The 25 best indie debut albums of the 1980s

18 May 2025, 19:00

Which great indie and alternative artists got it right first time? From R.E.M. and Echo & The Bunnymen to Pixies and The Stone Roses, here are some of the best debut LPs of the 80s.

1. 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.

   

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

   The debut album from the Liverpool psychedelia revivalists was produced by Bill Drummond (later of the KLF) and David Balfe (who later signed Blur) and was preceded by the singles Pictures On My Wall and Rescue.

   

3. 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.

   

4. U2 - Boy: released 20th October 1980

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

   

5. Depeche Mode - Speak And Spell: released 5th October 1981

   The Basildon synth-pop group issued their debut album - and the only one to feature songwriter and founding member Vince Clarke. Singles included New Life and the evergreen Just Can't Get Enough.

   

6. New Order - Movement: released 13th November 1981

   The first album released by the band formerly known as Joy Division to be released after the death of singer Ian Curtis included the tracks Dreams Never End, Truth and Chosen Time.

   

7. Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret: released 27th November 1981

   The debut album from Marc Almond and Dave Ball included the No 1 hit Tainted Love, plus Bedsitter and Say Hello Wave Goodbye.

   

8. 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.

   

9. R.E.M. - Murmur: release date 12th April 1983

   The debut album from the Athens, Georgia band was one of the biggest cult hits of 1983 and included a re-recording of their debut single Radio Free Europe and Talk About The Passion.

   

10. The Smiths - The Smiths: released 20th February 1984

    The Manchester band's debut album was a fine collection of songs by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, including Still Ill, Hand In Glove and What Difference Does It Make?

    

11. Everything But The Girl - Eden: released 4th June 1984

    The debut album from Tracy Thorn and Ben Watt included the single Each And Every One.

    

12. The Cult - Dreamtime: released 31st August 1984

    One of the big records to come out of the wave of gothic rock in the mid 1980s, Dreamtime was the first album to be released under the moniker The Cult, featuring singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy. Singles included Go West and Spiritwalker.

    

13. Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – Rattlesnakes: released 12th October 1984

    The debut album from the British band included the singles Perfect Skin and Forest Fire.

    

14. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy: released 18th November 1985

    Alan McGee signed the controversial Reid brothers, William and Jim, to his Creation label, but they graduated to major offshoot blanco y negor for their full-length debut. Already moving away from the squealing feedback that characterised their early live shows and leaning more towards classic 60s pop, the album included the tracks Never Understand, You Trip Me Up and Just Like Honey.

    

15. The Housemartins - London 0, Hull 4: release date 27th June 1986

    One of the most memorable hits of 1986 was Happy Hour, taken from the Hull band's debut album, which also included Flag Day and Think For A Minute. Some of the band members later went on to form The Beautiful South.

    

16. The Wedding Present - George Best: release date 12th October 1987

    The Leeds band namechecked the legendary footballer for the title of their debut album, which included Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft and Anyone Can Make A Mistake.

    

17. Morrissey - Viva Hate: released 14th March 1988

    Less than a year after the demise of The Smiths, Moz was back as a solo artiste with support from Mancunian guitarist Vini Reilly. While some of the album remains controversial, singles include Suedehead and Everyday Is Like Sunday.

    

18. Pixies - Surfer Rosa: released 21st March 1988

    After 1987's mini-LP Come On Pilgrim, the Boston band went into the studio with renowned producer Steve Albini for their first full-length outing. Big tunes include Where Is My Mind, Gigantic, Bone Machine and Cactus, later covered by David Bowie.

    

19. The Sugarcubes - Life's Too Good: released 25th April 1988

    The Icelandic indie group - featuring Björk on lead vocals - issued their debut album which included their acclaimed single Birthday, Cold Sweat and Motorcrash.

    

20. The House Of Love - The House Of Love: released on 16th May 1988

    Guy Chadwick was one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of the era and his band issued their first, self-titled album on Alan McGee's Creation label this year. Opening with the excellent Christine, the album didn't include the single Destroy The Heart - which went on to top John Peel's Festive 50 poll in 1988.

    

21. The Wonder Stuff - The Eight Legged Groove Machine: released 15th August 1988

    Stourbridge's finest indie rockers had a confident debut which included the singles Give Give Give Me More More More, It's Yer Money I'm After Baby and A Wish Away.

    

22. My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything: released 21st November 1988

    1988 was a great year for Alan McGee's Creation label: this was the debut album from the pioneering noise-rock (aka shoegaze) group and included the track Feed Me With Your Kiss.

    

23. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses: released 2nd May 1989

    Effortlessly fusing dancefloor rhythms with classic jangle guitar, plus a soupçon of psychedelia, this supremely confident debut was an instant classic from the ponderous I Want To Be Adored to the closing I Am The Resurrection.

    

24. Nirvana - Bleach: release date 15th June 1989

    The iconic grunge band's first album featured drummer Chad Channing alongside Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and included the songs About A Girl, Love Buzz and Negative Creep.

    

25. Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine: released 20th October 1989

    The debut album from Trent Reznor's industrial rock project included the singles Head Like A Hole, Down In It and Sin.