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Best Post Punk

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Rankings use category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, and recency. Affiliate relationships do not affect scores.

0.0 - 10.0
Best 1 Talking Heads – Remain in Light

Remain in Light is the fourth studio album by American rock band Talking Heads, released in 1980 and co-produced by Brian Eno, heavily featuring Afrobeat.

2 Television – Marquee Moon

Marquee Moon is the debut studio album by the American rock band Television, released in 1977, praised for Tom Verlaine's intricate, interlocking guitar work.

3 Unknown Pleasures

Unknown Pleasures is the 1979 debut studio album by the English band Joy Division, released by Factory Records and produced by Martin Hannett. Its sparse production, prominent bass, controlled percussion, and atmospheric guitar textures helped define the sound associated with post-punk. The cover, d...

4 Marquee Moon

Marquee Moon is the 1977 debut studio album by the New York band Television. It combines post-punk economy with extended, precisely arranged guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, particularly on the title track. Recorded with producer Andy Johns, the album emerged from the CBGB sc...

5 The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead

The 1986 third studio album by English rock band the Smiths from Manchester, widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and released on Rough Trade.

6 Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation

The fifth studio album by New York noise rock band Sonic Youth, this 1988 double LP is widely regarded as their masterpiece and a landmark of American alternative rock.

7 Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

Unknown Pleasures is the 1979 debut studio album by the English post-punk band Joy Division, produced by Martin Hannett, noted for its dark, atmospheric sound.

8 Metal Box
Metal Box

Metal Box is the second studio album by the English band Public Image Ltd, released in 1979. Its original edition placed three 45 rpm 12-inch records inside a round metal canister, while later editions used the title Second Edition. The music combines Jah Wobble's dub-influenced bass, Keith Levene's...

9 The Queen Is Dead

The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English band the Smiths, released in 1986. Written primarily by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, it combines Marr's layered guitar arrangements with lyrics addressing romance, isolation, social convention, and British public life. The album includes the t...

10 Entertainment!

Entertainment! is the debut studio album by the English post-punk band Gang of Four, released in 1979. The record is distinguished by its angular, jagged guitar work, funk-driven basslines, and lyrics heavily focused on political and social critique. It fundamentally shaped the post-punk movement, i...

11 Gang of Four – Entertainment!

Entertainment! is the debut album by the English post-punk band Gang of Four, released in 1979, known for its politically charged lyrics and angular funk.

12 The Cure – Disintegration

Disintegration is the eighth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released in 1989, marking a return to the slow, gloomy dirges of their early work.

13 Joy Division – Closer

Closer is the second and final studio album by English rock band Joy Division, released in 1980 shortly after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.

14 Wire – Pink Flag

Pink Flag is the debut studio album by the English band Wire, released in 1977, recognized for its brief, minimalist, and abrasive punk rock songs.

15 The Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime

The Minutemen’s “Double Nickels on the Dime” is a seminal 1984 double album from Los Angeles. This post-punk project showcases the band's rapid-fire, politically charged lyrics and unconventional instrumentation. The record’s dense arrangements and experimental approach influenced countless indie ro...

16 R.E.M. – Murmur

The 1983 debut studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M. from Athens, Georgia, acclaimed for its jangle pop sound and enigmatic, murmured lyrics.

17 The Strokes – Is This It

Is This It is the 2001 debut studio album by American rock band The Strokes, widely regarded as a defining record that catalyzed the early 2000s garage rock revival.

18 Pink Flag
Pink Flag

Pink Flag is Wire's 1977 debut album for Harvest, a 21-track art-punk landmark produced by Mike Thorne at London's Advision Studios.

19 Hex Enduction Hour

Hex Enduction Hour is the Fall's 1982 album for Kamera, recorded in England and Iceland and notable as the band's first two-drummer studio LP.

20 New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies

Power, Corruption & Lies is the second studio album by the English band New Order, released in 1983, marking their definitive transition from post-punk to synth-pop.

21 Disintegration

Disintegration is the Cure's 1989 eighth album, recorded at Hookend with David M. Allen and regarded as a major gothic rock work.

22 Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights

Turn on the Bright Lights is the 2002 debut studio album by American post-punk revival band Interpol, critically acclaimed for its moody atmospherics and Joy Division influences.

23 Talking Heads

Talking Heads redefined New Wave with their quirky rhythms, intellectual lyrics, and David Byrne's distinctive vocals. Their blend of art-rock, funk, and punk created a sound that was both challenging and accessible. Albums like 'Remain in Light' and 'Fear of Music' remain cornerstones of the genre,...

24 This Nation's Saving Grace

This Nation's Saving Grace is the Fall's 1985 Beggars Banquet album, produced by John Leckie and widely noted for its sharper pop hooks.

25 Sound of Silver

Sound of Silver is LCD Soundsystem's 2007 second album, notable for refining James Murphy's dance-punk style and earning major critical acclaim.

26 This Heat - This Heat

This Heat’s 1979 debut album is a significant work in experimental music. The trio's intense rhythmic explorations and angular instrumentation prefigured the development of post-punk and influenced subsequent genres like post-rock. It remains notable for its stark soundscapes and challenging approac...

27 The Jesus and Mary Chain – Psychocandy

Psychocandy is the debut studio album by the Scottish band the Jesus and Mary Chain, released in 1985, famous for blending 1960s pop melodies with loud feedback.

28 The xx - xx

"xx" is the 2009 debut studio album by the English indie pop band The xx, acclaimed for its minimalist, atmospheric production and earning the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2010.

29 Murmur
Murmur

Murmur is R.E.M.'s 1983 debut album, produced by Don Dixon and Mitch Easter, and a landmark of American college rock.

30 Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings and Food

Talking Heads’ “More Songs About Buildings and Food” released in 1978 represents a significant shift within their post-punk sound. Featuring early collaborations with Brian Eno, this album explores themes of urban life, consumerism, and everyday experiences through innovative arrangements and David...

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