The difference, by ear
The same moment and frequently the same bands, pointed at pop rather than at dread. Post-punk is cold and spatial; new wave is bright and hook-led.
Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 110 to 160 bpm. To hear the difference, play Talking Heads next to Joy Division. New wave grew out of post-punk. United Kingdom appears in the origins of both.
In figures
New wave
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Post-punk › New wave
In short
Post-punk's commercial face: synthesizers, hooks and jerky rhythms. Punk without the rage, but with the same ideas.
How it sounds
- Polyphonic synthesizers and drum machines alongside rock instruments.
- Jerky, staccato rhythms, often with funk or reggae influence.
- Clean production, radio-ready choruses and strong visuals for MTV.
Key acts
- Talking Heads
- Blondie
- The Cars
- Devo
Start here
The pickBlondie - Parallel Lines. Perfect pop with a CBGB past.
Full page →Post-punk
Where it sits
In short
Punk asking what comes next: melodic bass up front, dry guitar, space and cold. Possibly the most fertile branch in all of rock.
How it sounds
- The bass carries the melody; the guitar plays short, dry figures with chorus or flanger.
- Dry-toned drums with plenty of space in the mix - you can hear the room.
- Irregular structures, cold dynamics, abstract or political lyrics.
Key acts
- Joy Division
- Wire
- Gang of Four
- Public Image Ltd
Start here
The pickJoy Division - Unknown Pleasures. Martin Hannett's production is half the record.
Full page →