new wave
A broad genre of post-punk-influenced pop music from the late 1970s and 1980s, characterized by synthesizers, angular guitars, and an art-school aesthetic.
In Depth
The term "new wave" was borrowed from the French film movement "Nouvelle Vague" — both movements shared an emphasis on artistic experimentation, youthful energy, and stylistic self-consciousness.
Related Terms
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Browse allA genre blending jazz, funk, soul, and electronic dance music that emerged in London in the late 1980s.
A jazz subgenre integrating Afro-Cuban rhythmic structures with jazz harmony and improvisation.
A genre blending West African musical traditions with American jazz and funk, pioneered by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s.
A genre created by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s, fusing Yoruba music, highlife, jazz, and funk into extended, politically charged compositions.
A genre of electronic music emphasizing tone, atmosphere, and texture over traditional rhythm or melody.
Music that emphasises atmosphere, texture, and tone over traditional melody and rhythm.
A song of devotion or patriotism, or a ceremonial choral composition.
A loosely defined genre that applies avant-garde or experimental concepts to pop music, prioritizing artistic ambition and conceptual depth alongside accessibility.