Aiding & Abetting gave Newer Wave a mixed review, calling the material "a bit silly" but "a good idea, and the bands here try real hard to create new versions of well-worn tunes." TomSchulte of AllMusic described the compilation as "fun and a real history lesson to listen to." Sonic Boom said "regardless of whether you thought the eighties was a collection of music filled with unimaginative drivel or was the groundwork of the modern electronic dance scene you'll get a kick out of this compilation" and "definitely of those compilations bound to give you fits of nostalgia for years to come."