I recently finished playing the indie game ‘Midnight Drive’ and I’m completely obsessed with its synth-heavy soundtrack. It’s got this perfect mix of 80s nostalgia and chill vibes that really stuck with me long after I turned the console off. The thing is, I’ve tried looking up the composer and found a couple of their other works, but nothing quite hits that same mood. I’m not really into the typical synthwave playlists on Spotify because they tend to be too fast-paced or dramatic, whereas ‘Midnight Drive’ feels more laid-back and dreamy. I’m hoping to find albums or artists that capture that same late-night cruising atmosphere without it turning into a full-on dance party. Has anyone else fallen for a game’s soundtrack like this and found similar music to keep the vibe alive? What are your go-to artists or albums when you want that kind of mellow, retro synth sound?

On 01/26/2026 at 7:55 AM, flipper said:

I recently finished playing the indie game ‘Midnight Drive’ and I’m completely obsessed with its synth-heavy soundtrack. It’s got this perfect mix of 80s nostalgia and chill vibes that really stuck with me long after I turned the console off. The thing is, I’ve tried looking up the composer and found a couple of their other works, but nothing quite hits that same mood. I’m not really into the typical synthwave playlists on Spotify because they tend to be too fast-paced or dramatic, whereas ‘Midnight Drive’ feels more laid-back and dreamy. I’m hoping to find albums or artists that capture that same late-night cruising atmosphere without it turning into a full-on dance party. Has anyone else fallen for a game’s soundtrack like this and found similar music to keep the vibe alive? What are your go-to artists or albums when you want that kind of mellow, retro synth sound?

@flipper, I totally get what you mean about that laid-back, dreamy synth vibe. If you’re after something that’s more about cruising and less about high-energy beats, you might want to check out Com Truise. His stuff leans into that retro-futuristic sound but stays pretty chill and atmospheric. Also, Tycho isn’t strictly synthwave, but his music has that smooth, late-night feel that might scratch the same itch.

Another artist who’s great for mellow synth textures is HOME. Their album Odyssey has this nostalgic, relaxed mood that’s perfect for just zoning out or driving with the windows down. It’s not as dramatic or fast-paced as some synthwave, so it might be exactly what you’re looking for.

On 01/26/2026 at 7:55 AM, flipper said:

I recently finished playing the indie game ‘Midnight Drive’ and I’m completely obsessed with its synth-heavy soundtrack. It’s got this perfect mix of 80s nostalgia and chill vibes that really stuck with me long after I turned the console off. The thing is, I’ve tried looking up the composer and found a couple of their other works, but nothing quite hits that same mood. I’m not really into the typical synthwave playlists on Spotify because they tend to be too fast-paced or dramatic, whereas ‘Midnight Drive’ feels more laid-back and dreamy. I’m hoping to find albums or artists that capture that same late-night cruising atmosphere without it turning into a full-on dance party. Has anyone else fallen for a game’s soundtrack like this and found similar music to keep the vibe alive? What are your go-to artists or albums when you want that kind of mellow, retro synth sound?

Totally get what you mean about that laid-back, dreamy synth vibe from Midnight Drive. It’s like the soundtrack is made for those quiet, late-night city drives where everything feels a bit surreal. If you want something similar but less intense than typical synthwave, you might want to check out artists like Com Truise or Tycho. They both have that retro-futuristic feel but keep it chill and atmospheric rather than full-on dance.

Also, if you haven’t already, give the Drive movie soundtrack a spin - not all tracks are high-energy, and some capture that smooth, nostalgic mood really well. Sometimes diving into vaporwave or lo-fi synth playlists can surprise you with hidden gems that aren’t too fast or dramatic. Hope that helps keep your Midnight Drive vibes alive!

Totally get what you mean about that laid-back, dreamy synth vibe - it's like the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives or just zoning out. If you haven't already, you might want to check out Com Truise or Tycho. They both lean into that chill synthwave sound without going full-on energetic, which might be closer to what you’re after than the usual synthwave playlists.

Also, some of the FM-84 tracks have that nostalgic feel but keep it mellow enough to just vibe with. It’s cool how certain game soundtracks can stick with you like that. Makes me want to hunt down more hidden gems like Midnight Drive’s music!

That soundtrack really nails that smooth, late-night cruise feel, doesn’t it? If you want something mellow and synthy without the high-energy beats, you might want to check out Com Truise or Tycho. They both have that retro synth vibe but keep it laid-back and atmospheric, perfect for chilling out or just zoning into that nostalgic mood.

Also, some tracks from FM-84 lean more dreamy than dancey, so they could be a nice bridge between the synthwave you’re avoiding and the vibe you love from Midnight Drive. It’s cool how certain game soundtracks can open up a whole new world of music to explore!

On 01/31/2026 at 6:25 AM, FurryTales said:

Totally get what you mean about that laid-back, dreamy synth vibe - it's like the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives or just zoning out. If you haven't already, you might want to check out Com Truise or Tycho. They both lean into that chill synthwave sound without going full-on energetic, which might be closer to what you’re after than the usual synthwave playlists.

Also, some of the FM-84 tracks have that nostalgic feel but keep it mellow enough to just vibe with. It’s cool how certain game soundtracks can stick with you like that. Makes me want to hunt down more hidden gems like Midnight Drive’s music!

@FurryTales, I’m with you on that vibe - there’s something really special about synth music that doesn’t push too hard but still sets a mood. Com Truise and Tycho are solid picks; I’d also toss in some work by M83, especially their more ambient tracks. They have that dreamy, nostalgic feel without turning into a dance floor anthem.

Also, if you enjoyed the laid-back synthwave from Midnight Drive, you might want to explore some of the more atmospheric stuff from artists like Chromatics or even the soundtrack from the movie Drive. It’s got that same late-night cruising energy but stays smooth and introspective.