The Plastic blog
December 25th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published


Gorillaz • The Fall
Released 25 December 2010 · 16th anniversary
Damon Albarn recorded this entire project on an iPad while touring across North America. It serves as a spontaneous, lo-fi travelogue that captures the fleeting landscapes and lonely hotel rooms he encountered along the way.
Production relies heavily on mobile apps and synthesizers, giving the record a grainy, experimental texture that feels remarkably intimate. The result is a departure from the polished studio hits of the past, favoring raw sketches and ambient soundscapes over traditional pop structures.

Blondie • Plastic Letters
Released 25 December 1977 · 49th anniversary
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein faced a major turning point here after their bassist left the band just before recording began. They leaned into their pop sensibilities and sharp songwriting to prove they were more than just a passing fad of the downtown scene.
Recorded in the late seventies, the sound captures the transition from gritty New York punk to the polished new wave that would soon dominate the airwaves. It serves as a vital bridge between the raw energy of CBGB and the massive commercial success that followed shortly after.

Run The Jewels • Run The Jewels 3
Released 25 December 2016 · 10th anniversary
Killer Mike and El-P hit a creative peak here, balancing pure, adrenaline-fueled aggression with sharp social commentary. It feels like a sonic riot that manages to be both deeply cynical about the state of the world and incredibly fun to blast at full volume.
Heavy, industrial-leaning production defines the sound, reflecting the tense political climate of 2017. The chemistry between the two rappers is at its tightest, turning every track into a masterclass of rhythmic precision and relentless energy.

Chet Atkins • Chet Atkins' Workshop
Released 25 December 1961 · 65th anniversary
Guitar virtuoso Chet Atkins showcases his unparalleled technical precision and innovative studio techniques on this 1961 release. He breathes new life into standards like 'Lullaby of Birdland' and 'Tammy' by layering his signature fingerstyle patterns over lush, sophisticated arrangements.
Recorded during the height of the Nashville Sound era, the album reflects the polished, high-fidelity production values synonymous with RCA Victor at the time. It captures a master musician at the peak of his creative powers, blending pop sensibilities with deep jazz and country roots.

Playboi Carti • Whole Lotta Red
Released 25 December 2020 · 6th anniversary
Fans waited over two years for this project, and it arrived with a jarring, punk-inspired aesthetic that completely pivoted away from the artist's previous sound. The record leans heavily into gothic imagery and aggressive, distorted vocal performances that polarized listeners upon its release.
Production here is defined by icy synths and relentless, high-energy trap percussion released under Interscope Records. It captures a specific moment in the Atlanta scene where the boundaries between mainstream hip-hop and underground rage music began to dissolve entirely.

Daniel Lopatin • Marty Supreme (Original Soundtrack)
Released 25 December 2025 · 1st anniversary
Daniel Lopatin returns to the A24 fold with this expansive score, crafting a sonic landscape that feels as fragmented and surreal as the film it accompanies. The tracklist weaves through moments of intense, rhythmic tension and delicate, synthesized intimacy, marking a distinct evolution in his cinematic work.
Released via A24 Music and Beat Records, the album leans into a polished, high-fidelity electronic aesthetic that defines the modern soundtrack era. Pressed at 45 RPM, the vinyl release prioritizes dynamic range, allowing the intricate, glitch-heavy textures and sweeping melodic passages to breathe with exceptional clarity.
Also on this day

Kenny Burrell • Weaver Of Dreams – The Vocal Artistry Of Kenny Burrell
Released 25 December 1961 · 65th anniversary
Dionne Warwick • Here, Where There Is Love
Released 25 December 1967 · 59th anniversary

Steppenwolf • Steppenwolf 7
Released 25 December 1970 · 56th anniversary

Paul Desmond, The Modern Jazz Quartet • The Only Recorded Performance Of Paul Desmond With The Modern Jazz Quartet
Released 25 December 1971 · 55th anniversary

Meiko Kaji • 梶 芽衣子の魅力
Released 25 December 1972 · 54th anniversary

José Afonso • Venham Mais Cinco
Released 25 December 1973 · 53rd anniversary
Poder Del Alma • Poder Del Alma
Released 25 December 1974 · 52nd anniversary

Tranzam • Funky Steps
Released 25 December 1974 · 52nd anniversary

Yuji Ohno • 犬神家の一族
Released 25 December 1976 · 50th anniversary

Blondie • Blondie + Plastic Letters
Released 25 December 1977 · 49th anniversary

B.B. King • Take It Home
Released 25 December 1979 · 47th anniversary

Lynyrd Skynyrd • Gold & Platinum
Released 25 December 1979 · 47th anniversary

Benny Goodman Band • King Of Swing (Aurex Jazz Festival '80)
Released 25 December 1980 · 46th anniversary

Yoriyuki Harada • Miu = ミユー
Released 25 December 1981 · 45th anniversary

Mkwaju Ensemble • Ki-Motion
Released 25 December 1981 · 45th anniversary

Taeko Ohnuki • Early Times 1976-77
Released 25 December 1981 · 45th anniversary

Gogol Premier Et La Horde • Vite Avant La Saisie
Released 25 December 1982 · 44th anniversary

Shakatak • Down On The Street
Released 25 December 1984 · 42nd anniversary

Petali Del Cariglione • Capitolo IV
Released 25 December 1985 · 41st anniversary

Antonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra • The Four Seasons
Released 25 December 1985 · 41st anniversary
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.