Lazerhawk: The Retro-Futurist Visionary of Synthwave

Lazerhawk is the pioneering electronic music project of American producer and composer Garrett Hays, a foundational architect of the modern synthwave genre. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the artist gained a cult following and critical acclaim for his 2010 album Redline, a seminal work that helped define the nostalgic, cinematic sound of the 2010s retro-electronic revival.

Early career

Garrett Hays began producing music under the Lazerhawk moniker in the late 2000s, emerging from the same fertile online communities that birthed the broader synthwave movement. His early work was characterized by a deep affinity for 1980s film scores, video game music, and the driving rhythms of electronic body music (EBM). Lazerhawk's debut, the self-released Neon Dreams EP in 2009, immediately established his signature blend of melancholic melodies and pulsating basslines.

Breakthrough

The project's true breakthrough arrived in 2010 with the release of the full-length album Redline on the independent electronic label Rosso Corsa Records. This album became a cornerstone release for the burgeoning synthwave scene, celebrated for its cohesive vision and high-energy tracks. While not a mainstream chart success, Redline achieved significant underground recognition and enduring popularity, solidifying Lazerhawk's status as a genre pioneer.

Key tracks

Redline — The album's title track is a quintessential synthwave anthem, known for its relentless pace and evocative, neon-drenched atmosphere.

Overdrive — This song exemplifies Lazerhawk's mastery of crafting immersive, instrumental narratives that feel ripped from a classic 80s action movie.

King of the Streets — A fan favorite, this track showcases a heavier, more aggressive side of his production, incorporating elements of electro and industrial music.

Feel the Rush — From the 2013 album Skull and Shark, this song highlights his evolution into more complex, layered compositions and funk-inflected grooves.

Following his initial success, Lazerhawk continued to expand his sonic palette across subsequent albums like 2011's Visitors, which explored darker, more atmospheric themes, and 2012's collaborative effort Dreamrider with vocalist Garth. His work has been featured on notable compilations from labels like Italians Do It Better and has inspired a legion of producers within the electronic music underground. While maintaining a consistent core sound, later releases such as Skull and Shark and 2017's Dream Zone incorporated influences from synth-pop, space disco, and dreamwave, demonstrating artistic growth without abandoning his retro-futuristic roots. Fans of Lazerhawk's driving synthscapes and nostalgic aesthetic should also explore the work of similar American electronic artists. Perturbator shares a penchant for dark, cinematic intensity and narrative-driven albums. Mitch Murder offers a similarly polished and upbeat take on 80s-inspired instrumental synth music. The work of Timecop1983 explores the more wistful, dream-pop oriented side of the genre with comparable melodic strength. For those who enjoy the funkier elements present in Lazerhawk's later work, FM-84 delivers anthemic synth-pop with soaring vocal collaborations.

Lazerhawk's influential catalog maintains a strong presence on dedicated electronic and retro wave radio stations, particularly on specialized online radio streams that focus on synthwave, outrun, and vintage-inspired electronic music. His tracks are staples in rotations that celebrate the genre's evolution from niche internet phenomenon to a recognized musical style with a global fanbase.

Listeners can experience the iconic sound of Lazerhawk on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover his music and the broader synthwave genre through the curated radio stations available on onairium.com.