Top 10 Chillwave Songs to Dream Away Your Day

Since its beginning, the broad world of Synthwave has produced a number of well-liked sub-genres, but few have grown to be as well-known as the dreamy, ethereal sound of Chillwave. Chillwave is an elegant blend of 1980s vibes with modern electronics, all encased in a sophisticated layer of cinematic nostalgia. It is an unusual and incredibly unique interpretation of Retro culture. Here are 10 Chillwave songs that will transport you to a realm of dreams and wonder:

10 “Soleil Bleu” by LÜNE

French prodigy LÜNE has quickly risen to the top of the Chillwave scene. His distinctive style is a masterful fusion of Synthwave and French House, which many musicians have unsuccessfully attempted to imitate. “Soleil Bleu” is an incredibly groovy song that leaves no room for doubt that LÜNE is unique. The song is from his 2018 debut EP “Rêve Lucide” (French for Lucid Dreams), and while every song is a delightful piece of art in its own right, “Soleil Bleu” is unquestionably the best of the bunch.

9 “Caligula” by Windows 96

Since his debut in 2016, Brazilian composer Gabriel Eduardo, best known as Windows 96, has established a solid reputation for himself. But, in spite of the accolades he has already received for his inventive work, he has consistently raised the bar. Windows 96 released his sixth album, “One Hundred Mornings,” in 2018, and the opening track, “Caligula,” immediately won over listeners. “Caligula” is a progressive, subdued, and calming intro with a retro melody that is frequently likened to that of German masters Kraftwerk.

In other words, the song is a superb illustration of the legacy that 1980s Electronica left behind, and Windows 96 is proof that retro music is still alive and well. “Caligula” (and the remainder of Gabriel’s catalogue) is a genuine love letter to a musical era that many people find dreamlike, and his talent for capturing that feeling and atmosphere is evidence of his extraordinary skill.

8 “L.E.V.E.L” by Emil Rottmayer

Emil Rottmayer, a gifted artist from the United Kingdom, has been a mainstay of the Chillwave genre since his 2016 debut single, “Distraction.” His catalogue is remarkably consistent; each of his songs displays a rich and sophisticated style that only he can capture. Having said that, “L.E.V.E.L,” which came out in 2020, is the song that best embodies his flawless production abilities. The song is exquisitely constructed and fluid, with a vintage vibe meant to feel like a vacation back to the 1980s.

7 “America Online” by The Midnight

The Midnight is among the most talented artists in the Synthwave scene. They have almost perfected the genre, so it was only a matter of time until they gave Chillwave their own special spin. That song eventually materialised as their 2019 single “America Online,” a genuine example of melodic ingenuity that astounded their fans. The song is excellent, replete with a gorgeous vocoder (reminiscent of Daft Punk’s sound) that perfectly complements The Midnight’s nostalgic vibe.

With songs like “Helvetica” and “Night Sky,” which are all fantastic in their own right, The Midnight later returned to Chillwave on their 2020 album “Monsters,” but nothing compares to the initial surprise of “America Online.” The song was a revelation to many of their listeners and is yet another factor in the genre’s growing appeal to larger audiences.

6 “Night Sky” by Krosia & A.L.I.S.O.N

Krosia and A.L.I.S.O.N have become well-known musicians in the Chillwave scene because of their outstanding melody work. So, the anticipation that someday they would work together to create a legendary song was completely justified. And “Night Sky,” the Chillwave fever dream that materialized in 2019 following their debut partnership a year prior, “Once,” was not a letdown. The mellow and ethereal collaboration flawlessly combines Krosia’s clever composing style with A.L.I.S.O.N’s distinctive groove, and it quickly rose to prominence among the fan base.

5 “Hometown” by French 79

Simon Henner, the French guitarist for the Kid Francescoli project, decided to launch a solo career in 2014. French 79 was thus established. Since then, Simon’s music has become a mainstay of contemporary Synthpop. He quickly established himself as one of the genre’s most gifted composers, from his debut classic “Between The Buttons” to his mega-hit “Diamond Veins” with Sarah Rebecca. Above all, “Hometown,” the artistic masterpiece from the 2019 album “Joshua,” demonstrates this.

“Hometown” is a gorgeous, groovy, and brilliantly crafted song full of flair and originality, complete with a stunning music video influenced by Steven Spielberg’s 1977 film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” From beginning to end, it captivates you.

4 “Dynamic” by Voyage

Voyage’s warm and fuzzy sound is the ideal embodiment of what people associate with Chillwave. Songs like “Paraside”, “Allude”, and “Beyond” are considered classics because they perfectly encapsulate the dreamy vibe of the genre. However, 2018’s “Dynamic” is by far Voyage’s best work. The song has had a significant impact on Synth artists and will continue to do so for a very long time.

3 “Godspeed” by Wayfloe

Despite Wayfloe’s brief existence since 2015, the enigmatic French duo is unquestionably one of the Synth-verse’s greatest entities since its founding. Their inventiveness is a veritable force of nature that defies comprehension or replication, and given their versatility and unpredictability in music, it was all but inevitable that Wayfloe would eventually produce a Chillwave track.

One of the most exquisite songs the genre has to offer is “Godspeed,” which was released in 2019. The melody work is incredible, and it perfectly demonstrates Wayfloe’s inherent capacity to adjust to any genre while maintaining a distinctive sound. The song is a standout from Wayfloe’s debut album, “Neon West,” which is filled with contemporary Synthwave classics like “Rose Ellen Dix,” “Scarlet Speedster,” and the now-legendary “Fractions.”

2 “Slow Peels” by Com Truise

Many people think that American producer Com Truise is solely responsible for the development and popularization of Chillwave as a genre. He is the one who essentially created the smooth and atmospheric sound that now serves as the foundation for all Chillwave songs, as Synthwave was being established in the middle of the 2000s. The track “Slow Peels,” from his 2011 debut EP “Cyanide Sisters,” is the ideal illustration of the praise he merits. Even though it isn’t his most well-known song, it is by far the most significant in terms of what it meant for the genre’s future.

In essence, Com Truise is the father of Chillwave, and “Slow Peels” feels like a starting point for the incarnation it has taken over the last decade. The song’s glitchy and dissonant aspect, coupled with ethereal melody work, creates an “old TV” feel that has become synonymous with the genre today. And if we can assert that all 11 tracks of the “Cyanide Sisters” EP worked as a starting point for Chillwave to emerge as a sub-genre, “Slow Peels” is definitely the song out of the bunch that sounds the most with the current iteration of it.

1 “Resonance” by HOME

This now-iconic and dreamy classic is a melody and nostalgia powerhouse. With over 100 million views on YouTube alone, “Resonance” is widely regarded as one of the best songs in the Synth Universe and is one of the few Chillwave tracks (and the first) to reach mainstream audiences. It has elevated producer Randy Goffe (better known as Home) to the status of living legend within the community. The song became so incredibly famous that Electronic Gem (the YouTube channel that made it a hit) pranked over 180,000 people into clicking on a video titled “Resonance 2” in 2019 as a brilliant April Fool’s joke.

“Resonance” is still Chillwave’s best piece of art today, having raised the bar for the Electronic music genre as a whole. It ushered in a time of Vaporwave aesthetics that became a mainstay of internet culture, and it paved the way for numerous up-and-coming musicians to introduce the genre to larger audiences. And while HOME has produced a stellar catalogue of genre-defining music—including songs like “Head First” and “Come Back Down”—nothing rivals the captivating brilliance of his 2014 masterpiece.

These chillwave tracks offer a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern electronic sounds, ideal for relaxation and inspiration. Each song showcases the unique artistry within the genre, making them essential additions to any playlist.