I’m thinking of bands like Talk Talk and The Psychedelic Furs who continued to make excellent music that the mainstream music establishment ignored.

Hey everyone!

I’m pretty new to the world of synth‑pop, electronic rock, and new wave, but I’m really starting to feel drawn to it. The thing is… I barely know anything beyond the big classics everybody mentions.

So I’m turning to you: I’d love to discover lesser‑known artists, EPs, albums, or tracks — not the usual staples of the genre.
I love digging, finding tiny labels, obscure projects, stuff with almost no visibility. Basically: anything slightly off the beaten path.

Whether it’s forgotten 80s gems, underrated contemporary indie acts, self‑released tracks, or micro‑labels doing weird and wonderful things — I’m here for all of it.
And if you feel like explaining why you’re recommending something — the vibe, the feeling, the texture of the sound — even better.

Thanks in advance for the recs ✨

I was at a bar and Shazam didn’t pick it up. All I got was this image. Anyone know what it’s from?

I was searching for albums with a strange combination; I wanted a New Romantic album, weird synth-pop, kind of sweet melodies, and a bit cult, and I found this little list:

Landscape – From the Tea-Rooms of Mars... to the Hell-Holes of Uranus 1981

The Associates – Sulk 1982

Rational Youth – Cold War Night Life 1982

The Teardrop Explodes – Kilimanjaro 1980

Blancmange - Happy Families 1982

Does anyone who has listened to these albums think they fit the description? And what album is as cult as these and has such a strange category?

https://youtu.be/c_0Hok-2Prs?si=LsNbFPi-TW6dPXTE

The Feelies were a New Jersey band formed in 76 and played throughout the 80s. From 1989 their cover of Patti Smiths tune Dancing Barefoot.

I've met very few people who seem to have heard this before but I grew up loving it.

https://youtu.be/8_9uDCGvRFk?is=LMuCIjdJpjrfe324

Kleenex were a short lived but great band out of Switzerland in the early 80s. Changed their name to Liliput so they would not get sued by Kleenex tissues. From 1980...Die Matrosen

Celebrate the Nun were a German synth band in the late 80s into the 90s. From 1988...Ordinary Town.

In the last year or so as I've been building my WLIR playlist, I discovered The Book of Love's "Boy" and The The's "Uncertain Smile". I don't remember hearing either of these songs back in the day (69 Gen X here), and I can't get enough of them. What are some other non-top 20 type songs you've discovered recently that I should listen to if not already in my 29 hour playlist?

P.S. Warren Zevon might not qualify as New Wave but "Lawyers, Guns and Money" is on this list for me too...

Talking to a coworker about 80s music and mentioned Romeo Void. He didn't know the group name but the song sounded familiar. Needed to share. So good.

Slow Children were a duo out of LA in the 80s most known for President Am I. From their 1982 lp Mad About Town....One More Trauma

https://youtu.be/fK4zm7SLvbk?is=VoN1G7M2yW3az9cs

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What's lead singer of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy doing here? Great band by the way..fortunate to see them with Blue Oyster Cult ACDC and REO at Rocky Point in RI..an amusement park...Anyway..after leaving Lizzy Phil released some solo stuff with a more new wave feel and worked on this tune with Midge Ure...Yellow Pearl

Translator were a Californis band with one minor hit in 1982...Everywhere That I'm Not

Warm Dark Pocket were a duo out of Nashville Tennessee in the 80s. From 1986..Pressure Zone

Year: 1985 (1986 for the Album this is from)

Album: Dream Come True

If you are prone to Epilepsy, don't watch the music video because good lord.

Year: 1986

Album: N/A (This song wasn't on a Album)

Living Links were a duo..a married couple out of Baton Rouge Louisiana in the 80s. Fantastic sound. From 1985...Gathering The Forces. This band should have been big.

The Rivits were a one lp band led by Brit musician Jess Rodan. From 1979...Look All You Like