The Plastic blog
April 23rd
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published



Rex Orange County • Apricot Princess
Released 23 April 2022 · 5th anniversary
Bedroom pop feels deeply personal here, acting as a raw diary of teenage romance and existential uncertainty. The record manages to feel both grand in its orchestral ambition and intimate enough to sound like it was recorded in a childhood bedroom.
Warm piano chords and lo-fi production define the sound, leaning into a nostalgic aesthetic that defined the late 2010s indie scene. It captures a specific, fleeting moment of youth through jazz-inflected melodies and earnest, unfiltered songwriting.

Ramones • Ramones
Released 23 April 1976 · 51st anniversary
Four guys from Queens changed everything in 1976 by stripping rock music down to its bare, adrenaline-fueled essentials. Most of these songs clock in under three minutes, delivering pure, high-speed energy that proved you didn't need technical wizardry to make a massive impact.
Recorded on a shoestring budget, the production favors a raw, buzzing wall of sound that defined the burgeoning punk scene. It remains a blueprint for countless bands, capturing the restless, suburban boredom that fueled the birth of a new musical movement.

Porter Robinson • Nurture
Released 23 April 2021 · 6th anniversary
Seven years after his debut, this record marks a profound shift from high-energy festival anthems to a deeply personal exploration of creative burnout and recovery. It feels like a sonic diary, documenting a journey toward self-acceptance through delicate melodies and raw, vulnerable songwriting.
Production here leans into a blend of glitchy electronic textures and organic, classical-inspired piano arrangements. The result is a bright, optimistic soundscape that manages to feel both expansive and intimate, perfectly capturing the feeling of finding light after a long period of creative silence.

Zero 7 • Simple Things
Released 23 April 2001 · 26th anniversary
Downtempo magic defines this record, which famously launched the careers of vocalists Sia and Sophie Barker. It remains a quintessential late-night listen that balances lush orchestral arrangements with a laid-back, soulful pulse.
Released at the height of the early 2000s chillout movement, the production draws heavily from cinematic soundscapes and warm, analog textures. It captures a specific mood of urban relaxation that defined the London electronic scene at the turn of the millennium.

Michael Bublé • To Be Loved
Released 23 April 2013 · 14th anniversary
Classic standards meet modern pop sensibilities in this polished collection that feels like a love letter to the Great American Songbook. It balances high-energy swing numbers with intimate, heartfelt ballads that highlight a genuine appreciation for the vocal jazz tradition.
Production here leans into a lush, big-band sound that captures the timeless elegance of mid-century crooners. The arrangements feel crisp and contemporary, making it a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys sophisticated, easy-listening melodies with a bit of vintage flair.

Inspiral Carpets • Life
Released 23 April 1990 · 37th anniversary
Farfisa organs take center stage here, creating a swirling, psychedelic texture that defined the band's signature sound. The record balances catchy, upbeat melodies with a distinctively moody, introspective lyrical edge.
Manchester's vibrant indie scene in 1990 provided the perfect backdrop for these tracks, blending garage rock energy with a polished pop sensibility. It remains a quintessential document of the Madchester era, capturing the raw excitement of a movement that was just beginning to hit its stride.
How to track album anniversaries in your collection
Give the records on your shelf another spin. Plastic helps you organize your vinyl and CDs, sync your collection with Discogs, and discover album anniversaries and the stories behind them. Explore new releases and rediscover something you already own.
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