The Best Soul and R and B Albums of the 2010s

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1. 1
   BlondeFrank Ocean

   Blonde

   Frank Ocean · 2016 · Soul & R&B

   An elliptical, gorgeous album of fragmented memory and feeling, stripped of obvious hooks in favour of mood and texture. Initially elusive, it becomes a favourite. A defining record of the 2010s.

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2. 2
   Channel OrangeFrank Ocean

   Channel Orange

   Frank Ocean · 2012 · Soul & R&B

   A widescreen breakthrough of narrative R&B, from the sprawling 'Pyramids' to the tender 'Thinkin Bout You'. Warm, literate and assured. The album that made him a star.

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3. 3
   CtrlSZA

   Ctrl

   SZA · 2017 · Soul & R&B

   A candid, conversational debut about insecurity and desire that reshaped modern R&B. Relatable and beautifully sung. A word-of-mouth phenomenon that aged into a classic.

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4. 4
   A Seat at the TableSolange

   A Seat at the Table

   Solange · 2016 · Soul & R&B

   A graceful, political art-soul album about identity and self-care, beautifully arranged. Quietly powerful. A defining 2010s R&B statement.

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5. 5
   MalibuAnderson .Paak

   Malibu

   Anderson .Paak · 2016 · Soul & R&B

   Sun-soaked, funky and soulful, blending hip-hop, R&B and live grooves. Charismatic throughout. His breakthrough.

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6. 6
   Beauty Behind the MadnessThe Weeknd

   Beauty Behind the Madness

   The Weeknd · 2015 · Soul & R&B

   A glossy pop-R&B blockbuster, home to 'Can't Feel My Face'. Polished and huge. His mainstream breakthrough.

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7. 7
   Kaleidoscope DreamMiguel

   Kaleidoscope Dream

   Miguel · 2012 · Soul & R&B

   A sleek, psychedelic R&B record of real songcraft and sensuality. Smooth and adventurous. A modern soul high point.

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8. 8
   The ArchAndroidJanelle Monae

   The ArchAndroid

   Janelle Monae · 2010 · Soul & R&B

   An ambitious, genre-spanning concept record of funk, soul and sci-fi, dazzling in scope. Inventive and acclaimed. A bold debut album.

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9. 9
   Dirty ComputerJanelle Monae

   Dirty Computer

   Janelle Monae · 2018 · Soul & R&B

   A bright, defiant pop-funk record of identity and freedom, Prince-indebted and joyful. Polished and acclaimed. Her most accessible peak.

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10. 10
    FreudianDaniel Caesar

    Freudian

    Daniel Caesar · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A warm, gospel-touched neo-soul debut of intimacy and faith. Gentle and acclaimed. A standout modern R&B record.

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11. 11
    Ego DeathThe Internet

    Ego Death

    The Internet · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A smooth, live-band neo-soul peak of effortless groove. Cool and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.

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12. 12
    Coming HomeLeon Bridges

    Coming Home

    Leon Bridges · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A warm, retro-soul debut of vintage craft. Smooth and beloved. A breakthrough.

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13. 13
    Love & HateMichael Kiwanuka

    Love & Hate

    Michael Kiwanuka · 2016 · Soul & R&B

    A lush, soulful peak of vintage warmth, home to 'Cold Little Heart'. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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14. 14
    Black MessiahD'Angelo and the Vanguard

    Black Messiah

    D'Angelo and the Vanguard · 2014 · Soul & R&B

    A dense, politically charged comeback after 14 years, layered and live. Bold and acclaimed. A triumphant return.

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15. 15
    House of BalloonsThe Weeknd

    House of Balloons

    The Weeknd · 2011 · Soul & R&B

    A dark, atmospheric mixtape debut that reshaped R&B. Bold and influential. A landmark.

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16. 16
    StarboyThe Weeknd

    Starboy

    The Weeknd · 2016 · Soul & R&B

    A glossy, Daft-Punk-assisted pop-R&B peak. Polished and huge. A commercial high.

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17. 17
    WildheartMiguel

    Wildheart

    Miguel · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A sensual, rock-tinged R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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18. 18
    When I Get HomeSolange

    When I Get Home

    Solange · 2019 · Soul & R&B

    A hazy, experimental art-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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19. 19
    VenturaAnderson .Paak

    Ventura

    Anderson .Paak · 2019 · Soul & R&B

    A warm, soulful companion to Oxnard. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.

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20. 20
    Freetown SoundBlood Orange

    Freetown Sound

    Blood Orange · 2016 · Soul & R&B

    A collage-like art-R&B record of identity and 80s textures. Lush and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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21. 21
    Case Study 01Daniel Caesar

    Case Study 01

    Daniel Caesar · 2019 · Soul & R&B

    A lush, adventurous follow-up to Freudian. Smooth and acclaimed. A creative step.

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22. 22
    Lost & FoundJorja Smith

    Lost & Found

    Jorja Smith · 2018 · Soul & R&B

    A soulful, assured UK-R&B debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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23. 23
    New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)Erykah Badu

    New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)

    Erykah Badu · 2010 · Soul & R&B

    A warm, melodic companion to the political Part One. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.

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24. 24
    IsolationKali Uchis

    Isolation

    Kali Uchis · 2018 · Soul & R&B

    A vibrant, genre-blending debut of psychedelic R&B-pop. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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25. 25
    Choose Your WeaponHiatus Kaiyote

    Choose Your Weapon

    Hiatus Kaiyote · 2015 · Soul & R&B

    A dense, virtuosic future-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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26. 26
    AromanticismMoses Sumney

    Aromanticism

    Moses Sumney · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A spare, ethereal art-soul debut. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.

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27. 27
    ProcessSampha

    Process

    Sampha · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A tender, electronic-soul debut of grief and warmth, home to '(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano'. Intimate and acclaimed. A standout.

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28. 28
    LP1FKA twigs

    LP1

    FKA twigs · 2014 · Soul & R&B

    An avant-R&B debut of fragile vocals and glitchy, sensual production. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.

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29. 29
    MagdaleneFKA twigs

    Magdalene

    FKA twigs · 2019 · Soul & R&B

    A bold, art-pop peak of heartbreak and reinvention. Adventurous and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.

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30. 30
    The Electric LadyJanelle Monae

    The Electric Lady

    Janelle Monae · 2013 · Soul & R&B

    A lush, ambitious concept peak of funk and soul. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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