For me, I’m not sure.
I love synthwave like GUNSHIP and PYLOT and Essenger as much as the next cyberpunk, but besides a few particular GUNSHIP and Essenger songs, they don’t feel quite right.
Neither does straight up punk rock or metal, which is the other stuff I listen to.
The cyberpunk music I want needs to be a blend of the two I think — the atmospheric sounds and use of synths and technological effects from synthwave, and the overt rage and message and aggressive, imperfect rock sound of punk rock and metal.
Edit: I’m liking industrial so far!
Check out Amaranthe - Digital World!
Edit: I was looking for new music the other day and came across this gem. Now I’m addicted to the whole album (but I’m not sure if it’s all like what you’re looking for, it’s mostly heavy metal I think? I’m not good with genre names)
I have always been partial to the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack. The intro chant from the 1995 movie has a more ethnic vibe as well, which is quite cool and a nice change of pace from the usual techno. The SAC series soundtrack is quite nice and varied also.
Of course, CP2077 has some real bangers… I’d probably want a mix of music to suit the setting.
Ghost in the Shell is a good one. I do like the less western/techno flairs. Actually, that’s something I really like about Akira’s soundtrack as well, now that I think about it. And yeah, I agree, having music to suit the mood and setting is always important!
CP2077’s music for me honestly comes the closest across the board to being what I want, while still having a ton of variety. But it isn’t music I can typically enjoy listening to out of game for some reason.
I listen to all kinds of music but when I code it’s always dream pop: Slowdive, Majesty Crush, POiSON GiRLFRiEND, 800 Cherries, Takako Minekawa, there are so many that I love.
Honorable mention - the soundtrack to Fight Club exudes the same corporate desperation, without the cyber elements.
Absolutely going to also say the Industrial genre as others have said, that’s my go to. Bands like Nine Inch Nails, Author & Punisher, Skinny Puppy, 3TEETH, Ramstein, early Ministry and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult , Lead Into Gold, Venus in Aries, Gary Numan. All of these get my blood pumping and make me want to move in the dystopian hellscape we live in that’s moving towards cyberpunk every day.
Another genre I feel like really has a Cyberpunk vibe is early Trip-hop, specifically Massive Attack.
Also some electronic bands, like The Glitch Mob, Danger, and The Prodigy give me that same cyberpunk energy.
Finally an offshoot of the Industrial and punk genres, EBM, Electronic Body Music, with it’s grinding melodies and it’s pounding beat give me the cyberpunk vibe. Example bands that I personally like are Nitzer Ebb and Street Fever.
Now that I’m home, here are links to all the artists I mentioned.
Industrial Cyberpunk suggestions
Nine Inch Nails - The Becoming
Author & Punisher - Nihil Strength (this one is cyberpunk in more ways than one, as he makes his own industrial instruments)
Ministry - Land of Rape and Honey
My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult - After the Flesh (The band and this song was featured in the Crow, which is where this video get’s it’s footage from.)
Lead Into Gold - Hard Won Decay
Gary Numan - My Name Is Ruin (if you want a real crazy contrast, this is the same guy who did https://youtu.be/Im3JzxlatUs. He’s been doing music since like 1978 and after NIN became a thing, he went industrial and has a great catalog, 23 albums since 1978.)
Trip-Hop cyberpunk suggestions
And as a bonus one of Massive Attacks members solo career Tricky - Evolution Revolution Love
Electronica/techno/EDM Cyberpunk suggestions
The Glitch Mob - I Need My Memory Back
Danger - 19:00 (He does mostly tracks without lyrics, which are amazing, but I love this track.)
EBM (Electronic Body Music) Cyberpunk suggestions
