All Episodes
Dec 22, 2025
Okay class, settle down and bust out your textbooks because in this episode we’re digging into Utopian Scholastic. It's the aesthetic of optimistic encyclopedias, multimedia learning, and the sleek, educational graphics that promised a brighter, hyper-informed future. We'll explore how Utopian Scholastic, with its love of Dorling Kindersley and Encarta, shapes our nostalgia for education in the 90s and its natural connection to vaporwave.
Wow, would you look at that? It’s an episode covering some new music, and within Birk’s local light cone, it still qualifies as a November release. After spending an absurd amount of time on a couple of shout outs we get into two great albums. First up is some vaporwave/drum and base from Pizza Hotline inspired by nostalgia for early 00s video game soundtracks. Then we embrace the black friday recording date with some chillwave/mallsoft synth work from Dead Shopping Malls. Put down that 65” box of Kraft Dinner and join us!
Nov 10, 2025
Wow, another genre episode! It’s been a while. What will they talk about this time? Will they talk about Bandcamp tags for an uncomfortable amount of time? Will they get hung up on overly niche hyper characterization of niche genres? The answer to all these questions is obviously “yes!”
In this episode, we’re digging into the genre of VHS pop, which is often thought of as the upbeat and optimistic cousin of late night lo-fi. We talk about our history with the VHS format, attempts to classify niche genres, the power of nostalgia for physical media, and our hope for a revival of the sub-genre. Join us!
Another episode already?! That's right! We're working to return to our regular release schedule. In this episode, we're diving into some new October music. As usual, we've got two albums: Ross stayed on theme for spooky month with a unique take on plunderphonics and dungeon synth from Magnum Innominandum, drawing inspiration from classic cosmic horror. Birk immediately jumped on that brand new Navigateur album, which offers an eclectic blend of genres and masterful production. We hope you join us in checking out these albums and supporting these artists.
Oct 20, 2025
It’s a late start to the spooky season! We’re jumping right in with a handful of soundtracks from recent horror video games. We’re checking out the big meaty six hour journey that is the Silent Hill 2 (2024) soundtrack. Then we’re turning our attention to the soundtracks for Look Outside and Cultic. We discuss the games, their soundtracks, and what we love about video game soundtracks more generally. Grab these games, their soundtracks, and join us!
Thanks so much for your support! There will be a deluge of episodes coming out over the next few weeks as we get back on schedule.
Sep 29, 2025
In this episode, we're diving into some new September music. With summer coming to a close, it seems we were both inspired to explore some of our favorite comfort genres. For Birk, that's the hazy and nostalgic VIDEOFUNK, a unique blend of vaporwave, signalwave, and future funk from FIJI島の水. For Ross, it's the evocative and cinematic dark ambient of Leviathan by NoRinTon. Join us as we check out some new music!
In this episode, we dare to enter Ross’s cherished domain: the tabletop role-playing game! We’re checking out “First Quest,” a 1985 promotional cassette released by TSR UK. The cassette features a wide variety of tracks from an eclectic collection of artists. The end result is a fascinating assortment of electronic music that ranges from upbeat and poppy synths to ambient and drony textured soundscapes. So sit down, grab a pre-gen, and join us!
Aug 25, 2025
It’s time for our August new music episode. This time there’s no obvious overarching theme between our picks so no clever episode title, sorry! We’re starting off with Master Builder by Xeeland, an album that takes you on an evocative journey through the horrors of brutalist architecture. Then we’re heading off to Hawaii for The Molokai Compendium by Nmesh, a richly produced and deeply layered plunderphonic adventure inspired by one of the best bad movies of all time. Join us and check out these albums!
Aug 5, 2025
In this episode, we’re finally breaking out the summer dungeon synth. But first we ask: what even is summer in music when freed from the burden of marketing and publicity? After that mild diversion, we chat about five dungeon synth albums that could, by some definition, evoke feelings appropriate for summer times. Whatever summer is to you we hope you join us and check out this great set of albums.
Jul 22, 2025
In this episode, Ross and I set out to find some new summer dungeon synth. That didn’t work out, so by complete chance Ross went with dungeon synth and I went with summer. It doesn’t matter! We ended up finding two super fun albums. Start your day off with a little patrol loop around The Borderlands then come back and settle into a nice air conditioned theater and enjoy some Summer Blockbusters.
Jun 30, 2025
In this episode, we’re exploring one of our favorite metagenres: haunted media about media that never existed. This time, we’re delving into Vermis, a strategy guide for a game that doesn’t exist. It’s a beautiful and evocative collection of art and worldbuilding from the artist Plastiboo. We also check out the accompanying dungeon synth album by Radagast, released on cassette by HDK. Choose the nature of your flesh and then join us in the well!
Jun 16, 2025
It’s time for June new music explorations and in this episode Ross and Birk have once again shown up with two very different albums. We’re discussing Suburbia After Dark, a compelling sample-laden darkwave journey, and Vistas, an upbeat love letter to Frutiger Aero and all the tech you love from the 00’s. Grab yourself a copy of these albums and join us!
Jun 2, 2025
In this episode, we’re back to checking out a bunch of great live and URL sets from Sanctuary 2025, a charity show for the TransOhio Emergency Fund organized by Nostalgia Lounge in March of 2025. We go through sets that cover everything from classic vaporwave, to house and techno, breakcore, and beyond. Join us on our musical journey through Sanctuary 2025!
May 12, 2025
It’s time for us to gather around the Bandcamppole and celebrate the working artists of the world with our May new music episode. We’ve once again (completely unplanned!) have selected albums that represent both the comfort and the anxiety in vaporwave. First, we’re checking out the smooth and lush classic vaporwave of celadonDREAM Suite’s sophomore album. Then we’re going on an adventure with some glitchy and eclectic space ambient courtesy of ZIAD!. We hope you join us and give these albums a listen!
Apr 28, 2025
In this episode, we’re starting our series covering as many IRL and URL sets as we can get our hands on from Sanctuary 2025. Sanctuary is a charity show put on by Nostalgia Lounge (run by Crystal Eternal) to raise money for the TransOhio Emergency Fund. It was a huge success and featured music from dozens of artists highlighting numerous genres from vaporwave and future funk to industrial and breakcore.
Apr 14, 2025
It’s time for our April New Music episode! This time around, we’re breaking the rules a bit by discussing three albums. Your three course meal starts with some classic USPS inspired vaporwave, moving on to an eclectic selection of chill experimental ambient before finishing things off with a moving tribute to the music of Twin Peaks. We hope you join us in checking out these albums and support the artists below!
Mar 31, 2025
In this episode, we’re checking out listencorp, a long-running magazine that covers vaporwave and electronic music. Each of their six issues features long-form articles, artist interviews, album reviews, and a whole bunch of great art and graphic design. We read through all of them and sat down to discuss our favorite articles. Grab their digital bundle on Etsy and join us!
Mar 17, 2025
You should know that this episode was divinely ordained. The Discogs article below was posted by a listener on our Patreon Discord at the precise moment Birk was listening to a related album and thinking about this episode topic. As a result, you have to listen to us work our way through the landscape of Japanese Ambient in the 80s and 90s. We talk about the music of the time and how it might have arisen from changing material and technological conditions, the importance of funding cool art, and its resurgence in popularity over the past few years.
Mar 3, 2025
In this month’s new music episode, we’re exploring the anxiety/comfort duality in vaporwave as it appears across two amazing albums. Join us as we discuss the wonderfully anxiety-inducing Cursed Mall from AWITW and then go on a soothing cosmic voyage with Blueberries on Mars by 猫 シ Corp.
Feb 17, 2025
In this episode, we’re discussing the 2024 album Passion by D.J. VLK. This amazing display of plunderphonics is made entirely using samples from the forgotten paranormal soap opera “Passions.” We talk about the show itself, the plight of memory-holed media, and the exploration of others' memories through art. This is a wonderful and weird album that you should definitely check out.
Feb 3, 2025
In this episode we’re digging into Solarpunk, a multi-media art movement that aims to build a vision of a more optimistic future, free from the crushing doom of environmental collapse. We talk about the movement, some example media, and our thoughts on movements becoming aesthetics. So, come in from your rooftop garden and join us as we take a more hopeful view of the future.
Jan 13, 2025
It’s time for our first new music episode of 2025! It’s getting cold and snowy where we live so we picked out some albums that fit our wintery mood. We’re covering an amazing slushwave compilation from Mom and Dad’s Computer & 愛 as well as an evocative dark cinematic album from Dhalia’s Tear.
Dec 23, 2024
We’re back! In this episode, we’re easing back into our recording schedule with a discussion of thirteen diverse albums spanning a wide range of Christmastude. From classic vaporwave to modern jazz, dark ambient to goth industrial, we delve into our musical stockings to uncover some new seasonal favorites.
Nov 11, 2024
In this episode, we’re getting back into some crowd-sourced crate digging. We’re scrolling back in time through our Patreon Discord and checking out albums suggested by our listeners. Join us as we discuss 13 albums that cover everything from classic vaporwave to dungeon synth ambient to improvisational jazz and hip hop.
Oct 28, 2024
In this episode, we’re tossing the new music format out the Part 4444 2x5x6 Wall with Window so we can focus entirely on Lego Castle (1979-1998) by Dreamcastle™. This phenomenally ambitious concept album/experimental film explores childhood and nostalgia through the lens of Legos, video games, and imagination. A genre-melding experience, covering everything from dungeon synth to vaporwave to video game music and synthwave, it is a wild journey that is best viewed as a film on YouTube. Join us and check out this amazing piece of art!
Oct 14, 2024
In this episode, we delve into the Satanic Panic, which was the primo moral panic of the 1980s and 90s. Specifically, we’re looking at the Satanic Panic series of albums by Vacation Bible School. This series of five albums, like much of VBS’s work, navigates the conflicting emotions brought about by being raised as an Evangelical Christian in America’s hyper-consumerist society. Join us as we unpack the layers of nostalgia, fear, and critique embedded in these evocative soundscapes.
Sep 30, 2024
In this episode, we’re exploring the music of The Nightcrawlers, a trio from Philadelphia who produced over 30 cassettes of amazing cosmic and ambient synth during the 80s. We talk about one of these cassettes and then cover their more recent 2018 compilation. Their music is phenomenal so we want to say thank you to the YouTube algorithm for incepting Ross.
Sep 16, 2024
For our September new music episode we’re leaving the summer jams behind and getting into some recent releases from our favorite genres. First, we’re checking out a huge and varied compilation from the signalwave community. Then we’re going to achieve our perfect inner self with the help of some corporate meditation jazz. Can you say “something for everyone?!”
Sep 2, 2024
In this episode, we’re giving summer a big old Labor Day sendoff by checking out the best Future Funk… of 2023! We go through the best future funk albums as voted on by the r/futurefunk subreddit along with an amazing mix from Vaporwave News Network. As usual with these episodes, we can’t cover the episodes in the detail they deserve so go support these artists!
Aug 19, 2024
For our August new music episode, we’re submitting to the heat wave by leaving behind the upbeat dance music and settling in with some beats-driven ambient and music about dinosaurs. We’re checking out the third album in the “after” series from Hushtone Records and a Dino Synth anthology from Unreal Estate Records.
Aug 5, 2024
In this episode, we’re exploring albums and artists that blend dungeon synth with other genres of EDM such as house, dubstep, drum and bass, and breakcore. We talk about what it means to blend such potentially disparate genres and highlight a handful of albums that explore this concept
Jul 22, 2024
In this episode, we’re chatting about the process of rescoring films. We largely focus on two examples: Terror Vison’s recent Blu-ray release of Dante’s Inferno and Steven Soderbergh’s 2014 “educational” reimagining of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Jul 8, 2024
We’re mixing things up this month by doing our July new music episode first! We’re double mixing things up by doing albums from May! So mixed! Join us as we check out Before the Forest by FM Forest and www by christtt, two amazing vaporwave concept albums.
Jun 24, 2024
Summer is upon us so we’re easing into the season with two albums packed full of summer jams. Join us for a killer Future Funk party with THAT’S MATT! and then remember to stay hydrated with QUENCHED 💎🏝️🧃 by iacon.
Jun 10, 2024
What started as a way to fill an episode when we ran out ideas has turned into one of our favorite traditions. Twice a year we dig through music posted on our Patreon Discord and choose a handful of albums to discuss. Join us as we check out eight (nine!) wonderful recommendations from classic vaporwave to modern neoclassical.
May 27, 2024
In our May new music episode, we’re covering Constant Night by Alpha Chrome Yayo and New Position by luxury noise. Two amazing albums that highlight the broad range of influences artists can bring to vaporwave with each offering to take the listener on a wild and distinct musical journey. Check them out!
May 13, 2024
In this episode, we’re checking out Hot Takes Vol. 1, a community-driven compilation album. Proceeds from the album are donated to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund to support victims of genocide in Gaza. As is tradition, we try to cover way too much great music in one episode, so you should definitely go support this project and check it out for yourself!
We’re finishing off April with an exploration of some new music. In this episode, we’re covering And Then All Was Quiet by The Nightworker and Our Lovelessness by Hantasi. Two very different haunted albums. Join us and check them out!
Apr 15, 2024
For our second episode of Record Label Month™, we’re talking about the Japanese label Dec-Affe-Inated Records. This private label is populated by the numerous aliases of a single artist whose music often focuses on themes of depression, isolation, and loneliness. Join us as we check out two albums that take the listen on an eclectic plunderphonic journey.
Apr 1, 2024
For the month of April we’re talking about record labels of all kinds. In our first episode, we check out two albums from Ill-Advised Records, a record label focused on dark lo-fi and similarly dark-themed subgenres of haunted music. Join us as we celebrate Halloween in April!
Mar 18, 2024
On this month’s new music episode we’re checking out some excellent new vaporwave albums: Magnétoscope by ab97 and Aquatic Galleria by platinum towers, ホテル shampoo, & midnight première.
Come join us and check out some great vaporwave!
Mar 4, 2024
In this episode, we’re digging into Utopia District’s 2023 Year In Review, a feature highlighting some of the best vaporwave (and associated genres) albums of 2023 as suggested by the community. Including our own Ross Payton! This kind of curation and highlighting the work of artists is so important. We had a blast checking out the 17 albums on the list that we had not previously covered.
Come join us and find yourself some great music!
Feb 19, 2024
In this episode, we’re starting our 2024 project of trying to focus more on new releases. There’s no overarching theme or over intellectualizing, just talking about two albums from the past month or so that we really enjoyed. For our inaugural discussion, we’re talking about Dated New Aesthetic by Windows96 and KEYGEN🔐 by Crystal Eternal.
Feb 5, 2024
We’re back! We spent January delving into the content dungeons and we’ve returned with two great dungeon synth albums. In this episode, we’re exploring the music of Cryo Crypt, the dark fantasy/dungeon synth sister label of Cryo Chamber. We discuss the first two albums on the label and share our thoughts on the current state of the genre. Stay awhile and listen.
Dec 18, 2023
On our last episode of the year, we spend far too much time opining about Christmas and not nearly enough time discussing these amazing Vaporwave Christmas Compilations. Thankfully, they are all linked below so once we’re done talking you can start listening! We can’t wait to see what everyone puts out this year.
Thanks again to everyone out there for another year of amazing support. As we mention in the outro, we’ll be taking January off. See you again in February!
Dec 4, 2023
It’s a well known fact that we love signalwave, not just because it’s great music, but because it also provides unique insight into how other artists process their own media and nostalgia. In this episode, we’re exploring signalwave produced by artists in Japan with the help of 直子coed. We’re checking out one of her albums along with another from her list of recommendations. It was tough to choose just one!
Nov 20, 2023
The community members on our Patreon Discord are constantly posting suggestions and recommendations for great albums of all genres. We’ve gotten into the habit of digging through them every six months or so and seeing what’s there. We cover everything from vaporwave to dark ambient to hip hop to jazz.
Nov 6, 2023
We love the concept of lost media that never existed. In this episode, we’re checking out two albums that present themselves as soundtracks or music to movies that never were. One album is the “restored” soundtrack to a lost horror movie, while the other skates by on a technicality because I love SWANS and never thought we would get to talk about them.
Oct 23, 2023
In this episode, we’re getting into Spooky Month proper by digging into genres of darksynth and horrorsynth. These are genres that neither of us are very familiar with, so as is tradition on the show we ended up picking two very different albums. Join us as we explore the range these genres offer from primal metal to cinema-inspired synths.
Oct 9, 2023
In this episode, we’re checking out Hearts of Space, a long-running ambient radio program hosted by Stephen Hill. We talk about our personal experience listening to the show, discuss the wide range of music played over the past fifty years, and the importance of curation and sharing of niche genres of art.
Sep 25, 2023
In this episode, we’re heading into Fall with some easy listening vaporwave from artists we discovered on our Vaporwave Up and Comers 2023 episode. Join us as we check out the music of Notorious Secret and Cinematic Sequences. Both albums are killer examples of the evocative power of late night lo-fi.
Sep 11, 2023
In this episode, we’re heading into the end of summer with two recent releases from artists we love. Join us as we check out the latest albums from Blank Banshee and 2 Mello. No clever meta commentary. Just great music.
Aug 28, 2023
Accidental record label month both continues and concludes with the music of VILL4IN Records, a record label that focuses on releasing independent and experimental vaporwave-adjacent music from barber beats to sovietwave to slushy and cosmic ambient. In this episode, we highlight two albums that demonstrate the eclectic range of music available on VILL4IN Records. We hope you’re inspired to dig into more of their discography!
Aug 14, 2023
In this episode, we’re digging into the music of Eighth Tower Records, a record label that focuses on “dark music and fiction.” We selected albums that were inspired by influential horror artists, Zdzisław Beksiński and Lucio Fulci. While they worked with very different mediums their art shares a similar abstract nightmare aesthetic and pessimistic worldview. Consequently, the albums inspired by their work are equally haunting and evocative.
Jul 31, 2023
We’ve often lamented that it can be difficult to keep up with everything happening in a scene, especially one that is as actively evolving as vaporwave. Thankfully, Halcyon Tapes just released their “Vaporwave Up & Comers 2023” compilation. We spend this episode working through all ninety minutes of this jam-packed album featuring dozens of amazing artists. Grab yourself a copy of the album and join us for a listen.
Jul 17, 2023
In this episode, we’re exploring the world of Folktronica, a genre that unsurprisingly features traditional folk instrumentation set against the rhythms and timbre of synth-driven electronica. To top it all off, it’s a genre that we know nothing about! So join us as we dig into two amazing albums and try to educate ourselves on this elusive and eclectic genre.
Jul 3, 2023
The K-Mart tapes are a collection of 56 cassette tapes that were used to provide in-store music and announcements in the late 80s and early 90s. They were kept and archived by K-Mart employee Mark Davis who uploaded them to archive.org in 2015. These tapes provided a treasure trove of muzak and corporate samples for plunderphonics artists to dig into. In this episode, we talk about the K-Mart tapes, the importance of plunderphonics, and highlight two classic albums based on samples from the tapes.
Jun 19, 2023
Summertime is for summer jams, so in this episode we’re checking out two recent albums from podcast favorites luxury elite and Limousine. Both albums, while being very different stylistically, capture particular emotional resonances that we both strongly associate with the summer experience. Join us in checking out these albums. We hope they land as strongly with you as they did with us.
Jun 5, 2023
In this episode, we’re revisiting Signalwave, one of our favorite subgenres of haunted music. Specifically, we’re discussing the evolution of the genre as more new releases focus on the music and media of the late-90s/early-00s. Join us as we compare an absolute classic 2017 album to an equally excellent 2023 release and discuss their evolving aesthetics.
May 22, 2023
Virtual reality, despite its recent success, has been a perennial retro technology for the majority of our lives. It represents a technological future that may never arrive and a past that never really happened. The hauntological nature of virtual reality makes it a perfect companion to vaporwave! In this episode, we explore this connection and discuss work by artists who are merging virtual reality and vaporwave.
May 8, 2023
The folks at Terror Vision, a boutique shop focused on preserving obscure genre films, recently released Copperhead, an early direct-to-video film made by Ross’s parents, on blu-ray. This release includes a restored version of the original soundtrack on LP and Cassette. To celebrate, we’re discussing the music of Copperhead and Neon Maniacs, another recent soundtrack released by Terror Vision.
Apr 24, 2023
In this episode, we delve into the topic of architectural horror and its connection to vaporwave and other genres of haunted music. We explore the shared themes of disorientation, nostalgia, and the uncanny in both genres, uncovering the ways in which they use visual language, liminal spaces, and atmosphere to evoke powerful emotions and discussions about consumer culture, capitalism, technology, urban decay, and the complex interplay between our environments, our memories, and our psychological states.
Apr 10, 2023
It’s that time of year again. It’s our biannual Discord extravaganza. We selected almost 20 pieces of music recommended by our patrons on the Night Clerk Radio Discord over the past few months and spent this episode going over them. We cover everything from vaporwave to jazz rock to black metal covers, so join us and check out a variety of great music!
Mar 27, 2023
This week, we’re digging into the music of Realm and Ritual, an anti-fascist record label from Boston that focuses on cassette and other physical media releases of dungeon synth and black metal. For this episode, we focused on two dungeon synth albums that range in mood from somber isolation to harsh noisy discomfort.
Mar 13, 2023
Caleb is back and this time we’re chatting about the original soundtracks to two very different games: Warhammer 40,000: Darktide and Signalis. These soundtracks represent two very different approaches to creating rich and varied scores that enhance the themes and tone of their respective games.
Feb 27, 2023
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of Noir, film or otherwise, to discuss how it has evolved from cynical post-war artistic movement to bland genre pastiche. The modern euphemism for this process is “becoming a vibe.” We focus this discussion on two albums that express the range of noir-influence in music from richly textured dark ambient to abrasive noise jazz.
Feb 13, 2023
Yet again, we’re ignoring Valentine’s Day and instead talking about the music of Null Object, the lo-fi/vaporhouse project of podcast favorite Jordan Bortner (a.k.a. 식료품groceries). We talk about the project, its associated music, and our personal experiences and thoughts on this unique fusion of EDM and vaporwave.
Jan 30, 2023
As is tradition, we sat down with our friend Caleb Stokes to talk about the latest Cryo Chamber Lovecraft compilation, Tsathoggua! This joint effort of over 20 dark ambient artists on the Cryo Chamber label is an eclectic blend of genres and ambient soundscapes. We dig into the music and discuss the perils of albums themed after wet drippy boyz.
Jan 16, 2023
We’re kicking off 2023 by talking about one of our most requested topics: Death’s Dynamic Shroud, an electronic music trio whose eclectic blend of power pop plunderphonics and industrial noisy glitch has been an innovative force in electronic music since 2014. Their large and varied discography is an engaging listen that both entertains and rewards the active listener with its stunning maximalist pop soundscapes.
Dec 19, 2022
In this episode, we’re getting into the niche vaporwave subgenre of “dystopian virtual,” which serves as a counterpart to the previously discussed “utopian virtual.” Both genres present clean and sometimes ironic depictions of possible or now impossible futures. We discuss two excellent examples of the genre.
Dec 5, 2022
'Tis the season of consumption, so all through this episode we’re rambling about the various ways in which vaporwave interacts with consumerism. We introduce the various arguments for vaporwave as a critique of consumerism. We then discuss all of the unfortunate ways our consumer culture impacts vaporwave (or any) artists. It’s a feel good holiday episode!
Nov 21, 2022
In this episode, we’re going through the last few months of music shared and recommended on the Discord server for our Patreon community. We discuss eight albums that range from classic vaporwave to signalwave to dark ambient and beyond.
Nov 7, 2022
In this episode, we’re checking out two new-ish releases from artists we love: 폐점 by 식료품groceries and Nameless Dreamers by Equip & R23X. That’s it. Just chatting about two albums we really liked. Check them out!
Oct 24, 2022
In this episode, we’re exploring the unique genre of occult-inspired electronica known as Witch House. We share our thoughts on a wide variety of Witch House tracks, the appeal of its aesthetic, and its connection to vaporwave. A huge thanks to our patrons on Discord for recommending this topic.
Oct 10, 2022
In this episode, we’re talking about the music of clown core, a duo whose music is a unique and abrasive blend of highly technical jazz, metal, and electronica with a healthy side of vulgarity. We also discuss the appeal of high-effort memes, the purpose of artistic creation, and the importance of experiencing challenging art.
Sep 26, 2022
In this episode, we’re talking about the classic music of the DOOM video games, focusing on the work of Bobby Prince in 1993 and Mick Gordon in 2016. Not only did both composers produce memorable and compelling soundtracks for their respective games, they did so under very different market and technological conditions. We talk about these changing conditions and how they manifest in each soundtrack.
Sep 12, 2022
In this episode, we’re remembering the life and work of Cesar Alexandre; a multi-genre and multi-talented music producer and artist from Brazil who passed away in April of 2021. Cesar’s work includes seminal vaporwave albums under the name Lindsheaven Virtual Plaza, stunning atmospheric dark ambient work as Cryo Chamber artist Mount Shrine, and numerous other projects. We hope you join us in enjoying this excellent music.
Aug 29, 2022
In this episode, we’re returning to one of our foundational topics: Hauntology. We cover Hauntology as a genre of music and learn about its distinctly UK-focused roots. This includes the history of veteran hauntological record label Ghost Box Records and discussions focused on two recent Hauntological albums.
Aug 15, 2022
In this episode, we’re tackling the popular vaporwave subgenre of Utopian Virtual with a discussion that is as much topic-driven as it is album-driven. We refine our discussions on the nature of genre in vaporwave and how the cheerful optimism of utopian virtual overlaps and contrasts similar subgenres such as corporate vaporwave and muzakcore. We then discuss and reevaluate two classic albums of the genre.
Aug 1, 2022
On this episode, we’re generating deliverables by circling back to some bleeding edge Corporate Vaporwave and dedicating our bandwidth to a deep dive into two recent albums that are poised to be game changers. We hope to get your buy-in and synergize our interests in a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Jul 18, 2022
On this episode, we’re listening to two albums that were released on Hiraeth Records, a record label founded by 猫 シ Corp. These albums cover a broad range of genres from lush and atmospheric dreampunk to early-00s inspired vaportrap. We also talk about the rise of artist-founded record labels in vaporwave and the importance of artist-controlled creative work.
Jul 4, 2022
Dungeon Synth is a genre we’ve discussed on several previous episodes, but these albums have typically expressed a somewhat narrow range of themes involving sword and sorcery type adventure. The genre is, of course, far more expansive. On this episode, we’re listening to two dungeon synth albums from 2021 that highlight how varied dungeon synth can be.
Jun 20, 2022
In this episode, we’re reading through Visual Signals, a vaporwave ‘zine started by KITE0080. Each issue features an eclectic blend of vaporwave news, artist interviews, essays, and a grab bag of articles on everything from rice cookers to classic cheat codes for The Sims. In addition to being a fun read, Visual Signals represents an important effort to curate and document the rapidly-evolving vaporwave scene. We highly recommend you check it out.
Jun 6, 2022
In this episode, we each set out trying to find some new music (specifically summer jams) to enjoy. Ross returns with a Chillhop compilation and a long discussion on Lofi Hip-Hop record labels while Birk shows up with an experimental electro-jazz album. These choices completely reinforce this show’s chemistry.
May 23, 2022
In this episode, we’re discussing the album Endless Mall by ECCO 深い夢, a massive mallsoft project consisting of one hundred tracks that cover a wide range of subgenres. We discuss some of our highlights from listening to this album and talk about the process of consuming large media projects.
May 9, 2022
Climatewave is a subgenre of vaporwave that focuses on using samples from broadcasts of weather news and forecasts. We’ve previously discussed climatewave in the context of The Weather Channel, but in this episode we’re branching out to explore European and Japanese-based climatewave.
Apr 25, 2022
In this episode, we’re returning to one of this show’s core genres, Dark Ambient. We discuss two recent dark ambient albums and explore not only the music but the varying ways in which each album explores the concept of narrative in music.
Apr 11, 2022
Naturewave is a subgenre of vaporwave that explores the unresolvable tension between the development of technology and the impact that development has on nature. In this episode, we dig into this topic and discuss two excellent albums that each deal with these issues in their own unique ways.
Mar 28, 2022
In this episode, we’re discussing the haunted plunderphonics project: chipmunks on 16 speed. These albums consist of pop covers, as sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks, slowed down and processed to sound as if they are being played on a 16 RPM record player. The result is a sludgy and doomy rendition of a pop song that sits perfectly between the unsettling and the familiar.
Mar 14, 2022
In this episode, we listen to music recommended to us by listeners on our community Discord server. We cover everything from classic vaporwave albums to dungeon synth and post-rock to future funk. Thank you so much to our community for your support and giving us an excuse to listen to some great music.
Feb 28, 2022
The work of Neil Cicierega, from his ground-breaking Flash animation techniques to his music and mash-ups, is instrumental in building the foundation of Internet surrealist humor. In this episode, we discuss his “Mouth” quadrilogy of mash-up albums and their importance to the modern landscape of plunderphonics.
Feb 14, 2022
In this episode, we examine the link between post-rock music and horror. We explore the ways in which the thematic elements of post-rock, such as despair and passion, make it a profound companion to the revelatory nature of horror media.
Jan 31, 2022
Signalwave is easily one of our favorite subgenres of Vaporwave. The genre’s focus on sample curation along with its critique of nostalgia and consumerism makes it an interesting cornerpoint to other subgenres such as Mallsoft. However, despite being such a rich topic for discussion, we’ve never dedicated an episode to it. So, join us as we dig into two recent excellent Signalwave albums that highlight the best aspects of the genre.
Jan 17, 2022
It’s that time of year again. Dagon, the latest Lovecraft-inspired Cryo Chamber Collaboration, is out. Over twenty artists came together to produce this evocative and cinematic double album that perfectly captures the oceanic horror of the source material and invites the listener to sink deeper and deeper into its world. Our friend Caleb joins us to chat about this auditory journey.
Dec 20, 2021
We’re doing something a little different for the holidays! This episode we’re joined by Max from the Good Brews Bad Views podcast for a special holiday movie party. We’re watching the 1989 French horror film “Deadly Games (aka Dial Code Santa Claus)” and recording an audio commentary track to be enjoyed alongside the movie.
Dec 6, 2021
What does it mean for a song to be danceable? Does being “danceable” mean anything or is it too broad and personal? Can the term be applied to vaporwave? We’re not sure if we actually answered any of these questions, but we are sure that they led us to discuss two amazing albums. One new and the other an absolute classic.
Nov 22, 2021
Culture Jamming is a reactionary protest against media and consumerist culture that employs a wide range of tactics from photoshopping logos to vandalism and everything in between. There is no one right way to engage, one must merely push back against mass media on its own terms. On this episode we discuss our thoughts on culture jamming and how the practice relates to vaporwave and other haunted genres.
Nov 8, 2021
As we head into late autumn, with long winter nights ahead, we find ourselves in need of new music appropriate to the mood of the season. Long and languid tracks suitable for listening to while sitting inside and staring out a window into the cold darkness. Some might call it the elusive Autumnal Jam. In this episode, we dig into two new (to us) artists who perfectly met our needs with their eclectic blend of genres, influences, and instrumentation.
Oct 25, 2021
It’s our legally obligated spooky month episode! This month we’re revisiting two previously discussed artists. First up, the latest album from horror master and synth aficionado John Carpenter and his trio. Then, we listen to a classic vaporgoth album from the enigmatic artist Chinese Hackers. Join us for this holiday grab bag that explores a wide range of spooky music.
Oct 11, 2021
Plunderphonics is a genre of music in which the artist repurposes samples of other music in order to construct new tracks. In essence, using the music of other artists as their instrument to create new original works. While this approach was a key element in the development of vaporwave, is there such a thing as “too much plunderphonics?” At what point does sampling simply become slowing down another song wholesale? We tackle these questions in the context of Barber Beats, a relatively new sub-genre that relies heavily on plunderphonics.
Sep 27, 2021
The “iceberg” is a meme template that has been used in countless subcultures to describe the descent of a fan from casual to obsessive addict. The template typically generates memes that are either light-hearted in-jokes about a fandom or an unfortunate display of gatekeeping and elitism. Recently, Ross found an iceberg meme focused on vaporwave so of course we had to talk about it.
What started as a couple of people overthinking a meme results in an interesting conversation about what it means to talk to other people about music and your interests.
Aug 30, 2021
Following up the 2018 release Memories of Tokyo-To, Sounds of Tokyo-To Future is the second Jet Set Radio inspired album by producer and composer 2 Mello. The album itself is a masterful exploration of a wide range of influences and genres that ultimately produces something wholly original and deeply engaging. We dedicate this entire episode to talking about how much we loved this album. Grab a copy (or check it out on Spotify) and join us
Aug 16, 2021
To some artists, hypnagogic music is categorized as “classic”, “ambient” or “experimental.” To others, hypnagogic is thought of as adjacent to lofi hip hop or trip hop. In this episode, we explore two albums that span this diverse range of labels. However one tries to classify it, there’s no denying that there are artists creating great music and calling it hypnagogic.
Aug 2, 2021
Over the last decade, a new type of horror has become popular on the Internet. Driven by largely anonymous crowds through social media and online communities. In this episode, Ross discusses his thesis on how this new horror appeals to the same themes and aesthetics as vaporwave. Meanwhile, Birk does the audio equivalent of polite nodding.
Jul 19, 2021
It’s a double secret topic episode as Ross and Birk discuss both the evolution of chillwave and the realities of Summer vacation. These topics serve as the basis for discussing two excellent albums that represent very different interpretations of the summer jam.
Jul 5, 2021
In this episode, we dive into two very different dungeon synth albums. One, in this writer's opinion, tells the lonesome tale of an adventuring sea turtle. The other is an evocative blend of genres that serves as the soundtrack for the tabletop RPG of the same name. Both albums are excellent examples of the range of expression possible in a dungeon synth album. Check them out!
Jun 21, 2021
Toonami began as a programming block on Cartoon Network, but quickly became a cultural touchstone for a generation. Its choice of shows and aesthetic influenced countless fans, artists, and producers. Instead of an aggressive macho outlook to match cartoons like Dragonball Z and Samurai Jack, it affected a chill, reassuring demeanor. Its mascot, a sardonic robot named TOM, gave inspirational speeches to viewers set to electronic music. That music along with music from some shows featured on Toonami, especially the legendary Samurai Champloo soundtrack, became important influences of lofi hip hop. Noah, the podcast ronin (and co-host of Thinking Too Much about Anime) fills in the details.
Jun 7, 2021
The Lofi genre is often associated with mixes and 24/7 streams where listeners are exposed to an endless sequence of beats and jazz samples. However, as mentioned on our Patreon bonus episode on Lofi, we wanted to learn more about the genre by listening to albums. We’re starting with two very popular lofi artists, who regularly appear in discussions of the best artists and albums in the genre. Despite the cliché of lofi being formulaic, each of these artists brings a distinct sound to their work. It would be impossible to mistake the two. Join us and find out why.
May 24, 2021
Like other vaporwave subgenres, mallsoft has evolved since its creation. Initially defined by sampling and reverb, new mallsoft albums drift towards exploring new compositions and themes. While actual shopping malls are sliding into the dustbin of history, the idea of mall ambiance lingers with us. The essence of mallsoft transcends the physicality of shopping malls.
May 10, 2021
Between Bandcamp and YouTube, we get recommended a lot of music courtesy of the algorithm. In this episode, we discuss a selection of three such recommendations. All three feature rich and varied ambient soundscapes, but each tackle the genre from their unique perspective. Join us as we conduct some spring cleaning on our recommendations and feel free to share your own!
Apr 26, 2021
The unique blend of despair and hope present in the work of post-rock legends Godspeed You! Black Emperor (GY!BE) makes their music more relevant and poignant than ever. We discuss our experiences with and love for the music of GY!BE and share our thoughts on their tremendous new album, G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END! Spoilers: We loved it.
Apr 12, 2021
In terms of hours listened, video game music probably wins for every generation that came of age with a game console in the house. It's no surprise then that new artists use video game music as a starting point for their work - not merely remixing or imitating but building upon it. On this episode we listen to two fantastic video game inspired albums and discuss our own experiences with video game soundtracks. Stay Awhile and Listen!
Mar 29, 2021
Dark Jazz can be droning, languid, brooding - the music of smoky and quiet bars, of desperate people lost in themselves, of mystery and regret. And we're back listening to it again, this time examining two bands both of whom are deeply linked to the genre as they've been producing excellent dark jazz episodes for decades. We dig into two of their recent albums and share our thoughts.
Mar 15, 2021
Heimat Der Katastrophe (HDK) is a DIY label managed by an artist collective in Milan. They produce a wide range of albums from genres described as "ambient punk, minimal-synth, dungeon-drone, wartime music and post-nuclear wave." On this episode, we discuss two of their recent releases: a classic dungeon synth album and a soundtrack for an Italian horror movie that never existed.
Mar 1, 2021
Each yeah, the vaporwave subreddit (r/vaporwave), compiles a list of their favorite albums of the year. For this episode, we checked out the "Best of 2020" albums and listened to as many of them as possible. We discuss our personal favorites from the list, but in reality they're all worth checking out.
Feb 15, 2021
Hyperreality, a term coined by Jean Baudrillard, is the point at which the real can no longer be easily distinguished from fiction or simulation including simulations of realities that do not exist known as simulacra. The connection to vaporwave, a genre of music which seeks to induce nostalgia for eras that never existed, is immediately apparent.
On this topic episode we briefly introduce some of the ideas behind Baudrillard's hyperreality and discuss how we think they can be applied to vaporwave and its aesthetic goals.
Feb 1, 2021
Often, technology evolves at such a relentless pace that consumers may not be able to explore something's full potential before moving on to the next upgrade. In this episode, we dive into two artists who are linked by their common goal to produce novel audiovisual art using these abandoned technologies as both inspiration and instrument. Join us as we explore two very different slices of computer history.
Jan 18, 2021
Yig, this year's entry in Cryo Chamber's annual Lovecraft Collection, features over two hours of eclectic soundscapes and atmospheric music produced by a collaboration of some of the best dark ambient musicians. Join us as we dig into this masterful album and unpack some of our favorite parts. Don't forget the corn.
Jan 4, 2021
The chilling and eclectic soundtrack of Unsolved Mysteries is comprised of hundreds of hours of original music written during the show's decades long run. The theme song alone is renowned for its ability to frighten and unsettle young viewers of the show. In recent years, a small portion of this music has been curated and released as two records. In this episode, we are joined by Caleb Stokes from The Mixed Six Podcast to discuss the music from these albums and share our personal experiences watching Unsolved Mysteries. Join us for an UPDATE!
Dec 21, 2020
Christmas, particularly in the US, has become a yearly affair of seasonal pop music and rampant consumerism. Fortunately for us, this makes it the perfect target for vaporwave and mallsoft, where critiquing capitalism by manipulating pop music is the standard fare. This, combined with the ever-present themes of hauntology and nostalgia, means we have a lot to discuss. So, grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage and join us as we cover two albums that apply a vaporwave lens to Christmas music.
Dec 7, 2020
Intersection of multiple influential elements - Jet Set Radio introduced a generation of gamers to new styles of music and art, a legacy still felt today. Even if you’ve never heard of this game or the Dreamcast, this soundtrack is worth listening to. It’s an eclectic album but everything fits together to create a union of funk, rock, house, techno and hip hop you can nod your head to. It stands on its own. We will probably never get another Jet Set Radio game but that’s fine. This represents the best spirit of its era and it still slaps today.
Nov 23, 2020
The smooth jazz soundtrack and automated aesthetic featured on The Weather Channel in the mid-90's has been finding its way into vaporwave and internet art for nearly a decade. It represents a kind of forgotten nostalgia for calmer times. In this episode we talk about how this music came to be, it's relationship to vaporwave, and its impact on our memories of The Weather Channel.
Nov 9, 2020
The Quake soundtrack, written and performed by Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, is as dark and atmospheric as the game itself. Its blend of industrial, dark ambient, and drone is rich and textured, marking a step forward for video game soundtracks. In this episode, we talk about the impact of Quake on our musical tastes and discuss the album in detail.
Oct 26, 2020
John Carpenter is responsible for some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. These movies are famous for both their visual imagery and compelling soundtracks, many of which Carpenter wrote and performed himself. Since "retiring" from filmmaking, Carpenter has gone on to produce two albums, Lost Themes I and II. These albums offer an excellent introduction to Carpenter's influential sound and sheer mastery at producing evocative and thematic music. In this episode, we talk about Carpenter's influences, his music and unique sound, and his lasting influence on the genre of synthwave.
Oct 12, 2020
Have you ever wished that your music could whisk you away to a fantasy world of corporate culture and values? If so, look no further than the dulcet MIDI-inspired tones of Muzakcore. A niche genre that embodies the musical spirit of being put on hold, sitting in waiting rooms, watching PowerPoint presentations, and of course, standing in elevators. This is the music of waiting. Of boredom. Join us as we explore two classic albums of the genre and discuss how Muzakcore fits into the larger context of Vaporwave.
Sep 28, 2020
Inspired by the positive reception received by Miles to Midnight we decided to dig deeper into the genre of dark jazz. Dark jazz combines noir instrumentation with the cinematic sensibilities of dark ambient to produce music that is evocative and moody. We discuss two albums that take dark jazz and move in a funerary direction with haunting effectiveness. Come listen with us!
Dream Catalogue is one of the oldest and most prolific record labels for vaporwave and beyond. Their founder, Hong Kong Express (HKE), has commented excessively (and sometimes controversially) on the future of the genre and how it should continue to evolve. In this episode, we talk about Dream Catalogue and what importance genre has, if any. We then discuss two recent albums released on the Dream Catalogue label.
How do you find new music? For some, this can be a difficult question as the landscape of music distribution continues to evolve. In this episode, we talk about some of ways we scour the Internet for new albums and artists. Even better, we get to listen to two new albums recommended to us by Ronny from Vaporspace StL. Join us as we discuss these two excellent albums and let us know how you find new music!
Aug 17, 2020
This episode we are joined by our good friend Bridget to discuss the music and sound design elements that go into making great horror video games.
Dark ambient could not exist without movie soundtracks. The quiet moments of dread in a horror film sparked something in musicians and listeners alike - who craved more of these soundscapes of dread before the monster appeared. In this episode we look at two albums that are clearly linked to cinematic masterpieces of fear. They are also some of the high water points of the genre, reaching slightly more mainstream audiences than most dark ambient albums ever get.
Jul 20, 2020
What do we mean by the term "haunted music?" This phrase is rooted in the concept of Hauntology, a philosophical concept that refers to how we relate our memories to the past, whether that past is real or imagined, and how elements of those memories persist and "haunt" us today. Join us as we discuss how Hauntology relates to vaporwave and how it can be a useful tool for examining media more generally.
Jul 6, 2020
We sit down with Caleb Stokes to discuss Cryo Chamber's 2019 release "Hastur," part of their Lovecraft Collection. This massive double album is a collaborative effort by over 20 artists who worked together to create its unique blend of sound and textures. The result is a two and a half hour journey through an immense variety of genres and soundscapes. Grab your drink ticket and join us for a listen!
Hypnagogia is the state of consciousness one experiences when transitioning from waking to sleeping. Hypnagogic vaporwave attempts to capture this sensation through the production of music that can be airy and ethereal or moody and ambient. Join Ross and Birk as they discuss one of their favorite sub-genres of vaporwave through the lens of two classic albums.
Jun 8, 2020
Whether it hits you with aggressive 808 kicks or lifts you up with airy synths and trap beats, vaportrap offers a unique and wide-ranging blend of hip hop and vaporwave that can't be found anywhere else. In this episode, Ross and Birk talk about two classic vaportrap albums discussing topics such as production styles, the relationship between albums and genres, and the preservation of art in the digital world.
Dungeon Synth is a genre that presents a unique blend of aesthetics by combining the fantastical themes of role-playing games with the moodiness and storytelling of dark ambient. In this episode, Ross and Birk listen to two albums from two very different periods in the history of Dungeon Synth and explore how the genre has evolved from its roots in black metal and 90's synths to a more nostalgic chip tune approach rooted in a love of 8- and 16-bit video games. Lend your ear to this musical adventure!
May 11, 2020
Plunderphonics is a term coined by composer John Oswald in 1985. It describes any music that is constructed by mutating existing audio recordings into entirely new compositions. By making plunderphonic music artists tackle copyright law, fair use, the legitimacy of sampling, and numerous other issues surrounding the production of art in a digital world. Join us as we discuss the history of plunderphonics, how listening to plunderphonic music has shaped our musical tastes and experiences, and how this all relates back to vaporwave. Steal This Episode!
Mallsoft is a subgenre of vaporwave that aims to comment on our relationship with retail spaces and consumerism. By emulating and sampling muzak, often mixed with field recordings of actual stores, Mallsoft creates a sense of occupying now abandoned shopping centers. Wander the aisles of nostalgia with us as we discuss two pillar albums of the genre.
Vaporwave is haunted music because it’s about being haunted by our recent past and futures they never came. Dark Ambient is haunted because it pulls us into a subtly horrifying realm. It’s a form of catharsis for late night walks, study sessions, and all the quiet nights we experience. These two albums take the listener through haunted hotels and abandoned space stations. Take a listen and try not to get lost.
Without video game music, vaporwave would not exist. Just as vaporwave is music for a future that no longer exists, soundtracks for fictional games now haunt the Internet. These concept albums evoke the era of late 90s and early 2000s consoles while still retaining original ideas. Find a save point and listen for a while.
Both Birk and I stumbled onto vaporwave through the Internet. I can place my discovery of it within a few days thanks to archived emails and chats. Caleb Stokes, friend of the podcast messaged me on August 18, 2014 “BTW, this vaporwave shit is the elevator music of carcosa”. In this episode, we each review the first vaporwave album we remember and think back to how it affects us now.
Mar 30, 2020
Birk and I talk about the appeal of music like vaporwave and why we want to explore it. If you’ve been drawn to media outside the mainstream and appreciate art made without commercial consideration by outsiders, perhaps you might like vaporwave. It’s the soundtrack to memories of a lost future. No better time to start listening than today…
Bonus Transmissions
Apr 21, 2025
Hello! We’re starting a new project this month. We have almost 50 bonus episodes on our Patreon. The goal is to get these older bonus episodes out from behind the paywall. So travel back in time with us for poor recording setups, bad editing, out of date opinions, and so much more!
Original Summary:
Well friends, it seems like nothing gets us into a long conversation like the historical and sociopolitical landscape of corporate art, aesthetics, and marketing. We talk about everything from the post-WW2 rise of popular luxury to the current hellscape of flat purple vector people.
Oct 31, 2022
In this bonus episode, we’re talking about the brand new vapormetal album from podcast-favorite, Winterquilt. This album is an energetic journey through an eclectic blend of genres ranging from death metal to donk. Check it out!
May 18, 2020
We recently talked to Ron Parres, the organizer behind Vaporspace StL. They are launching a massive online vaporwave concert on May 22 and 23. Find out what the live vaporwave scene was like before Covid and what online concerts are like.