Hounds of Love (1985)

Kate Bush splits her masterpiece into a suite of exuberant, Fairlight-driven art-pop singles on side one and the conceptual aquatic odyssey of The Ninth Wave on side two. The propulsive drums and vocal reach of Running Up That Hill make a great entry point into her fearless sonic imagination. It stands as proof that experimental production and direct emotional storytelling can thrive together on a chart-topping pop album.