The Best Electronic Albums
Machine music with a pulse, from rave euphoria to late-night dread.
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1DiscoveryDaft Punk
Discovery
A euphoric, nostalgic blend of house, disco and filtered French touch, home to 'One More Time' and 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'. Glossy, joyful and impeccably sequenced. The duo's most beloved record.
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2Random Access MemoriesDaft Punk
Random Access Memories
A lavish live-instrument turn away from samples, chasing the warmth of 1970s and 80s studio craft with collaborators like Nile Rodgers. 'Get Lucky' became inescapable. Polished, reverent and grand.
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3Dig Your Own HoleThe Chemical Brothers
Dig Your Own Hole
Big-beat at its peak, loud, psychedelic and built for festival fields, climaxing in the swirling 'The Private Psychedelic Reel'. Exhilarating. A defining 90s dance record.
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4MezzanineMassive Attack
Mezzanine
Dark, paranoid trip-hop that traded the warmth of their early work for dread and dub bass, anchored by 'Teardrop' and 'Angel'. Immersive and cinematic. A late-90s landmark.
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5DummyPortishead
Dummy
Smoky, cinematic trip-hop built from scratchy samples, spy-film guitar and Beth Gibbons's wounded vocals. Atmospheric and singular. A defining record of the Bristol sound.
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6Selected Ambient Works 85-92Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
A foundational ambient-techno record, melodic and warm beneath its machine textures. Hugely influential and still beautiful. The gateway to Aphex Twin's world.
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7UntrueBurial
Untrue
Ghostly, rain-soaked dubstep built from pitched vocal fragments and vinyl crackle, evoking late-night London. Deeply atmospheric and emotional. One of the century's defining electronic albums.
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8The Fat of the LandThe Prodigy
The Fat of the Land
A loud, aggressive crossover smash that took rave energy to rock audiences. 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe' lead it. A defining big-beat record.
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9HomeworkDaft Punk
Homework
The raw, club-focused debut that helped define French house, built from looping funk and acid lines. 'Da Funk' and 'Around the World' still fill floors. Grittier than what followed and hugely influential.
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10SurrenderThe Chemical Brothers
Surrender
A euphoric, song-focused big-beat peak, home to 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'. Polished and joyful. One of their best.
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11You've Come a Long Way, BabyFatboy Slim
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
Big-beat at its most fun and accessible, built from cheeky samples and huge hooks. Inescapable in its moment. A party staple.
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12DubnobasswithmyheadmanUnderworld
Dubnobasswithmyheadman
A landmark of intelligent dance music, hypnotic and emotional, stream-of-consciousness vocals over deep techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A 90s classic.
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13Orbital 2Orbital
Orbital 2
A landmark of melodic, emotional techno, home to 'Halcyon'. Lush and immersive. A genre cornerstone.
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14LeftismLeftfield
Leftism
A landmark of progressive house and dub-techno fusion. Deep and influential. A defining 90s dance record.
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15PlayMoby
Play
A blues-and-gospel-sampling electronica blockbuster that soundtracked an era. Warm and ubiquitous. A crossover landmark.
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16Moon SafariAir
Moon Safari
A lush, retro-futurist downtempo landmark of warm synths. Dreamy and beloved. A chill-out classic.
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17Music Has the Right to ChildrenBoards of Canada
Music Has the Right to Children
Hazy, nostalgic electronica of half-remembered childhood, woozy synths and found voices. Warm, eerie and beloved. A modern ambient touchstone.
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18Richard D. James AlbumAphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
A frantic, melodic drill-and-bass peak of beauty and chaos. Inventive and beloved. A genre landmark.
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19DrukqsAphex Twin
Drukqs
A sprawling double album swinging between brutal drill-and-bass and tender prepared-piano miniatures. Eclectic and divisive. A maximal late peak.
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20Music for the Jilted GenerationThe Prodigy
Music for the Jilted Generation
A dark, aggressive rave-to-rock pivot. Loud and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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21AutobahnKraftwerk
Autobahn
The breakthrough, its 22-minute title piece evoking a drive down the motorway in pure electronics. Pioneering and hypnotic. Where their legend begins.
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22Trans-Europe ExpressKraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express
A sleek, romantic concept album about European travel that shaped electro, hip-hop and techno. Hypnotic and forward-looking. Hugely influential.
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23The Man-MachineKraftwerk
The Man-Machine
Pristine, melodic electro-pop of robots and cities, home to 'The Model'. Clean and iconic. A peak of their catalogue.
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24Computer WorldKraftwerk
Computer World
A prescient meditation on data, machines and digital life, tighter and funkier than ever. Decades ahead of its time. Essential Kraftwerk.
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25Ambient 1: Music for AirportsBrian Eno
Ambient 1: Music for Airports
The album that named and defined ambient music, designed to be as ignorable as it is interesting. Calm and revolutionary. A genre's foundation.
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26Another Green WorldBrian Eno
Another Green World
A delicate balance of song and instrumental texture, gentle and exploratory. A pivot toward ambient. Quietly influential.
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27ViolatorDepeche Mode
Violator
The album that made them stadium-sized, marrying dark synth-pop to real songcraft on 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy the Silence'. Sleek and brooding. Their peak.
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28TechniqueNew Order
Technique
A bright, Ibiza-influenced dance-rock peak. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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29DebutBjörk
Debut
A vibrant, eclectic solo debut blending pop, house and jazz. Inventive and beloved. A breakthrough.
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30PostBjörk
Post
An eclectic, adventurous record swinging from techno to big-band. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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31HomogenicBjörk
Homogenic
A bold, beat-driven art-pop peak of strings and volcanic emotion. Singular and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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32Endtroducing.....DJ Shadow
Endtroducing.....
A landmark instrumental hip-hop record built entirely from samples. Cinematic and influential. A production milestone.
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33Since I Left YouThe Avalanches
Since I Left You
A joyous, sample-collage masterpiece of sunny plunderphonics. Dazzling and beloved. A singular record.
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34Blue LinesMassive Attack
Blue Lines
Often credited with inventing trip-hop, a slow, soulful blend of hip-hop, dub and soul that set a template for the decade. Smooth and innovative. A genuine pioneer.
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35MaxinquayeTricky
Maxinquaye
A murky, paranoid trip-hop landmark of blurred vocals and dread. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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36GorillazGorillaz
Gorillaz
A grimy, eclectic debut blending hip-hop, rock and dub, home to 'Clint Eastwood'. Fresh and fun. A striking arrival.
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37Demon DaysGorillaz
Demon Days
A dark, genre-blending peak of the virtual band, home to 'Feel Good Inc.'. Inventive and huge. Their masterpiece.
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38CrossJustice
Cross
Maximalist, distorted French electro-house, brash and thrilling. 'D.A.N.C.E.' anchors it. A defining dance record of the late 2000s.
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39KalaM.I.A.
Kala
A wild, globe-spanning blend of dancehall, electro and protest, home to 'Paper Planes'. Bold and acclaimed. A genre-blurring landmark.
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40SettleDisclosure
Settle
A polished, soulful debut that revived UK house for a new generation, full of vocal hooks. Slick and danceable. A modern dance staple.
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41In ColourJamie xx
In Colour
A warm, nostalgic solo record drawing on UK rave history, melodic and emotional. 'Loud Places' is a highlight. A beautiful dance album.
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42Exit Planet DustThe Chemical Brothers
Exit Planet Dust
A grimy, funky big-beat debut. Loud and beloved. A genre landmark.
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43Better Living Through ChemistryFatboy Slim
Better Living Through Chemistry
A fun, sample-heavy big-beat debut. Bouncy and beloved. A genre highlight.
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44ExperienceThe Prodigy
Experience
A vibrant rave-era debut of breakbeat hardcore energy. Fun and influential. The start of their run.
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45Beaucoup FishUnderworld
Beaucoup Fish
A polished, melodic techno peak. Immersive and beloved. A high point.
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46In SidesOrbital
In Sides
A lush, emotional techno peak of melodic depth. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.
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47SnivilisationOrbital
Snivilisation
A politically tinged, intricate techno peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.
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48SyroAphex Twin
Syro
A warm, melodic comeback after years away. Inventive and acclaimed. A Grammy-winning return.
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49Tri RepetaeAutechre
Tri Repetae
A cold, intricate IDM landmark of machine rhythm and texture. Challenging and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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50AmberAutechre
Amber
A warm, melodic early IDM peak. Inventive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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51Hard Normal DaddySquarepusher
Hard Normal Daddy
A frantic, jazzy drill-and-bass peak. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.
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52GeogaddiBoards of Canada
Geogaddi
A darker, denser follow-up to Music Has the Right to Children. Eerie and beloved. A high point.
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53RoundsFour Tet
Rounds
A warm, organic blend of folk textures and electronic beats, intricate and humane. A folktronica landmark. Endlessly replayable.
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54There Is Love in YouFour Tet
There Is Love in You
A warm, melodic folktronica peak. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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55SwimCaribou
Swim
A liquid, melodic dance record of warmth and invention. Hypnotic and emotional. A modern electronic favourite.
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56Our LoveCaribou
Our Love
A warm, emotional dance peak of melodic invention. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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57Black SandsBonobo
Black Sands
A lush, organic blend of downtempo electronics and live instrumentation. Warm and cinematic. A beloved chill-out record.
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58CosmogrammaFlying Lotus
Cosmogramma
A dense, cosmic fusion of electronic, jazz and hip-hop, dazzling and immersive. Ambitious and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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59Los AngelesFlying Lotus
Los Angeles
A dense, woozy beat-scene landmark. Inventive and influential. A breakthrough.
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60ImmunityJon Hopkins
Immunity
A widescreen techno journey from euphoric peaks to ambient comedown, beautifully produced. Immersive and emotional. A modern electronic high point.
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61BicepBicep
Bicep
A lush, nostalgic dance debut of emotional house and techno. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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62PhaedraTangerine Dream
Phaedra
A pioneering sequencer-driven electronic landmark of hypnotic drift. Spacious and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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63OxygeneJean-Michel Jarre
Oxygene
A lush, melodic synthesizer landmark that brought electronic music to the masses. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre classic.
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64EquinoxeJean-Michel Jarre
Equinoxe
A lush, melodic synthesizer peak. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre highlight.
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65BrotherhoodNew Order
Brotherhood
A balanced peak of guitar-and-synth dance-rock. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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66Low-LifeNew Order
Low-Life
A peak of melancholic dance-rock, home to 'The Perfect Kiss'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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67Music for the MassesDepeche Mode
Music for the Masses
A dark, anthemic synth-pop peak. Sleek and beloved. A turning point.
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68Songs of Faith and DevotionDepeche Mode
Songs of Faith and Devotion
A heavier, gospel-and-rock-tinged peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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69Black CelebrationDepeche Mode
Black Celebration
A dark, atmospheric synth-pop peak. Brooding and beloved. A fan favourite.
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70HeligolandMassive Attack
Heligoland
A dark, guest-laden late peak of trip-hop atmosphere. Immersive and acclaimed. A strong record.
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71TimelessGoldie
Timeless
An ambitious drum-and-bass landmark of orchestral scope. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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72New FormsRoni Size
New Forms
A jazzy, ambitious drum-and-bass landmark that won the Mercury Prize. Bold and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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73WildflowerThe Avalanches
Wildflower
A long-awaited, sunny sample-collage sequel. Joyful and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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74Plastic BeachGorillaz
Plastic Beach
A lush, star-guested concept peak of eco-pop. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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75The WarningHot Chip
The Warning
A witty, melodic synth-pop peak, home to 'Over and Over'. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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76One Life StandHot Chip
One Life Stand
A warm, melodic synth-pop peak of emotional dance music. Tuneful and beloved. One of their best.
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77In Ghost ColoursCut Copy
In Ghost Colours
A bright, nostalgic dance-pop peak. Tuneful and beloved. A genre highlight.
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78Crystal CastlesCrystal Castles
Crystal Castles
An abrasive, glitchy electro-punk debut. Bold and influential. A breakthrough.
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79Oil of Every Pearl's Un-InsidesSOPHIE
Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
A radical, deconstructed pop landmark of plastic textures and beauty. Visionary and acclaimed. A singular record.
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80Melody A.M.Royksopp
Melody A.M.
A warm, melodic downtempo debut of Scandinavian cool. Smooth and beloved. A chill-out staple.
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81Simple ThingsZero 7
Simple Things
A lush, downtempo debut of warm, soulful chill-out. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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82Hurry Up, We're DreamingM83
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
A vast, nostalgic synth-pop double album of widescreen euphoria, anchored by 'Midnight City'. Lush and grand. Their masterpiece.
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83...I Care Because You DoAphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
A textured, melodic peak balancing ambient and acid. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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84ConfieldAutechre
Confield
A dense, abstract IDM landmark of generative complexity. Challenging and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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85Tomorrow's HarvestBoards of Canada
Tomorrow's Harvest
A cinematic, foreboding comeback of widescreen electronica. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A strong return.
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86The Campfire HeadphaseBoards of Canada
The Campfire Headphase
A guitar-tinged, hazy electronica peak. Warm and acclaimed. A strong record.
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87MigrationBonobo
Migration
A warm, intricate downtempo peak. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.
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88Until the Quiet ComesFlying Lotus
Until the Quiet Comes
A dreamy, immersive beat-scene peak. Inventive and acclaimed. A high point.
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89You're Dead!Flying Lotus
You're Dead!
A frenetic, jazz-fusion-meets-beats peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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90SingularityJon Hopkins
Singularity
A widescreen techno journey of peaks and ambient calm. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.
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91ElaeniaFloating Points
Elaenia
A lush, jazz-and-electronics debut of organic beauty. Inventive and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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92CrushFloating Points
Crush
A sharp, dancefloor-leaning peak of textured electronics. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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93IslesBicep
Isles
A lush, emotional follow-up of melodic dance music. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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94CaracalDisclosure
Caracal
A polished, guest-laden follow-up to Settle. Smooth and big. A commercial high.
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95Push the ButtonThe Chemical Brothers
Push the Button
A varied, hit-laden peak, home to 'Galvanize'. Loud and beloved. A high point.
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96ThirdPortishead
Third
A stark, abrasive comeback far from their trip-hop roots. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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97RubyconTangerine Dream
Rubycon
A hypnotic, sequencer-driven ambient-electronic peak. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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98Here Come the Warm JetsBrian Eno
Here Come the Warm Jets
A playful, glammy art-rock solo debut. Inventive and beloved. A strong start.
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99Before and After ScienceBrian Eno
Before and After Science
A delicate balance of art-pop songs and ambient texture. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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100Apollo: Atmospheres and SoundtracksBrian Eno
Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks
A serene, country-tinged ambient landmark, home to 'An Ending (Ascent)'. Beautiful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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101RemedyBasement Jaxx
Remedy
A vibrant, maximalist house debut of carnival energy. Fun and influential. A dance landmark.
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102Talkie WalkieAir
Talkie Walkie
A warm, melodic downtempo peak. Dreamy and beloved. A high point.
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103Saturdays = YouthM83
Saturdays = Youth
A nostalgic, 80s-drenched synth-pop peak. Dreamy and beloved. A breakthrough.
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104James BlakeJames Blake
James Blake
A spare, soulful debut of sub-bass, silence and fractured vocals that helped define post-dubstep. Intimate and influential. A striking arrival.
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105OvergrownJames Blake
Overgrown
A subtler, soulful follow-up to the debut. Intimate and Mercury-winning. A high point.
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106SBTRKTSBTRKT
SBTRKT
A sleek, post-dubstep debut of soulful electronics. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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107Actual 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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108Good LiesOvermono
Good Lies
A lush, emotional UK dance debut. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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109SuddenlyCaribou
Suddenly
A warm, personal dance peak of melodic invention. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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110Radio-ActivityKraftwerk
Radio-Activity
A concept record on radio and radioactivity, sparse and eerie. Pioneering and influential. A transitional landmark.
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111Solid State SurvivorYellow Magic Orchestra
Solid State Survivor
A playful, pioneering synth-pop landmark from Japan. Bright and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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11220 Jazz Funk GreatsThrobbing Gristle
20 Jazz Funk Greats
A subversive, foundational industrial landmark. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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113The Orb's Adventures Beyond the UltraworldThe Orb
The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld
A sprawling, ambient-house landmark of cosmic drift. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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114Orbital (Brown Album)Orbital
Orbital (Brown Album)
A landmark debut of melodic, emotional techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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115Feed Me Weird ThingsSquarepusher
Feed Me Weird Things
A frantic, jazzy drum-and-bass debut. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.
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116IncunabulaAutechre
Incunabula
A warm, melodic IDM debut. Inventive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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117From Here We Go SublimeThe Field
From Here We Go Sublime
A hypnotic, looping minimal-techno landmark. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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118ModeratModerat
Moderat
A sleek, melodic techno-and-bass collaboration. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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119New EnergyFour Tet
New Energy
A warm, meditative peak of melodic electronics. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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120AndorraCaribou
Andorra
A sunny, psychedelic-pop peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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121BurialBurial
Burial
A ghostly, rain-soaked dubstep debut of nocturnal London. Atmospheric and influential. A genre landmark.
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122ReplicaOneohtrix Point Never
Replica
A haunting, sample-based electronic landmark of uncanny loops. Inventive and acclaimed. A modern cornerstone.
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123R Plus SevenOneohtrix Point Never
R Plus Seven
A dense, uncanny electronic peak of fractured texture. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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124Ravedeath, 1972Tim Hecker
Ravedeath, 1972
A vast, decaying ambient-noise peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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125Endless SummerFennesz
Endless Summer
A gorgeous blend of guitar and glitch, warm and melodic. Singular and beloved. An ambient-pop landmark.
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126The Disintegration LoopsWilliam Basinski
The Disintegration Loops
A haunting ambient landmark of decaying tape loops, tied to 9/11. Elegiac and singular. A profound record.
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12799.9%KAYTRANADA
99.9%
A funky, dancefloor-ready debut of crisp house and soul. Groovy and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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128BubbaKAYTRANADA
Bubba
A funky, danceable peak of crisp house and soul. Groovy and Grammy-winning. A high point.
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129ArcaArca
Arca
A raw, vulnerable art-electronic peak of fractured beauty. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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130In WavesJamie xx
In Waves
A warm, dancefloor-focused follow-up to In Colour. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A strong return.