The 25 best Indie albums of 1980

25 September 2026, 19:00

Have a look back at the year of Closer, Crocodiles, Kaleidoscope, Seventeen Seconds, Sound Affects and more.

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. Pretenders - Pretenders: release date 11th January 1980

   Chrissie Hynde had huge success with her band's debut album, which included the hit singles Stop Your Sobbing, Kid and the Number 1 Brass In Pocket.

   

2. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Get Happy!! Release date 15th February 1980

   Costello's fourth studio album included the singles I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down, High Fidelity and New Amsterdam.

   

3. OMD - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark: released 22nd February 1980

   The electro pop duo had a busy 1980. They released two albums that year - this debut LP and Organisation, in October. The debut included Messages and Electricity and featured artwork by Peter Saville, who was then doing the designs for Joy Division.

   

4. Ramones - End Of The Century: released 4th February 1980

   The fifth album from Da Brudders was produced by Phil Spector and included Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio, Rock 'N' Roll High School and Baby I Love You.

   

5. The Psychedelic Furs - The Psychedelic Furs: released 7th March 1980

   The debut album from Richard Butler's post punk act from London was a long way from their later Stateside hit Pretty In Pink, but it was hugely influential and included the singles We Love You and Sister Europe.

   

6. The Cure - Seventeen Seconds: released 18th April 1980

   Robert Smith changed the line-up for The Cure's second album and immediately had a hit with the single A Forest. It was the first of the band's unofficial "gloom trilogy" that was followed by Faith the following year and Pornography in 1982.

   

7. Magazine - The Correct Use of Soap: release date 2nd May 1980

   Howard Devoto's post-Buzzcocks project had their biggest success with their third album, which included the classic Song From Under The Floorboards, Sweetheart Contract and a cover of Sly Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).

   

8. Devo - Freedom of Choice: release date 16th May 1980

   The third album from the Akron, Ohio new wave specialists included the excellent title track, plus the classic Whip It, Girl U Want and Gates Of Steel.

   

9. The Human League - Travelogue: released 16th May 1980

   The second album from the original line-up of the electronic pioneers included a re-recording of their classic single Being Boiled.

   

10. Dexys Midnight Runners - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels: release date 11th July 1980

    Kevin Rowland scored a UK number 1 hit with Geno, while the parent album reached number 6. Tracks also included There There My Dear and a re-recorded version of the single Dance Stance, titled Burn It Down.

    

11. Joy Division - Closer: released 18th July 1980

    The hugely-influential Manchester band released their second album two months after the suicide of singer Ian Curtis. It didn't include the classic single Love Will Tear Us Apart, but does feature the tracks Colony, Atrocity Exhibition and Twenty-Four Hours.

    

12. Echo And The Bunnymen - Crocodiles: released 18th July 1980

    One of the great post-punk debuts, Ian McCulloch and co's first LP included Pictures On My Wall, Villiers Terrace and Rescue.

    

13. The Associates - The Affectionate Punch: release date 1st August 1980

    Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine made elaborate, theatrical post punk music, infused with a sense of cabaret and soul. They were initially signed to Fiction Records for this debut album and their labelmate Robert Smith of The Cure provided backing vocals. Tracks include The Affectionate Punch, A and A Matter Of Gender.

    

14. Siouxsie And The Banshees - Kaleidoscope: released 1st August 1980

    Ms Sioux's third album saw a new line-up with drummer Budgie and former Magazine guitarist John McGeoch. It included the hits Happy House and Christine.

    

15. UB40 - Signing Off: release date 29th August 1980

    The debut album from the politically-conscious reggae act from Birmingham included the tracks Food For Thought and My Way Of Thinking.

    

16. The Specials - More Specials: released 19th September 1980

    Coventry's finest ska revivalists released their second album in 1980, which featured the tracks Stereotype, International Jet Set and Do Nothing. Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and Neville Staple would depart after the next standalone single, Ghost Town, forming Fun Boy Three.

    

17. Madness - Absolutely: release date 26th September 1980

    The Nutty Boys' second album spawned three huge hit singles: the immortal Baggy Trousers, Embarrassment and The Return Of The Los Palmas 7.

    

18. The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta: released 3rd October 1980

    The pop-punk trio of Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland released their third album, which includes the huge hits Don't Stand So Close To Me and De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da.

    

19. Killing Joke - Killing Joke: release date 3rd October 1980

    The debut album from Jaz Coleman's post-punk giants included the singles Wardance and Requiem.

    

20. Talking Heads - Remain In Light: released 8th October 1980

    The fourth album from the NYC art rockers included the massive worldwide hit Once In A Lifetime and was another collaboration with Brian Eno.

    

21. The Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro: release date 10th October 1980

    The debut album from the Liverpool psychedelic rangers featuring Julian Cope included the singles Sleeping Gas, Treason (It's Just A Story) and the superb Reward.

    

22. U2 - Boy: released 20th October 1980

    The Irish band launched their career with this debut, which included I Will Follow and A Day Without Me.

    

23. Blondie - Autoamerican: released 26th November 1980

    The fifth album from Debbie Harry and co included the huge hits Rapture and The Tide Is High.

    

24. The Jam - Sound Affects: released 28th November 1980

    The fifth album from Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler included the band's second No 1 hit, Start!, and That's Entertainment. It also included the track Pretty Green, which gave its name to a well-known line of clothing belonging to Mr L. Gallagher.

    

25. The Clash - Sandinista!: released 12th December 1980

    The punk heroes released their fourth album - and it was a very un-punk triple LP. Songs included Career Opportunities and The Magnificent Seven.