ndw
what it is
Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave, often abbreviated NDW) is a genre of German music originally derived from punk rock and New Wave music that arose in the 1980s. The term "Neue Deutsche Welle" was first coined by journalist Alfred Hilsberg, whose article about the movement titled "Neue Deutsche Welle — Aus grauer Städte Mauern" ("New German Wave — From Grey Cities' Walls") was published in the German magazine Sounds in 1979. NDW music is known for its speed and energy as well as for the use of then-new instruments such as synthesizers.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make ndw a playlist
turn these 25 artists into something you can press play on.
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questions
What is ndw?
Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave, often abbreviated NDW) is a genre of German music originally derived from punk rock and New Wave music that arose in the 1980s. The term "Neue Deutsche Welle" was first coined by journalist Alfred Hilsberg, whose article about the movement titled "Neue Deutsche Welle — Aus grauer Städte Mauern" ("New German Wave — From Grey Cities' Walls") was published in the German magazine Sounds in 1979. NDW music is known for its speed and energy as well as for the use of then-new instruments such as synthesizers.
What are good ndw albums to start with?
Try Nena by Nena, Dolce Vita by Spider Murphy Gang, Der Ernst des Lebens by Ideal, and Trio by Trio.
Who are some women making ndw?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/ndw/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making ndw, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20