Best New Wave

Widely considered the greatest concert film ever made, Jonathan Demmes 1984 masterpiece captures Talking Heads at the peak of their creative powers. The film is a masterclass in stage design and perfo...

While not strictly synthwave, New Order's 'Leisure' is a foundational album for the genre. Released in 1982, it perfectly captures the aesthetic and sonic palette that would later define synthwave. Th...

François Truffauts debut feature is the definitive film of the French New Wave. It follows Antoine Doinel, a misunderstood young boy in Paris struggling with his parents and school, eventually turning...

Los Prisioneros' 1990 album 'Corazones' is a departure from their earlier punk-rock sound, embracing synth-pop and new wave. It is a deeply personal, vulnerable, and musically sophisticated record tha...

Jean-Luc Godards 'Breathless' (À bout de souffle) shattered the rules of filmmaking upon its release. Following a small-time criminal and his American girlfriend in Paris, the film utilizes jump cuts,...

1999, released in 1982, signaled Princes arrival as a major force in popular music. The albums title track became a massive hit, establishing Princes signature blend of funk, rock, and pop. Featuring...

The Go-Go's 'Beauty and the Beat' is a quintessential New Wave pop album, showcasing the band's infectious energy and songwriting talent. The album's blend of catchy melodies, driving rhythms, and rel...

Agnès Vardas 'Cléo from 5 to 7' is a landmark of the French New Wave, capturing two hours in the life of a pop singer waiting for the results of a medical test. The film unfolds in near real-time, fol...

Hot Fuss, released in 2004, was a massive commercial and critical success for The Killers, bringing a new wave and synth-pop energy back to the mainstream. Tracks like 'Mr. Brightside' and 'Somebody T...

Dexys Midnight Runners' 'Come On Eileen' exploded onto the music scene in 1982 with its infectious energy and distinctive blend of folk, pop, and new wave. The songs quirky music video and memorable l...

Alex Cox's 1984 cult classic 'Repo Man' is a bizarre and energetic blend of punk rock, science fiction, and dark comedy. The film follows a young man who becomes a repo man and gets entangled in a con...

The Psychedelic Furs' 'Talk Talk' is a darkly romantic and atmospheric album that blends new wave and post-punk influences. Richard Butler's distinctive vocals and the band's use of layered guitars an...

Remain in Light is a masterclass in rhythmic experimentation and art-pop. Produced by Brian Eno, the album incorporates African polyrhythms, funk, and electronic textures into a new-wave framework. Da...

Devo's 'B-Sides' is a collection of outtakes and previously unreleased material that offers a fascinating glimpse into the band's creative process. The album showcases Devo's experimental side, with i...

Germfree Adolescents is a groundbreaking album that blends punk rock with new wave and feminist themes. Poly Styrene's unique vocals and the band's innovative use of saxophone create a distinctive sou...

Lodger (1979), the final album of the Berlin Trilogy, sees Bowie incorporating elements of new wave and world music. The albums playful and experimental nature reflects Bowies ongoing artistic explora...

Japan's 'Tin Drum' is a sophisticated and atmospheric album that blends art-pop, new wave, and electronic elements. David Sylvian's ethereal vocals and the band's use of synthesizers and unconventiona...

Gary Numan's 'Cars' is a seminal synth-pop album that helped define the sound of the early 1980s. Its robotic rhythms, minimalist instrumentation, and Numan's detached vocals created a futuristic and...

Duran Duran's 'Rio' (1983) epitomized the glamorous and stylish aesthetic of the 1980s. The album's infectious synth-pop melodies and catchy hooks propelled it to international success. Tracks like 'R...

Stewart Copeland, the drummer for The Police, blended punk rock energy with funk and reggae influences to create a distinctive and driving sound. His complex polyrhythms and innovative drumming techni...

Fever to Request, released in 2003, showcased the Yeah Yeah Yeahs raw energy and artistic ambition. Karen Os powerful vocals and Nick Zinners inventive guitar work created a sound that was both viscer...

Nena's '99 Luftballons' (and its English version, '99 Red Balloons') was a global hit in 1983, capturing the anxieties of the Cold War era. The songs catchy melody and poignant lyrics about the potent...

Lets Dance (1983) represents Bowies most commercially successful period, blending new wave and dance-pop elements. Produced by Nile Rodgers, the album features infectious grooves and catchy melodies....

The Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star' holds a unique place in music history as the first video ever played on MTV in 1981. The song's prescient lyrics about the impact of visual media on music pr...

Alain Resnais 'Hiroshima mon amour' is a poetic, experimental exploration of memory, trauma, and love. The film follows a French actress and a Japanese architect who have a brief, intense affair in Hi...

Blondie's 'The Look' showcases the band's ability to seamlessly blend new wave, pop, and disco influences. The album features catchy melodies, driving rhythms, and Debbie Harry's iconic vocals. While...

The Police's 'Synchronicity' (1983) marked the end of an era for the band, but it remains a testament to their musical prowess. The album's blend of rock, pop, and worldbeat influences created a uniqu...

The Killers are the masters of the modern rock anthem. With their blend of indie rock, new wave, and pop sensibilities, they have created a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-looking. Their musi...

Elvis Costello & The Attractions' 'English as a Second Language' is a clever and literate album that showcases Costello's songwriting talent. The album's lyrics are filled with wordplay, satire, and s...