Apr 09, 2025

Time Trial – High-Energy Outrun Synthwave

Highway Superstar – Funky, Danceable Synthwave

If synthwave had a dancefloor, Highway Superstar would be right in the center, busting moves in a pair of pixelated shades and a satin bomber jacket.

Let’s be real—synthwave can sometimes lean into the broody, atmospheric side of things. That’s cool and all, but what if you just wanna roll down the windows, feel the neon wind in your hair, and groove? That’s where Highway Superstar comes in.

This isn’t your average night drive through a cyberpunk skyline. This is a full-on road trip party—with drum machines, funked-up basslines, and a whole lot of glitter.

Who is Highway Superstar?

Behind the wheel is Israeli musician Alex Karlinsky, the mind and music behind the Highway Superstar project. If you're expecting moody synth monologues, think again. Karlinsky’s take on synthwave is playful, upbeat, and more “let’s dance in the kitchen” than “brood in the shadows.”

His tracks carry the DNA of ‘80s pop, funk, and synth-heavy movie scores—except reimagined for the Spotify generation.

You might know Highway Superstar from the Kung Fury soundtrack, where his collaboration with Swedish artist Gunship on the track “Afterlife” lit up the retro scene. Or maybe you’ve stumbled across one of his tracks and immediately started nodding your head like you’re in an ‘80s arcade montage.

Wherever you’ve heard him, one thing’s for sure: Highway Superstar doesn’t just do synthwave—he makes it fun.

What Makes His Music Different?

A few things, actually. Let’s break it down:

Funk Vibes – This guy doesn’t shy away from a slap bass or groovy guitar riff. His tracks often feel like disco got digitized and time-warped into a neon future.
Danceable Energy – There’s a kinetic buzz in his tracks. Whether you’re cleaning your apartment or cruising through the city at midnight, his music keeps your body in motion.
Cinematic Touches – Despite the upbeat energy, there’s still an underlying cinematic quality. His songs often feel like they belong in a movie montage or the credits of a retro action flick (you know, the one where the hero rides off into the glowing city).

Think synthwave meets Hall & Oates. Or Daft Punk if they grew up in an arcade.

Favorite Tracks to Get You Started

New to Highway Superstar? Let’s fix that. Here are a few essential tracks that’ll turn your speakers into a time machine:

"Pangea" – A groovy opener that feels like stepping onto a light-up dance floor in 1984.
"Afterlife (feat. Gunship)" – Big synths. Emotional melodies. Retro goosebumps.
"Careful Shouting" – The synths are lush, the rhythm is crisp, and the vibe is immaculate.
"Electric" – This one's pure neon sugar. Like someone bottled a VHS commercial.

Don’t be surprised if your feet start moving. It’s basically musical caffeine.

The Synthwave Party You Didn't Know You Needed

Highway Superstar is the answer to that age-old question: What if synthwave didn’t take itself so seriously? His tracks are joyful, energetic, and (dare we say) even sexy.

And hey, if you’re going to jam out to retro-futuristic grooves, you might as well look the part, right?

That’s where Newretro.Net comes in. We're all about capturing the vibe of synthwave culture—retro aesthetics, bold silhouettes, and just the right amount of attitude. Whether you’re into distressed denim jackets that scream “Back to the Future” or slick leather coats that whisper “Blade Runner,” we’ve got you covered. Literally.

You don’t need a DeLorean to time travel. Sometimes all you need is the right soundtrack and a good jacket.

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching (But the Future Is)

Let’s be honest, most of us are dancing alone in our living rooms anyway. But that’s the beauty of Highway Superstar—his music makes you the main character. Suddenly, doing the dishes becomes a scene. Your walk to the corner store? An epic strut through a neon-soaked metropolis.

Honestly, if life had a synth-heavy soundtrack like this, we’d all be doing a lot more slow-motion spins and power stances in front of our mirrors.

Pro tip: Put on “Pangea,” throw on your Newretro sunglasses, and just vibe. You’ll feel like you’re walking into a retro video game cutscene, and that’s honestly how every Tuesday should feel.

Synthwave’s Secret Ingredient? A Little Bit of Funk.

If you dig a little deeper into Highway Superstar’s catalog, you’ll start to notice a theme: the funk is strong with this one.

Now, funk in synthwave isn’t unheard of—but most artists sprinkle it in like a spice. Highway Superstar cooks with it. He throws in basslines that wiggle, synths that glide, and rhythms that bounce like a lowrider on a hot summer night.

And guess what? It works.

You get tracks that make you want to move. Songs that don’t just play in the background—they pull you in, make you the protagonist, and hand you a keytar.

Let’s face it, we could all use more of that in our lives.

A Soundtrack for Your Neon Life

Highway Superstar’s music is basically a universal cheat code for making anything cooler.

Commuting to work? Now it’s a car chase through a Tron-style city.
Doing laundry? Boom. You’re in a training montage for an ‘80s dance competition.
Grocery shopping? You’re on a covert mission to retrieve the last avocado on Earth.

Seriously—his music has that kind of power.

It’s nostalgic without being tired. Retro without being cheesy. And funky without being over-the-top. Basically, it’s the kind of sound that makes you want to throw on some retro sneakers and jog into the sunset like you’re in an old Pepsi commercial.

And hey, speaking of retro sneakers...

Let’s Talk Retro Style (Because You Know You Want To)

Let’s be real—you can’t listen to this kind of music without catching some style inspiration. That’s half the fun. When you’ve got a song like “Careful Shouting” blasting through your headphones, you suddenly need:

A leather jacket with attitude
Some mirrored sunglasses that say, “I time travel recreationally”
Sneakers that make your feet feel like they’re dancing on neon

Enter Newretro.Net. It’s not just clothing—it’s the wardrobe you’d have if your life had a synthwave soundtrack. We’re talking everything from statement denim jackets that look like they walked off an '80s movie set, to bold watches that make you feel like you’re hacking into the mainframe (even if you’re just checking the time).

It’s all new, it’s all retro, and yeah—it’ll make you look like the fifth member of your favorite vaporwave band.

But enough about jackets. Let’s get back to the beats.

Not Just Music—A Whole Vibe

Highway Superstar isn’t just an artist. He’s a mood.

The kind of artist who knows that nostalgia isn’t just about sounding vintage—it’s about feeling something. The rush of excitement when the synth hits just right. The slow build of a track that makes you feel like something awesome is about to happen.

His music gives you a sense of place, of motion, of momentum. And honestly, that’s a vibe we could all use more of.

Especially in today’s world of doomscrolling and algorithm fatigue, there’s something refreshing about an artist who just wants you to have fun again. To move. To feel. To be a little ridiculous in the best possible way.

Where to Next?

If you haven’t already built a playlist, now’s the time. Load it up with Highway Superstar’s bangers, grab your best retro fit, and go do something cool—even if it’s just vibing on your couch with a lava lamp flickering nearby.

And if you're looking to level up the aesthetic? You know where to find us. (Cough cough Newretro.Net.)

Because in a world of gray hoodies and boring playlists, being bold, funky, and a little bit neon never goes out of style.

And there you have it—a ride through the funky, danceable world of Highway Superstar. Now go hit play, grab your shades, and live like the ‘80s dream never ended.

🔥🕶️🚗💿