Recently, Paste Magazine posted a list of the Top 50 New Wave albums — but what is New Wave? Common characteristics include a humorous or quirky pop approach, the use of electronic sounds, and a distinctive visual style featured in videos and fashion. In the early 1980s, it was an umbrella term that encompassed power pop, synth-pop, ska revival and the softer punk. As one critic noted, "Bit by bit the last traces of Punk drained as New Wave went from meaning Talking Heads to the Cars to Squeeze to Duran Duran to, finally, Wham!" We'll feature artists from the Paste list, along with a few that made detours into the new wave — like Billy Joel and Linda Rostadt. Break out that neon shirt — it's time for the New Wave — this week on Teenage Kicks.

Segments

Playlist, hour 1

Playlist, hour 2