1980 - Browse By Year

The turn of the decade from the seventies to the eighties was a profound moment of musical change. 1980 was a year caught between worlds, where the embers of punk and disco gave rise to the stark, atmospheric sounds of post-punk and the birth of synth-pop. It was a year of farewells and new beginnings, and our 1980 collection captures this pivotal moment in all its analogue glory.

This was the year Joy Division released their haunting final masterpiece, Closer, just before their tragic end, while The Cure offered the minimalist gloom of Seventeen Seconds. Meanwhile, Talking Heads expanded their sound with the polyrhythmic genius of Remain in Light, and David Bowie reinvented himself yet again with Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). It was also a year of powerhouse rock, with AC/DC roaring back with Back in Black and The Clash delivering the sprawling triple-LP, Sandinista!.

On vinyl, the unique production of 1980 really shines. The format captures the cold precision of the new synthesisers and drum machines, as well as the raw power of live-band recordings. It’s a tangible connection to the dawn of a decade that would go on to define modern music.

Explore our 1980 collection below and discover the albums that marked the beginning of a new era.