take on Synthwave

There’s a certain flavor of synthwave that doesn’t just glow in neon—it smolders. Instead of palm trees, it gives you alleyways dripping with rain. Instead of pastel sunsets, it's all looming towers, flickering CRTs, and the hum of a world that feels like it’s just barely held together by wires and electricity. Welcome to the world of Orax, a one-man powerhouse reshaping synthwave into something sleeker, darker, and undeniably cooler.

If the synthwave genre had a Gotham City, Orax would be its sound.

Who (or What) Is Orax?

Imagine if Drive had a baby with Blade Runner, and that baby grew up listening to metal and clubbing in a dystopian future. That’s kind of the vibe Orax brings to the table. A producer hailing from Italy, Orax (real name: not important right now, let the mystery live!) has carved out a space in the synthwave scene that leans hard into cinematic tension, bass-heavy drama, and polished production that sounds like it’s meant to be played in the background of a neon-lit getaway.

His music isn’t the sugar-coated, sunny version of the '80s—this is the after-hours version. This is synthwave wearing a black leather jacket, not a pink crop-top.

So, What Makes Orax Different?

Let’s break it down:

Cinematic Soundscapes: Orax doesn’t just drop beats—he builds worlds. His tracks feel like they belong in the kind of movie where no one's quite the hero, the sky is always overcast, and everyone’s got secrets.
Heavier, Edgier Style: Compared to his more upbeat synthwave cousins, Orax turns the dial toward the dark. Think less Miami pool party, more Tokyo backstreet at midnight.
Instrumental Storytelling: Many of his tracks have no lyrics, and yet they speak volumes. They push you into a story without saying a single word.
Cyberpunk Influence: You can feel the influence of cyberpunk culture dripping through each beat—the themes of rebellion, dystopia, sleek tech, and gritty human struggle.

It’s like if Vangelis and Trent Reznor grabbed synths and decided to score a sci-fi noir.

Why It Hits So Hard Right Now

Let’s be real—most of us are kinda over the overly shiny, polished future we were promised. There's a weird comfort in the gritty, tech-drenched shadows of cyberpunk. It’s rebellious, it’s cool, and it doesn’t care what the mainstream thinks.

That’s what makes Orax relevant today. He taps into that mood.

As AI grows smarter, screens grow brighter, and everything gets algorithmic, Orax’s music sounds like it’s pushing back. It gives off that feeling of driving at 2 AM through a city you don’t quite trust, wearing sunglasses you definitely didn’t pay for, with something in the trunk that’s probably illegal. It's music for the anti-hero.

Speaking of Anti-Hero Style...

Let’s take a second to talk about Newretro.Net, because honestly—if Orax’s music had a wardrobe, it would shop there. We're talking retro clothing made for modern renegades. Leather jackets that scream “I have excellent taste in underground synth artists.” Sneakers that look like they’ve been pulled straight from a futuristic arcade. And don’t even get me started on the shades.

Want to channel that cool, cyberpunk energy IRL? Newretro’s got you covered—from the sleek black denim to the vintage-inspired watches. It’s like we time-traveled to 1985, borrowed the best looks, and updated them for today’s most stylish outcasts.

Not saying Orax wears our stuff... but we wouldn’t be surprised if he did.

Albums That Hit Like a Neural Blast

If you're new to Orax, there are a few albums that are absolutely essential to understanding the sonic cyberpunk world he creates. While we won’t get too academic, here are a few that should be injected directly into your playlist:

“Deeper” – Brooding, powerful, and almost orchestral in the way it builds tension. Perfect soundtrack for walking away from an explosion without looking back.
“Film” – This one leans even more into the cinematic side of things. You’ll feel like you’re inside a noir film—possibly holding a briefcase you shouldn’t be holding.
“Tearwave” – A bit more emotional, with just the right balance of melancholy and drive. This one's the calm before the storm... or maybe the storm itself, depending on your mood.

Put on headphones, close your eyes, and prepare to be transported.

The Visual Side of Orax

One thing that really sets Orax apart is the way his visual aesthetic perfectly matches the music. We’re talking about album covers with glitchy textures, cybernetic imagery, minimalist color palettes, and moody lighting. It’s clear this isn’t just someone who makes music—it’s someone who builds a vibe.

Scroll through his social media or check out his Bandcamp page and you’ll see what I mean. Every piece of content feels like it belongs in a high-budget sci-fi series about hackers, AIs, and morally gray protagonists.

Think: pixel smoke, neon blood, chrome skulls. Y'know, the usual Tuesday.

How to Listen to Orax (Properly)

Alright, so you’re sold. You want to dive in. But you don’t just listen to Orax—you experience it. Here's the vibe checklist:

Nighttime setting – Preferably with city lights outside your window.
A strong drink – Coffee, whiskey, energy drink—your choice. Just make it dramatic.
No distractions – Put the phone down unless you’re using it to play the music.
Maybe wear a retro leather jacket – Just saying. Could elevate the whole experience.

And just like that... we’ve only scratched the surface. Orax isn’t just music—it’s a dimension. A portal to an alternate retro-future where things are darker, cooler, and endlessly stylish.

So you’ve slid on your retro shades, queued up “Tearwave,” and you’re cruising into the neon-tinged abyss. Good. You’re ready for the second layer of this sonic cyber-dream. Because Orax isn’t just about music you hear—it’s about music you live. And once you’re in, there's no going back to bubblegum beats and synth unicorns.

Let’s dive deeper.

The DNA of Orax’s Sound

At the core of every Orax track is something beautifully unsettling. There’s this deliberate tension in his compositions—a feeling like something’s always about to happen. And often, it doesn’t resolve neatly. That’s the magic. He knows how to keep you on edge, and somehow that’s the hook.

A few musical elements you’ll catch again and again:

Thick, distorted basslines – Like a shadow dragging across the dancefloor.
Pulsing synths – Not bubbly, but mechanical. They don’t float—they march.
Sharp drum hits – Think digital fists pounding on steel.
Haunting melodies – Often high-pitched and echoed, like a signal sent across time.

If synthwave had a haunted underground club under a rain-soaked city, Orax would be the headliner every weekend.

It’s Not Just Music—It’s Mood

One of the coolest things about Orax is how his music becomes a mood enhancer. Like auditory caffeine—but darker. Here’s what people use his music for (and honestly, if you haven't done these yet, you're missing out):

Late-night coding sessions: Perfect for when you’re channeling your inner hacker.
Urban night drives: City lights, engine hum, Orax in your ears = instant cinematic moment.
Writing fiction or sketching: Especially if you're working on something cyberpunk or dystopian.
Gym workouts: You will 100% feel like you’re training to survive a robot uprising.

This isn’t background music for sipping lattes. This is music for chasing ghosts, breaking systems, and starting revolutions.

The Community Vibe

One of the unsung aspects of Orax’s rise is the community around this darker side of synthwave. Listeners of Orax aren’t just fans—they’re co-creators of a culture. You’ll find them in niche Discord servers, lo-fi cyberpunk playlists, Reddit threads about underground music scenes, and comment sections filled with phrases like:

“I found this track at 3 AM and it changed the entire vibe of my night.”

The Orax crowd tends to lean into the aesthetics too—think minimalism, glitch art, VHS textures, dark mode everything. They're people who don’t just want music—they want world-building. They don’t want sunshine—they want starlight filtered through smoke.

From Synths to Style

Now if you’re vibing this dark synth aesthetic, your wardrobe might be looking at you like: “Bro, it’s time.”

Enter Newretro.Net again. I know, we mentioned it earlier, but listen—this is prime territory for the kind of gear we live for. Want to look like the main character in your own cyberpunk short film? Easy.

Layered leather jackets that practically scream “I know a guy who can hack the mainframe.”
Retro sneakers that look like they were made to stomp across neon crosswalks in Tokyo.
Watches that belong on someone who time-travels casually.
Futuristic sunglasses that are less “sun protection” and more “identity concealment.”

It’s not cosplay. It’s your final form.

Influence on the Genre

Here’s the thing: Orax isn’t just operating in his own lane—he’s quietly rerouting traffic.

While synthwave often gets painted with the same bright-pink brush, artists like Orax are showing that there’s a whole spectrum within the retro-futuristic world. His influence can be felt in the rise of adjacent subgenres:

Darksynth – Think synthwave’s angsty older brother.
Cyberwave – A glitchier, more tech-obsessed evolution.
Synth Noir – Music that feels like it’s wearing a trench coat and a bad attitude.

And many newer artists are clearly taking notes. They're dialing down the sunshine and turning up the shadows.

Orax’s success proves there’s a thirst for this—people want their synthwave to be moodier, more cinematic, more complex. He didn’t just carve a path. He lit it with flickering neon and let it rain.

Where to Start Listening (The Essentials)

If you're reading this thinking, “Alright, I need to hear this guy,” good call. Here's your beginner’s guide to the Orax rabbit hole:

1. “The Oblivion”

Start here. This track punches you straight into the dark ether. Heavy, moody, and atmospheric.

2. “Noir City”

Cue this up when you’re feeling like the protagonist in a graphic novel. It’s smooth but dangerous.

3. “Deeper”

We mentioned it before, but honestly—it’s so layered. Every listen uncovers something new.

4. “Rebel”

Driving rhythms. Feels like you’re running from something important. Probably are.

5. “Metropolis Nights”

For when you're just trying to romanticize your insomnia.

Final Thoughts (but not really the end)

What Orax offers isn’t just music—it’s a world. A digital dreamscape for the misfits, the night owls, the creatives, the gamers, the rebels. It’s the kind of sound that doesn’t just fill the room—it colors it. In deep purples, icy blues, and aggressive reds.

And it’s a perfect fit for a generation caught between nostalgia for the past and anxiety for the future. Orax doesn’t resolve that tension—he scores it.

So throw on that black denim jacket, lace up those retro-future kicks, and hit play on a track that sounds like it came from a movie you haven’t seen yet—but definitely want to star in.

Welcome to the darker side of synthwave.