Classic Pop | February 2026
For our first issue of 2026, we meet The Style Council as Café Bleu gets the deluxe boxset treatment. The band tell us about their storied career, from that genre-skipping debut through to their underrated swansong Modernism: A New Decade, which found them exploring house music.
Elsewhere this month, Classic Pop catches up with Squeeze to hear the intriguing genesis story behind their forthcoming album Trixies, which finds Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook revisiting unreleased songs they wrote as teenagers. We also meet Rick Astley as he prepares to set off on his Reflection arena tour and, ahead of his own Doin’ Fine Encore tour, Rick’s Stock Aitken Waterman labelmate Jason Donovan looks back on his pop past with us.
We also look into our crystal ball to preview music highlights across the next 12 months from our favourite artists in our Year Ahead: 2026 feature.
Meanwhile, we revisit Blondie’s Eat To The Beat for our latest classic album piece and shine a light on Wally Badarou’s Echoes. We also take a deep dive into Simply Red’s complete back catalogue and count down our Top 20 favourite 80s power ballads.
In our packed reviews pages we give our verdict on new album releases including Mika, Lily Allen, Agnes, De La Soul and Blue plus there’s a comprehensive reissues section featuring The Power Station, Talk Talk, Ian Dury, The Style Council, T.Rex, Roxette, Freddie Mercury, Atomic Kitten and more. In our live reviews section, we check out shows by Gary Numan, Howard Jones and Roland Gift.
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Launched in 2012, the monthly Classic Pop is the world’s leading pop magazine, with an award-winning team of specialist writers bringing you the biggest names in music - it’s the go-to source for pop enthusiasts worldwide.
Within the digital pages of each issue, Classic Pop delves deep into the artistry and history of some of the most iconic albums in the pop genre. From the sleek and stylish sounds of Duran Duran's 'Rio' to the infectious pop brilliance of Wham!'s 'Fantastic' and the groundbreaking sonic journey of Primal Scream's 'Screamadelica,' your Classic Pop digital magazine subscription ensures that you're never far from the stories and insights behind your favourite pop music classics.
For anyone passionate about 70s and 80s pop music, Classic Pop is the ultimate guide, offering unparalleled access to the stories behind the songs and the artists who created them. It's a journey through the history of pop, a tribute to the albums that defined generations, and a heartfelt salute to the icons who continue to influence and inspire the world. With Classic Pop, you don't just listen to the music; you immerse yourself in its vibrant tapestry, discovering the magic that makes pop music timeless and unforgettable.
A Classic Pop digital magazine subscription is a must-have for anyone interested in the 70s, 80s and 90s pop music. Each issue is packed with fantastic features - with your subscription, you’ll receive:
- Get every issue of Classic Pop direct to your device
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- Exclusive A-list artist interviews and the latest music news
- In-depth features from the era
- Album reviews of the very best new releases, reissues and vinyl
- Classic Album: A deep dive into iconic LPs
- Album by Album: Complete back catalogues of artists and bands go under the microscope
- Top 20: Your instant playlist from Classic Pop's hand-selected countdowns
You'll receive 12 issues during a 1 year Classic Pop magazine subscription.
Note: Digital editions do not include the covermount items or supplements you would find with printed copies.
Articles in this issue
Below is a selection of articles in Classic Pop February 2026.