The best playlists inspired by Stranger Things balance two worlds at once: the warm, analogue nostalgia of Hawkins, Indiana, and the cold, pulsing darkness of the Upside Down.

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This SoundStory collection captures both. Curated mixes draw from classic 80s synth, Italo disco, new wave, and contemporary synthwave — music that honours the sonic DNA of the Duffer Brothers' world while finding modern artists who've carried that spirit forward.

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Tracks are selected for their ability to evoke childhood memory, creeping dread, and the specific emotional register of a group of kids riding bikes toward something they probably shouldn't.

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Whether you grew up in the 80s or discovered that era through the show, this collection pulls you back.

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If you're searching for an 80s-inspired synthwave playlist with Stranger Things energy, nostalgic and a little unsettling, this is it.