The 1980s marked a time of immense change in the music industry, and we're still enjoying the sounds that the iconic bands, singers, and albums of the decade offered. The '80s boasted a slate of developing genres like New Wave, synth pop, a golden age of hip-hop, the introduction of sensations like Madonna, The Smiths, and Tracy Chapman, and new directions for Michael Jackson and Prince.
As technology rapidly developed, artists could experiment more with digital recordings and everything the recording industry had to offer. During the Reagan era, many bands and singers took political stances in their albums, like The Clash's London Calling, Lou Reed's New York, and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.
Naturally, there's a lot to unpack in the musicality, impact, and culture of '80s artists, so we're leaving it to true music fans to rank these essential albums from the decade.
