What makes New Clear Days by The Vapors notable?

This album is significant for its critical reception and commercial success, particularly highlighted by the breakout single 'Turning Japanese,' which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. Its unique mix of humor and political commentary resonated during a tense Cold War era, influencing subsequent bands in the power pop and new wave genres. New Clear Days was The Vapors' debut album, released at a time when they were gaining traction in the burgeoning UK new wave scene. Following their formation in 1978, they had already begun to capture attention with their single 'Turning Japanese,' which would later become a defining hit for them.

How many songs are on New Clear Days?

New Clear Days has 19 tracks, running approximately 71 minutes.

New Clear Days

The Vapors · 1980

71 min · 19 tracks · new wave

A vibrant blend of catchy hooks and sharp social commentary wrapped in the energetic sound of early new wave.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Turning Japanese — The song captures the essence of the band's playful yet poignant approach, blending catchy melodies with themes of longing and cultural identity.
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Cold War — This track stands out for its incisive lyrics addressing geopolitical tensions, showcasing the band's ability to merge social commentary with infectious energy.
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America — Here, the band critiques American culture through an upbeat lens, exemplifying their knack for mixing humor with insightful observations.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy hooks with social commentary, though its cohesion is affected by bonus tracks.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half introduces slower tempos and more introspective lyrics.
Several songs incorporate a call-and-response vocal style, particularly in 'Turning Japanese' and 'Cold War', enhancing their catchiness.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Spring Collection 2:52
2 Turning Japanese 3:44
3 Cold War 3:57
4 America 2:22
5 Trains 3:26
6 Bunkers 3:54
7 News at Ten 3:18
8 Somehow 3:33
9 Sixty Second Interval 3:52
10 Waiting for the Weekend 3:07
11 Letter From Hiro 6:23
12 Prisoners 2:55
13 Sunstroke 1:57
14 Here Comes the Judge (live) 6:34
15 News at Ten (single version) 3:21
16 Wasted 2:48
17 Talk Talk 3:55
18 Waiting for the Weekend (single version) 3:03
19 Billy 5:58

What to play next

Listen next

Magnets

1981

Go back to

Turning Japanese

1980

Full The Vapors discography Artists like The Vapors

new wave power pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata