New Wave was a genre built on transition — where punk’s raw energy collided with pop hooks, synths, fashion, and experimentation. This week’s guest curator, Patreon Mixtaper Ben Cheknis, host of the Two Vague Podcast, joins me to curate a playlist celebrating the essential New Wave classics of the late ’70s and ’80s.

This episode traces New Wave’s evolution from its jittery, stripped-down beginnings to its more polished, radio-friendly peak, spotlighting the artists and songs that helped push alternative music into the mainstream.Expect a smart balance of iconic hits, cult favorites, and deeper cuts that often get overlooked. Whether you discovered these songs through college radio, early MTV, or years later through playlists and reissues, this collection captures the sound, style, and forward-thinking spirit that made New Wave one of the most influential movements of its era.

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode! 👇

Kim Wilde – The Touch

The Cars – You Might Think

Devo – That’s Good

The Go-Go’s – Our Lips Our Sealed

The Bangles – Hero Takes A Fall

The English Beat – Save It For Later

Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue

Talking Heads – Burning Down The House

Eurythmics – Somebody Told Me

Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)

The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

The Fixx – Sign Of Fire

The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary

INXS – The One Thing

After The Fire – Der Kommissar

Thomas Dolby – Puppet Theater

Gary Numan – Cars

M – Pop Musik

A-Ha – Take On Me

Weird Al Yankovic – Mr. Popeil

New Order – Blue Monday

Joe Jackson – Sunday Papers