10 Perfect New Wave Albums With No Bad Songs

You can't talk about new wave without talking about New Order. This was a group born from the ashes of the post punk band Joy Division. If Joy Division defined post punk - with their brooding dance melodies and oppressive lyricism - then New Order birthed the more optimistic sound of new wave.

The sad passing of frontman Ian Curtis in 1980, marked the end of one of the most exciting British groups to emerge during waning punk years. But miraculously, the remaining members managed to pull themselves back from the brink of despair. They formed a band who's name perfectly symbolised the new sound they came to embody.

This sound was only truly realised on their second album. The opening number, Age of Consent, has a melancholic tone but there is a sense of optimism to the song. It drives along with determination. This is the sound of a band coming to terms with the loss of their former band mate. The pain is still apparent but this is the start of them emerging from grief. Although thematically the lyrics don't relate, directly, to Curtis, you can sense the music reflected the healing process.