The Best Pop Albums of the 2000s
Our pick of the essential pop records released in the 2000s, ranked.
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1Back to BlackAmy Winehouse
Back to Black
A modern soul classic that fused 1960s girl-group sound with brutally honest, contemporary lyrics, produced with Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. Winehouse's voice carries genuine ache throughout. Brief, perfect and bittersweet in hindsight.
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2The FameLady Gaga
The Fame
A glittering electro-pop debut that made Gaga a superstar, hook after hook. Bold and fun. A defining late-2000s record.
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3Good Girl Gone BadRihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad
A glossy pop-R&B breakthrough, home to 'Umbrella'. Sleek and huge. The album that made her a superstar.
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4ParachutesColdplay
Parachutes
A gentle, atmospheric debut of melancholic Britpop-adjacent songs, home to 'Yellow'. Tender and tuneful. A quiet success.
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5A Rush of Blood to the HeadColdplay
A Rush of Blood to the Head
The album that made Coldplay huge, anthemic and melancholic, from 'Clocks' to 'The Scientist'. Polished and emotional. Their breakthrough.
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6Confessions on a Dance FloorMadonna
Confessions on a Dance Floor
A seamless disco-house comeback, home to 'Hung Up'. Glossy and acclaimed. A late peak.
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7No Strings AttachedNSYNC
No Strings Attached
A record-shattering boy-band peak, home to 'Bye Bye Bye'. Polished and huge. A pop landmark.
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8StrippedChristina Aguilera
Stripped
An ambitious, defiant record of vocal power and reinvention, home to 'Beautiful'. Bold and varied. Her artistic statement.
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9JustifiedJustin Timberlake
Justified
A sleek solo debut of Neptunes and Timbaland pop-R&B that established Timberlake as a star. Smooth and fun. A turning point.
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10FutureSex/LoveSoundsJustin Timberlake
FutureSex/LoveSounds
A sleek, Timbaland-produced peak of dancefloor R&B-pop, from 'SexyBack' on. Inventive and huge. His defining record.
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11FeverKylie Minogue
Fever
A glittering disco-pop comeback, home to 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'. Glossy and irresistible. Her peak.
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12FearlessTaylor Swift
Fearless
The country-pop blockbuster that made Swift a star, home to 'Love Story'. Tuneful and huge. A breakthrough.
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13Viva la Vida or Death and All His FriendsColdplay
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
An ambitious, Eno-produced peak, home to its baroque title smash. Bold and huge. A creative high.
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14X&YColdplay
X&Y
A widescreen, anthemic peak of stadium pop-rock. Polished and huge. A commercial high.
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15Songs About JaneMaroon 5
Songs About Jane
A tuneful, funk-pop debut, home to 'This Love'. Smooth and huge. A breakthrough.
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16MusicMadonna
Music
A playful, electronic-leaning pop peak, home to its title track. Inventive and big. A strong record.
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17BlackoutBritney Spears
Blackout
A dark, forward-thinking dance-pop record now regarded as her artistic peak, all icy production and hooks. Influential and assured. A critical favourite.
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18Oops!... I Did It AgainBritney Spears
Oops!... I Did It Again
A glossy teen-pop blockbuster, home to its title smash. Bright and huge. A commercial peak.
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19Dangerously in LoveBeyoncé
Dangerously in Love
A solo debut that established Beyoncé as a force, home to 'Crazy in Love'. Polished and huge. A landmark.
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20Rated RRihanna
Rated R
A dark, edgy pop-R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative turning point.
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21The Fame MonsterLady Gaga
The Fame Monster
A darker, sharper companion to The Fame, home to 'Bad Romance'. Bold and immaculate. Arguably her pop peak.
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2219Adele
19
A soulful, jazzy debut of mature songcraft. Warm and acclaimed. A striking start.