Alain Buro: The Belgian Synthwave Architect

Alain Buro is a Belgian electronic music producer and composer known for crafting immersive retro-futuristic soundscapes. Emerging from the vibrant Brussels scene, his 2018 album Neon Dreams achieved notable success, charting in several European countries and earning a gold certification in his home nation.

Early career

Born in 1985 in Antwerp, Alain Buro began experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines in his teenage years. His first official release was the self-published EP Circuit City in 2012, which caught the attention of the independent label RetroWave Sounds.

Breakthrough

Buro's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with his sophomore album, Neon Dreams, released on RetroWave Sounds. The album's lead single, Midnight Drive, became a staple on streaming playlists and propelled the album to number 12 on the Belgian Albums Chart, securing a gold award.

Key tracks

Midnight Drive — This single from Neon Dreams defined Buro's signature blend of pulsating bass and melanchonic melodies, becoming his most recognizable track.

Echoes of You — Featured on the 2020 album Digital Ghosts, this song showcased a more vocal-driven approach with guest singer Lora, expanding his audience.

Neon Skies — The opening track from his breakthrough album set the tone with its expansive production and immediately established the album's cinematic quality.

The Grid — An instrumental deep cut beloved by fans for its complex arpeggiated sequences, often used as a set opener for his live performances.

Horizon (feat. DJ Kortex) — This 2022 collaboration merged Buro's synthwave with sharper electro-house beats, demonstrating his versatility within electronic music.

Following the success of Neon Dreams, Alain Buro embarked on international tours and contributed to film soundtracks, most notably for the 2021 sci-fi indie film Aether. His subsequent album, Digital Ghosts, released in 2020, debuted within the top 20 in Belgium and Germany.

His collaborative work includes production credits for other artists in the synthwave and adjacent electronic genres. Buro continues to release music through RetroWave Sounds while also launching his own imprint, Burotronic, in 2023 to support emerging producers in the retro-electronics scene.

Fans of Alain Buro's brand of atmospheric and driving synthwave also enjoy the work of similar artists. Timecop1983 shares a focus on lush, nostalgic synthesizer melodies. The Midnight combines similar 80s-inspired electronics with saxophone and heartfelt vocals. FM-84 creates equally cinematic and soaring retro-pop anthems. Gunship explores a darker, more rock-infused side of the synthwave genre.

The music of Alain Buro maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on dedicated synthwave and retro electronic online radio streams. His tracks are frequently featured on specialty shows focusing on 80s-inspired music and modern electronic composition across independent music radio stations.

Listeners can explore the evocative electronic world of Alain Buro by tuning into the synthwave and modern electronic stations available on onairium.com, where his defining tracks are regularly in rotation.