Unlike subcultural EBM, new beat records were made mainly to chart commercially

A defining cultural distinction of new beat is its commercial orientation. In contrast to EBM — which was embedded in a specific subculture — new beat records did not arise from a subcultural context and were mostly produced to enter the international music charts. Belgian compilations such as ‘New Beat Take 1’ sold 40,000 units, and the sound was re-introduced to the US market in 1989 via the compilation ‘This Is the New Beat’ on Polygram. This chart-facing stance explains new beat’s rapid rise, novelty hits, and equally rapid commercial burnout.

Examples

‘New Beat Take 1’ sold 40,000 units in Belgium; ‘This Is the New Beat’ (Polygram, 1989) carried the sound to the US; the novelty hit ‘Qui…?’ (1989) sampled a Belgian PM’s press-conference speech.

Assessment

Contrast new beat’s relationship to subculture and the charts with that of EBM. Explain how this orientation shaped the genre’s commercial life.