Blog Post
New Wave Brought Me Back To Life
Dancing to the Beat of a Different Music Genre
I had no idea that a minor shift in the musical style could have such a significant impact on my life, having been in a rut for years, feeling uninspired and unmotivated to achieve much of anything.
I was repeatedly listening to the same tunes, albeit I was unaware that my musical taste had gotten stale at the time. But after I heard New Wave music, everything changed. To be honest, New Wave music is nothing new to me, but I don’t give so much appreciation to the genre per se before as compared to now — a turnaround that I don’t regret.
It all began after a fortuitous Spotify encounter with a New Wave playlist, sometime during the pandemic. I was having a bad day at that time I decided to take a break by having a soundtrip (The term “soundtrip” in Filipino refers to a behavior that indicates you desire to listen to quality music.), then I was drawn to listening to that random playlist for some reason. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before; it was a complicated and catchy fusion of punk, electronic, and pop music.
At first, I was hesitant to embrace this new sound. It was so different from what I was used to, and I wasn’t sure if I could get into it. But as I listened more and more, I began to feel something shift inside me. The music was energizing and exciting, and I found myself tapping my foot and bobbing my head along with the beat.
As I dove deeper into the world of New Wave music, I discovered that there was so much more to it than just catchy hooks and synthesizers. The lyrics were often poetic and introspective, touching on themes of alienation, anxiety, and the search for meaning in a world that can sometimes seem overwhelming.
Listening to New Wave music became a form of therapy for me. The music gave me a sense of hope and energy that I had been missing for so long. I found myself wanting to dance, sing, and create. I started exploring other forms of art, such as painting and writing, and found that the same sense of creativity that the music inspired in me began to permeate all aspects of my life.
The impact of New Wave music on my life has been nothing short of transformative. It’s as if a switch was flipped inside me, and I suddenly became alive again. I feel more connected to the world around me, more inspired to create, and more excited about the future. In a way, discovering New Wave music was like discovering a new part of myself. I’m so grateful for the way that it has brought me back to life, and I can’t wait to see where this new sense of energy and creativity will take me next.
New Wave was a hugely influential genre in the late 70s and early 80s, and it produced some truly iconic artists and albums. Some of the biggest names in new wave music include:
- The Talking Heads: Their album “Remain in Light” is considered a classic of the genre, with songs like “Once in a Lifetime” and “Crosseyed and Painless” still being played on the radio today.
- Depeche Mode: This British band is still going strong today, but their early albums like “Music for the Masses” and “Violator” are widely regarded as some of the best new wave albums of all time.
- The Cure: Led by the enigmatic Robert Smith, The Cure produced some of the most influential and iconic new wave songs of the 80s, like “Just Like Heaven” and “Friday I’m in Love” (my all-time favorite).
- Joy Division: This Manchester-based band only released two albums before the tragic death of lead singer Ian Curtis, but those albums — “Unknown Pleasures” and “Closer” — have gone on to become some of the most revered and influential in the history of new wave.
Other notable new wave artists that I currently enjoy listening to include Blondie, Echo & the Bunnymen, New Order, and Duran Duran.
New Wave also had a huge impact on pop culture at large, with its colorful, energetic style and DIY ethos influencing everything from fashion to film. The music videos of new wave bands, in particular, were groundbreaking at the time and helped to popularize the music even further.
Today, the influence of the new wave can still be felt in popular music. Many modern bands and artists cite new wave bands as influences, and the style of the new wave continues to inspire fashion and design. So, even though the new wave had its heyday in the 80s, its impact is still being felt today. ✦
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. This is my first blog for 2024 and I’m coming from yet another hiatus (I apologize). Hopefully I can write more blogs this year. By the way, you can subscribe to my mailing list for my upcoming posts and buy me a coffee as well.
Thanks for your time and support, all the best!
© 2024 • Ryan Michael Fabayos
