Cover photo: Talking Heads album cover, Remain in Light
Author: Emma Weaver
We hear the word “New Wave” a lot, but sometimes fail to identify its true authenticity. Many people throw around the word “New Wave” when describing music, or even cinema, and through time, this craved aesthetic has woven its way into the an entire music movement. There is a growing association of “coolness” and musical expertise with New Wave, and I am here to tell you it’s not about the admirers, but the creators. New Wave brought something, well, “new” to the table. Amidst the ‘70s and ‘80s, New Wave emerged and created a fusion of synth-pop, disco, rock, and electronic music. It was this glamorous, modernistic, funky sound that instantly started a cult-based movement. The artists associated New Wave were anything, but ordinary and their creations were enchanting.
New Wave is almost a child of Punk music, but the child, New Wave, has a certain heightened sense of complexity and ethos. The complexity relates to the lyrical prowess, the elaborate use of synthesizers, and diversity within the music. Each New Wave band and artist possessed something a little different, allowing their individual identity to fully emerge.
While New Wave initially emerged more as a general rock music, the experimental creativity allowed for an utter stray from the old mainstream and adherence to a new mainstream. The sound was abrasive, yet light; humorous, yet heavy; polished, yet intricate. New Wave insouciance was paired with a very strong ingenuity. While punk music was, at times, known for being a vocal expression of anger and power, New Wave introduced a shift to things more “musical” and softer. Overall, New Wave brought a different meaning to music. With the booming synth and the catchy lyrics, New Wave was the big music creation of the time, and even currently.
New Wave first appeared in Britain in 1976, but gradually made its way to America. In Britain, the “punk” bands were replaced by bands such as Elvis Costello or the Police. Some other big bands bands/artists that emerged in this period were Talking Heads, Blondie, The Cure, and Devo. Another big band of New Wave, and the punk movement as well, was Joy Division. Joy Division was more of a punk band, but after the leader singer Ian Curtis passed away, New Order was formed, by the other band members. Joy Division was known for their rough, unedited sounds, as the raucous guitar echoed aimlessly, but they still consisted New Wave features. It wasn’t until New Order emerged, when the full transition was completed.
New Order perfectly demonstrates the crossover from punk to New Wave, while simultaneously pulling out sounds from both genres into their music. New Order accustomed themselves with experimental synths, booming keyboards, an echoing voice… they frankly had it all. New Order epitomized the overall higher pitch of New Wave music, that punk music didn’t necessarily possess.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BnGGkluWtrE
Talking Heads is another great example—this band, with lead singer David Byrne, showed just how far the New Wave movement could and would go. While some New Wave music continuously was comprised of punk undertones, Talking Heads represented the artistic, avant garde sound of New Wave. Whether it was their choppy rhythms or complex lyrics, they represented the “art rock” notions of New Wave music.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yX6FsTIq6ls
Other New Wave artists were Duran Duran, The B-52’s, Tears for Fears, The Psychedelic Furs, and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark… there are many more that are not included!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZy6-fMCw4
Fortunately, New Wave proved to be more influential than originally anticipated. While New Wave was essentially the offspring of older music trends and genres, the contemporary music is now partially a product of New Wave. We hear electric subtleties weave in and out of many modern songs. New Wave did start to die out, or at least lose some semblance of their original power and charm, in the later 1980s, but many contemporary artists still use New Wave to contribute to their overall sound. New Wave’s clearly abundant vigor has carried its way though the past and present (and most likely future).
Some good New Wave song recommendations are: “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell, “Blue Monday” by New Order, “Hold Me Now” by Thompson Twins, “Cars” by Gary Numan, “Heart of Glass” by Blondie, and “West End Girls” by Prt Shop Boys.
There are many musical genres, movements, and aesthetics. Each one holds a different impact on our last, present, and future. New Wave has held an impact over how we listen to and view music. While New Wave was considered to be more in the mainstream, it was still considered a weirdly incredible creation. New Wave artists strived to be unique and artistic, and well, they were. There were many individuals who created a distinct identity, instead of an admired blend.
Next time you’re trying to find some new music, listen to some classic New Wave. It will open your ears and brighten your soul!
EMMA WEAVER | KXSU Music Reporter