In the age of Napster, Color Theory, aka synth artist Brian Hazard, found success after his track “Ponytail Girl” was widely shared after being mistaken for a lost Depeche Mode B-side.
Since then, the Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer has gained more than 15 million plays across streaming platforms with his own distinctive brand of melancholy synthpop.
Besides winning the grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Hazard has found his quirky, nostalgic songs being placed in popular video games (Just Dance, Rock Band) and TV shows (MTV’s The Real World).
“With its mix of introspective lyricism and hook-friendly electronic pop, This Bright Circumstance is a thorough success from Color Theory.” — Obscure Sound
“Color Theory has masterfully woven retro motifs from vintage game consoles into weighty subjects, summoning warm childhood memories.” — Indie Boulevard
“Beneath the synth layers lies a quiet bravery—the kind that faces loss not with fear, but with instruction.” — Where the Music Meets
“A body of work that teaches us, note by note, how to stay present amid the static.” — Mystic Sons
“It’s hard not to feel a little hopeful about your own life when you hear that confident man-machine sound.” — Alt77
“An electronic pop that is airy, inspired by Depeche Mode and Erasure, always in service of seeking inner peace.” — Riptide Magazine (translated from French)
“A serene, dynamic, and meaningful work—synthesizers that pulse with empathy, clarity, and hope.” — R+ (translated from Spanish)
“Hazard rejuvenates the synthpop genre with ethereal harmonies and rhythmic basslines that evoke both movement and serenity.” — Soaplife Magazine
“More than an album: a refuge for the restless mind, an electronic meditation on impermanence and acceptance.” — La Caverna (translated from Spanish)
“A good work combining retro and modern with style and high-quality production—an aura that captivates from the first minutes.” — Zone Nights (translated from Spanish)
“Combines lyrical introspection with carefully crafted electronic textures. Brian Hazard maintains sonic cohesion without losing clarity.” — Oleada (translated from Spanish)
Color Theory allows the listener to place their own emotions into the music, taking us on an immersive journey of contemporary and electronic rolling sounds i.e. to have you in your feels.
Swooping synths and nostalgic keys make for a bittersweet mood, while Hazard’s soaring, yearning vocals are touching and emotive.
Color Theory has been a mainstay of the synthwave genre over the past three decades, independently releasing thirteen albums to date whilst somehow always finding new ways to highlight the glorious synthesizer.
