Metropolis: The Architects of Modern Synthwave

Metropolis is an American electronic music duo celebrated for shaping the cinematic synthwave genre. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the pair achieved a major commercial milestone with their debut album charting on the Billboard 200 and earning a cult following across North America and Europe.

Early career

Formed in 2010, producers Alex Vance and Mara Sol forged Metropolis from a shared passion for 1980s film scores and analog synthesizers. Their initial self-released EPs, "Neon Dawn" (2012) and "Circuit City" (2013), circulated on underground music blogs, catching the attention of the independent electronic label Neon Noir Records.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough arrived in 2015 with their first full-length album, "The Grid." Released via Neon Noir, the album's lead single gained traction on streaming platforms, propelling the record to number 187 on the Billboard 200. This success was bolstered by sync placements in several popular video games and a growing presence on European alternative radio.

Key tracks

The Grid — This pulsating title track became an anthem for the genre, defining their signature sound of arpeggiated bass and soaring melodies.

Neon Skies — Featuring guest vocals from dream pop artist Lyra, this song expanded their audience beyond instrumental music and received significant college radio play.

Midnight Drive — A staple in their live set, this instrumental piece exemplifies their mastery of atmosphere and narrative through synthesizers.

Aether — From their sophomore album, this collaboration with producer Com Truise merged synthwave with glitchy IDM, showcasing artistic evolution.

Following "The Grid," Metropolis solidified their status with the 2018 album "Horizons," which debuted higher on the electronic charts. They have since collaborated with notable acts like The Midnight and Gunship, and their music has been featured in major film trailers, further cementing their role as genre pioneers.

Fans of Metropolis often appreciate the work of similar artists in the synthwave and retro-electronic scene. The Midnight shares a similar blend of nostalgic saxophone and heartfelt songwriting. Gunship explores a parallel vein of dark, cinematic synth-pop with heavy visual aesthetics. Timecop1983 delivers the dreamy, driving soundscapes central to the genre's appeal. Carpenter Brut offers a more aggressive, metal-influenced take on the synthwave foundation.

The driving rhythms and evocative synthesizers of Metropolis are a perfect fit for modern rock and alternative radio stations. Their tracks frequently appear in the rotations of specialty electronic music shows on independent music radio stations and are featured on online rock radio streams dedicated to cutting-edge sound.

Listeners can discover the immersive electronic world of Metropolis by tuning into the synthwave and alternative rock radio stations featured on our website. Their defining tracks are regularly played on the curated stations available on onairium.com, offering the perfect gateway into their retro-futuristic sound.