What makes New Toy by Lene Lovich notable?

New Toy received positive critical reception and showcased Lovich's unique style, contributing to the rising popularity of female artists within the new wave genre. The title track became a notable hit, further solidifying her presence on the charts and paving the way for future artists exploring similar avant-garde pop sensibilities. Released in 1981, New Toy was Lene Lovich's second studio album, following her debut, Stateless (1978). At this point in her career, Lovich had begun to carve out a distinct identity within the burgeoning new wave scene, embracing both theatricality and experimental sounds that would define her work.

How many songs are on New Toy?

New Toy has 6 tracks, running approximately 21 minutes.

New Toy

Lene Lovich · 1981

21 min · 6 tracks · new wave

A playful blend of new wave and pop, merging quirky melodies with sharp lyrical commentary on modernity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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New Toy — The title track encapsulates Lovich's playful yet biting critique of consumer culture, featuring catchy hooks and an infectious energy that exemplifies her artistic persona.
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Savages — With its driving beat and provocative lyrics, Savages delves into themes of societal violence and disconnection, reflecting Lovich's ability to tackle serious subjects through a vibrant musical lens.
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Never Never Land — This track combines whimsical imagery with a haunting melody, demonstrating Lovich's knack for blending fantasy elements with deeper emotional truths.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases quirky melodies and sharp lyrics, establishing Lovich's unique voice in new wave.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent synthesizer riff that drives the melody, while the verses are characterized by playful vocal delivery.
Each song incorporates unconventional song structures, often shifting between different sections without traditional verse-chorus patterns.
The lyrics frequently employ sharp, satirical commentary, particularly evident in tracks like 'Savages' and 'Details'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 New Toy 3:18
2 Savages 3:50
3 Special Star 3:11
4 Never Never Land 4:05
5 Cats Away 3:41
6 Details 3:12

What to play next

Listen next

No Man's Land

1982

Go back to

Flex

1979

Full Lene Lovich discography Artists like Lene Lovich

new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata