Jul 04, 2025

Synthwave vs Outrun: What’s the Difference, Really?

Alright, let's settle something that’s been buzzing around retro forums, neon-lit Discords, and late-night YouTube rabbit holes for way too long: What’s the actual difference between Synthwave and Outrun? Are they the same? Cousins? Siblings with different record collections? Or is this just one of those “all thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs” situations?

If you’ve ever blasted The Midnight while staring dramatically out your car window or lost yourself in a neon-drenched YouTube playlist titled “RETRO WAVE | NIGHT DRIVE”, chances are you’ve been swimming in Synthwave, Outrun—or a fusion of both—without even knowing it.

Let’s start by peeling back the layers of this beautiful, VHS-tinted onion.

What is Synthwave?

If nostalgia had a soundtrack, Synthwave would be it.

Synthwave is that dreamy, cinematic audio love letter to the 1980s. Think of it as music built from the DNA of Blade Runner, Miami Vice, Tron, and your childhood memory of watching a VHS tape that kept tracking wrong—but in a good way. It draws inspiration from legendary composers like Vangelis, John Carpenter, and Jean-Michel Jarre, blending lush analog synths with electronic drums and ambient textures.

The mood? Slow-burning. Emotional. Sometimes hopeful. Sometimes melancholic. Always retro.

Key features:

Tempo: Usually 80–118 BPM, though it can sneak up into 130s occasionally
Mood: Dreamy, cinematic, romantic
Sound: Lush pads, analog synths, retro drum machines (think LinnDrum or TR-707)
Themes: Neon sunsets, sci-fi romance, VHS aesthetics, retro-futurism

This isn’t music that screams; it smolders.

Now enter Outrun, stage right, in a cherry red Ferrari Testarossa.

So, What is Outrun Then?

Outrun is the synthwave that had one too many energy drinks and now wants to hit 120 MPH down a coastal highway at night with Kavinsky in the passenger seat. It’s a microgenre of synthwave, a more intense, adrenaline-fueled take on the retro sound.

And yes, the name Outrun comes directly from the 1986 Sega arcade racing game Out Run—the one with palm-lined roads, synthy tunes, and pixel-perfect sunsets. Kavinsky’s 2013 album OutRun helped re-popularize the name and crystallized the aesthetic: slick cars, neon lights, cityscapes at 3 AM, and bass that feels like an engine rumble.

Outrun cranks the BPM up, tightens the drum patterns, and throws in more aggressive synth leads and arpeggios.

Spot the difference:

Tempo: Usually between 100–140 BPM
Mood: High-octane, energetic, intense
Sound: Arpeggios, pounding basslines, chiptune stabs, gated reverb snares
Themes: Sports cars, speed, neon lights, cyber-racing, chrome, asphalt, night drives

Outrun is basically the Fast & Furious to Synthwave’s Drive. It wants to move. Fast.

Why the Confusion?

Honestly? Because the two often blend into each other. Many synthwave artists produce both styles. One track could feel dreamy and atmospheric, while the next makes you want to install underglow lights on your desk chair. They share the same vintage DNA, visual aesthetics, and musical tools—just with different intentions.

You can think of Synthwave as the umbrella genre—calm or moody at times—and Outrun as the part that throws on aviator sunglasses and guns it down a neon highway.

It’s like pizza: lots of variations, but all deliciously cheesy and retro.

Visual Identity Check

While the sounds differ in mood and tempo, the visuals often help clue you in.

Synthwave visuals are:

Neon pinks, purples, and blues
VHS fuzz, grain, and scanlines
Digital sunsets and gridlines
Futuristic cityscapes
Romance, solitude, nostalgia

Outrun visuals, meanwhile, often focus more on:

Chrome-drenched sports cars (especially 80s models like the Testarossa)
Coastal highways
Cyan-magenta color palettes with that classic grid-floor horizon
Speedometer gauges and pixel smoke trails
Speed. Always speed.

At Newretro.Net, we live for both of these aesthetics. Our retro denim and leather jackets give off that Synthwave chill energy—perfect for a night walk through the city. But if you’re about that Outrun life, our VHS sneakers and retro-futuristic sunglasses fit the whole fast-drive, neon-racer vibe like a digital glove.

We’re not saying putting on our gear will make your playlist better... but we’re also not not saying that.

Artists: Who’s Who in the Retro Zoo?

If you’re trying to build the perfect playlist and want to separate the smooth synth dreamers from the sonic speed demons, here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Synthwave essentials:

FM-84
The Midnight
Timecop1983
Com Truise
LeBrock

Outrun champions:

Kavinsky
Lazerhawk
Perturbator
Mitch Murder
Mega Drive

Of course, there’s a lot of overlap. FM-84 might drop an Outrun-style banger. Kavinsky has tracks that slow it down. And artists like The Midnight or Gunship blend vibes effortlessly. It's all part of the beauty of the genre—fluid, not fixed.

When to Play What?

Let’s keep this simple:

Use Synthwave when:

You’re chilling at home with moody lighting
Writing, reading, or journaling in your retro notebook
You just broke up and want to feel like the main character in an 80s movie

Use Outrun when:

You’re driving at night and pretending you’re in a video game
You need motivation at the gym but hate modern EDM
You want your walk to feel like a high-speed chase in your mind

And hey, if you look the part too, even better. Throw on a Newretro.Net jacket, and you won’t just hear the 80s—you’ll wear it. Think of it as leveling up your personal aesthetic from “likes synthwave” to “might actually be from a forgotten Sega arcade game.

So now that we’ve established what Synthwave and Outrun are—like the calm and the chaos of retro-futuristic soundscapes—let’s dive into where they actually show up in real life. Spoiler alert: they’re everywhere. From movies to video games, gym playlists to Instagram feeds, and even your wardrobe (especially if you're rocking some fire from Newretro.Net).

Let’s talk culture, influence, and that delicious crossover where sound becomes style.

From Soundtrack to Lifestyle

You might have heard Synthwave playing in the background of your favorite indie game or in a commercial that suddenly gave you nostalgic chills. That's because it's not just a genre anymore—it’s a mood. A whole vibe. And it’s being used to sell everything from cars to cola.

Synthwave, with its cinematic atmosphere, works perfectly in:

Film trailers (especially those teasing time travel, cyberpunk, or retro themes)
TV intros (remember Stranger Things? That synth-heavy intro is dreamwave-adjacent)
Indie games (Katana ZERO, Hotline Miami, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon—you know the type)
YouTube & Twitch (lo-fi beats are chill, but Synthwave gives you that digital nostalgia rush)

Meanwhile, Outrun has carved a lane in:

Racing games (Outrun 2, Neon Drive, Distance)
Workout mixes (because who doesn’t want to feel like they’re running through a neon-lit tunnel?)
Car culture (yes, actual modded DeLoreans and RX-7s with retro underglow)

And fashion? That’s where it gets spicy.

Dressing the Part: Retro Isn’t Dead

The Synthwave and Outrun look has become something of a cult movement in men’s fashion, and Newretro.Net lives right in that sweet spot. We’re not just tossing neon on a t-shirt and calling it retro—we live this aesthetic.

If you’re wondering how Synthwave and Outrun translate into clothing, here’s a quick style breakdown:

Synthwave-style fashion:

Soft, faded pastels and purples
Lightweight jackets with subtle retro patterns
Relaxed denim and vintage sneakers
Analog watches, 80s-style shades

Outrun-style fashion:

Black leather or bold-colored bomber jackets
Chrome accents, bright neon logos
Statement sneakers (like our VHS-inspired kicks)
Bold sunglasses that scream future-cop-from-1987

You don’t need a DeLorean or a license to enjoy this style. A good retro denim jacket from Newretro.Net or our mirrored shades can make you feel like you just stepped out of a synth-heavy movie montage.

Okay, But Which One Should You Like More?

Here’s the thing—you don’t have to choose. The beauty of the Synthwave/Outrun space is that it’s modular. You can swap moods like records. Some days are for the smooth sax solos of The Midnight, other days demand the pounding basslines of Lazerhawk.

In fact, many people bounce between both depending on the vibe:

On a rainy night walk: Synthwave
Blasting down an empty highway at 2 AM: Outrun
Doing art, journaling, or working late: Synthwave
Level grinding in a pixel shooter: Outrun
Pretending your life is an 80s training montage: Either… just crank the volume

You’re not betraying one by enjoying the other. It’s all part of the same retro family—one’s just more dramatic with the mood lighting, and the other is flooring it through a glowing tunnel.

Evolution of the Genres

Another thing to note is how these genres are evolving. Synthwave started as a nostalgic experiment but has now become a legitimate music movement. It’s birthed subgenres like:

Dreamwave (softer, more ambient)
Darksynth (aggressive, horror-inspired, think John Carpenter meets metal)
Spacesynth (cosmic, space disco revival)

Outrun too has inspired a wave (pun totally intended) of faster, harder-hitting retro music, perfect for adrenaline junkies and synth enthusiasts alike.

And while the mainstream might not be blasting Synthwave on the radio just yet, its fingerprints are all over modern media. Even pop stars are stealing those retro synth leads and VHS filters. (We see you, Weeknd.)

Real Talk: Why People Are Drawn to This Stuff

It’s not just about the aesthetic. People love Synthwave and Outrun because they offer an escape—a portal to an era that never really existed, but feels real in your heart.

It’s a stylized memory. A place where the night is always electric, the city always glowing, and the future somehow feels like the past.

And hey, let’s be honest: looking good while vibing out to these genres doesn’t hurt either.

If you’re curating that look, Newretro.Net is where you get outfitted to match your playlist. Our gear isn’t just clothes—it’s wearable nostalgia. From denim jackets that scream “lost 80s action hero” to watches that look like you could time travel with them, we’re all about helping you live the aesthetic, not just scroll past it.

Final Thoughts (But Not the End)

So, is Synthwave better than Outrun? Is Outrun just Synthwave’s edgy cousin? Or are they both just part of this endlessly cool, neon-glowing universe that lets you drive into the future while dreaming of the past?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer? It's all about what you feel in the moment. There's no rulebook, no right side to pick. Just music, mood, and motion.

Whether you're zoning out to a pastel cityscape or racing through pixelated streets in your mind, there's a soundtrack waiting—and an outfit to match.

And trust us, we’ve got the jacket for both.