Essential Albums of the 2020s
The 2020s records we keep coming back to, listed in order of release.
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1Savage Mode II21 Savage & Metro Boomin
Savage Mode II
A polished, atmospheric trap peak. Tight and huge. A commercial high.
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2songsAdrianne Lenker
songs
A hushed, intimate solo folk record of fragile beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A standout.
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3PositionsAriana Grande
Positions
A smooth, R&B-leaning pop record of intimacy. Polished and tuneful. A strong entry.
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4Rough and Rowdy WaysBob Dylan
Rough and Rowdy Ways
A rich, unhurried late-career triumph, full of wit, mortality and the sprawling 'Murder Most Foul'. Dylan's writing is as sharp as ever. Proof of a master still working at the height of his powers.
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5SuddenlyCaribou
Suddenly
A warm, personal dance peak of melodic invention. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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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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7OhmsDeftones
Ohms
A heavy, melodic late peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A strong record.
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8Future 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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9ShoreFleet Foxes
Shore
A warm, reflective return of layered folk beauty. Gorgeous and acclaimed. A late peak.
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10AlfredoFreddie Gibbs
Alfredo
A lean, luxurious collaboration with The Alchemist, tough rhymes over cinematic soul. Polished and acclaimed. A modern boom-bap gem.
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11DreamlandGlass Animals
Dreamland
A glossy, intimate psych-pop record, home to the slow-burning smash 'Heat Waves'. Smooth and huge. Their breakthrough.
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12CirclesMac Miller
Circles
A gentle, posthumous companion of warm, melodic reflection. Tender and poignant. A beautiful farewell.
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13graeMoses Sumney
grae
An ambitious, genre-spanning art-soul double album. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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14SourceNubya Garcia
Source
A warm, dub-tinged UK-jazz debut. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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15PunisherPhoebe Bridgers
Punisher
A hushed, devastating indie-folk record of wit and dread, building to the cathartic 'I Know the End'. Intimate and acclaimed. A defining album of its moment.
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16RTJ4Run the Jewels
RTJ4
A furious, timely peak of political fire and chemistry. Hard-hitting and acclaimed. Their most urgent record.
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17Untitled (Black Is)Sault
Untitled (Black Is)
A powerful, anonymous protest-soul landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A modern high point.
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18The Slow RushTame Impala
The Slow Rush
A glossy synth-pop peak about time and change. Polished and acclaimed. A strong follow-up to Currents.
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19FolkloreTaylor 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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20EvermoreTaylor Swift
Evermore
A wintry, folk-leaning companion to Folklore. Reflective and beloved. A quiet peak.
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21The New AbnormalThe Strokes
The New Abnormal
A polished, melodic comeback. Tuneful and Grammy-winning. A worthy return.
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22After HoursThe Weeknd
After Hours
A neon, synth-soaked plunge into excess and regret, home to the inescapable 'Blinding Lights'. Cohesive and cinematic. His most complete pop statement.
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23It Is What It IsThundercat
It Is What It Is
A jazzy, melancholic blend of funk, soul and virtuoso bass. Singular and warm. A modern favourite.
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24Saint CloudWaxahatchee
Saint Cloud
A warm, clear-eyed Americana record of sobriety and renewal. Direct and beloved. Her finest work.
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25VoyageABBA
Voyage
A warm, nostalgic reunion after four decades. Tuneful and beloved. A graceful return.
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2630Adele
30
A raw, reflective divorce record of vocal power. Honest and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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27Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks
Collapsed in Sunbeams
A gentle, literate bedroom-soul debut. Warm and Mercury-winning. A breakthrough.
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28IslesBicep
Isles
A lush, emotional follow-up of melodic dance music. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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29Happier 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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30We're All Alone in This TogetherDave
We're All Alone in This Together
An ambitious, chart-topping UK-rap follow-up. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong record.
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31Planet HerDoja Cat
Planet Her
A slick, genre-blurring pop-R&B peak of hits. Polished and huge. A commercial breakthrough.
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32PromisesFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO
Promises
A hushed, gorgeous late collaboration of electronics, sax and orchestra. Meditative and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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33Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)Fred again..
Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)
A diaristic, sample-built dance debut of intimate euphoria. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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34FortitudeGojira
Fortitude
A powerful, melodic peak of environmental themes. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high.
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35The Off-SeasonJ. Cole
The Off-Season
A sharp, hungry return to lyrical fundamentals. Tight and acclaimed. A strong record.
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36JubileeJapanese Breakfast
Jubilee
A lush, joyful indie-pop peak of orchestral warmth. Bright and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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37Star-CrossedKacey Musgraves
Star-Crossed
A reflective, divorce-themed pop-country record. Polished and acclaimed. A mature follow-up to Golden Hour.
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38Sometimes I Might Be IntrovertLittle Simz
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
An ambitious, orchestral UK rap landmark of identity and scope. Bold and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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39Home VideoLucy Dacus
Home Video
A literate, melodic indie record of memory and adolescence. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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40Dangerous: The Double AlbumMorgan Wallen
Dangerous: The Double Album
A sprawling, chart-dominating country-pop blockbuster. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial landmark.
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41SourOlivia 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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42NineSault
Nine
A sharp, soulful protest record released for a limited window. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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43Glow OnTurnstile
Glow On
A genre-blurring hardcore peak of melody and energy that crossed over. Fresh and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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44Call Me If You Get LostTyler, the Creator
Call Me If You Get Lost
A maximal, globe-trotting return to rap braggadocio with lush production. Confident and acclaimed. A late peak.
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45The CarArctic Monkeys
The Car
A lush, orchestral continuation of their crooner phase. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A mature record.
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46RenaissanceBeyoncé
Renaissance
A euphoric, house-and-disco dance record celebrating Black queer club culture. Bold and acclaimed. A late peak.
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47Ants from Up ThereBlack Country, New Road
Ants from Up There
A sprawling, emotional post-rock-chamber peak. Ambitious and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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48Where I'm Meant to BeEzra Collective
Where I'm Meant to Be
A joyful, danceable UK-jazz peak that won the Mercury Prize. Warm and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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49Chloe and the Next 20th CenturyFather John Misty
Chloe and the Next 20th Century
A lush, old-Hollywood-tinged song-cycle. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A creative high.
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50Skinty FiaFontaines D.C.
Skinty Fia
A darker, atmospheric peak of brooding post-punk. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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51Harry'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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52The Forever StoryJID
The Forever Story
An ambitious, lyrical peak of narrative Southern rap. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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53Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersKendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
A dense, therapeutic double album of self-examination. Ambitious and acclaimed. A bold statement.
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54GiftedKoffee
Gifted
A bright, accomplished modern-reggae debut album. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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55It's Almost DryPusha T
It's Almost Dry
A sharp, luxurious coke-rap peak split between Kanye and Pharrell. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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56SOSSZA
SOS
A sprawling, genre-blending blockbuster of candid modern R&B. Bold and huge. A commercial and critical peak.
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57Gemini RightsSteve Lacy
Gemini Rights
A breezy, funky bedroom-R&B peak, home to 'Bad Habit'. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakout.
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58MidnightsTaylor Swift
Midnights
A sleek, synth-pop return to confessional pop. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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59Dawn FMThe Weeknd
Dawn FM
A sleek, 80s-tinged concept album of synth-pop-soul. Polished and acclaimed. A creative high.
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60Wet LegWet Leg
Wet Leg
A witty, deadpan post-punk debut, home to 'Chaise Longue'. Fun and acclaimed. A breakout.
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61And in the Darkness, Hearts AglowWeyes Blood
And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
A lush, orchestral companion to Titanic Rising. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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62American HeartbreakZach Bryan
American Heartbreak
A sprawling, raw heartland-country breakthrough. Honest and huge. A high point.
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63The 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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64GutsOlivia Rodrigo
Guts
A sharp, pop-punk-leaning follow-up of wit and angst. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong second record.
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65Good LiesOvermono
Good Lies
A lush, emotional UK dance debut. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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66LahaiSampha
Lahai
A warm, rhythmic follow-up of soulful electronics. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.
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67Take Me Back to EdenSleep Token
Take Me Back to Eden
An ambitious, genre-spanning record blending metal, pop and atmosphere. Bold and huge. A breakout.
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68UtopiaTravis Scott
Utopia
A sprawling, maximalist trap blockbuster. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
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69Zach BryanZach Bryan
Zach Bryan
A raw, prolific singer-songwriter's mainstream peak of heartland country. Honest and huge. A breakthrough.
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70Eternal SunshineAriana Grande
Eternal Sunshine
A sleek, reflective pop record of heartbreak and renewal. Polished and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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71Cowboy CarterBeyoncé
Cowboy Carter
A sprawling, country-embracing genre statement. Bold and acclaimed. A late-career landmark.
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72Hit 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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73BratCharli 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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74Radical OptimismDua Lipa
Radical Optimism
A breezy, psychedelia-tinged pop follow-up. Polished and tuneful. A strong record.
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75In WavesJamie xx
In Waves
A warm, dancefloor-focused follow-up to In Colour. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A strong return.
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76GNXKendrick Lamar
GNX
A surprise, confident late record of West Coast energy. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong return.
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77Short 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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78The 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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79ChromakopiaTyler, the Creator
Chromakopia
A dense, personal peak of layered production and reflection. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.