Get Your Retro On With 12"/80s New Wave And 12"/80s Chilled
Already sick of long, dark nights? The cold commute? The onslaught of Christmas advertising in mid-November? Two recent releases from Universal Music Catalogue might just be the perfect antidote. 12"/80s New Wave and 12"/80s Chilled are two stonkingly great compilations of the music that made the 80s one of the most distinctive musical soundscapes of the last century, both released in triple CD format to ensure hours of listening — and dancing — joy.
12"/80s New Wave encompasses the wide swathe of music that came to be known as 'New Wave': from its punk beginnings to its various off-shoots. Here in all their glory are extended cuts and 12" versions of some of the decade's most celebrated moments and artists; from the New Romantic croonings of Duran Duran and Japan, to the ska joy of The Beat and The Specials, to the alternative twangs of Echo & The Bunnymen and Aztec Camera.
12"/80s Chilled takes things down a notch, in tempo only, and certain not in terms of style. Navigating the lesser-explored side of the era, namely, its down-tempo and laid-back grooves, the album is yet another treat for the ears. Moving from electronic hits by Heaven 17 and OMD, to dub and instrumental remixes (take a bow, the immortal Bryan Ferry), and chilled out club beats courtesy of Blondie and New Order, this really is smashing stuff.
If you feel like paying homage to an era that shaped our modern music, or just hanging out with some old favourites, both albums are out now and available via amazon and iTunes.
