newwave

Newwave is a term used across multiple domains to describe a modern or renewed approach that blends traditional forms with contemporary ideas. It does not refer to a single movement or genre, and its meaning varies by context. In popular culture, the most widely recognized usage is as a music genre commonly called New Wave, which emerged in the late 1970s and reached prominence through the early to mid-1980s. Rooted in punk rock but adopting a broader palette of influences, including art rock, pop, and electronic music, New Wave was notable for melodic hooks, synthesizer textures, and a distinctive fashion aesthetic. It originated largely in the United Kingdom and the United States and produced acts such as Talking Heads, Blondie, The Police, Duran Duran, and Devo. The genre helped popularize music videos and the use of electronic production techniques and remains influential on later pop and electronic music.

Beyond music, the term New Wave has been applied to literary, film, and art movements that emphasize experimentation and a break with established conventions, though such uses may be historically distinct from the 1980s musical scene. In science fiction, for example, New Wave refers to writers who foreground style and social critique in the 1960s–1970s. In contemporary branding and technology, newwave or NewWave is sometimes used as a stylistic label for products or companies seeking to convey freshness or innovation.

Etymology: the phrase combines 'new' with 'wave' to signify a fresh surge of ideas.