Best Summer Albums

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1. 1
   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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2. 2
   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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3. 3
   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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4. 4
   Pet SoundsThe Beach Boys

   Pet Sounds

   The Beach Boys · 1966 · Rock

   Brian Wilson's orchestral pop masterpiece, a fragile, intricate song-cycle of longing that reshaped what a pop album could be. Endlessly influential, not least on the Beatles. One of the greatest records ever made.

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5. 5
   CurrentsTame Impala

   Currents

   Tame Impala · 2015 · Alternative & Indie

   The pivot from psych-rock to glossy synth-pop, introspective and danceable. 'Let It Happen' anchors it. A crossover triumph.

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6. 6
   Harry's HouseHarry Styles

   Harry's House

   Harry Styles · 2022 · Pop

   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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7. 7
   Demon DaysGorillaz

   Demon Days

   Gorillaz · 2005 · Electronic

   A dark, genre-blending peak of the virtual band, home to 'Feel Good Inc.'. Inventive and huge. Their masterpiece.

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8. 8
   RenaissanceBeyoncé

   Renaissance

   Beyoncé · 2022 · Pop

   A euphoric, house-and-disco dance record celebrating Black queer club culture. Bold and acclaimed. A late peak.

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9. 9
   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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10. 10
    Channel OrangeFrank Ocean

    Channel Orange

    Frank Ocean · 2012 · Soul & R&B

    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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11. 11
    Pure HeroineLorde

    Pure Heroine

    Lorde · 2013 · Pop

    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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12. 12
    Moon SafariAir

    Moon Safari

    Air · 1998 · Electronic

    A lush, retro-futurist downtempo landmark of warm synths. Dreamy and beloved. A chill-out classic.

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