May 13th
album anniversaries

The title refers to the artist's age and the fact that this was his twenty-first album release. It features a notable reunion with longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin on several tracks, marking a return to their collaborative roots after a period of working apart.

Released in 1980, the record captures a polished pop-rock sound that defined the transition into the new decade. The production leans into smooth, radio-friendly arrangements that highlight the melodic sensibilities of the era while maintaining a classic singer-songwriter feel.

The title track became an enduring hard rock anthem, fueled by a riff that cuts straight to the bone. It captures a raw, predatory energy that defined the guitarist's high-octane persona during his commercial peak.

Recorded during the height of the late-seventies arena rock explosion, the production favors a dry, punchy sound that emphasizes aggressive guitar work. This record perfectly encapsulates the swagger and excess of the era's American rock scene.

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood teamed up with drummer Tom Skinner to create this project, effectively acting as a leaner, punchier extension of their work in Radiohead. The record feels like a spontaneous burst of creative energy, blending intricate math-rock rhythms with the haunting, paranoid melodies that have defined their collaborative output for decades.

Production here leans into a raw, live-in-the-room aesthetic that highlights the interplay between Skinner’s jazz-inflected percussion and those signature jagged guitar lines. It captures a restless, modern anxiety, balancing glitchy electronic textures against organic, driving rock arrangements that feel both urgent and deeply familiar.

Melancholy meets the dancefloor in this pivotal release where the band finally shed the heavy shadow of Joy Division. You can hear the transition clearly in the instrumental track Elegia, a haunting piece written as a tribute to Ian Curtis that anchors the record's emotional core.

Synthesizers and organic rock instrumentation blend seamlessly here, reflecting the group's deep immersion in the mid-80s New York club scene. The production captures a unique tension between cold, programmed rhythms and raw human expression, defining the signature sound of Factory Records during its creative peak.

Sun-drenched melodies and hypnotic rhythms collide here to recreate the feeling of a late afternoon on the Neapolitan coast. The music acts as a sonic postcard, blending traditional dialect with infectious, danceable grooves that feel both ancient and entirely modern.

Deeply rooted in the vibrant music scene of Naples, the production leans on a rich tapestry of funk, disco, and Mediterranean folk instrumentation. It captures a nostalgic yet forward-thinking energy that makes it a perfect soundtrack for long summer evenings.

Sophisticated pop production meets a newfound sense of maturity on this 1988 release. It marks a pivotal moment where the sound shifted away from pure new wave energy toward a polished, radio-ready aesthetic that defined the late eighties.

Slick synthesizers and crisp drum machines anchor the tracks, reflecting the high-gloss studio standards of the era. The record balances upbeat dance-pop anthems with introspective ballads, showcasing a refined approach to songwriting that feels both nostalgic and timeless.