New Wave / Coldwave / Synthpop / Minimal Wave / Minimal Synth - New Romantic and Post-Punk are fine, too.

[RichardMongler]

Anyone here into New Wave and all its variants? For the sake of being inclusive, let's put all those under one roof. Even the poppier side of Post-Punk is welcome. Try to keep gloomier Post-Punk in a Goth thread.

Authentic '80s New Wave had lots of fascinating artists come and go, but I'll start with some favorites across the spectrum.

I'll start with a very popular favorite:

And would you believe there was such a thing as bonafide '80s Fashwave? The Final Sound has a very long history, going back to 1981 as Luftwaffe X. The band would then change lineups several times before finally becoming The Final Sound. Despite three different women fronting the band, only Steve X would be the one putting his voice to record. The Final Sound plays Post-Punk with a distinct minimal synth/synthpop influence, a sound which should've come to the forefront of the scene. A friend of mine festively speculated this might be what disco would've sounded like had the Axis won the War. His description couldn't have been more perfect. Entering on a crescendoing tone, the song hits us with a funky bassline which sets the rhythm for the rest of the instruments to keep time with. The similarly groovy guitars have plenty of mood-setting reverb and echo as well as the soothing voice of Steve X to lure into his world of racist mayhem.

Poppier Post-Punk favorites:

Synthpop / New Wave:

Coldwave:

Minimal Wave / Minimal Synth:

 

[unclestryker]

So whats you thoughts on new retro wave?

 

[RichardMongler]

So whats you thoughts on new retro wave?

Meh. Some of it is okay, but a good share of it is bunk.

This may seem funny that I say this, but Synthwave would benefit from electric guitars.

 

[Aristophanes]

If we're going for classic New Wave there's Japan. It's a shame that they split up (although the stuff they did as Rain Tree Crow was pretty good).

 

[Pointandlaugh]

I should have posted Vice City Wave 103 instead but these songs are great.

 

[Positron]

I'm never tired of the sound of Vince Clarke.

If we're going for classic New Wave there's Japan. It's a shame that they split up (although the stuff they did as Rain Tree Crow was pretty good).

There was a big crash of personalities between Mick Karn and David Sylvian. Both sides painted himeslf as the good guy but I tend to believe Karn more.
Mick Karn's song "Sensitive" is a send-off to Sylvian.

Rain Tree Crow is top notch material, as is the solo material by Karn, but it is not Japan.

 

[Positron]

Something slightly out of the mainstream:

Komputer is a group from the early 90s that sounds very much like Kraftwerk:

 

[sbm1990]

When it comes to 80s synthpop, this one's a classic!

A good mix between synthpop and freestyle

 

[RichardMongler]

SPECTRUM IS GREEN!

Solid Space was a short-lived British minimal wave band, formed in 1980 by Matthew 'Maf' Vosburgh and Dan Goldstein. Vosburgh and Goldstein, who met at age 11, were previously involved in 1970s new wave band Exhibit A and formed a record label, Irrelevant Wombat Records, at age 14. The band's music and lyrics were heavily indebted to science fiction, in particular the television series Doctor Who.

The band spent the next couple of years after their formation recording, with contributions from Jonathan "Jon Winegum" Weinreich. The band's only release that featured all of their material, titled Space Museum, was released on cassette in 1982 through In Phaze Records. Following its release, Solid Space disbanded and their members drifted into obscurity.

Despite staying underground, the band was influential in the development of minimal wave and other related electronic music genres, influencing acts such as In Trance 95.

Following the dissolution of the band, Dan Goldstein pursued a career in journalism, which included a stint as editor of Maplin's Electronics & Music Maker magazine, whilst Maf Vosburgh studied photography and become a photographer for music magazines, before later moving on to work as a software engineer for Apple and Google. Both members are currently based in the United States. In 2017, under the supervision and approval of Solid Space, Space Museum was remastered onto vinyl by indie label Dark Entries.

 

[WEEDle]

Cool! I didn't know this thread existed. New wave and post punk are two of my favorite genres, so I'll have a lot to post here that wouldn't have fit in the gothic thread.

XTC were an arty new wave group formed in England in 1972 ( although they didn't release their first album until 1978 ).

My favorite song from them comes from their third album, 1979's Drums and Wires, and that track is..

Making Plans For Nigel! Woo-oo. What can I say? I love that drum beat, the pulsing bass rhythm, the sparse, funky guitar and the vocals/lyrics. The music video is a real trip as well.

 

[Pointandlaugh]

 

[Positron]

I love this Japanese synth pop band Dip In The Pool

This song is called "W"

And I'm love Japanese singer EPO's version of "Life in Tokyo" to bits:

 

[WEEDle]

DEVO! An experimental new wave band formed in America in the seventies.

Normally I'd post the studio recordings, but this band put on one hell of a show, and the recording is high quality.

The short skit at the start cracks me up. I love how detached and robotic they act, and how they move on stage, synchronized and still stiff and robotic, but full of energy. Very talented musicians with a weird sense of humor.

They made great music videos to go along with their songs as well.

Gotta admit, I had a hard time choosing from so many favorites to post here. If you want more check out their most famous song and music video "Whip It" and their weird cover of The Rolling Stones' "Can't Get No Satisfaction".

 

[Pointandlaugh]

 

[DOGFARM]

...Anyone remember when Ministry was synthpop?

Not too shabby!

 

[WEEDle]

^ 80s Ministry is the best Ministry.

The B-52s are a New Wave band formed in the U.S. in 1976. Their first two albums are my favorite. 1979's Self Titled album, and 1980's Wild Planet.

The songs on the album still have the same weird 1950's futurism, good, squeaky clean, wholesome family fun sound, just with more of a post punk edge.

From their third album, Whammy in 1983, their sound would take an increasing turn towards poppy new wave, which is fine, I just prefer the first two albums sound.

This one from their first album is like a post punk new wave surf song.

This one from their second album always makes me laugh. It's almost like a Devo song.

 

[WEEDle]

Duran Duran, English New Wave/Synth pop band formed in 1978.

I've been called a fag for liking this song, but I don't care! It's got a killer bass line and I really like what they do with the guitar during the chorus. Synth line is a nice touch too.

 

[WEEDle]

The The were a British New Wave band formed in 1979.

Their first album, 1983's Soul Mining, is one of my favorites.

The first 17 seconds of Uncertain Smile is a weird, wobbly xylophone sounding intro, then the song starts proper. Wow. So many great instruments in this song. Face melter of a piano solo.

Here's the video for This Is The Day. Cheesy eighties fare. It's quite funny when they have the female vocal part, but there's a guy lip syncing in the video. Great accordion in this song.

Here's the whole album

EDIT: Put a better quality version of the album up

 

[WEEDle]

Adam and the Ants were an English new wave group formed in 1977. In 1982, the group split, and Adam continued the project under the title Adam Ant. I'll just be posting Adam and the Ants songs today.

Song sounds really cool as they have two drummers playing. A really fun song with Adam's manic energy.

This is one of their earlier songs from the seventies. Quite a bit different. Has a straight-up punk sound. Has a nearly two minute intro section.

 

[commandersalamander]

Duran Duran, English New Wave/Synth pop band formed in 1978.

I've been called a fag for liking this song, but I don't care! It's got a killer bass line and I really like what they do with the guitar during the chorus. Synth line is a nice touch too.

Duran Duran is more than just the teen pop boy band sensation they were known for in the 80's. I love mocking their awful, corny lyrics and wouldn't consider them skilled musicians, but they have great production values and catchy hooks. Very slick, sophisticated and well crafted pop songs really.

Their debut single is a banger:

My favorite single of theirs:

An underrated song from their 90's material:

They're a huge guilty pleasure of mine. My mom played their music a lot when I was a kid and I've loved them since I can remember. Rio is definitely their best. They're one of those bands that is really only good for singles however. Their other shit is mostly filler (with a few exceptions, like Love Voodoo.)

Adam and the Ants were an English new wave group formed in 1977. In 1982, the group split, and Adam continued the project under the title Adam Ant.

I considered posting this:

in the gothic music thread because some of their songs are post-punk and they toured with Siouxsie and the Banshees back in the day, but decided they were too upbeat/punky. This is the perfect thread for their stuff! I love Adam and the Ants (not too big on Adam's solo stuff however.) Don't care what anyone says. Extremely campy fun.

Tom Tom Club is a side project formed by Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads fame. They're best known for the sampling staple Genius of Love. Mariah Carey may suck but I appreciate her for introducing me to this gem:

The music video features a shorter version of the song (link above is the full version.) It includes squiggly animation and fun, abstract 80's visuals galore. Childlike, playful and a treat overall:

You can definitely hear the disco influence in their early stuff. Silly and fun and great for the dance floor. Killer drum lines too: