Best Feel-Good Albums

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1. 1
   Songs in the Key of LifeStevie Wonder

   Songs in the Key of Life

   Stevie Wonder · 1976 · Soul & R&B

   A double album of staggering range and generosity, the centrepiece of Wonder's golden run. Funk, jazz, ballads and social commentary all sit comfortably together. Exhaustive, joyous and essential.

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2. 2
   DiscoveryDaft Punk

   Discovery

   Daft Punk · 2001 · Electronic

   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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3. 3
   ArrivalABBA

   Arrival

   ABBA · 1976 · Pop

   A peak of immaculate Swedish pop craft, home to 'Dancing Queen'. Glossy and joyful. One of their finest.

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4. 4
   ThrillerMichael Jackson

   Thriller

   Michael Jackson · 1982 · Pop

   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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5. 5
   Future NostalgiaDua Lipa

   Future Nostalgia

   Dua Lipa · 2020 · Pop

   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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6. 6
   Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend

   Vampire Weekend

   Vampire Weekend · 2008 · Alternative & Indie

   A bright, preppy debut blending Afropop guitars with witty literate pop. Fresh and instantly likeable. The start of a great run.

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7. 7
   StankoniaOutKast

   Stankonia

   OutKast · 2000 · Hip-Hop

   A wildly inventive blend of funk, electro, gospel and rap that pushed Southern hip-hop into the future. 'B.O.B.' and 'Ms. Jackson' anchor it. Restless, joyful and ahead of its time.

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8. 8
   Let's Stay TogetherAl Green

   Let's Stay Together

   Al Green · 1972 · Soul & R&B

   Smooth, sensual Memphis soul defined by Green's falsetto and Willie Mitchell's warm production. The title track is a standard for good reason. A bedroom-soul cornerstone.

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9. 9
   Live at the ApolloJames Brown

   Live at the Apollo

   James Brown · 1963 · Soul & R&B

   An electrifying live document that captured Brown's raw command. Thrilling and historic. One of the great live albums.

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10. 10
    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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11. 11
    Remain in LightTalking Heads

    Remain in Light

    Talking Heads · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

    Afrobeat polyrhythms meet art-rock and Eno's production on a dense, ecstatic landmark led by 'Once in a Lifetime'. Layered and danceable, it expanded what a rock band could be. A high point of the era.

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