dreamwave
what it is
Dreamwave is a sub-genre of synthwave. While both share the typical sounds of 80s synthpop, the difference between them is that synthwave is influenced by video game music and italo disco music, whereas dreamwave is defined by heady dream pop influence.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make dreamwave a playlist
turn these 28 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is dreamwave?
Dreamwave is a sub-genre of synthwave. While both share the typical sounds of 80s synthpop, the difference between them is that synthwave is influenced by video game music and italo disco music, whereas dreamwave is defined by heady dream pop influence.
What are good dreamwave albums to start with?
Try Bright Lights by Ellie Goulding, Dark Beach EP by PASTEL GHOST, Kids by The Midnight, and Los Angeles EP by FM-84.
Who are some women making dreamwave?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/dreamwave/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making dreamwave, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19