Cold wave (music)
Cold wave is a loosely defined music genre that emerged in Europe the late 1970s, characterized by its detached lyrical tone, use of early electronic music instruments and a minimalist approach and style. It emerged from post-punk bands who, influenced by German electronic group Kraftwerk, made use of affordable portable synthesizers such as the Korg MS-20.[2]
This article is about the European post -punk music sub-genre. For topics related to the American coldwave genre, see Industrial metal § Coldwave.Cold wave
Definition and debate[edit]
"Cold wave" is a loosely defined descriptor, derived from "new wave", that was originally reserved for a collection of punk and electronic styles from the 1970s. The scope of the genre has evolved continuously throughout its history.
Veronica Vasicka, who coined "minimal wave", did so with the intent of tying together terms such as "minimal electronics", "new wave", and "cold wave" which had frequently appeared in music magazines of the early 1980s.[3]
Characteristics[edit]
According to Tom Watson of Crack magazine, "the collective sound [of cold wave] was controlled yet 'colder' than that of their snotty predecessors – punk, with a depressive groove." Watson also identified "less guitar work, more analogue experimentation, militant rhythm sections and, above all else, a vehemently do-it-yourself attitude" as a part of cold wave's shared ideology.[1] The Guardian's Louis Pattison has stated that during the 1980s French cold wave bands such as Martin Dupont,[4] Les Provisoires and Asylum Party "started playing gloomy post-punk in their native tongue, inspired by the icy guitars and studio-produced drum sounds pioneered by Factory Records producer Martin Hannett."[5]