Take Care: The Pioneers of Modern Synthwave
Take Care is an American electronic music duo known for crafting immersive, nostalgia-driven synthwave soundscapes. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the pair achieved a significant underground following with their self-released debut album, which has been streamed millions of times and championed by key online music communities.
Early career
Take Care formed in 2015 when producers Leo Vance and Mara Sloane connected through online music forums. Their shared passion for 1980s film scores and analog synthesizers led them to begin collaborating remotely, blending Vance's production skills with Sloane's ethereal vocals. Their first official release, the 2016 EP "Neon Dreams," was put out independently and quickly gained traction on niche streaming platforms, establishing their signature retro-futuristic sound.
Breakthrough
The duo's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with their debut full-length album, "Midnight Drive." Released through the independent electronic label Neon Grid Records, the album's lead single gained unexpected popularity, propelling the album to number 12 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. "Midnight Drive" has since been certified gold in the United States for the equivalent of over 500,000 units sold, a rare feat for an independent synthwave release.
Key tracks
Midnight Drive — This title track became a synthwave anthem, featured in several popular video game soundtracks and amassing over 50 million streams globally.
Echoes of You — A collaboration with producer Timecop1983, this song expanded their audience within the broader synthwave and retrowave scene.
Neon Skies — The duo's most commercially successful single to date, it spent eight weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
Last Summer — Known for its iconic saxophone solo, this track is a staple in their live performances and a fan favorite.
Following the success of "Midnight Drive," Take Care embarked on their first national tour in 2019, selling out venues in major cities. Their sophomore album, "Horizon Line," arrived in 2021 and debuted at number 8 on the Dance/Electronic chart, solidifying their position as leading figures in the modern synthwave revival. The duo has since collaborated with artists like The Midnight and FM-84, further bridging the gap between underground electronic scenes and mainstream awareness.
Fans of Take Care's lush, cinematic synth-pop should also explore similar artists featured on our site. The Midnight shares a similar blend of heartfelt songwriting and 80s-inspired production. Timecop1983 offers a more instrumental-focused approach within the same nostalgic genre. FM-84 creates anthemic synthwave with powerful vocal features, much like Take Care's work. Gunship delivers a darker, more rock-infused take on the retro-electronic sound the duo helped popularize.
The music of Take Care is a regular feature on our network's dedicated electronic and retro wave radio stations. Their tracks are frequently played on specialized online radio streams that focus on synthwave, chillwave, and independent electronic music, introducing their sound to new listeners daily.
You can discover the immersive synthwave of Take Care by tuning into the electronic music radio stations available right here on onairium.com. Our curated stations are the perfect place to hear their iconic tracks alongside other pioneers of the genre.
