Released: 04/12/15
Released in 1992, Dirty is Sonic Youth’s ninth album and one of their most politically charged. Produced by Butch Vig, it balances jagged, discordant noise with a more tuneful edge, revisiting the raw energy of Sister while refining their chaotic guitar interplay. Songs like “Youth Against Fascism” and “Swimsuit Issue” confront social issues head-on, while tracks like “Wish Fulfillment” and “Theresa’s Sound World” showcase their evolving melodic depth. Bold, confrontational, and sonically rich, Dirty stands as a fierce, uncompromising high point in their major-label era.