The Plastic blog
January 13th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published


Bonobo • Migration
Released 13 January 2017 · 10th anniversary
Travel served as the primary inspiration for this record, with Simon Green recording field samples in airports and hotel rooms across the globe. These organic textures weave through the electronic arrangements, turning the album into a sonic diary of life spent constantly in motion.
Released on Ninja Tune, the production balances lush, future-jazz sensibilities with propulsive house rhythms. It feels like a late-night drive through a neon-lit city, perfectly capturing the bittersweet feeling of being both a stranger and a local in places you have never been before.

The Beatles • Yellow Submarine
Released 13 January 1969 · 58th anniversary
Half of this record serves as a vibrant, psychedelic soundtrack for the animated film, while the other half features a lush orchestral score composed by George Martin. It remains a unique curiosity in the band's catalog, blending classic pop sensibilities with the whimsical, experimental spirit of the late sixties.
Recorded during the peak of their creative evolution, these tracks capture the band at their most playful and adventurous. The production leans heavily into the colorful, kaleidoscopic sounds that defined the era, offering a surreal auditory journey that feels like a direct invitation into the world of Pepperland.

Megadeth • So Far, So Good... So What!
Released 13 January 1988 · 39th anniversary
Turbulence defined the recording process for this thrash staple, with constant lineup shifts and internal friction fueling the intensity. The result is a jagged, high-speed assault that captures a band operating on the edge of collapse.
Heavy metal production in this era favored a raw, unpolished sound that highlights the frantic energy of the riffs. It stands as a testament to the chaotic creative spirit of the late eighties speed metal scene.

The Pretenders • Learning To Crawl
Released 13 January 1984 · 43rd anniversary
Tragedy defined the creation of this record, as the band navigated the sudden loss of two core members. Chrissie Hynde channeled that grief into a fierce, resilient collection that proved the group could survive and evolve under immense pressure.
Sharp songwriting meets a polished, mid-eighties production style that balances raw rock energy with sophisticated pop sensibilities. It captures a band finding their footing again, delivering timeless tracks that feel both vulnerable and undeniably tough.

The XX • I See You
Released 13 January 2017 · 10th anniversary
Samples of Hall & Oates and a newfound sense of openness define this record, marking a departure from the band's signature minimalist gloom. It captures a group stepping out of the shadows, embracing brighter melodies and more complex, layered arrangements than ever before.
Recorded across various global cities, the production feels expansive and polished compared to the intimate, bedroom-studio aesthetic of their earlier work. This shift reflects a move toward a more vibrant, pop-forward sound while still maintaining the group's trademark emotional vulnerability.

SOHN • Rennen
Released 13 January 2017 · 10th anniversary
Vulnerability sits at the core of this record, stripping away the excess to focus on raw, soulful vocals set against cold, precise electronics. It feels like a late-night confession, balancing intimate songwriting with a sense of vast, lonely space.
Production here leans into the sophisticated downtempo sound that defined the mid-2010s electronic scene. You get these crisp, punchy beats paired with lush synth textures that make the whole project feel both impeccably polished and deeply human.
Also on this day

Serge Gainsbourg • Anna (Bande Originale De La Comédie Musicale)
Released 13 January 1967 · 60th anniversary

Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Juilliard Chorus, Westminster Choir, Rudolf Serkin • Ninth Symphony / Choral Fantasy
Released 13 January 1969 · 58th anniversary

Weather Report • Weather Report Live In Tokyo
Released 13 January 1972 · 55th anniversary

Procol Harum • Rock Roots
Released 13 January 1976 · 51st anniversary

Orlann Divo • Orlandivo
Released 13 January 1977 · 50th anniversary

Syreeta • One To One
Released 13 January 1977 · 50th anniversary
Vicky Leandros • Vicky Leandros
Released 13 January 1978 · 49th anniversary
Raydio • Raydio
Released 13 January 1978 · 49th anniversary

George Benson • Weekend In L.A.
Released 13 January 1978 · 49th anniversary

Henry Threadgill • X-75 Volume 1
Released 13 January 1979 · 48th anniversary

Unlimited Touch • Unlimited Touch
Released 13 January 1981 · 46th anniversary
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers • Africaine
Released 13 January 1981 · 46th anniversary

War • Outlaw
Released 13 January 1982 · 45th anniversary

Paul Jabara • Paul Jabara And Friends
Released 13 January 1983 · 44th anniversary

Caetano Veloso • Velô
Released 13 January 1984 · 43rd anniversary

Takayanagi's Angry Waves • 850113
Released 13 January 1985 · 42nd anniversary

Skyy • Start Of A Romance
Released 13 January 1989 · 38th anniversary
Southern All Stars • Southern All Stars
Released 13 January 1990 · 37th anniversary

Darkthrone • Soulside Journey
Released 13 January 1991 · 36th anniversary

The Darkside • Melomania
Released 13 January 1992 · 35th 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.