(free) New Wave By the Numbers Series

New wave wasn’t just a sound—it was a moving target. It borrowed from punk, raided pop, flirted with fashion, and embraced the machine. This New Wave By the Numbers Series zooms out to map how it evolved, fractured, and reshaped the musical landscape—one chart, one contrast, one hook at a time.

Early New Wave vs Disco & AOR ($)

Eight Ways the Sound of the Future Broke from the Past

In the beginning, there was chaos: As punk unraveled, new wave collided with disco’s pulse and Album-Oriented Rock’s (AOR’s) gloss—rewriting the rules with icy synths and jittery charm.

Late New Wave vs Arena Pop & Early Alternative ($)

Eight Ways the ‘80s Split Into Style, Shine & Shadows

Then came the '80s divide: Some bands went arena, some went for the alternative—while new wave split between bombast, polish, and something darker underneath.

Early New Wave vs Late New Wave ($)

Eight Ways the Genre Shifted from 1978 to 1985

Evolution from within: Before it faded or fused, new wave changed itself—from its angular early days to its dance-pop afterglow.

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