30 years later, Older is still one of George Michael’s greatest albums

Thirty years on, Older is still one of George Michael’s most defining albums ... and it came at a time when everything in his career was changing.

Released in 1996, the album followed a long silence after a legal fight with his record label kept him out of the spotlight. When he returned, however, it wasn’t with the same bright pop sound fans knew. Older leaned into something deeper, smoother, and far more personal.

It clearly resonated. The album shot to number one in the UK and delivered an incredible run of hit singles, including Fastlove and Jesus to a Child.

Behind the music was a more reflective George Michael, shaped by personal loss and major life shifts. He even dedicated the album to his late partner, giving it an emotional weight that set it apart from his earlier work.

While it didn’t dominate in the US the same way, Older became a standout success across the UK and Europe, and a defining chapter in his career.

Three decades later, it still feels like a reset moment ... the point where George Michael proved he could evolve, and come back stronger than ever.