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Plastic Horizon - Hex cover art

Plastic Horizon: Hex – A Slow-Burn Horror Synth Anthem

Plastic Horizon - Hex cover art

Plastic Horizon: “Hex” – A Slow-Burn Horror Synth Anthem

Plastic Horizon delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance inspired by late 70s and early 80s horror films.

Step into the haunting world of synthwave with Plastic Horizon’s single, “Hex.” This track represents a distinct shift in tone for the project, moving away from high-speed chases and neon sunsets to explore the darker, grittier side of the genre. It delivers a mesmerizing blend of retro nostalgia and eerie ambiance, directly inspired by the golden age of late 70s and early 80s horror films.

The Inspiration: Carpenter, Frizzi, and Sabbath

Drawing influence from iconic musicians like John Carpenter, Fabio Frizzi, and even the doom-laden riffs of Black Sabbath, “Hex” immerses listeners in a slow, brooding soundscape.

The goal was to capture the feeling of those quiet moments in horror cinema. Think of the long drive to an isolated cabin, the shadow moving in the background, or the tension before the jump scare. It isn’t about the release of terror. It is about the anticipation of it. The track utilizes heavy basslines that plod forward with a zombie-like persistence, overlaid with sharp, crystalline synth leads that cut through the mix like a knife.

Sonic Architecture

“Hex” is built on simplicity. Unlike modern electronic music that often clutters the frequency spectrum with hundreds of layers, this track exercises restraint. It relies on:

  • Cold Digital Precision: The synthesizers are sharp and icy, contrasting with the heavy low-end to create a sense of unease.
  • Minimalist Composition: By leaving space in the mix, the silence becomes just as important as the notes, allowing the ominous atmosphere to breathe.

Part of the 2024 Weekly Series

As the sixth installment in Plastic Horizon’s ambitious weekly series of releases for 2024, “Hex” showcases the artist’s ability to captivate audiences with evocative melodies and spine-chilling compositions. This weekly challenge has pushed the project to explore new sub-genres, from high-octane Outrun to this slow-burn Horror Synth.

Dive into the depths of that long, dark drive home, crank up the music, and experience the sinister allure of “Hex.” It is the perfect soundtrack for your next midnight drive. Just make sure you check the backseat first.

Stream “Hex” Now

You can listen to “Hex” on all major streaming platforms. Support independent horror-synth by streaming on Spotify or purchasing the high-quality download directly from Bandcamp below.

#HorrorSynth #JohnCarpenter #Retrowave #Darkwave #PlasticHorizon

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Cover art for Aeon by Plastic Horizon

Aeon: New 80s-Inspired Synthpop from Plastic Horizon

Cover art for Aeon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon delivers a dynamic listening experience with “Aeon,” a track that takes the listener on a journey through the sounds of the early 80s.

Big Energy, Classic Vibes

“Aeon” doesn’t ease you in; it opens with a bombastic, larger-than-life intro that immediately grabs your attention. From there, it shifts gears into an uptempo, New Wave synthpop rhythm reminiscent of bands like Berlin. The driving bass and shimmering synths create a sense of urgency and excitement that defines the golden era of the genre.

The Breakdown and Outro

Just when you settle into the groove, the track returns to the massive scale of the introduction, creating a powerful peak before fading out. The song wraps up with a soft, gentle arpeggio sequence, a perfect “cool down” after the high-energy ride.

Listen & Support

“Aeon” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Tachyon: New Anthemic Outrun Single from Plastic Horizon

Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon hits the accelerator with “Tachyon,” a track that pays homage to the neon-soaked aesthetics of the Outrun genre while carving out its own lane.

A Slow Burn to Redline

While many Outrun tracks rely on high-speed tempos from the start, “Tachyon” takes a more deliberate approach. It runs at a moderate tempo, opening with a stripped-down, skeletal arrangement. A driving bassline locks in with a minimal drum track, allowing a lonely melody line to drift over the top like streetlights passing on a midnight drive.

The Anthemic Release

The track is a study in momentum. It builds patiently, layer by layer, until it erupts with anthemic guitar rhythms that transform the song from a moody synth piece into a stadium-sized rocker. The composition cycles back to the driving intro groove, but this time with the full weight of the instrumentation intact, bringing the song home in a bombastic, cinematic ending.

Listen & Support

“Tachyon” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Cover art for The Night Flight by Plastic Horizon

The Night Flight: Cinematic Synthwave Album from Plastic Horizon

Cover art for The Night Flight by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon returns with a full-length album, “The Night Flight,” featuring ten tracks of meticulously crafted, synthwave-inspired music.

Cinematic Synthwave

This album is designed as a journey. As described in a review by Binary Oblivion: “Dark, mysterious and cinematic. The Night Flight is a meticulously crafted synthwave album where each track brings to mind a scene from a 1980s thriller, action, horror or sci-fi movie.”

The review highlights the track “Eclipse” as a standout, noting that it “peaks in an epic guitar part before a tape warped outro consumes the track.”

Production Notes

A special thanks goes to Jonathan Nicol from Oblivion Sound Lab. His incredible soundsets continue to inspire new songs, and his work under the name Binary Oblivion is a constant source of inspiration for the Plastic Horizon sound.

Track Listing

1. New Waves (03:30)
2. Missing (02:19)
3. Eclipse (02:58)
4. Unmarked Grave (01:42)
5. Shadow (02:02)
6. Ident (01:17)
7. Fading Lights (02:06)
8. The Night Flight (03:35)
9. Time Traveler (01:44)
10. The Dream (02:12)

Listen & Support

“The Night Flight” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the album on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

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Lost In Time by Plastic Horizon cover art

Lost In Time: A Cinematic Dreamwave Journey by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon celebrates a major milestone with the release of the new single, Lost In Time. This release marks the 1-year anniversary of the band’s first full-length album, offering a nostalgic yet forward-looking soundscape for listeners.

A Milestone Anniversary

“Lost In Time” is more than just a single; it is a celebration of the journey so far. Commemorating one year since the debut full-length release, the track captures the essence of the Plastic Horizon sound while pushing into new territory.

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You can support the artist directly by purchasing the music on Bandcamp or following the official channels below.

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Plastic Horizon debut album cover art

Plastic Horizon: Self-Titled Synthwave Debut Album

Plastic Horizon debut album cover art

Plastic Horizon: A Synthwave Journey Begins By Kevin Hartnell

After ten months of writing and production, I am proud to announce the release of the self-titled debut album from Plastic Horizon.

Synthwave has been a fascination of mine for years. It is a rebirth of 1980s synth music with a modern, cinematic twist. Having survived the 80s and being a lifelong synthesizer fanatic, this genre feels like a perfect fit for my musical DNA. This album is a love letter to neon skylines, analog warmth, and the retro-futuristic dreams of a bygone era.

Track Highlight: “Memory Waves”

The standout track of the collection, “Memory Waves,” has quickly become a listener favorite. It captures a specific kind of “endless summer” nostalgia, shimmering keys, a driving mid-tempo beat, and a melody that feels like a fading photograph. It is the perfect soundtrack for a late-night drive or a moment of reflection.

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Tracklist

  1. TCKR (03:09)
  2. The Crush (03:43)
  3. Chasing The Night (03:42)
  4. End Of The Road (03:36)
  5. Memory Waves (03:35)
  6. Autumn Wind (03:47)
  7. Fading Memories Of You (03:19)
  8. A Dream Within A Dream (03:54)
  9. Nightscape (part 1) (01:40)
  10. Nightscape (part 2) (02:27)

Album Credits

All tracks written & produced by Plastic Horizon.
Mixed and mastered by Hector the Rat.

Recorded from May 1, 2020 – February 12, 2021.
Released February 13, 2021.

Follow Plastic Horizon: Bandcamp | Facebook | YouTube

#Synthwave #Retrowave #Outrun #PlasticHorizon #NewMusic #80sVibe

Memory Waves by Plastic Horizon - video thumbnail

Plastic Horizon – Memory Waves: Melancholic Synthwave Ballad

Memory Waves by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon: “Memory Waves”

Kevin Hartnell presents “Memory Waves,” the most popular track from the self-titled Plastic Horizon album. Recorded between May 2020 and June 2020, this slower-paced synthwave ballad captures a specific, melancholy vibe, a strong sense of nostalgia for growing up in a small town in the 1980s.

“Recently, my daughter was describing how she felt a wave of great memories flooding her mind. It was a bittersweet observation from the point of a child in the middle of a pandemic, closed schools, and being isolated from her friends. It inspired me to create this track and recall quite a few great memories of my own. Writing this track was an emotional journey for me, and I hope it is for you as well.”

Insights

“Memory Waves” functions less as a retro pastiche and more as an emotional recollection filtered through synthwave aesthetics. Rather than leaning on overt genre signifiers like aggressive arpeggiators, the track adopts restraint and patience. The title is well chosen; the music unfolds in gentle swells rather than linear development, mirroring how memories surface unpredictably and recede just as quietly.

The melancholy here is subdued and sincere. It suggests quiet streets, late evenings, and small-town stillness rather than neon skylines. Sustained synth pads and gently voiced melodic elements carry the emotional weight, creating a polished piece of “Dreamwave” that feels personal and introspective.

Credits:

  • Written & Produced by: Plastic Horizon
  • Mixed & Mastered by: Hector the Rat
  • Catalog: R237-027 ©Overlook Hotel Records
  • Released: February 13, 2021

#PlasticHorizon #Synthwave #Dreamwave #KevinHartnell #OverlookHotelRecords

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TCKR by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon – TCKR: New Synthwave Project Debut

TCKR by Plastic Horizon - single cover art

Plastic Horizon: “TCKR”

It is with great pleasure that I announce a new music project called Plastic Horizon! For those who grew up in the 80s, you will understand the appeal of Synthwave, Stranger Things, and the nostalgia for the colorful decadence of that era. So, sit back in your La-Z-Boy chair, press play on the VCR, and enjoy the retro/future sounds.

The debut single, “TCKR,” is inspired by the series Black Mirror (created by Charlie Brooker) and the fictional neural research company TCKR Systems. You can read more about the lore behind the title at tckrsystems.tech.

This track sets the tone for the project: driving beats, neon-soaked synths, and a heavy dose of cinematic nostalgia.

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#PlasticHorizon #Synthwave #Retrowave #BlackMirror #TCKR #KevinHartnell