The 5 Most Influential Synthwave Albums

The 1980s ran on excess, and nowhere was that more obvious than in music. Synthesizers and digital sampling gave artists sounds nobody had really heard before, and plenty of the results were genuinely mind-bending.

Within synthwave specifically, a handful of albums did most of the work shaping the genre's sound and style. Here are five of the most influential.

1. Kraftwerk's genre-defining Computer World

Kraftwerk gets cited constantly as one of the biggest influences on synthwave, and it's easy to hear why. Their 1981 album "Computer World" still sounds ahead of its time. It's full of catchy, danceable tracks built on complex layers of synths and samples, and it's essential listening for anyone into the genre.

2. Vangelis and his Blade Runner soundtrack

The soundtrack to Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is one of the most iconic pieces of film music ever recorded. Vangelis used synthesizers to build a dark, atmospheric world that fits the film's neo-noir visuals perfectly. Essential listening whether you're into synthwave or film scores in general.

3. Giorgio Moroder's disco-era E=MC²

Giorgio Moroder is a genuine pioneer of electronic music, and his 1978 album "E=MC²" shows exactly why. It's packed with catchy disco tracks built on some seriously inventive use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments, essential listening for disco fans and electronic music fans alike.

4. Yellow Magic Orchestra's essential Technodelic

Yellow Magic Orchestra are another name that comes up constantly as a major influence on synthwave, and their 1981 album "Technodelic" makes the case well. Catchy, danceable tracks built on inventive synth work again, and another must-listen for synthwave or electronic music fans.

5. Jean Michel Jarre's landmark Oxygene

Jean Michel Jarre is one more true pioneer of electronic music, and his 1976 album "Oxygene" is a clear example of his groundbreaking approach. The record is full of atmospheric tracks built on genuinely innovative use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments, an essential listen for anyone who cares about synthwave or electronic music.