Reconstructed Nostalgia

In chillwave, synthwave, vaporwave, and their respective subgenres, a common element is the thread of nostalgia, constant in each. This case for both cover art used these releases, as well compositional techniques music itself. Although genres certainly approach nostalgia different ways, they each rely on imagery that evokes nostalgic feelings or memories form collective, imaginative self-soothing. The evoked, however, tend to unrealistic depictions reality center times places have perhaps only existed listener’s imagination. article argues re-interpretation cultural memory an important structural feature vaporwave subgenres such mallsoft associated Japanese “city pop” revival. Through discussion visual musical connections draw together, concepts (as related concept “reconstructed nostalgia”) are explored. An examination listeners’ narrative explorations posted online suggests users engage knowingly willingly with this nostalgia.” Ultimately, forms collaborative collective universe by listeners method escapism, through own imaginations comments.