Absolutely

Following the riotous success of their debut One Step Beyond…, Madness returned just a year later with Absolutely — a record that cemented their status as kings of British ska-pop. Released on 26 September 1980 through Stiff Records, it’s an album that captures both the band’s chaotic humour and their growing sophistication, brimming with character, wit and melody.

If One Step Beyond… was the sound of youthful exuberance, Absolutely feels tighter and more assured. Its singles — the irrepressible Baggy Trousers, the sharp and soulful Embarrassment, and the breezy instrumental The Return of the Los Palmas 7 — became defining moments in the Madness canon. Each showcases the band’s knack for weaving working-class stories into hook-laden pop, blending ska rhythms with quintessentially British storytelling.

While critics at the time were divided, the album’s polish and maturity have aged well. Billboard praised its stronger R&B and funk leanings, while AllMusic later noted its “highly appealing” mix of pace and gloss, calling it a natural, if smoother, successor to their debut. Even Rolling Stone’s early dismissal couldn’t dampen its enduring charm.

The cover — shot outside Chalk Farm tube station — has since become iconic, mirroring the band’s Camden roots and offbeat charisma. Decades later, saxophonist Lee Thompson would name Absolutely his favourite Madness record, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the moment the band fine-tuned their madness — less manic, more melodic, but every bit as infectious.