Acrylix: The Driving Force of Modern Synthwave
Acrylix is a pioneering electronic music producer and composer from Los Angeles, California, known for shaping the modern synthwave and retro-electro landscape. His 2018 debut album, Neon Dreams, achieved notable commercial success, moving over 100,000 units and securing a gold certification in several European markets.
Early career
Acrylix, born Alex Rylan in 1990, began crafting music in his bedroom studio around 2012. His early work consisted of instrumental tracks uploaded to online platforms, quickly garnering a cult following within the burgeoning synthwave community.
This grassroots attention led to his first official release in 2015, the Midnight Pulse EP, on the independent label Neon Noir Records. The EP's fusion of 80s film score aesthetics with contemporary production techniques defined his signature sound from the outset.
Breakthrough
The artist's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of his debut full-length album, Neon Dreams, on the influential electronic label Rosso Corsa Records. The album's lead single, Velocity, broke into the Top 20 of the Billboard Dance/Electronic chart and has accumulated over 50 million streams globally.
This success was solidified by extensive sync placements in major video games and streaming series, expanding Acrylix's reach far beyond the core synthwave audience. The album's performance led to a licensing deal with a major publishing group in 2019.
Key tracks
Velocity — This driving single from Neon Dreams became his first charting hit and remains a staple in his live sets.
Neon Skies — Featuring vocalist Kaitlyn Aurelia, this track demonstrated his skill in collaborative songwriting within the electronic genre.
Circuit Breaker — An instrumental from his second album that showcases his intricate, arpeggio-heavy production style.
Midnight Run (feat. Timecop1983) — This 2020 collaboration with a fellow scene leader amplified his credibility within the retro-wave scene.
Echoes in the Grid — A deeper cut celebrated by fans for its complex layering and atmospheric depth.
Following the breakthrough, Acrylix released his sophomore album, Digital Horizon, in 2021. The project debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and included collaborations with artists like Scandroid and Ollie Wride.
His consistent output includes official remixes for established acts like The Midnight and FM-84, bridging the gap between niche synthwave and broader electronic pop. Acrylix continues to headline dedicated retro-futuristic music festivals across North America and Europe.
Fans of Acrylix's brand of cinematic, pulse-pounding synthwave also frequently enjoy the work of The Midnight, who blend saxophone and vocals with electronic beats. Timecop1983 shares a similar focus on lush, nostalgic production and melody. The driving rhythms of Perturbator appeal to those who favor Acrylix's more intense, darksynth-inspired tracks. Gunship offers a comparable fusion of 80s musical motifs with modern alternative rock sensibilities.
Acrylix's music maintains strong rotation on specialized online radio streams and independent music radio stations that focus on electronic and retro-wave genres. His tracks are regularly featured in programming blocks dedicated to instrumental and cinematic electronica across multiple digital stations.
Listeners can discover the dynamic discography of Acrylix by tuning into the synthwave and electronic music radio stations available on onairium.com, where his hits and deep cuts are frequently played.
