Al-Gear: The Synthwave Architect
Al-Gear is the primary stage name of electronic music producer and composer Alexei Gorshkov, a pivotal figure in the modern synthwave and retrowave scene. Hailing from Saint Petersburg, Russia, his 2018 album Neon Vector achieved notable commercial success, moving over 100,000 units globally and securing a gold certification in several European territories.
Early career
Alexei Gorshkov began his musical journey in the late 2000s, experimenting with digital audio workstations while studying sound design. His early releases, under various aliases, were self-published on platforms like Bandcamp, catching the attention of the independent label Neon Nights Records in 2013. This led to his first official EP, Circuit Breaker, in 2014, which established his signature blend of cinematic atmospheres and driving arpeggiated basslines.
Breakthrough
Al-Gear's breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single Midway Run, which became a viral hit on YouTube, amassing millions of views across various synthwave-focused channels. This momentum propelled his 2018 full-length album, Neon Vector, onto the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart, where it peaked at number 24. The album's lead single, Axiom, also charted on specialty radio formats dedicated to electronic music.
Key tracks
Midway Run — This 2017 single served as his commercial breakthrough, defining the high-energy "outrun" subgenre style for a global audience.
Axiom — The lead single from Neon Vector featured a collaboration with vocalist Dana Jean Phoenix and received extensive rotation on electronic internet radio streams.
Neon Vector — The title track from his landmark 2018 album is a quintessential instrumental showcase of his polished, cinematic production style.
Transmission from Echo Sector — This 2020 track, featuring producer Mitch Murder, highlighted a key collaboration within the synthwave community.
Horizon Line — A deeper cut from the 2021 album Digital Horizon that exemplifies his evolution towards more complex, progressive structures.
Following the success of Neon VectorFiXT: Neon for his 2021 follow-up, Digital Horizon. This album expanded his sonic palette, incorporating elements of cyberpunk and darksynth, and led to high-profile sync placements in video games and streaming series. His collaborative work extends to remixes for artists like Perturbator and Carpenter Brut, solidifying his reputation within the genre's elite.
Fans of Al-Gear's driving retro-futuristic sound often explore similar artists featured on our platform. Discover Perturbator for a darker, more aggressive take on the synthwave formula. The cinematic scope of The Midnight shares Al-Gear's emotional resonance and use of saxophone melodies. For purely instrumental journeys, Timecop1983 offers a dreamier, more ambient approach. The work of Carpenter Brut delivers a similarly intense, metal-influenced energy within the synthwave framework.
Al-Gear's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across dedicated synthwave and retrowave online radio streams, classic 80s-inspired internet stations, and electronic music-focused independent radio stations. His tracks are frequently featured in specialty programming that highlights the intersection of electronic music and soundtrack composition.
Listeners can explore the dynamic discography of Al-Gear, from his early underground releases to his charting albums, through the radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear his iconic synthwave anthems and latest productions in regular rotation across our curated network of electronic music channels.
