[2025] Classic UK rock albums: A roundup of must-hear recommendations

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis

Oasis – Wonderwall (Official Video)

If you’re asked to name a rock band that defined the ’90s in the UK, Oasis is likely the first that comes to mind.

Their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is their signature work and one of the landmark records in UK rock history.

Filled with moving melodies and lyrics that resonate, it features songs that stir the listener’s soul.

Released in October 1995, the album was a major hit, selling 347,000 copies in its first week alone.

It’s a record cherished by a wide range of generations—from adults nostalgic for their youth to young people living in the present.

It’s highly recommended listening when you’re feeling down or need a boost.

Who’s NextThe Who

The Who – Baba O’Riley (Lyric Video)

Released in 1971 by The Who—known as revolutionaries of UK rock—this album remains an undying masterpiece in rock history.

Its forward-thinking sound, which made effective use of synthesizers, brought a fresh breeze to the rock scene of the time.

The intro to Baba O’Riley included on this album is something any rock fan will have heard.

The seamless fusion of Pete Townshend’s guitar and Roger Daltrey’s powerful vocals grips listeners and won’t let go.

The album topped the UK charts and earned high acclaim in the United States as well.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to fully savor the appeal of UK rock or delve into the history of the genre.

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m NotArctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys – When The Sun Goes Down (Official Video)

Arctic Monkeys’ debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, which took the UK rock scene by storm in 2006, is a classic that will go down in the history of UK rock.

Its songs sharply depict the underside of the nighttime city, laying bare young people’s everyday lives and social issues in a way that grips the listener.

Upon release, the album shot straight to No.

1 on the UK Albums Chart and earned the 2006 Mercury Prize, among other accolades that recognized the band’s remarkable talent.

With its energetic guitar sound and razor-sharp lyrics, this work is perfect for those who want to question modern society or savor the essence of UK rock.

A Night at the OperaQueen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Queen’s 1975 album A Night at the Opera is a masterpiece that shines brilliantly in the history of UK rock.

Its stunning tracks showcase a wide range of styles from ballads to hard rock, with an especially overwhelming epic that runs over six minutes.

The innovative structure incorporating operatic elements and the complex, layered choruses sent shockwaves through the rock world at the time.

The album became the band’s first to reach No.

1 on the UK charts and was nominated for a Grammy, earning high praise for its musicality.

It is highly recommended for those who want to savor the full allure of UK rock or explore the possibilities of music.

RevolverThe Beatles

The Beatles – Tomorrow Never Knows

The album Revolver, which revolutionized the history of pop music.

Hailed as a timeless masterpiece, it was released in August 1966 and reached number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200.

Defined by its psychedelic sound and innovative recording techniques, its final track in particular is an experimental piece influenced by Indian music.

With lyrics themed around Eastern philosophy and the exploration of consciousness, it presents listeners with a new worldview.

Serving as a turning point in the Beatles’ musical evolution, Revolver continues to be loved by many music fans to this day.

It’s especially recommended for a quiet night with headphones.

OK ComputerRadiohead

Radiohead – Paranoid Android

OK Computer, the album released in 1997 by Radiohead and known as a landmark of UK rock, pairs pioneering soundscapes with profound lyrics that sharply depict modern society’s anxieties and dependence on technology.

The lead single is an epic running over six minutes, distinguished by its experimental structure composed of multiple sections and lyrics that grapple with madness and violence.

It achieved commercial success, reaching No.

3 on the UK Singles Chart and receiving heavy rotation on MTV.

The album as a whole topped the UK Albums Chart, earned multiple platinum certifications, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who feels the anxieties and loneliness of life in the modern world.

The Dark Side of the MoonPink Floyd

Pink Floyd – Money (Official Music Video)

Pink Floyd’s masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon, a worldwide success, was released in March 1973 and continues to captivate countless listeners as a towering landmark of UK rock.

The band’s ensemble playing radiates overwhelming taste and precision, and the lyrics—at times sharply criticizing greed and materialism in capitalist society—remain as powerful as ever.

The album has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and set an astonishing record by staying on the U.

S.

Billboard 200 chart for 962 weeks.

Its grand soundscapes transcend the boundaries of progressive rock, making it a gem that every music lover should hear at least once.