The Best Pop Albums of the 1990s
Our pick of the essential pop records released in the 1990s, ranked.
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1Ray of LightMadonna
Ray of Light
A reinvention via electronica and introspection, lush and forward-looking. Widely seen as her artistic peak. Glossy, spiritual and assured.
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2...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears
...Baby One More Time
A debut that defined late-90s teen pop, built around one of the era's most recognisable singles. Glossy and huge. A pop-culture landmark.
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3SpiceSpice Girls
Spice
A bright, irresistible debut that defined late-90s pop and 'girl power', hook after hook. Fun and enormous. A cultural phenomenon.
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4MillenniumBackstreet Boys
Millennium
A blockbuster of polished boy-band pop, home to 'I Want It That Way'. Glossy and enormous. A landmark of the era.
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5DangerousMichael Jackson
Dangerous
A new-jack-swing reinvention of slick, hard-edged pop. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
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6DaydreamMariah Carey
Daydream
A peak of 90s pop-R&B vocal craft, home to 'Fantasy' and 'One Sweet Day'. Polished and huge. Her commercial high.
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7ButterflyMariah Carey
Butterfly
A sophisticated R&B-pop peak that deepened her artistry. Smooth and acclaimed. Her finest.
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8Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1George Michael
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
A serious, mature follow-up to Faith, home to 'Freedom! '90'. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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9SpiceworldSpice Girls
Spiceworld
A bright, hook-laden follow-up to Spice. Fun and huge. A commercial high.
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10The Velvet RopeJanet Jackson
The Velvet Rope
An intimate, adventurous record of identity and desire, her most personal. Sleek and acclaimed. A creative high.
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11Tragic KingdomNo Doubt
Tragic Kingdom
A ska-pop blockbuster of hooks and attitude, home to 'Don't Speak'. Bright and huge. A 90s staple.