The Plastic blog
May 15th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published


Burial • Burial
Released 15 May 2006 · 21st anniversary
Ghostly vocal samples and rain-slicked textures define this record, creating a soundscape that feels like wandering through a deserted London at three in the morning. It remains a masterclass in atmosphere, turning the frantic energy of dance music into something deeply introspective and lonely.
Hyperdub released this debut during the early days of dubstep, though it avoids the genre's typical aggression in favor of crackling vinyl hiss and muffled garage rhythms. The production captures the hazy, melancholic spirit of a city transitioning into the digital age.

Beach House • Bloom
Released 15 May 2012 · 15th anniversary
Vibrant melodies and swirling textures define this record, marking a high point for the duo's ability to craft immersive, expansive soundscapes. Tracks like "Myth" and "Lazuli" showcase a masterful balance of hazy atmosphere and undeniable pop hooks that linger long after the final note.
Released in 2012, the production leans heavily into the band's signature dream pop aesthetic, layering shimmering guitars over steady, driving percussion. It captures the essence of the indie rock scene during that era, offering a lush, cinematic experience that feels both intimate and grand.

Charli XCX • How I'm Feeling Now
Released 15 May 2020 · 7th anniversary
Isolation during the 2020 lockdowns forced a radical change in workflow, resulting in an album built almost entirely from home-recorded demos. The raw, glitchy energy feels like a direct line into the artist's creative process during a time of global uncertainty.
Hyperpop sensibilities shine through the heavy compression and experimental synth textures. It is a snapshot of a pop star stripping away the major-label gloss to embrace a chaotic, intimate, and deeply digital sound.

Skee Mask • Compro
Released 15 May 2018 · 9th anniversary
Breakbeat-heavy techno meets ambient introspection on this widely acclaimed record. The production is incredibly detailed, with intricate drum programming that feels both chaotic and perfectly controlled.
Released during a time when electronic music was moving toward more complex, genre-blurring soundscapes, this album stands out for its emotional depth. It manages to feel nostalgic and avant-garde at the same time, making it a modern classic for the digital age.

A Taste Of Honey • A Taste Of Honey
Released 15 May 1978 · 49th anniversary
Everyone knows the infectious bassline of 'Boogie Oogie Oogie,' but the rest of this self-titled debut is a masterclass in tight, melodic songwriting. It balances high-energy dance floor fillers with surprisingly tender ballads that showcase the duo's vocal harmonies.
Released at the height of the late seventies disco craze, the record captures that polished, studio-slick sound that defined the era. The production leans heavily into funky rhythms and lush arrangements, making it a quintessential piece of the late-seventies groove scene.

Run-DMC • Raising Hell
Released 15 May 1986 · 41st anniversary
Rick Rubin famously pushed the group to cover Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way," a risky move that ultimately shattered the walls between hip-hop and rock radio. This collaboration brought the raw energy of the streets into suburban living rooms and forever changed the trajectory of popular music.
Raw, minimalist drum machine beats define the sound here, stripped of the lush orchestration that dominated earlier rap records. Recorded during the mid-eighties in New York, the album captures the aggressive, confident spirit of the Def Jam era at its absolute peak.
Also on this day

José Melis • At Midnight
Released 15 May 1958 · 69th anniversary

Ludwig van Beethoven, Sir Thomas Beecham, The Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jennifer Vyvyan, Monica Sinclair, Richard Lewis (3), Marian Novakowski • Mass In C Major, Op. 86
Released 15 May 1959 · 68th anniversary

Richard Strauss, Artur Rodzinski, Philharmonia Orchestra • Death And Transfiguration / Dance Of The Seven Veils From "Salome" / Dance Suite After Couperin
Released 15 May 1959 · 68th anniversary

Edvard Grieg, Robert Schumann, Solomon (6), Herbert Menges, Philharmonia Orchestra • Piano Concertos
Released 15 May 1959 · 68th anniversary

Richard Strauss, Christel Goltz, Julius Patzak, Hans Braun, Clemens Krauss, Wiener Philharmoniker • Salome
Released 15 May 1960 · 67th anniversary

Jimmy Martin • Good 'N Country
Released 15 May 1960 · 67th anniversary

Jimmy Smith • Bashin'
Released 15 May 1962 · 65th anniversary
Bo Diddley • Surfin' With Bo Diddley
Released 15 May 1963 · 64th anniversary

The Shadows • Dance With The Shadows
Released 15 May 1964 · 63rd anniversary

OC Smith • Hickory Holler Revisited
Released 15 May 1968 · 59th anniversary

Andy Williams • Honey
Released 15 May 1968 · 59th anniversary

King Crimson • In The Wake Of Poseidon
Released 15 May 1970 · 57th anniversary

The Beach Boys • Carl And The Passions – "So Tough"
Released 15 May 1972 · 55th anniversary

The Stylistics • Thank You Baby
Released 15 May 1975 · 52nd anniversary

Max Webster • Max Webster
Released 15 May 1976 · 51st anniversary

Brand X (3) • Moroccan Roll
Released 15 May 1977 · 50th anniversary
The Fatback Band • Fired Up 'N' Kickin'
Released 15 May 1978 · 49th anniversary

Frenéticas • Caia Na Gandaia
Released 15 May 1978 · 49th anniversary

Con Funk Shun • Loveshine
Released 15 May 1978 · 49th anniversary

Jimi Hendrix, Lonnie Youngblood • Jimi Hendrix
Released 15 May 1978 · 49th 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.