New Wave Pop

New wave pop emerged in the late 1970s as a fusion of punk's energy, art rock's experimentation, and pop's catchiness. Characterized by prominent synthesizers, driving drum machines, and distinctive vocal styles often featuring soaring choruses and quirky, new-wave-inflected phrasing, the genre's sound was both futuristic and infectious. Developing from the UK's post-punk scene, new wave pop gained mainstream popularity in the early 1980s, becoming a staple of MTV-era music. Culturally, it embodied the era's blend of futuristic optimism and ironic detachment, influencing fashion, film, and art. While related to synth-pop and post-punk, new wave pop's emphasis on melody and songcraft set it apart, yielding a unique sound that appealed to a broad audience. With its blend of artiness, hooks, and style, new wave pop remains a beloved and enduring genre, its legacy evident in subsequent pop and electronic movements.

Latest New Wave Pop Release
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CLiCKBAiT
Single - Released May 9, 2025

RecentMusic users are tracking 185 New Wave Pop artists for new releases, and have access to the full timeline of 4,726 releases .

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A Flock Of Seagulls
Aimee Mann
Alison Moyet
Alphaville
Annie Lennox
Belinda Carlisle
Billy Idol
Blondie
Bonnie Tyler
Boy George
Boy Meets Girl
Bronski Beat
Bryan Ferry
Cathy Dennis
Chesney Hawkes
Climie Fisher
Culture Club
Cyndi Lauper
D:Ream
DEVO
Dave Stewart
Debbie Gibson
Debbie Harry
Dexys Midnight Runners
Donna Lewis
Donna Summer
Duran Duran
Eric Carmen
Fairground Attraction
Fine Young Cannibals
GABRIELLE
George Michael
Gloria Estefan
Go West
Howard Jones
Huey Lewis & The News
INXS
Irene Cara
Joe Jackson
John Parr
John Waite
Jona Lewie
Julian Lennon
KC & The Sunshine Band
Kate Bush
Kim Carnes
Kim Wilde
Lighthouse Family
Limahl
M People
Martha and the Muffins
Matthew Wilder
Men Without Hats
Miami Sound Machine
Midge Ure
Mike + The Mechanics
Milli Vanilli
Modern English
Natalie Imbruglia
Nena
Neneh Cherry
Paul Young
Pet Shop Boys
Phil Oakey
Pretenders
Republica
Rick Astley
Rick Springfield
Roxy Music
S'Express
Sananda Maitreya
Seal
Sheena Easton
Sheryl Crow
Simple Minds
Simply Red
Sinéad O'Connor
Soft Cell
Sophie B. Hawkins
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sorana
Steve Perry
Suzanne Vega
Taylor Dayne
Tears For Fears
Texas
The Boomtown Rats
The Cardigans
The Fixx
The Knack
The Lightning Seeds
Thomas Dolby
Thompson Twins
Tiffany
Tori Amos
Ultravox
Village People
Wendy & Lisa
Wet Wet Wet
Wham!
Alphaville
George Michael
a-ha
Tears For Fears
Cyndi Lauper
Annie Lennox
Kate Bush
Dave Stewart
Men At Work
Duran Duran
Eurythmics
INXS
The Cardigans
Blondie
Wham!
Billy Idol
Bonnie Tyler
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Sheryl Crow
Simply Red
Pet Shop Boys
Heart
Richard Marx
Starship
Kenny Loggins
Simple Minds
Natalie Imbruglia
Rick Astley
Bronski Beat
Soft Cell
Eric Carmen
4 Non Blondes
Donna Summer
The Pointer Sisters
Irene Cara
Pat Benatar
Laura Branigan
Sinéad O'Connor
Seal
Gloria Estefan
Rick Springfield
Culture Club
Nena
Huey Lewis & The News
Pretenders
The Human League
Katrina & The Waves
Cutting Crew
KC & The Sunshine Band
The Bangles
Billy Ocean
Kim Carnes
Belinda Carlisle
Berlin
Spandau Ballet
Dexys Midnight Runners
Fine Young Cannibals
Village People
Chris de Burgh
The B-52's
Everything But The Girl
Yazoo
Texas
Bryan Ferry
Kim Wilde
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Matthew Wilder
The Romantics
Roxy Music
Neneh Cherry
Robert Palmer
Paul Young
Talk Talk
The Buggles
The Stranglers
A Flock Of Seagulls
Bette Midler
Mike + The Mechanics
Taylor Dayne
All Saints
Lighthouse Family
The Psychedelic Furs
Suzanne Vega
The Beautiful South
Mr. Mister
GABRIELLE
The Knack
DEVO
Donna Lewis
Wet Wet Wet
Glenn Frey
Tiffany
Steve Perry
Johnny Hates Jazz
Nik Kershaw
Tori Amos
Lisa Stansfield
John Waite
Men Without Hats
John Parr