The Best Punk & New Wave Albums
Short, sharp, and built to change everything that came after.
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1London CallingThe Clash
London Calling
A sprawling double album that blew punk wide open, folding in reggae, ska, rockabilly and soul without losing its urgency. Politically charged and endlessly tuneful, it is regularly named among the greatest rock records ever. The ideal entry point to the band.
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2RamonesRamones
Ramones
Fourteen songs, under half an hour, year zero for punk: buzzsaw guitars, bubblegum hooks and no solos. Simple, joyful and revolutionary. The blueprint everyone copied.
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3Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex PistolsSex Pistols
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
The only studio album from the band that detonated UK punk, snarling and tighter than its reputation suggests. Its cultural shockwave dwarfs its 38 minutes. A historical necessity.
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4Remain 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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5Unknown PleasuresJoy Division
Unknown Pleasures
Stark, cavernous post-punk shaped by Martin Hannett's spacious production and Ian Curtis's haunted baritone. It still sounds isolated and modern decades on. A foundational record for goth, post-punk and everything that followed.
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6The 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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7CloserJoy 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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8Power, 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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9Marquee MoonTelevision
Marquee Moon
Twin-guitar interplay and lean songwriting that pushed punk toward art-rock, peaking in the ten-minute title track. Precise and thrilling. A foundational record.
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10HorsesPatti Smith
Horses
A visionary fusion of poetry and punk, raw and incantatory from the opening line. Fearless and influential. One of the great debut albums.
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11Parallel LinesBlondie
Parallel Lines
New-wave pop perfection, balancing punk attitude with disco and pure hooks on 'Heart of Glass' and 'One Way or Another'. Tight and irresistible. A definitive late-70s record.
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12The ClashThe Clash
The Clash
A furious, tuneful debut of UK punk with reggae undertones and political fire. Raw and vital. A genre cornerstone.
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13My Aim Is TrueElvis Costello
My Aim Is True
A sharp, tuneful debut of new-wave songcraft and barbed wit, home to 'Alison'. Clever and immediate. A great first record.
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14This Year's ModelElvis Costello
This Year's Model
A taut, angry peak with the Attractions, all nervy energy and hooks. Sharp and propulsive. Often called his best.
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15Fresh 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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16DamagedBlack Flag
Damaged
A raw, intense hardcore landmark of alienation and aggression. Pummeling and influential. A foundational document.
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17Pink FlagWire
Pink Flag
A brilliant, minimalist punk debut of short, jagged art-songs. Sharp and influential. Far ahead of its time.
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18Entertainment!Gang of Four
Entertainment!
A jagged, danceable post-punk landmark of funk bass and Marxist critique. Angular and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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19Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!Devo
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
A jerky, satirical new-wave debut of de-evolution theory and herky-007 rhythms. Quirky and influential. A cult landmark.
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20The StoogesThe Stooges
The Stooges
A primal proto-punk debut of raw riffs and boredom, home to 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'. Crude and influential. A genre origin point.
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21Fun HouseThe Stooges
Fun House
A raw, saxophone-scorched proto-punk landmark of pure energy. Wild and primal. Hugely influential.
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22Raw PowerThe Stooges
Raw Power
A snarling, Bowie-mixed proto-punk classic, home to 'Search and Destroy'. Loud and dangerous. A punk blueprint.
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23Talking Heads: 77Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
A nervy, arty debut of angular new wave and 'Psycho Killer'. Quirky and tuneful. A great beginning.
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24Fear of MusicTalking Heads
Fear of Music
A darker, Eno-produced step toward the rhythmic experiments to come. Tense and inventive. A pivotal record.
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25All Mod ConsThe Jam
All Mod Cons
The album where the Jam matured into sharp social commentary and mod-pop craft. Tuneful and sharp. Their breakthrough.
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26Sound AffectsThe Jam
Sound Affects
A sharp, post-punk-influenced peak of taut English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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27Sandinista!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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28Another Music in a Different KitchenBuzzcocks
Another Music in a Different Kitchen
A buzzing punk-pop debut of speed and melody. Tuneful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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29Damned Damned DamnedThe Damned
Damned Damned Damned
The first UK punk album, fast, raw and fun. Vital and historic. A genre landmark.
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30Germfree AdolescentsX-Ray Spex
Germfree Adolescents
A vibrant punk landmark of saxophone and Poly Styrene's roar. Sharp and influential. A cult classic.
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31JujuSiouxsie and the Banshees
Juju
A dark, swirling post-punk peak that helped shape goth. Atmospheric and sharp. Their defining record.
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32The SmithsThe Smiths
The Smiths
A jangly, literate debut that announced a singular partnership. Sharp and beloved. A British landmark.
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33Meat 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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34Strangeways, 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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35Ocean 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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36In the CityThe Jam
In the City
A sharp, punky mod debut of youthful energy. Vital and beloved. A strong start.
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37Setting SonsThe Jam
Setting Sons
A semi-conceptual peak of sharp English songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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38Real LifeMagazine
Real Life
A cerebral, keyboard-driven post-punk debut. Sharp and influential. A cult landmark.
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39Metal BoxPublic Image Ltd
Metal Box
Lydon's post-Pistols plunge into dub-heavy, dread-soaked experiment. Challenging and influential. A post-punk landmark.
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40Chairs MissingWire
Chairs Missing
A more textured, art-rock follow-up to Pink Flag. Inventive and acclaimed. A post-punk cornerstone.
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41More Songs About Buildings and FoodTalking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
An Eno-produced step toward funk and groove. Tuneful and inventive. A pivotal record.
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42Eat to the BeatBlondie
Eat to the Beat
A varied, tuneful new-wave peak of pop ambition. Bright and beloved. A strong follow-up to Parallel Lines.
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43AdventureTelevision
Adventure
A melodic, cleaner follow-up to Marquee Moon. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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44The B-52'sThe B-52's
The B-52's
A kitschy, exuberant new-wave debut of surf guitar and party energy, home to 'Rock Lobster'. Fun and distinctive. A cult classic.
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45Armed ForcesElvis Costello
Armed Forces
A sharp, pop-savvy peak of barbed political new wave. Tuneful and acclaimed. One of his best.
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46Get 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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47SkylarkingXTC
Skylarking
A sunny, Todd Rundgren-produced song-cycle of pastoral English pop. Tuneful and clever. Their most beloved record.
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48Drums and WiresXTC
Drums and Wires
A sharp, angular new-wave peak, home to 'Making Plans for Nigel'. Inventive and tuneful. A breakthrough.
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49Combat 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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50Rocket to RussiaRamones
Rocket to Russia
A peak of bubblegum-punk hooks and speed. Fun and beloved. One of their best.
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51Road to RuinRamones
Road to Ruin
A slightly polished peak, home to 'I Wanna Be Sedated'. Fun and beloved. A high point.
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52Rattus NorvegicusThe Stranglers
Rattus Norvegicus
A punchy debut blending punk attitude with keyboard-driven menace. Tuneful and dark. A new-wave staple.
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53EasterPatti Smith
Easter
A bolder, rockier follow-up to Horses, home to 'Because the Night'. Powerful and acclaimed. A commercial peak.
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54BlondieBlondie
Blondie
A scrappy, tuneful new-wave debut. Fun and beloved. A strong start.
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55Plastic Surgery DisastersDead Kennedys
Plastic Surgery Disasters
A sharp, satirical hardcore peak. Fast and acclaimed. A high point.
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56My WarBlack Flag
My War
A heavier, slower hardcore landmark that pointed toward sludge. Raw and influential. A pivotal record.
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57Bad BrainsBad Brains
Bad Brains
A ferocious hardcore-meets-reggae debut of blistering speed. Explosive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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58Walk 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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59SuicideSuicide
Suicide
A confrontational, minimalist electronic-punk debut of pulsing menace. Stark and influential. Far ahead of its time.
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60The Modern DancePere Ubu
The Modern Dance
An avant-garde post-punk debut of industrial unease. Bold and influential. A cult landmark.
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61Hex 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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62The SpecialsThe Specials
The Specials
A vital 2-tone debut blending ska, punk and sharp social commentary. Danceable and urgent. A UK landmark.
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63One Step Beyond...Madness
One Step Beyond...
A joyous, ska-pop debut of 'nutty boy' energy and English humour. Fun and tuneful. A 2-tone classic.
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64CutThe Slits
Cut
A playful, dub-inflected post-punk landmark of female energy and invention. Loose and influential. A singular debut.
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65Beauty 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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66MovementNew Order
Movement
A transitional debut still shadowed by Joy Division. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A starting point.
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67Machine Gun EtiquetteThe Damned
Machine Gun Etiquette
A fast, fun punk peak, home to 'Smash It Up'. Energetic and beloved. A high point.
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68154Wire
154
A textured, art-rock peak of post-punk invention. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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69Imperial BedroomElvis Costello
Imperial Bedroom
A lush, ambitious pop peak of intricate songcraft. Sophisticated and acclaimed. One of his finest.
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70New Boots and Panties!!Ian Dury and the Blockheads
New Boots and Panties!!
A witty, funky pub-rock-into-new-wave debut. Sharp and beloved. A British classic.
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71English SettlementXTC
English Settlement
A sprawling, pastoral peak of inventive English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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72NakedTalking Heads
Naked
A worldly, horn-driven final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong close.
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73Kick Out the JamsMC5
Kick Out the Jams
A ferocious live proto-punk document of revolutionary energy. Loud and raw. Hugely influential.
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74New York DollsNew York Dolls
New York Dolls
A trashy, glam-punk debut that bridged the Stones and punk. Raw and influential. A proto-punk landmark.
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75The ScreamSiouxsie and the Banshees
The Scream
A stark, influential post-punk debut that shaped goth. Sharp and acclaimed. A cornerstone.
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76In the Flat FieldBauhaus
In the Flat Field
A gloomy, angular goth landmark of dread. Dark and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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77Kings 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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78The HurtingTears for Fears
The Hurting
A dark, synth-driven debut of childhood trauma. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong start.
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79The 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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80Laughing StockTalk Talk
Laughing Stock
A hushed, improvisational landmark that helped invent post-rock. Spacious and beautiful. A quiet masterpiece.
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81DareThe 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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82Non-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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83Architecture & MoralityOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Architecture & Morality
A melodic, ambitious synth-pop peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.
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84The Pleasure PrincipleGary Numan
The Pleasure Principle
A cold, pioneering synth-rock landmark, home to 'Cars'. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.