Pop album that has stood the test of time

"Held up well" is of course very subjective, but I was blown away ~15 years ago when I bought an OG vinyl copy of A-Ha’s "Hunting High and Low" JUST for the huge hit "Take on Me". That’s the only song I knew, at that time - but the whole album, from start to finish, is incredibly emotional and powerful. Beautifully done. One of my top favorites to this day. Also check out their "Unplugged - Summer Solstice" LP; it’s amazing. It has a stunning rendition of "The Sun Always Shines on TV" from that OG album - among other stunning tracks. Almost every time I’ve demoed that Unplugged for a local audiophile, they’ve gone out and bought a copy.

Also agree The Smiths material has held up well - timeless alt rock / indie.

Tracy Chapman is another one.  

@slaw thats funny cause the first name that popped into my head was Suzanne Vega.  I got on a kick a while ago listening to several of her early albums.  Very good.

Here's a few from 80s/90s everyone should have.
Pulp - Different Class
Prefab Sprout – From Langley Park to Memphis
The Bathers – Unusual Places to Die
R.E.M. – Green
Paul Simon - Graceland
It's Immaterial – Life's Hard and Then You Die
Fairground Attraction – The First Of A Million Kisses
The The – Mind Bomb
Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring
XTC – Oranges & Lemons

Although maybe a loose interpretation of pop music, I would have to say the inaugural offerings from Joe Jackson/Look Sharp and Elvis Costello/My Aim is True, are as good today as they were when first introduced. Enjoy the music