Record Labels: Asylum

Charli XCX is one of the many artists signed under the record label Asylum which is responsible for many successful hits in the music industry.

Asylum Records was founded in 1971 by David Geffen and partner Elliot Roberts, specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne. Asylum’s early releases were distributed by Atlantic Records.

Asylum was taken over by Warner Communications in 1972, and merged with Elektra Records to become Elektra/Asylum Records.

Today, WMG claims worldwide year-to-date market share is up to 17.2% from 16.5%.

Most essential Asylum Records releases:

1. Eagles – Hotel California (1976)
   A zeitgeist capsule of America in the 1970s, the Eagles hit their peak on Hotel California. Shortly after they would widen divides that led to their demise but at this moment, they were masters.

2. Tom Waits – Small Change (1976)
Tom Waits is a brilliant chronicler of American history. Nobody captures their surroundings quite like Tom, even if it is somewhat mythologised.

3. Bob Dylan – Before The Flood (1974)
The second of Bob’s two albums with Before The Flood expresses the malevolence of some of Dylan’s earlier work. The live album flaunts the Band as a rocking chair to Dylan to lean on in times of doubt. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door is a highlight, putting Dylan’s acuity to the test.

4. Jackson Browne – Late For The Sky (1974)
Certainly Jackson Browne’s best early ’70s album, Late For The Sky is drenched in seriousness and ballads. Where it does wander towards the down-beat and ponderous, The Road and The Sky and Walking Slow bring it back to waist deep waters.

Today major artists like Anne Marie, Ed Sheeran. Charli XCX and PartyNextDoor are signed to Asylum producing hits for the company and touring around the world to promote their music.