The Best Pop Albums
Craft, hooks and ambition — the albums that defined eras of radio.
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1ThrillerMichael Jackson
Thriller
The best-selling album of all time and a flawless run of pop, funk, rock and balladry produced with Quincy Jones. Every single became a standard, and the craft holds up decades on. The benchmark for mainstream pop ambition.
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2BadMichael Jackson
Bad
The hugely ambitious follow-up to Thriller, five number-ones deep and impeccably produced. Slick and confident. A blockbuster in its own right.
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3Like a PrayerMadonna
Like a Prayer
Madonna's most ambitious and personal record, mixing pop, gospel and rock with real songwriting depth. The title track is a high point. The album that earned her critical respect.
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4Purple RainPrince
Purple Rain
Equal parts soundtrack and statement, blending rock, funk, pop and gospel into Prince's commercial breakthrough. The title track and 'When Doves Cry' are era-defining. A dazzling display of a singular talent.
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5Sign o' the TimesPrince
Sign o' the Times
A sprawling double album that shows the full range of Prince's genius, from stark social commentary to ecstatic funk and tender soul. Often cited as his masterpiece. Dense, generous and rewarding.
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6Back to BlackAmy Winehouse
Back to Black
A modern soul classic that fused 1960s girl-group sound with brutally honest, contemporary lyrics, produced with Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi. Winehouse's voice carries genuine ache throughout. Brief, perfect and bittersweet in hindsight.
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721Adele
21
The record that made Adele a global phenomenon, turning a break-up into soaring, soulful pop with 'Rolling in the Deep' and 'Someone Like You'. Big voice, bigger songs, broad appeal. A modern blockbuster that earned its sales.
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81989Taylor Swift
1989
Swift's clean break from country into glossy 1980s-leaning synth-pop, packed with hits and sharp writing. It reset her career and proved her pop instincts. The most immediate place to meet her as a pop star.
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9Pure HeroineLorde
Pure Heroine
A spare, witty teenage debut that reframed pop with minimalist beats and sharp observation. Cool and distinctive. 'Royals' announced a major talent.
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10LemonadeBeyoncé
Lemonade
A visual album and emotional reckoning that moves through country, rock, hip-hop and gospel, blending the personal and the political. Ambitious in scope and immaculate in execution. Widely regarded as her masterpiece.
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11Future 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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12Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston
Whitney Houston
A debut that announced one of the great voices in pop, balancing ballads and dance-pop with effortless power. A blockbuster on release. The start of an era.
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13True BlueMadonna
True Blue
A bright, confident pop peak, home to 'Papa Don't Preach' and 'La Isla Bonita'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.
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14Ray of LightMadonna
Ray of Light
A reinvention via electronica and introspection, lush and forward-looking. Widely seen as her artistic peak. Glossy, spiritual and assured.
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15...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears
...Baby One More Time
A debut that defined late-90s teen pop, built around one of the era's most recognisable singles. Glossy and huge. A pop-culture landmark.
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16ArrivalABBA
Arrival
A peak of immaculate Swedish pop craft, home to 'Dancing Queen'. Glossy and joyful. One of their finest.
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17The AlbumABBA
The Album
A peak of ambitious Swedish pop, home to 'Take a Chance on Me'. Polished and tuneful. One of their best.
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18Hounds of LoveKate Bush
Hounds of Love
A two-sided masterpiece, pop singles up front and the experimental 'Ninth Wave' suite behind. Inventive and emotional throughout. Her crowning achievement.
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19She's So UnusualCyndi Lauper
She's So Unusual
A vibrant, eccentric debut packed with hits and personality, from 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' to 'Time After Time'. Joyful and sharp. An 80s pop classic.
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20FaithGeorge Michael
Faith
A sophisticated solo debut that proved Michael a major songwriter, balancing pop, soul and gospel. Slick and assured. A blockbuster on every level.
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21SpiceSpice Girls
Spice
A bright, irresistible debut that defined late-90s pop and 'girl power', hook after hook. Fun and enormous. A cultural phenomenon.
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22The FameLady Gaga
The Fame
A glittering electro-pop debut that made Gaga a superstar, hook after hook. Bold and fun. A defining late-2000s record.
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23Born This WayLady Gaga
Born This Way
A maximalist, anthemic pop peak of self-empowerment. Bold and huge. A commercial high.
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24Teenage DreamKaty Perry
Teenage Dream
A candy-coloured pop blockbuster that spun off five number-ones. Bright and irresistible. A peak of 2010s pop.
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25Good Girl Gone BadRihanna
Good Girl Gone Bad
A glossy pop-R&B breakthrough, home to 'Umbrella'. Sleek and huge. The album that made her a superstar.
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26AntiRihanna
Anti
A moody, adventurous record that reframed Rihanna as an artist, home to 'Work'. Atmospheric and assured. Her most acclaimed album.
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27SweetenerAriana Grande
Sweetener
A bright, Pharrell-touched pop record balancing experimentation and hooks. Polished and assured. A turning point in her career.
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28thank u, nextAriana Grande
thank u, next
A quick, candid R&B-pop record of heartbreak and resilience, effortless and warm. Confident and beloved. A peak of her run.
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29When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?Billie Eilish
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
A whispered, bass-heavy bedroom-pop debut that redefined teen pop, dark and intimate. Distinctive and enormous. A generational record.
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30Fine LineHarry Styles
Fine Line
A warm, retro-leaning pop-rock record that established Styles as a solo force, anchored by 'Watermelon Sugar'. Sunny and assured. His breakthrough.
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31Harry'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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32SourOlivia 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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33RedTaylor Swift
Red
A sprawling, genre-blurring bridge from country to pop, home to 'All Too Well'. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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34ReputationTaylor Swift
Reputation
A dark, beat-driven pop record of fame and defiance. Bold and huge. A commercial peak.
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35FolkloreTaylor 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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36ParachutesColdplay
Parachutes
A gentle, atmospheric debut of melancholic Britpop-adjacent songs, home to 'Yellow'. Tender and tuneful. A quiet success.
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37A Rush of Blood to the HeadColdplay
A Rush of Blood to the Head
The album that made Coldplay huge, anthemic and melancholic, from 'Clocks' to 'The Scientist'. Polished and emotional. Their breakthrough.
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38Born to DieLana Del Rey
Born to Die
A cinematic, melancholic pop debut of vintage glamour. Lush and beloved. Her breakthrough.
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39Norman Fucking Rockwell!Lana Del Rey
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
A lush, literate Americana-pop peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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40RenaissanceBeyoncé
Renaissance
A euphoric, house-and-disco dance record celebrating Black queer club culture. Bold and acclaimed. A late peak.
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41Off the WallMichael Jackson
Off the Wall
Jackson's grown-up arrival, a joyous disco-soul record that still sounds effortless and warm. 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock with You' set a new bar for dancefloor pop. Many listeners love it even more than Thriller.
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42Like a VirginMadonna
Like a Virgin
The blockbuster that made Madonna a superstar, home to its iconic title track. Bright and huge. A pop landmark.
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43Confessions on a Dance FloorMadonna
Confessions on a Dance Floor
A seamless disco-house comeback, home to 'Hung Up'. Glossy and acclaimed. A late peak.
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44ControlJanet Jackson
Control
The album that made Janet a force, sleek Jam-and-Lewis funk-pop of independence. Sharp and danceable. A defining record.
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45Rhythm Nation 1814Janet Jackson
Rhythm Nation 1814
An ambitious, socially conscious pop-funk blockbuster of immaculate production. Tight and influential. Her peak.
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461999Prince
1999
A funky, futuristic double album, home to its title track and 'Little Red Corvette'. Inventive and huge. A breakthrough.
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47Dirty MindPrince
Dirty Mind
A raw, provocative new-wave-funk peak of sexual energy. Bold and influential. A creative leap.
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48Private DancerTina Turner
Private Dancer
A triumphant comeback of soulful pop-rock, home to 'What's Love Got to Do with It'. Powerful and polished. Her solo peak.
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49Hunting High and Lowa-ha
Hunting High and Low
A synth-pop debut of soaring melodrama, home to 'Take On Me'. Bright and tuneful. An 80s staple.
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50Songs from the Big ChairTears for Fears
Songs from the Big Chair
Lush, ambitious synth-pop of real depth, home to 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'. Polished and emotional. An 80s peak.
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51Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
A cool, synth-driven landmark of 80s pop, its title track instantly iconic. Sleek and influential. A definitive synth-pop record.
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52ActuallyPet Shop Boys
Actually
A witty, melancholic synth-pop peak of arch British observation. Sleek and clever. One of their best.
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53PleasePet Shop Boys
Please
A sleek, witty synth-pop debut, home to 'West End Girls'. Cool and tuneful. A strong start.
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54MillenniumBackstreet Boys
Millennium
A blockbuster of polished boy-band pop, home to 'I Want It That Way'. Glossy and enormous. A landmark of the era.
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55No Strings AttachedNSYNC
No Strings Attached
A record-shattering boy-band peak, home to 'Bye Bye Bye'. Polished and huge. A pop landmark.
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56StrippedChristina Aguilera
Stripped
An ambitious, defiant record of vocal power and reinvention, home to 'Beautiful'. Bold and varied. Her artistic statement.
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57JustifiedJustin Timberlake
Justified
A sleek solo debut of Neptunes and Timbaland pop-R&B that established Timberlake as a star. Smooth and fun. A turning point.
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58FutureSex/LoveSoundsJustin Timberlake
FutureSex/LoveSounds
A sleek, Timbaland-produced peak of dancefloor R&B-pop, from 'SexyBack' on. Inventive and huge. His defining record.
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59FeverKylie Minogue
Fever
A glittering disco-pop comeback, home to 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'. Glossy and irresistible. Her peak.
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60Body TalkRobyn
Body Talk
A landmark of melancholic dancefloor pop, home to 'Dancing on My Own'. Emotional and influential. A critical favourite.
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611000 Forms of FearSia
1000 Forms of Fear
A dramatic, belting pop peak, home to 'Chandelier'. Powerful and huge. A breakthrough.
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62+Ed Sheeran
+
A warm, acoustic-pop debut, home to 'The A Team'. Tuneful and beloved. His breakthrough.
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63DivideEd Sheeran
Divide
A blockbuster of acoustic-pop and global rhythms, home to 'Shape of You'. Polished and enormous. His commercial peak.
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64Doo-Wops & HooligansBruno Mars
Doo-Wops & Hooligans
A bright, retro-leaning pop debut of effortless hooks. Tuneful and huge. His breakthrough.
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6524K MagicBruno Mars
24K Magic
A slick, joyful throwback to 80s/90s funk and R&B. Polished and fun. An award-sweeping crowd-pleaser.
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66How 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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67BratCharli 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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68EmotionCarly Rae Jepsen
Emotion
A critically adored synth-pop gem of euphoric, 80s-tinged hooks. Bright and beloved. A cult favourite.
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69MelodramaLorde
Melodrama
A widescreen break-up record of heightened emotion and inventive pop production. Acclaimed and beloved. Her masterpiece.
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70Planet HerDoja Cat
Planet Her
A slick, genre-blurring pop-R&B peak of hits. Polished and huge. A commercial breakthrough.
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71GutsOlivia Rodrigo
Guts
A sharp, pop-punk-leaning follow-up of wit and angst. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong second record.
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72Short 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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73The 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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74FearlessTaylor Swift
Fearless
The country-pop blockbuster that made Swift a star, home to 'Love Story'. Tuneful and huge. A breakthrough.
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75Speak NowTaylor Swift
Speak Now
A self-written peak of narrative country-pop. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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76LoverTaylor Swift
Lover
A bright, romantic pop record of warmth and color. Tuneful and big. A commercial high.
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77EvermoreTaylor Swift
Evermore
A wintry, folk-leaning companion to Folklore. Reflective and beloved. A quiet peak.
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78MidnightsTaylor Swift
Midnights
A sleek, synth-pop return to confessional pop. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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79The 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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80Radical OptimismDua Lipa
Radical Optimism
A breezy, psychedelia-tinged pop follow-up. Polished and tuneful. A strong record.
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81PositionsAriana Grande
Positions
A smooth, R&B-leaning pop record of intimacy. Polished and tuneful. A strong entry.
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82Eternal SunshineAriana Grande
Eternal Sunshine
A sleek, reflective pop record of heartbreak and renewal. Polished and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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83Viva la Vida or Death and All His FriendsColdplay
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
An ambitious, Eno-produced peak, home to its baroque title smash. Bold and huge. A creative high.
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84X&YColdplay
X&Y
A widescreen, anthemic peak of stadium pop-rock. Polished and huge. A commercial high.
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85Songs About JaneMaroon 5
Songs About Jane
A tuneful, funk-pop debut, home to 'This Love'. Smooth and huge. A breakthrough.
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86DangerousMichael Jackson
Dangerous
A new-jack-swing reinvention of slick, hard-edged pop. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
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87MusicMadonna
Music
A playful, electronic-leaning pop peak, home to its title track. Inventive and big. A strong record.
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88ParadePrince
Parade
An adventurous, orchestral-funk peak tied to a film, home to 'Kiss'. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.
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89Around the World in a DayPrince
Around the World in a Day
A psychedelic-pop pivot after Purple Rain. Bold and beloved. A creative swerve.
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90WhitneyWhitney Houston
Whitney
A blockbuster of soaring pop-soul that broke chart records. Polished and powerful. Her commercial peak.
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91DaydreamMariah Carey
Daydream
A peak of 90s pop-R&B vocal craft, home to 'Fantasy' and 'One Sweet Day'. Polished and huge. Her commercial high.
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92ButterflyMariah Carey
Butterfly
A sophisticated R&B-pop peak that deepened her artistry. Smooth and acclaimed. Her finest.
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93BlackoutBritney Spears
Blackout
A dark, forward-thinking dance-pop record now regarded as her artistic peak, all icy production and hooks. Influential and assured. A critical favourite.
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94Oops!... I Did It AgainBritney Spears
Oops!... I Did It Again
A glossy teen-pop blockbuster, home to its title smash. Bright and huge. A commercial peak.
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95Dangerously in LoveBeyoncé
Dangerously in Love
A solo debut that established Beyoncé as a force, home to 'Crazy in Love'. Polished and huge. A landmark.
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964Beyoncé
4
A soulful, mature pop-R&B record of craft over singles. Warm and acclaimed. A creative turning point.
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97Cowboy CarterBeyoncé
Cowboy Carter
A sprawling, country-embracing genre statement. Bold and acclaimed. A late-career landmark.
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98Rated RRihanna
Rated R
A dark, edgy pop-R&B peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative turning point.
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99LoudRihanna
Loud
A bright, hit-stuffed pop peak, home to 'Only Girl (In the World)'. Glossy and huge. A commercial high.
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100The Fame MonsterLady Gaga
The Fame Monster
A darker, sharper companion to The Fame, home to 'Bad Romance'. Bold and immaculate. Arguably her pop peak.
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10119Adele
19
A soulful, jazzy debut of mature songcraft. Warm and acclaimed. A striking start.
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10225Adele
25
A blockbuster of soaring soul-pop, home to 'Hello'. Polished and enormous. A commercial peak.
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10330Adele
30
A raw, reflective divorce record of vocal power. Honest and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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104In the Lonely HourSam Smith
In the Lonely Hour
A soulful, heartbroken pop debut, home to 'Stay with Me'. Tender and huge. A breakthrough.
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105Harry StylesHarry Styles
Harry Styles
A classic-rock-leaning solo debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A striking start.
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106Happier 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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107Hit 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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108Dua LipaDua Lipa
Dua Lipa
A glossy dance-pop debut, home to 'New Rules'. Tuneful and big. A breakthrough.
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109Dangerous WomanAriana Grande
Dangerous Woman
A confident, soulful pop peak. Polished and big. A high point.
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110My EverythingAriana Grande
My Everything
A hit-laden pop peak that broadened her sound. Polished and big. A breakthrough.
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111UltraviolenceLana Del Rey
Ultraviolence
A darker, guitar-leaning peak produced with Dan Auerbach. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A creative high.
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112HoneymoonLana Del Rey
Honeymoon
A languid, cinematic peak of slow-burn beauty. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.
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113Voulez-VousABBA
Voulez-Vous
A disco-leaning peak of polished Swedish pop. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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114Super TrouperABBA
Super Trouper
A reflective, hook-laden peak, home to its title track and 'The Winner Takes It All'. Tuneful and beloved. A late high.
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115VoyageABBA
Voyage
A warm, nostalgic reunion after four decades. Tuneful and beloved. A graceful return.
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116Saturday Night FeverBee Gees
Saturday Night Fever
The soundtrack that defined disco, wall-to-wall hits and falsetto. Inescapable and influential. A cultural landmark.
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117Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1George Michael
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
A serious, mature follow-up to Faith, home to 'Freedom! '90'. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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118Make It BigWham!
Make It Big
A bright, joyful pop blockbuster, home to 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go'. Tuneful and huge. Their peak.
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119SpiceworldSpice Girls
Spiceworld
A bright, hook-laden follow-up to Spice. Fun and huge. A commercial high.
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120PurposeJustin Bieber
Purpose
A sleek, EDM-and-R&B pop reinvention, home to 'Sorry'. Polished and huge. His commercial peak.
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121The Velvet RopeJanet Jackson
The Velvet Rope
An intimate, adventurous record of identity and desire, her most personal. Sleek and acclaimed. A creative high.
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122Tragic KingdomNo Doubt
Tragic Kingdom
A ska-pop blockbuster of hooks and attitude, home to 'Don't Speak'. Bright and huge. A 90s staple.
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123CharliCharli XCX
Charli
A forward-thinking pop record of hyperpop edge and guests. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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124Cuz I Love YouLizzo
Cuz I Love You
A brassy, joyful pop-soul peak, home to 'Juice'. Bold and huge. A breakthrough.
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125Hot PinkDoja Cat
Hot Pink
A playful, genre-hopping pop-R&B peak, home to 'Say So'. Fun and big. A breakthrough.