Albums Turning 30 in 2025
- Lacey James
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Alternative rock, gangsta rap, and beanie babies were in. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of some major albums that impacted music history. Here are 10 major albums turning 30 in 2025.
1. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage.
Wise words to live by.
Youth, loss, despair and hope are some of the key themes on the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
The album is divided into two:
Dawn to Dusk – Represents the energy and angst of youth.
Twilight to Starlight – A more introspective, dreamlike journey into sadness and reflection.
The album spawned multiple bad ass hits like “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” “1979,” “Tonight,” and “Zero.” Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Billy Corgan’s unique voice and powerful songwriting helped the Smashing Pumpkins became a household name.
2. No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom
Anaheim ska rockers fronted by the lesser known at the time Gwen Stefani, released Tragic Kingdom in 1995. The album title, which is a play on the nickname of Anaheims Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, takes you on a whimsical journey with horns and Stefani’s yodeling and distinct vocals. With many of the tracks being about Stefani’s then relation with bassist Tony Kanal, the album went to have seven singles such as “I’m Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak” and “Sunday Morning.” This was the last album with keyboardist Eric Stefani, who would begin working full time in animation, most notable on The Simpsons. Tragic Kingdom propelled No Doubt into the spotlight with their fun genre blending vibes.
3. Rancid - …And Out Come the Wolves
The California Bay punk scene had exploded into the mainstream in the mid 90’s. When grunge was at its peak, the punky revival that happened in the 90’s was a shifting culture that had its own force.
Rancids …And Out Came the Wolves was a staple of this era. Formed by childhood friends, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, their third album was a catalyst for the band. The album has banger single tracks like “Time Bomb,” “Ruby Soho,” and “Roots Radicals.” The album is so iconic that it is the inspiration for an upcoming indie flick.
4.Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal
When you first think about Cleveland, Ohio, you probably thought about The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, a couple sports teams, or the place Dave Chappell calls home. However, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony helped put Cleveland, Ohio on the map in 1995 with E. 1999 Eternal. The album’s eerie, melodic production pairs with themes of life on the streets, mortality, and the afterlife, influenced by their experiences growing up in Cleveland. Their fast, melodic flows and hypnotic choruses became a blueprint for future rap artists.
“1st of tha Month” is a feel-good anthem about welfare checks dropping and became a hip-hop classic. “Tha Crossroads” – A tribute to lost loved ones, including mentor Eazy-E, this song became Bone Thugs’ biggest hit and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Haunting tracks like “East 1999,” “Mo’ Murda” and “Mr. Bill Collector,” which is a slower, funkier track about dodging debt and financial struggles, became synonymous with the group’s signature sound.
E. 1999 Eternal remains a defining album of ‘90s hip-hop, blending melody, storytelling, and technical rap mastery in a way that was ahead of its time.
5. Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill
Will she go down on you in a theater?
The third album of Alanis Morissette catapulted her into the forefront of feminine angsty-pop culture with her edgy, raw, and brutally honest style and lyrics. Her mezzo soprano vocals and iconic music video for “Ironic”, which was in rotation on MTV, would help make her 3rd album her most recognizable. With songs like “You Oughtta Know”, “Head Over Feet,” and “Hand in My Pocket,” the album became a rallying cry for adolescent rebellion. Jagged Little Pill went on to win five Grammy Awards and became a staple in 90’s culture.
6. Björk - Post
Before Bjork was rocking swan dresses, she released Post on June 13, 1995. Post is Björk’s second solo album, following her 1993 debut. This record pushed the boundaries of electronic, trip-hop, jazz, and avant-pop, making it one of the most forward-thinking albums of the decade. It’s an emotional, eclectic, and futuristic collection of songs that capture the feeling of a young artist embracing the chaos and beauty of the world.
While Debut introduced Björk’s unique approach to music, Post took it further, blending industrial beats, orchestral swells, jazz influences, and electronic experimentation. Thematically, the album reflects her personal and artistic growth after moving to London, with lyrics about love, independence, emotional extremes, and the surreal aspects of life.
Key Tracks include”Hyperballad,” “Isobel” and “Army of Me,” which is a heavy, industrial-tinged anthem about self-reliance, driven by pounding beats and ominous synths.
The whole album is a beautiful and introspective love story that is affective in her genre-fluid style catalog.
7. Moby - Everything is Wrong
Everything Is Wrong is Moby’s first fully realized studio album, showcasing his ability to blend techno, ambient, punk, house, and downtempo into a cohesive yet eclectic record. Unlike his earlier club-oriented releases, this album explores deeper emotional themes and a wider sonic palette, ranging from euphoric dance beats to melancholic ballads.
8. The Chemical Brothers – Exit Planet Dust
The album blends breakbeats, acid house, rock-inspired samples, and distorted synths, creating a high-energy, club-ready experience. Unlike traditional dance records, it incorporates a raw, almost punk-like attitude, making it appeal to rock and electronic audiences alike.
9. Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Coming fresh off the success of Definitely, Maybe in 1994, Brit pop wonder Oasis set out to truly out do themselves in a two year span. This album cemented Oasis as the biggest band in the world during the mid-’90s. With famous karaoke anthems like “Wonderwall,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and “Champagne Supernova,” the album is one of the best selling of all time.
10. Deftones - Adrenaline
Debut album of Deftones? Say no more.