Neon Heights: The Synthwave Architects

Neon Heights is an American synthwave and electronic music project known for its cinematic soundscapes and charting albums. The duo, formed in Los Angeles, achieved a significant commercial milestone when their second studio album, "Neon Nights," entered the Billboard 200 chart in 2018.

Early career

Neon Heights was formed in 2012 by producers Maya Vance and Leo Carson, who met while studying sound design in Los Angeles. Their initial work involved creating atmospheric electronic tracks for independent film scores, which built a small but dedicated online following. This led to their self-released debut EP, "Circuit Breaker," in 2014, which caught the attention of the independent electronic label Retro Future Sounds.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single "Midline Drive," which became a viral hit on music discovery platforms and peaked at number 15 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. This success directly fueled the release of their first full-length album, "Neon Nights," on Retro Future Sounds in 2018, which debuted at number 187 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified gold in Canada.

Key tracks

Midline Drive — This breakout single defined their signature blend of pulsating retro synth bass with modern production clarity.

Neon Nights — The title track from their breakthrough album became a staple in their live sets and a fan favorite for its expansive, nostalgic melody.

Echoes in the Grid — Featuring guest vocals from dream pop artist Kaitlyn Frost, this 2020 track showcased their ability to craft compelling crossover collaborations.

Velocity — This instrumental piece, used in several major video game trailers, demonstrated their strength in creating dynamic, narrative-driven music.

Following the success of "Neon Nights," Neon Heights embarked on extensive touring, including slots at major festivals like Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival. Their third album, "Digital Horizon," released in 2021, saw them experimenting with darker tones and complex rhythms, earning critical praise for its artistic evolution. They have since collaborated with notable producers like Com Truise and contributed to the soundtrack for the cyberpunk film "Neo-Tokyo Dreams."

Fans of Neon Heights also enjoy the retro-futuristic sounds of similar artists from the United States. The Midnight shares a profound focus on nostalgic, saxophone-laden synthwave anthems. Timecop1983 explores similar themes of longing and memory through lush, slow-tempo electronic compositions. Gunship matches their cinematic scope and frequent use of featured vocalists to build immersive audio worlds. FM-84 crafts a comparable blend of 1980s-inspired melodies with contemporary electronic music production.

The music of Neon Heights maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across dedicated electronic and alternative rock radio stations. Their hits are frequently featured on specialty shows focusing on synthwave, retro electronica, and new indie dance music across various online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations.

Listeners can discover the dynamic synthwave catalog of Neon Heights on the radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their defining tracks and latest releases as part of our curated electronic music rotation.