Grab your Walkman, crank up the neon, and let’s dive into the music this year that proves the 80’s spirit is alive and kicking harder than Billy Idol’s sneer. Here is a recap of my favorite albums from our synthesizer and music video heroes of Gen-X.
Billy Idol: Still Dancing With Himself (and Everyone Else)
2025 was ruled by one of MTV’s ultimate icons: Billy Idol. His latest album, Dream Into It, is arguably his best since 1986’s Whiplash Smile. Think leather jackets, peroxide hair, and enough attitude to power a DeLorean.
The album reflects on Idol’s wild lifestyle and its impact on family, friends, and himself—like a VH1 “Behind the Music” episode set to killer riffs. Longtime collaborator Steve Stevens is back with those signature guitar licks, and Idol’s trademark snarls and whoops are in full force.
Why it rocks:
- “Still Dancing” – A nod to Dancing With Myself, exploring perseverance and redemption.
- “‘77” – A collab with Avril Lavigne (because punk never dies).
- “Wild Side” – Featuring Joan Jett, who opened for Idol during his “It’s a Nice Time…To Tour Again” world tour. Talk about a double shot of rebellion.
Men Without Hats: Moonwalking the Safety Dance
Next up, Men Without Hats dropped On the Moon, and it’s pure 80’s nostalgia with a cosmic twist. You can still dance if you want to with this album. Just be careful – at our age you may pull something! The single “I Love the 80’s” name-checks Live Aid, The Fixx, and even the Walkman (cue the mixtape memories). It also musically teases their classic hits The Safety Dance and Pop Goes the World. There are all sorts of lyrical Easter eggs in this song. If this track doesn’t make you want to dance around a maypole and act like an imbecile, nothing will.
Personal throwback: Men Without Hats played Disneyland’s Grad Nite in 1988—the year I graduated high school in Southern California. I was able to see them rocking Tom Sawyer’s Island at about 2 a.m. that year. What an awesome memory!
⚡ Sparks Fly Again
Sparks released their 26th album Mad, proving they’re still quirky geniuses. Lori Majewski even had Russell and Ron Mael on her First Wave show to celebrate the release and play some of the new songs. The album debuted at #2 on the British charts; their highest position ever. With quirky song titles like “JanSport Backpack” and “Running Up A Tab At The Hotel For The Fab” it is vintage Sparks. If you’re not listening to Sparks, are you even living your best art-pop life?
🎤 Solo Acts & Side Quests
- Andy Bell (Erasure) – Ten Crowns features standout tracks like “Heart’s a Liar” with Debbie Harry. Blondie meets Erasure = synth heaven.
- Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) – Proving true style never fades on This Destination. This much is true.
- David Byrne (Talking Heads) – Who is The Sky his 9th solo album. I really wish the Talking Heads would have a reunion tour.
- Kim Wilde – As a native Californian, I’m still annoyed after all these years, by the lyric “East California” (look on a map Kim…nobody lives in the eastern half of California!) from “Kids in America” but there’s some good stuff here like “Trail of Destruction” on Closer.
- The Vapors, Ian McNabb (Icicle Works) – Both dropped albums worth spinning on your retro turntable. They were both some of my favorites performances from 2025’s I Love the 80s Tour. “Hit the Ground Running” is the stand-out track from The Vapors on Wasp in a Jar and “If It Wasn’t for the Music” hit #1 on the British Heritage chart for McNabb from the album of the same name.
🕹️ Bonus Round: Tron and Nine Inch Nails
Late 80’s meets cyberpunk: Nine Inch Nails scored the Tron: Ares soundtrack. Mostly instrumental, but “As Alive As You Need Me to Be” is a standout. Perfect for cruising the information superhighway in your virtual Ferrari. I’m looking forward to seeing NIN on their 2026 tour, which will be the first time I have seen them live since the original Lollapalooza tour in 1991!
Personal throwback: I was first introduced to my wife of over 30 years(!) at Lollapalooza. Though we wouldn’t meet again until another year after this and actually get to know each other and start dating for another year after that. But I’ll always be grateful to Perry Farrell for putting on Lollapalooza.
Why SiriusXM Needs a “Next Wave” Channel
Here’s the rub: SiriusXM’s First Wave is great, but where’s the channel for new music from these legends? Richard Blade’s “New Sensation” segment is awesome, but hearing a new track once and then never again? That’s more disappointing than finding out your cassette got eaten by your Walkman. Let’s make this happen, folks. My son and I are available to curate the channel, just saying!
Never Let Me Down Again
The past few years have delivered some awesome albums that rival peak 80’s material from legends of the New Wave genre:
- Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
- OMD – Bauhaus Staircase
- Duran Duran – Future Past
- The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
And now, Billy Idol’s Dream Into It joins that elite club. Stay tuned for our next article where we’ll cover singles and more albums from your favorite 80’s icons from 2025. Until then, keep your hair big, your synths loud, and your attitude totally radical.
