There's a special quality to the music of Innervisions that feels very modern and fresh, yet also deeply familiar. It’s a sound filled with optimism; listening to it makes me feel hopeful for things to come. It’s the type of music that blends electronic sounds with human emotion in a tight, seamless way—so much so that it's hard to listen without bopping your head. It’s a sound that forces you to move and connect.

Sunsets and Starships

That feeling of connection is at the heart of the Innervisions project, created by producer Maxim. He describes his music as being for "beachside sunsets and interstellar voyages," a blend of the earthly and the cosmic. I can absolutely see myself aboard a spaceship, floating across the vast voids of space with this music playing in my ears. It’s that feeling of anticipating the future while staying grounded in our humanity.

This journey is even in the project’s name, which has a cool history. Maxim first used it for a mix years ago, likely inspired by a track from DJ Cam, who was in turn perhaps inspired by Stevie Wonder's classic album. “When you listen, everyone perceives something unique and internal, discovering their own images and emotions,” Maxim says. “To me, 'Innervisions' is a perfect match for this idea.”

The Journey to Dreamwave

Maxim’s path to synthwave was an evolution. After years of being immersed in genres like drum and bass and progressive house, he found himself drawn to 80s boogie and electrofunk. For him, synthwave became the perfect fusion. “It all merged for me into synthwave, where the modern electronic core blends so nicely with retro aesthetics and that 80s feeling.”

His inspirations range from the 80s post-disco era to modern pioneers like Michael Cassette, Mitch Murder, The Midnight, and FM Attack, who he says became "the foundational pillars of synthwave." A major revelation came from discovering the chillsynth scene through artists like Home and Emil Rottmayer. This is evident in his track "Sukhumvit Haze," which was inspired by the vibrant energy of Bangkok—the "haze of neon lights, the humid night air, and the endless motion" that make the city feel "pure cyberpunk, especially at night."

This journey has led him to a supportive home at Girlfriend Records. "I genuinely enjoy working with Girlfriend Records and directly with John (aka Johnatron)," Maxim says. "He's the real driving force behind the label—an incredibly energetic and creative person... It's a mutual exchange, and it's really cool when it works out like that."

Contemplating Existence

For me, this style of synthwave is by far my favorite. It’s when a song can be both moving and relaxing at the same time—have you tapping your foot while also slowly contemplating existence. It’s a fascinating style of music that touches me a bit deeper in the subconscious, more so than anything else.

After releasing a full album this summer and a new EP inspired by Bangkok, Maxim is already looking ahead. He has a new track on a Halloween-themed compilation from his label, Girlfriend Records, and two more tracks planned for November. It’s clear that for Innervisions, the interstellar voyages are just beginning.