Vaporwave

A brief history of Vaporwave

Vaporwave is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 2010s. It is characterized by its heavy use of sampling from ‘80s and ‘90s music and pop culture, slowed-down and re-pitched vocals, and an overall surreal, nostalgic aesthetic.

The roots of Vaporwave can be traced back to the experimental music scene of the ‘00s. Artists like James Ferraro and Daniel Lopatin (better known as Oneohtrix Point Never) were creating music that blurred the lines between ambient, glitch, and electronic music, often incorporating found sounds and obscure samples. Ferraro’s album “Far Side Virtual” from 2011 is often cited as a major influence on the Vaporwave movement.

In 2010 and 2011, two anonymous online collectives, named “Macintosh Plus” and “Chuck Person”, released two albums titled “Floral Shoppe” and “Chuck Person’s Eccojams Vol. 1” respectively. These two albums would become the touchstones for what would become Vaporwave.

“Floral Shoppe” was the first album to use the term “Vaporwave” in its artwork. It featured slowed-down samples of ‘80s pop songs, Japanese city pop, and smooth jazz, among others, all filtered through a dreamlike, nostalgic lens. The album’s aesthetic was heavily influenced by the glitchy, neon-soaked imagery of early internet days, such as old computer desktop screensavers.

“Eccojams Vol. 1” was a similar project, with samples from ‘80s pop hits chopped up and looped, creating a surreal and ethereal atmosphere. The album’s artwork featured a picture of Eliot Spitzer, the former Governor of New York who resigned amid a prostitution scandal, with his face heavily distorted.

Both “Floral Shoppe” and “Eccojams Vol. 1” quickly gained a cult following on online music forums like 4chan and Reddit, with listeners drawn to the hazy, hypnotic soundscapes they produced. Soon, other artists began to emerge, using the Vaporwave aesthetic to create their own unique sonic landscapes.

One of the most prominent Vaporwave artists was Saint Pepsi, who released a flurry of EPs and albums in the early 2010s. Saint Pepsi’s music was characterized by its upbeat, sample-heavy sound, drawing heavily from ‘80s pop, R&B, and disco. Despite the use of these upbeat samples, the overall atmosphere of Saint Pepsi’s music was still dreamy and surreal.

Another influential artist in the early years of Vaporwave was James Ferraro. Ferraro’s music was more experimental, often incorporating elements of noise and industrial music. Nevertheless, his work had a clear influence on the Vaporwave aesthetic, with its use of found sounds, obscure samples, and surreal imagery.

By 2013, Vaporwave had become a fully-fledged musical movement, with a vibrant online community and a range of subgenres and sub-movements. However, it was not long before the genre started to attract criticism, with some accusing it of being little more than a cynical nostalgia trip, devoid of any real substance.

Notable Vaporwave artists

Macintosh Plus: Also known as Vektroid, Macintosh Plus is a pioneer in the vaporwave scene. The album “Floral Shoppe” is considered by many to be the definitive vaporwave album, featuring samples of 80s pop songs, Japanese city pop, and elevator music.

Saint Pepsi: Comprising of 24:year:old Ryan DeRobertis, Saint Pepsi is known for his catchy, upbeat vaporwave tracks. His album “Hit Vibes” features samples from 80s pop and R&B hits and has a strong following.

Blank Banshee: Blank Banshee’s music combines elements of vaporwave, hip:hop, and trap, creating a unique and highly addictive sound. His album “Blank Banshee 0” is a classic in the genre, featuring glitchy beats and samples from old video games.

2814: A collaboration between New York:based producer Telepath and Hong Kong:based producer HKE, 2814 creates dreamy, ambient soundscapes that draw from ambient, shoegaze, and vaporwave influences.

Luxury Elite: Luxury Elite produces a mix of chillwave and vaporwave, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and other:worldly. Her album “World Class” is a favorite in the vaporwave community, featuring hazy synths and soft melodies.

Yung Bae: Known for his funky, disco:infused vaporwave tracks, Yung Bae creates music that is both danceable and nostalgic. His album “Bae” features samples from 70s and 80s hits, creating a funky and upbeat sound.

Dan Mason: Dan Mason creates a mix of vaporwave and synthwave, creating a unique sound that combines retro and futuristic elements. His album “Summer Love” is a standout, featuring bright synths and samples from old pop songs.

George Clanton: George Clanton’s music draws from multiple genres, including vaporwave, synthpop, and bedroom pop. His album “Slide” features energetic beats and electronic flourishes, creating a sound that is both danceable and introspective.

Telepath: Telepath creates ambient soundscapes that draw on vaporwave and other experimental genres. His album “Aurora” is a standout, featuring lush synthesizers and otherworldly atmospheres.

VAPERROR: VAPERROR’s music combines elements of breakcore, vaporwave, and IDM, creating a intense and unique sound. His album “Mana Pool” is a favorite in the vaporwave community, featuring frenetic beats and glitchy samples.

25 Vaporwave records you should hear

1. Macintosh Plus - “Floral Shoppe”
2. Saint Pepsi - “Hit Vibes”
3. Blank Banshee - “Blank Banshee 0”
4. Luxury Elite & Saint Pepsi - “Late Night Delight”
5. Yung Bae - “Bae”
6. 2814 - “Birth of a New Day”
7. Vektroid - “Neo Cali”
8. Dan Mason - “Hypnagogia”
9. George Clanton - “100% Electronica”
10. Eyeliner - “Buy Now”
11. Cat System Corp. - “Palm Mall”
12. Skylar Spence - “Prom King”
13. computers love - “Stained Glass”
14. CVLTVRΣ - “Echoes of Memory”
15. Nmesh - “Dream Sequins”
16. Hong Kong Express - “浪漫的夢想”
17. ESPRIT 空想 - “200% Electronica”
18. SURFING - “Deep Fantasy”
19. コンシャスTHOUGHTS - “自己”
20. Equip - “I Dreamed Of A Palace In The Sky”
21. Luxury Elite - “With Love”
22. HOME - “Odyssey”
23. FUJI GRID TV - “PRISM GENESIS”
24. Dante Mars Ajeto! - “Angels Descend to Us”
25. CVLTVRΣ - “Lost Realms”

Vaporwave and the charts

One of the most successful Vaporwave releases to date is Floral Shoppe by Macintosh Plus, which was released in late 2011. The album features a mix of slowed-down samples from 80s pop music and ambient soundscapes, and has become something of a cult classic within the Vaporwave community. Although it never officially charted, Floral Shoppe has sold tens of thousands of copies on Bandcamp and other online music stores, making it one of the best-selling Vaporwave records to date.

Another notable Vaporwave release is Home by Resonance, which was released in 2013. The album features a mix of nostalgic, 80s-inspired synthpop and ambient textures, and has become a favorite of Vaporwave fans. Although it never charted either, Home has sold well on Bandcamp and other online stores, and has been streamed millions of times on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.

One of the most commercially successful Vaporwave releases to date is Blank Banshee’s 2012 release Blank Banshee 0. The album features a mix of sample-based Vaporwave and hard-hitting electronic beats, and has been credited with helping to popularize the genre. Despite the fact that the album was independently released, it went on to sell tens of thousands of copies and has been streamed millions of times on platforms like Spotify and Soundcloud.

One of the most recent Vaporwave releases to perform well in the charts is 2814’s 2015 album Birth of a New Day. The album features a mix of atmospheric ambient music, glitchy soundscapes, and hazy melodies, and has been praised for its dreamy, otherworldly quality. Birth of a New Day charted on both the Billboard Electronic and Heatseekers charts, making it one of the most successful Vaporwave releases to date.

In addition to these successful Vaporwave releases, a number of other albums and artists have enjoyed moderate chart success over the years. Examples include Luxury Elite’s 2013 album with Saint Pepsi Late Night Delight, and George Clanton’s 2018 release Slide, both of which received critical acclaim and performed well on Bandcamp and other online stores.

What people have said about Vaporwave

One of the most notable books written on the subject is “Vaporwave and the Commodification of Ghosts” by Mark Fisher. In this book, Fisher explores the cultural and philosophical implications of vaporwave. He argues that vaporwave is a reaction to the hyperreal and consumerist nature of contemporary society, and that it offers a nostalgic escape from the present. He writes, “Vaporwave’s fascination with the outmoded is both reactionary and utopian. It proposes a kind of time-travel paradox, whereby the past is summoned as an escape from the present, yet its resurrection is only possible through present-day technology.”

Another book that delves into the world of vaporwave is “Asyncronous City” by Sean Han Tani. In this book, Tani traces the development of the genre from its early roots on 4chan to its current status. He examines the aesthetic and cultural elements of vaporwave, and argues that the genre is a commentary on the commodification of nostalgia. He writes, “Vaporwave represents a cultural moment in which nostalgia has been commodified, repackaged, and marketed, in much the same way as every other aspect of our society.”

Vaporwave has also been the subject of numerous articles and essays. In a piece for The Atlantic, journalist Robinson Meyer examined the political implications of vaporwave. He argued that the genre is a reaction to the growing inequality and political polarization of contemporary society. Meyer writes, “Vaporwave is a form of musical resistance to the dominant narrative of contemporary capitalism, one that rejects the artificial barriers between genres and aims to create a space for reflection and introspection.”

Musician and critic Adam Harper has also written extensively about vaporwave. In an essay for Dummy Mag, he explored the gender and racial politics of the genre. He argued that vaporwave reflects a nostalgia for a time when white men held cultural dominance. He writes, “Vaporwave is a music of white male privilege, a sound that yearns for a time when the boundaries of race and gender were more clearly defined.”

Despite the criticisms of some, vaporwave has a devoted fanbase who are passionate about the genre. In an interview with The Fader, musician Blank Banshee described the emotional appeal of vaporwave. He said, “There’s something about the sounds and the nostalgia that just pulls at your heartstrings. It’s like going home to a place that no longer exists, but you still remember it vividly.”

Vaporwave in context

In terms of the social context, Vaporwave emerged during a time of economic recession and cultural malaise, particularly among the millennial generation. Many young people found themselves struggling to find employment and purpose in a society that seemed to have little to offer beyond consumerism and superficial entertainment. Vaporwave’s nostalgia for a time when consumer culture was at its peak, combined with its critique of that same culture, resonated deeply with this disillusioned audience.

Culturally, Vaporwave drew on a range of influences, from Japanese ambient music and smooth jazz to 80s and 90s corporate aesthetics. Many of the genre’s early adopters were involved in online subcultures like 4chan and Tumblr, where they shared and discussed Vaporwave-inspired images, videos, and music. This sense of online community helped foster a DIY ethos that permeated the genre and helped it spread to a wider audience.

Technologically, Vaporwave emerged in a time when sample-based music was easier than ever to create thanks to new software and digital sampling technology. Early Vaporwave producers often used cheap or outdated gear to create their distinctive sound, drawing heavily on samples from sources like elevator music, infomercials, and corporate training videos.

Notable record labels played a key role in promoting and shaping the Vaporwave genre. One of the earliest and most influential labels was Dream Catalogue, which released seminal Vaporwave works like Macintosh Plus’ Floral Shoppe and 2814’s Birth of a New Day. Another important label was Business Casual, which released works by artists like waterfront dining and VAPERROR. These labels helped create a sense of community and identity around the genre, and helped popularize it among online music communities.

Journalists and critics played a crucial role in shaping the discourse around Vaporwave. Although mainstream music publications largely ignored the genre, online music writers began to take notice and write about its significance. Some writers like Adam Harper and Simon Reynolds praised Vaporwave’s subversive and innovative qualities, while others criticized it for being overly nostalgic or simply derivative. Regardless, these writers helped to place Vaporwave within a broader cultural context and raise its profile among music fans.

The rise of social media and online platforms like Bandcamp and Soundcloud were crucial to the popularity of Vaporwave. These platforms allowed producers to share their work and reach a large audience without the need for conventional distribution channels. Online communities like Reddit’s r/Vaporwave and 4chan’s /mu/ board helped to further popularize the genre and connect fans with like-minded individuals.

If you like Vaporwave you may like..

Future Funk: A genre that samples and remixes funk and disco music from the 70s and 80s to create upbeat and danceable tracks.

Mallsoft: A sub-genre of Vaporwave that focuses on creating a dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere through the use of ambient sounds and muzak.

Simpsonwave: A style of Vaporwave that incorporates clips and visuals from The Simpsons TV show to create surreal and nostalgic experiences.

Synthwave: A genre that draws inspiration from 80s pop culture, using synthesizers to create a retro-futuristic sound.

Lo-fi Hip Hop: A genre that combines the laid-back beats of traditional hip hop with dust and crackle vinyl samples to create a gritty, nostalgic sound.