The Best Punk & New Wave Albums of the 1980s
Our pick of the essential punk & new wave records released in the 1980s, ranked.
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1Remain in LightTalking Heads
Remain in Light
Afrobeat polyrhythms meet art-rock and Eno's production on a dense, ecstatic landmark led by 'Once in a Lifetime'. Layered and danceable, it expanded what a rock band could be. A high point of the era.
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2The Queen Is DeadThe Smiths
The Queen Is Dead
Morrissey's wit and Marr's chiming guitars at their combined peak, swinging from biting satire to aching tenderness. Widely held to be their masterpiece and a cornerstone of British indie. Funny, sad and gorgeous.
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3CloserJoy Division
Closer
Released weeks after Curtis's death, it is colder and more electronic than the debut, and almost unbearably moving in hindsight. Bleak, beautiful and pivotal in the move toward New Order. A landmark of British music.
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4Power, Corruption & LiesNew Order
Power, Corruption & Lies
The leap from post-punk grief into electronic dance-rock, melodic and forward-looking. The foundation of their sound. Hugely influential.
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5Fresh Fruit for Rotting VegetablesDead Kennedys
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
A savage, satirical hardcore debut of surf-tinged speed and political venom. Fast and funny. A genre landmark.
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6DamagedBlack Flag
Damaged
A raw, intense hardcore landmark of alienation and aggression. Pummeling and influential. A foundational document.
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7Sound AffectsThe Jam
Sound Affects
A sharp, post-punk-influenced peak of taut English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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8Sandinista!The Clash
Sandinista!
A sprawling, eclectic triple album of dub, funk, rap and rock. Uneven but visionary. A bold, generous statement.
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9JujuSiouxsie and the Banshees
Juju
A dark, swirling post-punk peak that helped shape goth. Atmospheric and sharp. Their defining record.
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10The SmithsThe Smiths
The Smiths
A jangly, literate debut that announced a singular partnership. Sharp and beloved. A British landmark.
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11Meat Is MurderThe Smiths
Meat Is Murder
A sharper, more political peak of Marr's guitars and Morrissey's wit. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.
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12Strangeways, Here We ComeThe Smiths
Strangeways, Here We Come
Their lush, ambitious final album, the band's own favourite. Tuneful and bittersweet. A strong farewell.
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13Ocean RainEcho & the Bunnymen
Ocean Rain
A lush, string-laden peak of dramatic post-punk, home to 'The Killing Moon'. Grand and beautiful. Their masterpiece.
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14Get Happy!!Elvis Costello
Get Happy!!
A soul-and-Motown-inspired burst of twenty short songs. Tuneful and energetic. A fan favourite.
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15SkylarkingXTC
Skylarking
A sunny, Todd Rundgren-produced song-cycle of pastoral English pop. Tuneful and clever. Their most beloved record.
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16Combat RockThe Clash
Combat Rock
Their biggest album, home to 'Rock the Casbah' and 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial peak.
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17Plastic Surgery DisastersDead Kennedys
Plastic Surgery Disasters
A sharp, satirical hardcore peak. Fast and acclaimed. A high point.
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18My WarBlack Flag
My War
A heavier, slower hardcore landmark that pointed toward sludge. Raw and influential. A pivotal record.
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19Bad BrainsBad Brains
Bad Brains
A ferocious hardcore-meets-reggae debut of blistering speed. Explosive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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20Walk Among UsMisfits
Walk Among Us
A catchy, horror-themed punk landmark of melody and menace. Fun and influential. A cult classic.
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21Hex Enduction HourThe Fall
Hex Enduction Hour
A dense, abrasive post-punk peak of Mark E. Smith's invective. Sharp and acclaimed. A cult cornerstone.
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22Beauty and the BeatThe Go-Go's
Beauty and the Beat
A bright new-wave-pop debut that topped the charts, home to 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. Tuneful and beloved. A landmark.
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23MovementNew Order
Movement
A transitional debut still shadowed by Joy Division. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A starting point.
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24Imperial BedroomElvis Costello
Imperial Bedroom
A lush, ambitious pop peak of intricate songcraft. Sophisticated and acclaimed. One of his finest.
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25English SettlementXTC
English Settlement
A sprawling, pastoral peak of inventive English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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26NakedTalking Heads
Naked
A worldly, horn-driven final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong close.
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27In the Flat FieldBauhaus
In the Flat Field
A gloomy, angular goth landmark of dread. Dark and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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28Kings of the Wild FrontierAdam and the Ants
Kings of the Wild Frontier
A flamboyant, drum-heavy new-wave landmark. Bold and huge. A defining 80s record.
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29The HurtingTears for Fears
The Hurting
A dark, synth-driven debut of childhood trauma. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong start.
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30The Colour of SpringTalk Talk
The Colour of Spring
A lush, sophisticated peak before their post-rock turn. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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31DareThe Human League
Dare
A sleek synth-pop landmark, home to 'Don't You Want Me'. Glossy and influential. A defining 80s record.
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32Non-Stop Erotic CabaretSoft Cell
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
A sleazy, tuneful synth-pop debut, home to 'Tainted Love'. Dark and danceable. An 80s classic.
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33Architecture & MoralityOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Architecture & Morality
A melodic, ambitious synth-pop peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.