Polska Nowa Fala (Polish New Wave) | Milly Burroughs

Polish new wave and cold wave, known natively as 'Nowa Fala' and 'Zimna Fala', emerged in the early 1980s as a voice for Poland's rebellious youth, speaking out against the control and censorship of the oppressive communist regime.

Inspired by a recent trip to Warsaw, this show explores the sonic language of a movement that emerged as a unique response to western New Wave. Western records were largely banned by the regime and Polish artists struggled to access synthesisers and other specialist studio equipments. As such, the movement manifested as a singular, raw, guitar-driven version of the sound.