The Age of Plastic is the debut album by the English new wave duo the Buggles, first released on 10 January 1980 on Island Records. It is a concept album about the possible repercussions of modern technology. The title was conceived from the group’s intention of being a “plastic group” and the album was produced in the wake of the success of their debut record, “Video Killed the Radio Star” (1979), which topped the UK Singles Chart. Most of the album’s other tracks were written during promotion of the single.

The album was recorded on a budget of £60,000. Bassist Trevor Horn was chiefly inspired by Kraftwerk’s 1978 album The Man-Machine and sought unconventional recording methods for The Age of Plastic. Keyboardist Geoff Downes characterised the album as “science fiction music … like modern psychedelic music … very futuristic.” Several tracks also featured contributions from vocalist Bruce Woolley, who left the group mid-production. The backing tracks were recorded at Virgin’s Town House in West London, while the vocals were recorded and mixed at Sarm East Studios. Mixing was completed before Christmas 1979.

The Age of Plastic reached number 27 on the UK Albums Chart amid a mixed critical reception. Its three subsequent singles, “The Plastic Age”, “Clean, Clean” and “Elstree”, charted in the UK, reaching number 16, 38 and 55 respectively. Classic Pop magazine called it the 99th best album of the 1980s, Paste magazine the 45th-best new wave album of all-time. A September 2010 performance at the Ladbroke Grove’s Supperclub in Notting Hill, London marked the first time that the group performed the album in its entirety.