1981 was a seismic year in pop music, with a wave of new artists making unforgettable chart debuts. While many compilations focus on the biggest hits, THE VAULT: 1981 uncovers the deeper story of the year with 82 carefully selected tracks across 4 CDs, spotlighting singles that have been rarely compiled over the past four decades. Some of these tracks reached the Top 40, others missed the charts entirely, and some were major U.S. hits that didn't crack the U.K. charts—but all are essential to the rich pop narrative of 1981.

The collection opens with early gems like Simple Minds' 'Sweat In Bullet' from their 'Sons And Fascination' album and Spandau Ballet's 'Paint Me Down' from 'Diamond'. It features debut singles from iconic acts including Heaven 17 with '(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang' and Eurythmics with 'Never Gonna Cry Again'. Also included are solo efforts from Debbie Harry ('The Jam Was Moving' from 'KooKoo') and Donna Summer ('Cold Love' from 'The Wanderer'), plus Gary Numan’s collaboration with Dramatis on 'Love Needs No Disguise' and John Foxx’s 'Europe After The Rain'. Billy Idol's 'Dancing With Myself' appears in its original Generation X version, alongside post-punk and new wave tracks from Hazel O’Connor, Bow Wow Wow, Honey Bane, Altered Images, and Adam & The Ants’ 1978 debut 'Young Parisians', re-released to chart in 1981.