4 of the Best Underrated Albums From the 80s New Wave Scene

New wave as a genre may have more or less run its course, but there were so many incredible works to come out of that style of music in the 1980s. So much so, that there are quite a few underrated new wave records still floating around that deserve way more attention than they’ve gotten in favor of hits like Remain In Light by Talking Heads or Power, Corruption & Lies by New Order. Let’s take a look at a few lesser-known new wave albums worth discovering, shall we?

It’s worth noting that some of these albums may not be “underrated” to diehard new wave fans. However, in the context of the mainstream, we don’t think they’ve gotten enough love.

1. ‘Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful?’ by Waitresses

This Ohio-based outfit came up in the scene along with major names like The Pretenders and Devo, but their name doesn’t get brought up enough in conversations about American new wave music from the 1980s. 

This underrated new wave outfit mastered the art of melting together funk and new wave sounds. You might recognize the song “I Know What Boys Like”, though much of their additional material is sorely underrated. Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful? from 1982 is essential listening.

2. ‘Rip It Up’ by Orange Juice

Another stellar new wave album from 1982, Rip It Up by Orange Juice is more or less considered a one-hit wonder with that addictive title track. “Rip It Up” was a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, but they never got the recognition they deserved globally. Orange Juice knew how to deliver post-punk goodness that didn’t just sound like everybody else in the genre.

3. ‘Underwater Moonlight’ by Soft Boys

Soft Boys often gets compared to Elvis Costello, which is pretty fair. However, this new wave outfit gets put in a weird “punk” box when they really shouldn’t. They are definitely classic new wave, with a few entrancing elements of psychedelia and pop-rock. 

Underwater Moonlight is essential listening, and we still don’t get why the band didn’t get bigger than they did in 1980. In a way, with only two albums under their collective belt before disbanding, Soft Boys influenced a new generation of musicians in the neo-psychedelia genre.

4. ‘The Age Of Plastic’ by Buggles

No matter your age or musician affiliations, you’ve definitely heard “Video Killed The Radio Star”. It was a game-changer in new wave music, as well as the humble beginnings of MTV. 

Unfortunately, the rest of Buggles’ 1980 album The Age Of Plastic does not get as much love as that one major single. It’s a delightful, well-aged album that has the perfect balance of excellent songwriting and a lack of seriousness.

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns

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