KrF₂=>Synth Excimer: TOP2025 of Synth Scene

10. Iżol “Stories from the Boiler Room” (synthpop | Poland, Self-Released)

Iżol is a project by Polish musician Robert, known for his work with Ice Machine, appeared on the synth-scene in the second half of the 2010s and released its debut album in 2017. The 2025 album "Stories from the Boiler Room" is the third in the Pole's discography. Iżol creates viscous spacious synthpop with male vocals in English. The album includes 18 tracks, composed and collected since 2019. An unconventional approach to synthpop music, Robert's distinctive vocals and echoes of Ice Machine make "Stories from the Boiler Room" an interesting and original album. Well done.

09. Fictional “Some Great Constructions” (futurepop, synthpop | Germany, RepoRecords)

Fictional was founded in the late 1990s by Gerrit Thomas to express his ideas for a melodic, dancefloor-oriented synth style. The project incorporated the rhythmic side of Funker Vogt and synthpop elements from Ravenous. Their first album was released in 1999, with a second following in 2003. Afterward, Fictional went into hibernation and Gerrit focused on his other projects Funker Vogt, Fusspils 11 and Eisfabrik. In 2025 Fictional made a grand return with a new album. The work features 11 original compositions in a danceable melancholic synthpop and futurepop. Gerrit had already featured vocalists on previous albums and this became a key feature of the new one. The songs are vocalized by voices of such projects as Vanguard, Colony 5, N-Frequency, Digital Energy, Beyond Obsession and Forced to Mode. The result is a solid, high-level synth-scene album with a classic synth/futurepop sound and diverse vocal performances. There aren't any outstanding hits, but the album is smooth and enjoyable.

08. Unique Strain “Reunion” (synthpop, electropop | Germany, Self-Released)

Marcel and Oliver's duo Unique Strain was started at the turn of the 2000s and 2010s, releasing their debut full-length album in 2010, followed by a second in 2011. After two albums the Germans disappeared from the scene's radar. In 2025 a third full-length album, preceded by two singles, suddenly appeared. The musicians created rhythmic, danceable synthpop with a hint of futurepop on their earlier albums, while on the new work "Reunion" Unique Strain moved toward a more melancholic sound, based on the same synthpop, but with more elements of electropop, although the overall atmosphere of these border genres and the musicians' signature style remained. Male vocals, English-language lyrics, smooth relaxed compositions and memorable melodies make the new album interesting. The duo's return could be considered as a very successful one.

07. Absurd Minds “Confessions” (synthpop, EBM | Germany, Scanner)

Since the return to the scene in 2017, every album by the German project Absurd Minds has, in one way or another, been a candidate for the top 10 in the synth-scene. Over the years Germans formed a unique music style and sound that are difficult to mix up with other bands. With each album Absurd Minds create a unique atmosphere and their compositions, although similar in sound, still captivate with their structure, lyricism and multi-layered construction. The new album "Confessions" was released on Scanner and presents 11 tracks of the classic Absurd Minds. The German project's combination of mid-tempo synthpop and EBM sounds, as usual, balanced, iconic and memorable. The album is easy to listen to. There are a couple of hits, but not as explosive as those on the 2017 album, but the work sound smooth and consistent. Another great creation from Absurd Minds that will take a permanent place in the player.

06. A Spell Inside “Last” (futurepop, synthpop | Germany, Scanner)

Next to Absurd Minds in the 2025 top is another project from the label Scanner, which, like their colleagues, maintains its reputation and releases album after album of well structured polished material with hits and consistent compositions. A Spell Inside formed in 1989 in Germany and, as of 2025, had seven full-length albums in its discography. The eighth album, titled "Last" includes 12 original compositions in a blend of futurepop and synthpop genres. The album also includes two edits of their tracks and a bonus. Unlike their labelmates from the previous top position, A Spell Inside performs more rhythmic synth/future music that makes you want to move, not think, although that's also true. Another great album from the Germans. And the Scanner label is delighted to have such great artists gathered under one roof. I hope also, that the album title doesn't mean anything, because it would be pity to lose such a project.

05. Minuit Machine “Queendom” (electropop, electroclash, electro | France, Synth Religion)

The French project Minuit Machine is known primarily in the electronic gothic music scene for its works in the terms of coldwave, darkwave and synth-goth, incorporating elements of techno, synthwave and other electronic genres. In 2025 the act released five full-length albums in this explosive mix of genres. Recently, Hélène left the project and Amandine on her new album "Queendom" decided to slightly shift the sound toward a more synthetic direction, diluting the dark atmosphere with electropop and electroclash. The result is no worse than gothic electronica with its own charm, cool, memorable compositions in English and French and a recognizable sound, despite the change in sound. As somebody said, talented musicians can make good music in any genre. A solid, excellent work from the French musician, worthy of a high position in the top 10 synth music of 2025.

04. Chris Harms “1980” (synthpop | Germany, Napalm Records)

German vocalist and musician Chris Harms is best known for his project Lord of the Lost and his participation in Eurovision. However, many seem to have forgotten that Chris's first project was the electronic band UnterART, in which the German created music at the intersection of EBM and futurepop. Therefore, a return to electronic sounds was not surprising, but the material created on his debut album "1980" was. Saccharine (in a good way), melodic, hitty synthpop with Chris's recognizable bright clean vocals perfectly reflects the album's title, is easy to listen to and bursts onto the synth-scene, even despite being released on the metal label Napalm Records. It's a very well-crafted cohesive work, one might even say conceptual. The album also features vocals from Solar Fake and VNV Nation, adding variety and significance to the album.

03. Promenade Cinema “Afterlife” (synthpop, electropop | UK, Self-Released)

The British duo Promenade Cinema formed in the early 2010s and, after releasing several singles, released their debut full-length album on Maori Music Publishing, bringing their work to the attention of fans of dark synth-infused music. By 2025 the band had released two full-length albums, numerous singles, including covers of their idols, and a remix compilation. Their new album "Afterlife" is the third full-length release from the British duo and features 10 tracks that blend synthpop and electropop with the dark aesthetic of darkwave. Emma's atmospheric female vocals and Dorian's synthetic approaches create a perfect electronic combination with its own charm, recognizable sound and sonically strong compositions. A truly solid work from the British duo, who continue to delight listeners with their music.

02. The Brides of the Black Room “Commander” (synthpop, electronic | Sweden, Cold School)

The Swedish project The Brides of the Black Room isn't a traditional musical band, but rather positions itself as a mystical association of artists with a shared universe of stories. The Swedes' concept revolves around a mystical trio of witches—the Brides of the Black Room—serving a powerful entity called Mother. Albums aren't called albums, but rather presented as seasons. Accordingly, the members of the band also hide behind pseudonyms. The Brides of the Black Room began their activities in 2020 and the first season was released in 2021. The second season, titled "Commander", was out in 2025. The musicians continue to explore the tension between light and darkness, inner demons and responsibility. The project's music ranges from female-vocalized synthpop to darkwave and synth-rock with influences from other electronic music genres. A very interesting mystical concept with a cool execution and refined musical component makes the album "Commander" one of the best and certainly the most unconventional on the synthetic music scene of 2025. Impressive work from the Swedes.

01. Deadcode “Nothing and Nowhere” (synth-rock, alternative rock | USA, Self-Released)

The duo of Steven and Stephen began promoting their music in 2020, releasing singles and remixes, and in 2025 their debut album "Nothing and Nowhere" was out. Deadcode combines a rock sound with an abundance of electronic music from various genres, including synthpop, electro and breakbeat. The influence of the alternative rock scene is clearly noticeable, so the music of the Americans goes beyond the dark scene and will be interesting for both synth-rock lovers and fans of alternative guitar music. Some compositions on the album sound without guitars, exclusively in the electronic key of dance synths, which fits perfectly with the overall atmosphere of the album. While parallels with Linkin Park are easy to draw, Deadcode has a distinctive sound that makes the project instantly recognizable. An excellent debut work from the Americans. I hope the project does not deviate into a more rock sound over time, although they will most likely create excellent material there too.

Other honorable mentions: 2DCAT, Assemblage 23, Camp de Terrain, eXcubitors, Fractal Age, Pale Meridians, SIIE, Silica Gel, The Birthday Massacre, Tobias Bernstrup, Ultra Sunn, VNV Nation, X Marks the Pedwalk