Essential psychedelic pop listening

The albums that define psychedelic pop.

Our picks for where to start with psychedelic pop — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The psychedelic pop essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Born to Die

Lana Del Rey

Born to Die

Melancholic melodies intertwine with cinematic instrumentals, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape of nostalgia and longing.

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Ultraviolence

Lana Del Rey

Ultraviolence

Lana Del Rey's haunting vocals intertwine with rich orchestration, capturing a melancholic yet glamorous exploration of love and loss.

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Young Americans

David Bowie

Young Americans

A lush blend of soul and rock, infused with Bowie's characteristic theatricality and introspection.

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Let's Dance

David Bowie

Let's Dance

A vibrant fusion of rock and dance grooves, blending Bowie’s theatricality with an infectious pop sensibility.

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Blitz

Étienne Daho

Blitz

A vibrant tapestry of electro-pop and new wave textures intertwined with introspective lyrics and lush melodies.

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Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964–1976

Donovan

Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964–1976

A whimsical blend of folk melodies and psychedelic textures that captures the essence of 1960s counterculture.

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Sutras

Donovan

Sutras

A meditative blend of folk-infused melodies and introspective lyrics, reflecting Donovan's spiritual journey.

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Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg

Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg

A provocative blend of lush orchestration and playful, suggestive lyrics that redefine pop's boundaries.

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Rock Around the Bunker

Serge Gainsbourg

Rock Around the Bunker

A provocative blend of rock and chanson that confronts historical trauma with dark humor and biting satire.

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Innerspeaker

Tame Impala

Innerspeaker

A swirling blend of dreamy melodies and psychedelic grooves that transports listeners to another dimension.

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Tame Impala EP

Tame Impala

Tame Impala EP

A swirling mix of reverb-drenched guitars and hypnotic grooves that encapsulates the essence of modern psychedelia.

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Sing to God

Cardiacs

Sing to God

A chaotic tapestry of sounds blending art rock, punk energy, and whimsical melodies into a surreal listening experience.

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Songs for Ships and Irons

Cardiacs

Songs for Ships and Irons

A frenetic blend of art rock and psychedelic pop that pushes boundaries with playful, chaotic energy.

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Suddenly

Dan Snaith

Suddenly

A kaleidoscopic blend of dreamy pop melodies and intricate electronic textures that evoke nostalgia and introspection.

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FabricLive.93

Dan Snaith

FabricLive.93

A vibrant tapestry of eclectic sounds blending deep house grooves with psychedelic pop influences in a seamless journey.

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