Kate Bush – Never for Ever VG+/VG+

Kate Bush’s Never for Ever, released in 1980, marked a turning point in her sound. It built on the theatricality of her earlier work but with a newfound confidence and sonic diversity. The album doesn’t shy away from experimentation, incorporating digital synthesizers and drum machines for the first time alongside Bush’s signature piano compositions. This creates a rich tapestry of styles, from the driving rock of “Violin” to the melancholic waltz of the hit single “Army Dreamers.”

Never for Ever also showcased Bush’s expanding lyrical universe. Drawing inspiration from literature and cinema, she tackles themes of love, loss, and social commentary. The playful yet unsettling “Babooshka,” another hit single, exemplifies this with its tale of a woman testing her husband’s loyalty through a fabricated persona. Meanwhile, “The Wedding List” delves into a darker side, exploring themes of revenge.

This album solidified Bush’s reputation as a creative force to be reckoned with. It became her first chart-topping release, a significant feat for a solo female artist at the time. Never for Ever stands as a testament to Bush’s artistic growth and her ability to blend musical innovation with captivating storytelling.