Zapp III's poorer commercial performance became a sign that the band's popularity and impact were beginning to decline toward the mid 1980s, with post-disco music falling out of trend. By the release of The New Zapp IV U in October 1985, the downward trajectory was evident.
Zapp III's poor sales performance marked a turning point in the band's fortunes, indicating that their popularity and impact were waning in the mid-1980s as post-disco music lost its mainstream appeal. By the time The New Zapp IV U was released in October 1985, it was evident that the decline had become irreversible.