The Best Electronic Albums of the 1990s

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.

1. 1
   Dig Your Own HoleThe Chemical Brothers

   Dig Your Own Hole

   The Chemical Brothers · 1997 · Electronic

   Big-beat at its peak, loud, psychedelic and built for festival fields, climaxing in the swirling 'The Private Psychedelic Reel'. Exhilarating. A defining 90s dance record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
2. 2
   MezzanineMassive Attack

   Mezzanine

   Massive Attack · 1998 · Electronic

   Dark, paranoid trip-hop that traded the warmth of their early work for dread and dub bass, anchored by 'Teardrop' and 'Angel'. Immersive and cinematic. A late-90s landmark.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
3. 3
   DummyPortishead

   Dummy

   Portishead · 1994 · Electronic

   Smoky, cinematic trip-hop built from scratchy samples, spy-film guitar and Beth Gibbons's wounded vocals. Atmospheric and singular. A defining record of the Bristol sound.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
4. 4
   Selected Ambient Works 85-92Aphex Twin

   Selected Ambient Works 85-92

   Aphex Twin · 1992 · Electronic

   A foundational ambient-techno record, melodic and warm beneath its machine textures. Hugely influential and still beautiful. The gateway to Aphex Twin's world.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
5. 5
   The Fat of the LandThe Prodigy

   The Fat of the Land

   The Prodigy · 1997 · Electronic

   A loud, aggressive crossover smash that took rave energy to rock audiences. 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe' lead it. A defining big-beat record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
6. 6
   HomeworkDaft Punk

   Homework

   Daft Punk · 1997 · Electronic

   The raw, club-focused debut that helped define French house, built from looping funk and acid lines. 'Da Funk' and 'Around the World' still fill floors. Grittier than what followed and hugely influential.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
7. 7
   SurrenderThe Chemical Brothers

   Surrender

   The Chemical Brothers · 1999 · Electronic

   A euphoric, song-focused big-beat peak, home to 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'. Polished and joyful. One of their best.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
8. 8
   You've Come a Long Way, BabyFatboy Slim

   You've Come a Long Way, Baby

   Fatboy Slim · 1998 · Electronic

   Big-beat at its most fun and accessible, built from cheeky samples and huge hooks. Inescapable in its moment. A party staple.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
9. 9
   DubnobasswithmyheadmanUnderworld

   Dubnobasswithmyheadman

   Underworld · 1994 · Electronic

   A landmark of intelligent dance music, hypnotic and emotional, stream-of-consciousness vocals over deep techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A 90s classic.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
10. 10
    Orbital 2Orbital

    Orbital 2

    Orbital · 1993 · Electronic

    A landmark of melodic, emotional techno, home to 'Halcyon'. Lush and immersive. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
11. 11
    LeftismLeftfield

    Leftism

    Leftfield · 1995 · Electronic

    A landmark of progressive house and dub-techno fusion. Deep and influential. A defining 90s dance record.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
12. 12
    PlayMoby

    Play

    Moby · 1999 · Electronic

    A blues-and-gospel-sampling electronica blockbuster that soundtracked an era. Warm and ubiquitous. A crossover landmark.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
13. 13
    Moon SafariAir

    Moon Safari

    Air · 1998 · Electronic

    A lush, retro-futurist downtempo landmark of warm synths. Dreamy and beloved. A chill-out classic.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
14. 14
    Music Has the Right to ChildrenBoards of Canada

    Music Has the Right to Children

    Boards of Canada · 1998 · Electronic

    Hazy, nostalgic electronica of half-remembered childhood, woozy synths and found voices. Warm, eerie and beloved. A modern ambient touchstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
15. 15
    Richard D. James AlbumAphex Twin

    Richard D. James Album

    Aphex Twin · 1996 · Electronic

    A frantic, melodic drill-and-bass peak of beauty and chaos. Inventive and beloved. A genre landmark.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
16. 16
    Music for the Jilted GenerationThe Prodigy

    Music for the Jilted Generation

    The Prodigy · 1994 · Electronic

    A dark, aggressive rave-to-rock pivot. Loud and acclaimed. A genre high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
17. 17
    ViolatorDepeche Mode

    Violator

    Depeche Mode · 1990 · Electronic

    The album that made them stadium-sized, marrying dark synth-pop to real songcraft on 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy the Silence'. Sleek and brooding. Their peak.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
18. 18
    DebutBjörk

    Debut

    Björk · 1993 · Electronic

    A vibrant, eclectic solo debut blending pop, house and jazz. Inventive and beloved. A breakthrough.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
19. 19
    PostBjörk

    Post

    Björk · 1995 · Electronic

    An eclectic, adventurous record swinging from techno to big-band. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative peak.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
20. 20
    HomogenicBjörk

    Homogenic

    Björk · 1997 · Electronic

    A bold, beat-driven art-pop peak of strings and volcanic emotion. Singular and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
21. 21
    Endtroducing.....DJ Shadow

    Endtroducing.....

    DJ Shadow · 1996 · Electronic

    A landmark instrumental hip-hop record built entirely from samples. Cinematic and influential. A production milestone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
22. 22
    Blue LinesMassive Attack

    Blue Lines

    Massive Attack · 1991 · Electronic

    Often credited with inventing trip-hop, a slow, soulful blend of hip-hop, dub and soul that set a template for the decade. Smooth and innovative. A genuine pioneer.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
23. 23
    MaxinquayeTricky

    Maxinquaye

    Tricky · 1995 · Electronic

    A murky, paranoid trip-hop landmark of blurred vocals and dread. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
24. 24
    Exit Planet DustThe Chemical Brothers

    Exit Planet Dust

    The Chemical Brothers · 1995 · Electronic

    A grimy, funky big-beat debut. Loud and beloved. A genre landmark.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
25. 25
    Better Living Through ChemistryFatboy Slim

    Better Living Through Chemistry

    Fatboy Slim · 1996 · Electronic

    A fun, sample-heavy big-beat debut. Bouncy and beloved. A genre highlight.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
26. 26
    ExperienceThe Prodigy

    Experience

    The Prodigy · 1992 · Electronic

    A vibrant rave-era debut of breakbeat hardcore energy. Fun and influential. The start of their run.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
27. 27
    Beaucoup FishUnderworld

    Beaucoup Fish

    Underworld · 1999 · Electronic

    A polished, melodic techno peak. Immersive and beloved. A high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
28. 28
    In SidesOrbital

    In Sides

    Orbital · 1996 · Electronic

    A lush, emotional techno peak of melodic depth. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
29. 29
    SnivilisationOrbital

    Snivilisation

    Orbital · 1994 · Electronic

    A politically tinged, intricate techno peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
30. 30
    Tri RepetaeAutechre

    Tri Repetae

    Autechre · 1995 · Electronic

    A cold, intricate IDM landmark of machine rhythm and texture. Challenging and influential. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
31. 31
    AmberAutechre

    Amber

    Autechre · 1994 · Electronic

    A warm, melodic early IDM peak. Inventive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
32. 32
    Hard Normal DaddySquarepusher

    Hard Normal Daddy

    Squarepusher · 1997 · Electronic

    A frantic, jazzy drill-and-bass peak. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
33. 33
    Songs of Faith and DevotionDepeche Mode

    Songs of Faith and Devotion

    Depeche Mode · 1993 · Electronic

    A heavier, gospel-and-rock-tinged peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
34. 34
    TimelessGoldie

    Timeless

    Goldie · 1995 · Electronic

    An ambitious drum-and-bass landmark of orchestral scope. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
35. 35
    New FormsRoni Size

    New Forms

    Roni Size · 1997 · Electronic

    A jazzy, ambitious drum-and-bass landmark that won the Mercury Prize. Bold and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
36. 36
    ...I Care Because You DoAphex Twin

    ...I Care Because You Do

    Aphex Twin · 1995 · Electronic

    A textured, melodic peak balancing ambient and acid. Inventive and beloved. A high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
37. 37
    RemedyBasement Jaxx

    Remedy

    Basement Jaxx · 1999 · Electronic

    A vibrant, maximalist house debut of carnival energy. Fun and influential. A dance landmark.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
38. 38
    The Orb's Adventures Beyond the UltraworldThe Orb

    The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld

    The Orb · 1991 · Electronic

    A sprawling, ambient-house landmark of cosmic drift. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
39. 39
    Orbital (Brown Album)Orbital

    Orbital (Brown Album)

    Orbital · 1993 · Electronic

    A landmark debut of melodic, emotional techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
40. 40
    Feed Me Weird ThingsSquarepusher

    Feed Me Weird Things

    Squarepusher · 1996 · Electronic

    A frantic, jazzy drum-and-bass debut. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
41. 41
    IncunabulaAutechre

    Incunabula

    Autechre · 1993 · Electronic

    A warm, melodic IDM debut. Inventive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →