The Best Pop Albums of the 2000s

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1. 1
   Back to BlackAmy Winehouse

   Back to Black

   Amy Winehouse · 2006 · Pop

   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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2. 2
   The FameLady Gaga

   The Fame

   Lady Gaga · 2008 · Pop

   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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3. 3
   Good Girl Gone BadRihanna

   Good Girl Gone Bad

   Rihanna · 2007 · Pop

   A glossy pop-R&B breakthrough, home to 'Umbrella'. Sleek and huge. The album that made her a superstar.

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4. 4
   ParachutesColdplay

   Parachutes

   Coldplay · 2000 · Pop

   A gentle, atmospheric debut of melancholic Britpop-adjacent songs, home to 'Yellow'. Tender and tuneful. A quiet success.

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5. 5
   A Rush of Blood to the HeadColdplay

   A Rush of Blood to the Head

   Coldplay · 2002 · Pop

   The album that made Coldplay huge, anthemic and melancholic, from 'Clocks' to 'The Scientist'. Polished and emotional. Their breakthrough.

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6. 6
   Confessions on a Dance FloorMadonna

   Confessions on a Dance Floor

   Madonna · 2005 · Pop

   A seamless disco-house comeback, home to 'Hung Up'. Glossy and acclaimed. A late peak.

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7. 7
   No Strings AttachedNSYNC

   No Strings Attached

   NSYNC · 2000 · Pop

   A record-shattering boy-band peak, home to 'Bye Bye Bye'. Polished and huge. A pop landmark.

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8. 8
   StrippedChristina Aguilera

   Stripped

   Christina Aguilera · 2002 · Pop

   An ambitious, defiant record of vocal power and reinvention, home to 'Beautiful'. Bold and varied. Her artistic statement.

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9. 9
   JustifiedJustin Timberlake

   Justified

   Justin Timberlake · 2002 · Pop

   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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10. 10
    FutureSex/LoveSoundsJustin Timberlake

    FutureSex/LoveSounds

    Justin Timberlake · 2006 · Pop

    A sleek, Timbaland-produced peak of dancefloor R&B-pop, from 'SexyBack' on. Inventive and huge. His defining record.

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11. 11
    FeverKylie Minogue

    Fever

    Kylie Minogue · 2001 · Pop

    A glittering disco-pop comeback, home to 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'. Glossy and irresistible. Her peak.

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12. 12
    FearlessTaylor Swift

    Fearless

    Taylor Swift · 2008 · Pop

    The country-pop blockbuster that made Swift a star, home to 'Love Story'. Tuneful and huge. A breakthrough.

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13. 13
    Viva la Vida or Death and All His FriendsColdplay

    Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

    Coldplay · 2008 · Pop

    An ambitious, Eno-produced peak, home to its baroque title smash. Bold and huge. A creative high.

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14. 14
    X&YColdplay

    X&Y

    Coldplay · 2005 · Pop

    A widescreen, anthemic peak of stadium pop-rock. Polished and huge. A commercial high.

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15. 15
    Songs About JaneMaroon 5

    Songs About Jane

    Maroon 5 · 2002 · Pop

    A tuneful, funk-pop debut, home to 'This Love'. Smooth and huge. A breakthrough.

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16. 16
    MusicMadonna

    Music

    Madonna · 2000 · Pop

    A playful, electronic-leaning pop peak, home to its title track. Inventive and big. A strong record.

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17. 17
    BlackoutBritney Spears

    Blackout

    Britney Spears · 2007 · Pop

    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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18. 18
    Oops!... I Did It AgainBritney Spears

    Oops!... I Did It Again

    Britney Spears · 2000 · Pop

    A glossy teen-pop blockbuster, home to its title smash. Bright and huge. A commercial peak.

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19. 19
    Dangerously in LoveBeyoncé

    Dangerously in Love

    Beyoncé · 2003 · Pop

    A solo debut that established Beyoncé as a force, home to 'Crazy in Love'. Polished and huge. A landmark.

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20. 20
    Rated RRihanna

    Rated R

    Rihanna · 2009 · Pop

    A dark, edgy pop-R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative turning point.

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21. 21
    The Fame MonsterLady Gaga

    The Fame Monster

    Lady Gaga · 2009 · Pop

    A darker, sharper companion to The Fame, home to 'Bad Romance'. Bold and immaculate. Arguably her pop peak.

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22. 22
    19Adele

    19

    Adele · 2008 · Pop

    A soulful, jazzy debut of mature songcraft. Warm and acclaimed. A striking start.

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