Review: From ‘85 to ‘25, An Album From Each Decade

By Julia Schwartz-Manne Opinions

1985: Kate Bush - Hounds of Love

Rating: 97/100

Favourite Tracks:

• Hounds of Love

• Cloudbusting

• Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)

• Watching You Without Me

For Fans Of:

• Björk

• Siouxsie and the Banshees

• Tori Amos

Hounds of Love was created as Kate Bush mastered the Fairlight CMI, a revolutionary synth that was incredibly difficult to use. Her use of the machine was unlike anyone else’s. Songs like “Hounds of Love” and “Cloudbusting” are climactic, orchestral masterpieces; recorded and produced with just the synthesizer. While the album did well when it came out, it became widely known to a whole new generation when “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” was featured on Stranger Things. The song charted higher in 2022 than it did at its peak in the ‘80s! The resurgence of the song, and the album as a whole, is both a testament to our generation’s love of older music and to Kate Bush’s unique and timeless artistry.

Hounds of Love (2018 Remaster)

1995: The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness

Rating: 99/100

Favourite Tracks:

• 1979

• Stumbleine

• Galapogos

• Tonight, Tonight

For Fans Of:

• Pixies

• Soundgarden

• Nirvana

Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness is quite possibly my favourite album of all time. It’s an album that draws the listener in, instilling in them a feeling that can only otherwise be achieved when looking up at a starry sky. Sometimes it’s sad and dreamy, and other times it’s grungy and wonderfully overwhelming. Having been insanely popular after its release in ‘95, my parents were around my age when they bought the Mellon Collie CD. I like to imagine them sitting and experiencing all 2 hours of music, choosing their favourites and listening to them until they memorized the words, just like I did. Music is a way to connect with others and the world around us, and I am reminded of that every time I listen to this album.

Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (1995)

2005: Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

Rating: 94/100

Favourite Tracks:

• Casimir Pulaski Day

• The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!

• John Wayne Gacy, Jr.

• Chicago

For Fans Of:

• Belle and Sebastian

• Iron & Wine

• Wilco

In 2002, Sufjan Stevens, an indie-folk artist from Detroit had an ambitious idea: he would release a concept album for each of the 50 states. His debut state album Michigan began gaining traction as word of his plan spread. When he announced the release of Illinois 3 years later, faith in his plan solidified. While Michigan focuses on Sufjan Stevens’ home state, Illinois is an album inspired by historical events and literature. Referencing ‘70s serial killers, past presidents from Illinois, the Mormon church, and even the annual dyeing of the Chicago River for St. Patrick’s day, the album is thoroughly researched and meticulously constructed. Sufjan Steven’s ability to connect obscure historical events to the most intimate aspects of humanity in this album defined his career and gave him a much wider platform than before. While the lack of state album releases since Illinois suggest that his plan was a publicity stunt after all, I take comfort in knowing it still resulted in 2 incredibly unique concept pieces.

The original cover of Illinois, with Superman visible

2015: Tame Impala - Currents

Rating: 98/100

Favourite Tracks:

• Reality In Motion

• Let It Happen

• The Less I Know The Better

• ‘Cause I’m A Man

For Fans Of:

• MGMT

• Empire Of The Sun

• Pond

“Did you know that Tame Impala is just one guy?” There’s a good chance you’ll be asked this question in your lifetime by an indie dude attempting to impress you with his deep knowledge of music. While Kevin Parker (the “one guy”), and his 2015 album Currents, seems to attract hipsters desperate to be niche, it's also an undeniably incredible record. Similar to the album art, Parker’s production on the album is psychedelic, shiny, and saturated. Each song is led by a bassline, while Parker’s vocals echo and reverberate like they’re just another instrument in the mix. Currents has inspired and influenced a huge amount of music in the decade since its release. As much as it pains me to admit it, I have to side with the hipsters on this one.

Currents (2015)

2025: Youth Lagoon - Rarely Do I Dream

Rating: 90/100

Favourite Tracks:

• Football

• Neighborhood Scene

• Gumshoe (Dracula From Arkansas)

• Saturday Cowboy Matinee

For Fans Of:

• TV Girl

• The Clientele

• M83

With the relatively recent introduction of streaming, anyone can release an album as they’re no longer limited by having to pay to produce vinyl or CDs. There are already more album releases in March 2025 than there were in the entire year of 1985. But for all the albums that are released these days, some stand out. Youth Lagoon’s Rarely Do I Dream is one of these. It is an album unlike anything I’ve ever heard, best described as eerie, dreamy and nostalgic. Each song samples home videos from the early ‘90s while the lyrics focus on the present and future. While the album is deeply infused with personal anecdotes, it also tells stories from outside perspectives, giving listeners the sense that Youth Lagoon has created a whole cast of characters. It is a phenomenal and haunting album, and will surely be a standout album of the 21st century.

Rarely Do I Dream (2025)