Synth and Swagger

New Wave Music Lives On

Substack Articles & Collectible PDFs

Devo vs Oingo Boingo ⧉ Step into the studios and stage lights of Devo and Oingo Boingo. Unearth their oddball synth textures, comedic flair, and cult fan rituals. Two bands that rewrote the rules—quirky, theatrical, unforgettable.

Synthpop vs Other New Wave - Featuring Depeche Mode and the Human League ⧉ Synthpop’s machine precision meets new wave’s guitar-driven personality. Using The Human League and Depeche Mode as benchmarks, this deep dive contrasts their cool detachment and looping synths with Blondie and The Cars’ rawer, more immediate hooks—revealing two distinct ways ’80s innovators wired emotion into their music.

Oceania Neon: Split Enz, Men at Work and INXS ⧉ From pub stages to global charts, Australasia’s new wave scene packed muscle and style. Split Enz, Men at Work, and INXS fused sharp hooks with swagger, wit, and lyrical bite—while Icehouse and Pseudo Echo added sleek textures. Discover how these acts turned local grit into international cool.

Squeeze: New Wave's Literary Hitmakers ⧉ From “Cool for Cats” to “Black Coffee in Bed,” Squeeze built a golden-age catalog of sharp lyrics and perfect hooks. My new article explores how Difford & Tilbrook became New Wave’s most underrated songwriting team.

9-to-5: New Wave Style ⧉ From XTC’s Nigel to The Police’s Synchronicity II, New Wave wrestled with jobs, bosses, and burnout. Explore eight unforgettable tracks that turned Thatcher/Reagan-era work anxiety into biting pop, satire, and industrial soundscapes.