18 experimental albums you should have in your collection

Okay, so when I think about experimental albums, it’s like a double challenge. It’s tough for the artist trying to break all the rules and make something totally fresh, but it’s also hard *for us* as listeners – and especially critics – to wrap our heads around it. It’s a real test of boundaries for everyone involved.

This project focuses on undiscovered or largely unknown artists, and it’s a gamble. It could completely flop, or it could be a huge success that truly redefines not just a musical genre, but modern music as a whole.

Experimental albums are typically unique projects by artists or bands who push musical limits. They often feature unconventional song arrangements, innovative production techniques, and a willingness to explore new sounds.

Experimental albums that you should definitely own

Even iconic artists have experimented with new ideas – The Beatles’ album *Revolver* was groundbreaking for psychedelic rock, and The Velvet Underground’s debut, though initially a slow seller, continues to influence musicians today.

As a huge music fan, I still find Captain Beefheart’s *Trout Mask Replica* – from way back in 1969 – totally baffling and brilliant. And My Bloody Valentine’s *Loveless* album, released in 1991, continues to blow me away with its incredibly innovative guitar work. It’s just unlike anything else!

These 18 albums are all remarkably experimental, each pushing boundaries in unique ways. Despite facing both harsh criticism and widespread acclaim, they’ve all become recognized as classics.

Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat (1969)

This double album, released late in Frank Zappa’s early period with The Mothers of Invention, showcases his experimental spirit. He fearlessly blended styles – from mimicking classical composer Igor Stravinsky and performing playful doo-wop to launching into jazz improvisation – and packed the record with everything imaginable, including snippets of sound and impressive guitar work. It’s considered a landmark album that helped launch the progressive rock movement.

Tim Buckley – Starsailor (1970)

Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley’s father, began his career as a typical folk singer. However, he soon started pushing boundaries with his voice, creating experimental music that blended rock, jazz, and electronic sounds. One of his most adventurous albums, released the same year as *Lorca*, is considered both superior to and even more experimental than that earlier work.

Can – Tago Mago (1971)

When people talk about Krautrock, they often use the word “motorik” to describe its basic, energetic rhythms, which musicians then build upon with free-form improvisation. If you want to understand where this unique rhythmic style came from, this double album is a great place to start. You’ll hear it in the swirling sounds of every instrument, and even in the experimental vocals of Damo Suzuki.

Faust – Faust (1971)

When this album first came out, people struggled to categorize it – both critics and listeners were stumped. Because it originated in Germany, it quickly became labeled as ‘Krautrock.’ But really, no one else was creating such a diverse and experimental soundscape, blending traditional rock elements with electronic music and even the sounds of power tools – often all at once. It makes you wonder, did Faust pioneer industrial music?

Fripp & Eno – Evening Star (1975)

Brian Eno and Robert Fripp, widely considered pioneers of progressive rock and ambient music, collaborate again in this release. They expertly blend electronically altered guitar textures with evolving tape loops, creating soundscapes that shift between peaceful and unsettling, and have heavily influenced countless musicians since.

Laurie Anderson – Big Science (1982)

Before releasing her first album, Kate Anderson was seen as a promising experimental musician. However, when her song “Oh Superman” became a pop hit, the more serious world of modern classical music rejected her. Perhaps they disapproved of the humor she brought to her unique blend of spoken word and electronic music.

Scott Walker – Climate of Hunter (1984)

It’s a surprising journey from topping the pop charts to creating intensely experimental music – like recording sounds with fists on animal carcasses. The late Scott Walker, renowned for his incredible voice, made that transition, and this album represents the point where his pop sensibilities met his abstract artistic explorations, showcasing both sides of his talent.

Bongwater – Double Bummer (1988)

This artist and producer, known simply by his last name, has collaborated with a huge number of prominent musicians and always preferred a unique approach. In this track, featuring actress Ann Magnuson, he explores every facet of psychedelic music, subverts expectations, and surprisingly creates something that could appeal to a wide audience.

Barry Adamson – Moss Side Story (1989)

Working with artists known for their intense and often unsettling imagery – like Howard Devoto of Magazine or Nick Cave – naturally leads to a solo sound that feels like a soundtrack for a dark, dramatic crime story. This soundtrack would likely move quickly between moments of quiet tenderness and shocking violence.

Windy & Carl – Antarctica: The Bliss Out, Vol. 2 (1997)

Drone music often gets a bad reputation, with many people dismissing it as boring or empty. However, it’s often a case of not having heard truly compelling examples. This album showcases a rich, engaging, and genuinely listenable take on the genre.

Boards of Canada – Music Has the Right to Children (1998)

A common criticism of 90s electronic music is that many tracks sounded too similar. This duo defied that trend by taking familiar sounds and blending them together in a fresh, yet still enjoyable, way.

The Olivia Tremor Control – Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One (1999)

Olivia Tremor Control was the most experimental band to come out of the 1990s Elephant 6 collective, blending genres like psychedelic pop, classical music, and electronic sounds in their work. Their albums, and especially this one considered by many to be their finest, have been called both brilliant and unhinged – a captivating balance between genius and madness.

Fog – Fog (2000)

I stumbled across this artist, Fog – actually, a guy named Andrew Broter – and he was really trying to blend rock music with hip-hop and beat-driven stuff back in the early 2000s. Honestly, the idea wasn’t *totally* groundbreaking even then, but what makes Fog special is how *well* he pulls it off. He has a knack for taking seemingly clashing sounds and making them work together – it’s really well done.

Bohren & the Club of Gore – Sunset Mission (2000)

Ever wonder how bands transition from the aggressive sound of black metal to the atmospheric style known as dark jazz or jazz noir? These German musicians offer a clue: instead of fast guitar riffs, they create a haunting mood by pushing the guitars into the background and slowing down keyboards and wind instruments to a very deliberate, glacial pace – creating a dark and chilling atmosphere.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (2000)

Post-rock typically features unconventional song arrangements, prioritizing sound textures and overall atmosphere. This Montreal-based group remains a leading example of this experimental genre, and their latest double album is likely their strongest work to date.

Royal Trux – Hand of Glory (2002)

Royal Trux, the duo of Jennifer Herrema and Neil Hagerty, played raw, blues-influenced rock, but with a seriously loud and distorted sound. Despite all the noise, they still wrote actual songs, creating a unique brand of rock that felt both classic and experimental.

The Caretaker – An empty bliss beyond this World (2011)

Leyland James Kirby is a musician who creates under many different names, and The Caretaker is one of them. As The Caretaker, Kirby takes sounds from old records – specifically 78RPMs – and transforms them using electronic techniques. The result is music that’s both peaceful and unsettling, and this album is a prime example of his work in that style.

Julia Holter – Aviary (2018)

Holter is an artist who defies easy categorization, and for good reason. She draws inspiration from a huge range of musical styles, blending them together in a unique and often surprising way. This ninety-minute performance perfectly showcases her innovative and enigmatic approach.

2025-09-15 13:01