The 25 best indie albums of 1982

18 July 2025, 21:35 | Updated: 8 October 2025, 15:56

Radio X turns back the clock to the days of The Clash, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Talk Talk and Yazoo.

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. XTC - English Settlement: released 12th February 1982

   The fifth album from the Swindon new wave act was their first double and included the hit Senses Working Overtime, plus Ball & Chain and No Thugs In Our House.

   

2. Fun Boy Three - The Fun Boy Three: released 5th March 1982

   Having walked out of The Specials at the height of the ska band's fame, Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding formed their own trio. Their debut album included The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum), The Telephone Always Rings and a cover of T'aint What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It) with vocals from Bananarama.

   

3. The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour: released 8th March 1982

   The fourth album from Mark E. Smith's ongoing Mancunian post-punk projectintroduced the two drummer line-up of Karl Burns and Paul Hanley and included Hip Priest and Who Makes The Nazis? The lo-fi, hand-written album cover offended the sensibilities, who would only stock the LP placed back to front on their shelves.

   

4. The Jam - The Gift: 12th March 1982

   Paul Weller called time on the influential mod band and their final album included Town Called Malice, Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero and Precious, which way towards the Modfather's work with his next band The Style Council.

   

5. Sparks - Angst In My Pants: released 29th March 1982

   Russel and Ron Mael's eleventh studio album in nine years included singles in the shape of the title track and I Predict. Incredible front cover.

   

6. The Cure - Pornography: released 4th May 1982

   The trio of Robert Smith, Simon Gallup and Lol Tolhurst released their influential fourth studio album, which included the single The Hanging Garden.

   

7. The Clash - Combat Rock: released 14th May 1982

   The fifth album from the punk legends included the hits Should I Stay Or Should I Go, Rock The Casbah and Straight To Hell.

   

8. Altered Images - Pinky Blue: released 14th May 1982

   The second album from the Glaswegian pop band fronted by Clare Grogan featured the hits I Could Be Happy, See Those Eyes and Pinky Blue.

   

9. The Associates - Sulk: released 14th May 1982

   The second album from Billy Mackenzie and Alan Rankine included the chart hits Club Country and Party Fears Two.

   

10. Blondie - The Hunter: released 24th May 1982

    The band's final album for seventeen years, which led to a solo career for Debbie Harry. Tracks included Island Of Lost Souls, War Child and Danceway, plus the Blondie's attempt at a James Bond theme, For Your Eyes Only.

    

11. ABC - The Lexicon Of Love: released 21st June 1982

    The debut album from the Sheffield pop revivalists included the mammoth hits Poison Arrow, All Of My Heart, Tears Are Not Enough and The Look Of Love.

    

12. Talk Talk - The Party's Over: released 13th July 1982

    The influential pop band, fronted by Mark Hollis, included the singles Today and the band's theme song, Talk Talk.

    

13. The Go Gos - Vacation: released 20th July 1982

    The second album from the American all-female new wave band featuring Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin included the singles Vacation, Get Up And Go and This Old Feeling.

    

14. Dexys Midnight Runners - Too Rye Ay: released 22nd July 1982

    Kevin Rowland changed Dexys sound from a soul revue to elements of folk for the band's second album, which spawned the monster hit Come On Eileen, plus Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile).

    

15. Yazoo - Upstairs At Eric's: released 20th August 1982

    After leaving Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke teamed up with singer Alison Moyet aka "Alf". Their debut album included the single Don't Go and Only You, which went on to be a No 1 hit for The Flying Pickets.

    

16. Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84): released 17th September 1982

    The fifth studio album from the Scottish band included the singles Promised You A Miracle and Glittering Prize.

    

17. Psychedelic Furs - Forever Now: released 24th September 1982

    The third album from Richard Butler and his post-punk outfit included the hit Love My Way.

    

18. Depeche Mode - A Broken Frame: released 27th September 1982

    The Mode's second album saw the departure of songwriter Vince Clarke, but Martin Gore stepped into the breach and penned the hit singles See You, The Meaning Of Love and Leave In Silence.

    

19. Bauhaus - The Sky's Gone Out: released 22nd October 1982

    The third album from the pioneering goth band included Spirit and a cover of Brian Eno's Third Uncle, but missed off their version of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, which went Top 20 in October 1982.

    

20. Siouxsie & The Banshees - A Kiss In The Dreamhouse: released 5th November 1982

    The post-punk pioneers issued their fifth studio album; tracks included Melt! and Slowdive, which gave the Reading shoegaze band their name.