The Best Pop Albums of the 2020s
Our pick of the essential pop records released in the 2020s, ranked.
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1Future NostalgiaDua Lipa
Future Nostalgia
A sleek disco-pop revival packed with hits, glossy and joyful, that defined lockdown-era pop. Polished and fun. A modern dance-pop landmark.
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2Harry's HouseHarry Styles
Harry's House
An intimate, funk-tinged pop record of domestic warmth, home to 'As It Was'. Polished and beloved. An award-sweeping peak.
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3SourOlivia Rodrigo
Sour
A sharp, cathartic debut blending pop and pop-punk teen angst, from 'drivers license' to 'good 4 u'. Raw and huge. A generational breakthrough.
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4FolkloreTaylor Swift
Folklore
A hushed, surprise pandemic record that swapped arena pop for indie-folk textures and storytelling, made with Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. Reflective and beautifully written, it won her new respect. A quiet high point.
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5RenaissanceBeyoncé
Renaissance
A euphoric, house-and-disco dance record celebrating Black queer club culture. Bold and acclaimed. A late peak.
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6How I'm Feeling NowCharli XCX
How I'm Feeling Now
A restless, hyperpop lockdown record made fast and raw. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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7BratCharli XCX
Brat
A brash, club-focused pop record of confessional edge that became a cultural moment. Bold and influential. Her defining album.
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8Planet HerDoja Cat
Planet Her
A slick, genre-blurring pop-R&B peak of hits. Polished and huge. A commercial breakthrough.
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9GutsOlivia Rodrigo
Guts
A sharp, pop-punk-leaning follow-up of wit and angst. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong second record.
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10Short n' SweetSabrina Carpenter
Short n' Sweet
A witty, polished pop record of clever hooks that made Carpenter a headliner. Bright and fun. A breakthrough.
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11The Rise and Fall of a Midwest PrincessChappell Roan
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
A theatrical, hook-filled pop debut that became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. Camp and catchy. A breakout record.
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12EvermoreTaylor Swift
Evermore
A wintry, folk-leaning companion to Folklore. Reflective and beloved. A quiet peak.
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13MidnightsTaylor Swift
Midnights
A sleek, synth-pop return to confessional pop. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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14The Tortured Poets DepartmentTaylor Swift
The Tortured Poets Department
A sprawling, literary synth-pop record of heartbreak. Wordy and huge. A blockbuster.
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15Radical OptimismDua Lipa
Radical Optimism
A breezy, psychedelia-tinged pop follow-up. Polished and tuneful. A strong record.
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16PositionsAriana Grande
Positions
A smooth, R&B-leaning pop record of intimacy. Polished and tuneful. A strong entry.
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17Eternal SunshineAriana Grande
Eternal Sunshine
A sleek, reflective pop record of heartbreak and renewal. Polished and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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18Cowboy CarterBeyoncé
Cowboy Carter
A sprawling, country-embracing genre statement. Bold and acclaimed. A late-career landmark.
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1930Adele
30
A raw, reflective divorce record of vocal power. Honest and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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20Happier Than EverBillie Eilish
Happier Than Ever
A subtler, jazz-tinged follow-up of growth and control. Polished and acclaimed. A mature step.
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21Hit Me Hard and SoftBillie Eilish
Hit Me Hard and Soft
A polished, dynamic third album of confident range. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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22VoyageABBA
Voyage
A warm, nostalgic reunion after four decades. Tuneful and beloved. A graceful return.