Retrowave

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A music genre inspired by 1980s sounds and aesthetics; a cultural movement embracing retro-futuristic visual styles; a creative trend reviving vintage electronic and synth-driven art
  2. A style of electronic music drawing on synth-pop and new wave from the 1980s; an artistic trend featuring neon colors and nostalgic imagery; a subculture celebrating the revival of past decade's technology and fashion
  3. A modern musical approach reflecting 1980s pop and electronic influences; a design and visual art style mimicking vintage technology and themes; a nostalgic cultural expression combining sound and aesthetics from past decades

Etymology: Emerging in the early 21st century, this term captures a cultural and artistic movement that nostalgically revives the aesthetics, sounds, and styles of the 1980s. It first gained traction through music genres that blend synthesizers, retro drum machines, and neon-lit visuals, drawing inspiration from the era’s pop culture, video games, and film soundtracks. The rise of internet communities and digital platforms helped spread this retro-futuristic sensibility, making it a recognizable label for a growing subculture. The construction of the word combines "retro," derived from the Latin prefix meaning "backward" or "in past," with "wave," a suffix popularized in music genres to denote a distinct style or movement, such as "new wave" or "synthwave." This fusion signals a wave or trend that deliberately looks back to a previous decade for creative influence. The "wave" element also suggests a flowing, dynamic movement that sweeps through cultural landscapes. While related to "synthwave," the term extends beyond music to include visual art, fashion, and design that evoke neon colors, grid patterns, and futuristic yet nostalgic imagery. This blending of past and future aesthetics creates a distinctive mood that resonates with those who experienced the 1980s firsthand, as well as younger generations discovering its iconography anew. The coinage likely surfaced alongside the broader resurgence of 1980s culture in the 2010s, propelled by films, TV shows, and video games that celebrated or emulated the decade’s style. It stands as an example of how language adapts to encapsulate cultural phenomena that are themselves hybrids of memory and innovation.

Synonyms: synthwave, outrun