The Best Soul & R&B Albums of the 2010s
Our pick of the essential soul & r&b records released in the 2010s, ranked.
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1BlondeFrank Ocean
Blonde
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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2Channel OrangeFrank Ocean
Channel Orange
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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3CtrlSZA
Ctrl
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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4A Seat at the TableSolange
A Seat at the Table
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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5MalibuAnderson .Paak
Malibu
Sun-soaked, funky and soulful, blending hip-hop, R&B and live grooves. Charismatic throughout. His breakthrough.
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6Beauty Behind the MadnessThe Weeknd
Beauty Behind the Madness
A glossy pop-R&B blockbuster, home to 'Can't Feel My Face'. Polished and huge. His mainstream breakthrough.
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7Kaleidoscope DreamMiguel
Kaleidoscope Dream
A sleek, psychedelic R&B record of real songcraft and sensuality. Smooth and adventurous. A modern soul high point.
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8The ArchAndroidJanelle Monae
The ArchAndroid
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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9Dirty ComputerJanelle Monae
Dirty Computer
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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10FreudianDaniel Caesar
Freudian
A warm, gospel-touched neo-soul debut of intimacy and faith. Gentle and acclaimed. A standout modern R&B record.
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11Ego DeathThe Internet
Ego Death
A smooth, live-band neo-soul peak of effortless groove. Cool and acclaimed. Their breakthrough.
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12Coming HomeLeon Bridges
Coming Home
A warm, retro-soul debut of vintage craft. Smooth and beloved. A breakthrough.
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13Love & HateMichael Kiwanuka
Love & Hate
A lush, soulful peak of vintage warmth, home to 'Cold Little Heart'. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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14Black MessiahD'Angelo and the Vanguard
Black Messiah
A dense, politically charged comeback after 14 years, layered and live. Bold and acclaimed. A triumphant return.
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15House of BalloonsThe Weeknd
House of Balloons
A dark, atmospheric mixtape debut that reshaped R&B. Bold and influential. A landmark.
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16StarboyThe Weeknd
Starboy
A glossy, Daft-Punk-assisted pop-R&B peak. Polished and huge. A commercial high.
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17WildheartMiguel
Wildheart
A sensual, rock-tinged R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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18When I Get HomeSolange
When I Get Home
A hazy, experimental art-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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19VenturaAnderson .Paak
Ventura
A warm, soulful companion to Oxnard. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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20Freetown SoundBlood Orange
Freetown Sound
A collage-like art-R&B record of identity and 80s textures. Lush and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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21Case Study 01Daniel Caesar
Case Study 01
A lush, adventurous follow-up to Freudian. Smooth and acclaimed. A creative step.
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22Lost & FoundJorja Smith
Lost & Found
A soulful, assured UK-R&B debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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23New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)Erykah Badu
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
A warm, melodic companion to the political Part One. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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24IsolationKali Uchis
Isolation
A vibrant, genre-blending debut of psychedelic R&B-pop. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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25Choose Your WeaponHiatus Kaiyote
Choose Your Weapon
A dense, virtuosic future-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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26AromanticismMoses Sumney
Aromanticism
A spare, ethereal art-soul debut. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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27ProcessSampha
Process
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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28LP1FKA twigs
LP1
An avant-R&B debut of fragile vocals and glitchy, sensual production. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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29MagdaleneFKA twigs
Magdalene
A bold, art-pop peak of heartbreak and reinvention. Adventurous and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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30The Electric LadyJanelle Monae
The Electric Lady
A lush, ambitious concept peak of funk and soul. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.