The Best Electronic Albums of the 1970s
Our pick of the essential electronic records released in the 1970s, ranked.
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1AutobahnKraftwerk
Autobahn
The breakthrough, its 22-minute title piece evoking a drive down the motorway in pure electronics. Pioneering and hypnotic. Where their legend begins.
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2Trans-Europe ExpressKraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express
A sleek, romantic concept album about European travel that shaped electro, hip-hop and techno. Hypnotic and forward-looking. Hugely influential.
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3The Man-MachineKraftwerk
The Man-Machine
Pristine, melodic electro-pop of robots and cities, home to 'The Model'. Clean and iconic. A peak of their catalogue.
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4Ambient 1: Music for AirportsBrian Eno
Ambient 1: Music for Airports
The album that named and defined ambient music, designed to be as ignorable as it is interesting. Calm and revolutionary. A genre's foundation.
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5Another Green WorldBrian Eno
Another Green World
A delicate balance of song and instrumental texture, gentle and exploratory. A pivot toward ambient. Quietly influential.
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6PhaedraTangerine Dream
Phaedra
A pioneering sequencer-driven electronic landmark of hypnotic drift. Spacious and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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7OxygeneJean-Michel Jarre
Oxygene
A lush, melodic synthesizer landmark that brought electronic music to the masses. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre classic.
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8EquinoxeJean-Michel Jarre
Equinoxe
A lush, melodic synthesizer peak. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre highlight.
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9RubyconTangerine Dream
Rubycon
A hypnotic, sequencer-driven ambient-electronic peak. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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10Here Come the Warm JetsBrian Eno
Here Come the Warm Jets
A playful, glammy art-rock solo debut. Inventive and beloved. A strong start.
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11Before and After ScienceBrian Eno
Before and After Science
A delicate balance of art-pop songs and ambient texture. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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12Radio-ActivityKraftwerk
Radio-Activity
A concept record on radio and radioactivity, sparse and eerie. Pioneering and influential. A transitional landmark.
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13Solid State SurvivorYellow Magic Orchestra
Solid State Survivor
A playful, pioneering synth-pop landmark from Japan. Bright and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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1420 Jazz Funk GreatsThrobbing Gristle
20 Jazz Funk Greats
A subversive, foundational industrial landmark. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.