The Best Pop Albums of the 2010s
Our pick of the essential pop records released in the 2010s, ranked.
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121Adele
21
The record that made Adele a global phenomenon, turning a break-up into soaring, soulful pop with 'Rolling in the Deep' and 'Someone Like You'. Big voice, bigger songs, broad appeal. A modern blockbuster that earned its sales.
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21989Taylor Swift
1989
Swift's clean break from country into glossy 1980s-leaning synth-pop, packed with hits and sharp writing. It reset her career and proved her pop instincts. The most immediate place to meet her as a pop star.
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3Pure HeroineLorde
Pure Heroine
A spare, witty teenage debut that reframed pop with minimalist beats and sharp observation. Cool and distinctive. 'Royals' announced a major talent.
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4LemonadeBeyoncé
Lemonade
A visual album and emotional reckoning that moves through country, rock, hip-hop and gospel, blending the personal and the political. Ambitious in scope and immaculate in execution. Widely regarded as her masterpiece.
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5Born This WayLady Gaga
Born This Way
A maximalist, anthemic pop peak of self-empowerment. Bold and huge. A commercial high.
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6Teenage DreamKaty Perry
Teenage Dream
A candy-coloured pop blockbuster that spun off five number-ones. Bright and irresistible. A peak of 2010s pop.
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7AntiRihanna
Anti
A moody, adventurous record that reframed Rihanna as an artist, home to 'Work'. Atmospheric and assured. Her most acclaimed album.
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8SweetenerAriana Grande
Sweetener
A bright, Pharrell-touched pop record balancing experimentation and hooks. Polished and assured. A turning point in her career.
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9thank u, nextAriana Grande
thank u, next
A quick, candid R&B-pop record of heartbreak and resilience, effortless and warm. Confident and beloved. A peak of her run.
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10When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?Billie Eilish
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
A whispered, bass-heavy bedroom-pop debut that redefined teen pop, dark and intimate. Distinctive and enormous. A generational record.
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11Fine LineHarry Styles
Fine Line
A warm, retro-leaning pop-rock record that established Styles as a solo force, anchored by 'Watermelon Sugar'. Sunny and assured. His breakthrough.
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12RedTaylor Swift
Red
A sprawling, genre-blurring bridge from country to pop, home to 'All Too Well'. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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13ReputationTaylor Swift
Reputation
A dark, beat-driven pop record of fame and defiance. Bold and huge. A commercial peak.
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14Born to DieLana Del Rey
Born to Die
A cinematic, melancholic pop debut of vintage glamour. Lush and beloved. Her breakthrough.
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15Norman Fucking Rockwell!Lana Del Rey
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
A lush, literate Americana-pop peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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16Body TalkRobyn
Body Talk
A landmark of melancholic dancefloor pop, home to 'Dancing on My Own'. Emotional and influential. A critical favourite.
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171000 Forms of FearSia
1000 Forms of Fear
A dramatic, belting pop peak, home to 'Chandelier'. Powerful and huge. A breakthrough.
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18+Ed Sheeran
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A warm, acoustic-pop debut, home to 'The A Team'. Tuneful and beloved. His breakthrough.
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19DivideEd Sheeran
Divide
A blockbuster of acoustic-pop and global rhythms, home to 'Shape of You'. Polished and enormous. His commercial peak.
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20Doo-Wops & HooligansBruno Mars
Doo-Wops & Hooligans
A bright, retro-leaning pop debut of effortless hooks. Tuneful and huge. His breakthrough.
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2124K MagicBruno Mars
24K Magic
A slick, joyful throwback to 80s/90s funk and R&B. Polished and fun. An award-sweeping crowd-pleaser.
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22EmotionCarly Rae Jepsen
Emotion
A critically adored synth-pop gem of euphoric, 80s-tinged hooks. Bright and beloved. A cult favourite.
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23MelodramaLorde
Melodrama
A widescreen break-up record of heightened emotion and inventive pop production. Acclaimed and beloved. Her masterpiece.
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24Speak NowTaylor Swift
Speak Now
A self-written peak of narrative country-pop. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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25LoverTaylor Swift
Lover
A bright, romantic pop record of warmth and color. Tuneful and big. A commercial high.
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264Beyoncé
4
A soulful, mature pop-R&B record of craft over singles. Warm and acclaimed. A creative turning point.
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27LoudRihanna
Loud
A bright, hit-stuffed pop peak, home to 'Only Girl (In the World)'. Glossy and huge. A commercial high.
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2825Adele
25
A blockbuster of soaring soul-pop, home to 'Hello'. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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29In the Lonely HourSam Smith
In the Lonely Hour
A soulful, heartbroken pop debut, home to 'Stay with Me'. Tender and huge. A breakthrough.
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30Harry StylesHarry Styles
Harry Styles
A classic-rock-leaning solo debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A striking start.
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31Dua LipaDua Lipa
Dua Lipa
A glossy dance-pop debut, home to 'New Rules'. Tuneful and big. A breakthrough.
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32Dangerous WomanAriana Grande
Dangerous Woman
A confident, soulful pop peak. Polished and big. A high point.
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33My EverythingAriana Grande
My Everything
A hit-laden pop peak that broadened her sound. Polished and big. A breakthrough.
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34UltraviolenceLana Del Rey
Ultraviolence
A darker, guitar-leaning peak produced with Dan Auerbach. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A creative high.
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35HoneymoonLana Del Rey
Honeymoon
A languid, cinematic peak of slow-burn beauty. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.
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36PurposeJustin Bieber
Purpose
A sleek, EDM-and-R&B pop reinvention, home to 'Sorry'. Polished and huge. His commercial peak.
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37CharliCharli XCX
Charli
A forward-thinking pop record of hyperpop edge and guests. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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38Cuz I Love YouLizzo
Cuz I Love You
A brassy, joyful pop-soul peak, home to 'Juice'. Bold and huge. A breakthrough.
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39Hot PinkDoja Cat
Hot Pink
A playful, genre-hopping pop-R&B peak, home to 'Say So'. Fun and big. A breakthrough.