Best New Wave
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Released in 1987, "Substance" is a compilation album by the English rock band New Order that collects their 12-inch singles and B-sides from the early 1980s. The tracklist includes prominent singles like "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle," showcasing the band's transition from post-punk to el...
Talking Heads redefined New Wave with their quirky rhythms, intellectual lyrics, and David Byrne's distinctive vocals. Their blend of art-rock, funk, and punk created a sound that was both challenging and accessible. Albums like 'Remain in Light' and 'Fear of Music' remain cornerstones of the genre,...
Stop Making Sense is a 1984 live album by Talking Heads and the soundtrack counterpart to Jonathan Demme's concert film of the same name. The performances were drawn from shows at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood during the band's 1983 tour, with a touring ensemble that expanded the core quartet th...
New Order’s Substance is a 1987 compilation album focusing on their significant 12-inch singles and B-sides released during the early 1980s. The collection showcases the band's evolution within new wave and dance-rock, featuring tracks that were pivotal to their sound. It’s particularly valuable for...
Jules and Jim is a 1962 French New Wave film directed by François Truffaut. The story centers on the evolving relationships of three men – Jim, Jules, and Catherine – during and after World War I. It’s considered a significant example of the movement, earning an Étoile de Cristal award for best actr...
Talking Heads’ “More Songs About Buildings and Food” released in 1978 represents a significant shift within their post-punk sound. Featuring early collaborations with Brian Eno, this album explores themes of urban life, consumerism, and everyday experiences through innovative arrangements and David...
Remain in Light is a 1980 album by Talking Heads renowned for its complex rhythmic structures and innovative use of synthesizers. The record’s ambitious blend of avant-garde electronic music with funk and new wave rhythms established a significant influence on subsequent synth-pop and art-pop artist...
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! is the 1978 debut studio album by the American rock band Devo, produced by Brian Eno. The record introduces the band's mechanized, satirical style, which deconstructs traditional rock music through robotic rhythms and idiosyncratic lyrics. It is considered a founda...
Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings is a comprehensive four-disc box set by the British rock band The Police, released in 1993. It compiles all of the band's officially released studio album tracks alongside every B-side, non-album single, and previously unreleased recording from their career....
Talking Heads’ “Remain in Light” is a seminal 1980 album blending funk, experimental music, and avant-garde pop. The record's intricate polyrhythms and remarkably layered production established it as a hugely influential work within the new wave genre. It’s particularly notable for its challenging r...
Parallel Lines is the third studio album by the American rock band Blondie, released in September 1978. The album was produced by Australian musician and producer Mike Chapman. It features the single "Heart of Glass," which blended new wave with disco elements and became a major international hit. T...
The Human League’s *Dare* (1981) established itself as a pivotal album in the development of new wave and synth-pop music. Featuring sophisticated electronic instrumentation and intelligent lyrics, it produced several significant singles including “Don't You Want Me.” The record remains notable for...
The Head on the Door is the sixth studio album by English band The Cure, released in 1985. Led by Robert Smith, the group expanded its post-punk and new wave style with layered keyboards, brass, and Latin percussion. The album includes the singles 'In Between Days' and 'Close to Me,' which helped br...
The Rolling Stones’ *Some Girls* (1978) marked a significant shift within the band's catalog. This album blended elements of disco and punk-rock, creating a distinctive sound that showcased Mick Jagger’s experimentation. It’s notable for its raw energy and incorporation of electronic instrumentation...
François Truffaut's 'The 400 Blows' is a seminal work of the French New Wave, chronicling the turbulent adolescence of Antoine Doinel. The film's raw realism, innovative camerawork, and poignant portrayal of a neglected boy resonate deeply. Its a landmark film that helped define the New Wave movemen...
The B-52's is the 1979 debut studio album by the American new wave band of the same name, originating from Athens, Georgia. Produced by Chris Blackwell at Compass Point Studios, the record is distinguished by its surf-inspired guitar riffs, primitive percussion, and the dual call-and-response vocals...
Jonathan Demme's 'Stop Making Sense' (1984) isn't just a concert film; it's a masterclass in cinematic storytelling. The Talking Heads' performance is electrifying, the staging is innovative, and the film's loose, chronological structure creates a unique and immersive experience. It transcends the t...
Drums and Wires is the third studio album by the English band XTC, released in August 1979 on Virgin Records. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it was the first XTC album to feature guitarist Dave Gregory, who replaced Barry Andrews. The album's lead single, 'Making Plans for Nigel,' reached number 17 o...
Fehlfarben’s *Monarchie und Alltag* is a significant post-punk album from 1980 Germany. The recording represents an early example of Neue Deutsche Welle and features the band's distinctive sound blending new wave influences with post-punk energy. It’s notable for its contribution to German music his...
The Associates’ *Sulk* (1982) is a significant post-punk record from Scotland. This album achieved considerable commercial success reaching number ten in the UK charts and earned critical acclaim including Melody Maker's Album of the Year. It represents Rankine’s final work with Stuart Macdonald, sh...
Barbara Kruger is a prominent graphic designer known for her striking text-based artworks. She creates impactful collages combining photographic images with declarative sentences to explore themes of consumerism, gender roles, and power dynamics. Her work has significantly shaped contemporary graphi...
"Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites" is a 1992 two-disc compilation album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released by Sire and Warner Bros. records. The anthology combines the band's well-known singles with previously unreleased tracks, alternate versions, and newly finished outtakes....
"English Settlement" is a double album by the English rock band XTC, released in 1982 by Virgin Records. Marking a departure from their earlier, more aggressive post-punk sound, the album embraces a pastoral, art-pop approach heavily featuring acoustic guitars, intricate vocal harmonies, and synthes...
"New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" is the fifth studio album by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in September 1982. Produced by Peter Walsh, the record represents a pivotal stylistic shift, moving away from the band's earlier post-punk sound toward atmospheric synth-pop and new wave. It fea...
"Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!" is the 1978 debut studio album by the American rock band Devo, originating from Akron, Ohio. Produced by Brian Eno, the record introduces the band's satirical concept of "de-evolution," which posits that humanity is regressing rather than advancing. The music com...
Talking Heads’ *Stop Making Sense* (1984) is a landmark live concert film showcasing the band’s innovative approach to performance art. Jonathan Demme's direction transforms their new-wave music into a visually arresting theatrical event. The film features David Byrne’s distinctive stage presence an...
New Order’s Substance 1987 is a Factory Records compilation album featuring extensive selections of the band's singles. It includes significant 12-inch mixes and important non-album tracks from their career. This collection provides a comprehensive overview for New Order fans and those interested in...
Elvis Costello is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who emerged as a central figure in the British new wave and pub rock scenes. Born Declan Patrick MacManus, he released his critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, in 1977. Fronting his backing band the Attractions, Costello...
Architecture & Morality is the third studio album by the British electronic group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1981. It blends synth-pop songwriting with experimental production techniques, including Mellotron choirs and layered analog synthesizers, and yielded commercial sin...
The Smiths’ “The Queen Is Dead” is a seminal 1986 album recognized for its intensely personal and often bleak lyrical content. Johnny Marr's distinctive guitar work, incorporating elements of Morse code and synthesizers, defined the band’s influential new wave sound. Morrissey’s emotionally raw song...
