Albums of 2010

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1. 1
   The SuburbsArcade Fire

   The Suburbs

   Arcade Fire · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

   A sprawling, Grammy-winning meditation on suburban memory. Ambitious and acclaimed. A creative peak.

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2. 2
   Teen DreamBeach House

   Teen Dream

   Beach House · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

   Gauzy, gorgeous dream-pop of organ, slide guitar and reverb. Hypnotic and warm. The album that defined their sound.

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3. 3
   Black SandsBonobo

   Black Sands

   Bonobo · 2010 · Electronic

   A lush, organic blend of downtempo electronics and live instrumentation. Warm and cinematic. A beloved chill-out record.

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4. 4
   Doo-Wops & HooligansBruno Mars

   Doo-Wops & Hooligans

   Bruno Mars · 2010 · Pop

   A bright, retro-leaning pop debut of effortless hooks. Tuneful and huge. His breakthrough.

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5. 5
   SwimCaribou

   Swim

   Caribou · 2010 · Electronic

   A liquid, melodic dance record of warmth and invention. Hypnotic and emotional. A modern electronic favourite.

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6. 6
   Halcyon DigestDeerhunter

   Halcyon Digest

   Deerhunter · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

   A dreamy, melodic art-rock peak of hazy beauty. Inventive and acclaimed. Their finest.

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7. 7
   Diamond EyesDeftones

   Diamond Eyes

   Deftones · 2010 · Metal

   A melodic, atmospheric comeback peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high point.

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8. 8
   New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)Erykah Badu

   New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)

   Erykah Badu · 2010 · Soul & R&B

   A warm, melodic companion to the political Part One. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.

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9. 9
   CosmogrammaFlying Lotus

   Cosmogramma

   Flying Lotus · 2010 · Electronic

   A dense, cosmic fusion of electronic, jazz and hip-hop, dazzling and immersive. Ambitious and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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10. 10
    Total Life ForeverFoals

    Total Life Forever

    Foals · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    A textured, dynamic indie peak. Bold and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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11. 11
    There Is Love in YouFour Tet

    There Is Love in You

    Four Tet · 2010 · Electronic

    A warm, melodic folktronica peak. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.

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12. 12
    Opus EponymousGhost

    Opus Eponymous

    Ghost · 2010 · Metal

    A catchy, occult-themed hard-rock debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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13. 13
    Plastic BeachGorillaz

    Plastic Beach

    Gorillaz · 2010 · Electronic

    A lush, star-guested concept peak of eco-pop. Inventive and beloved. A high point.

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14. 14
    One Life StandHot Chip

    One Life Stand

    Hot Chip · 2010 · Electronic

    A warm, melodic synth-pop peak of emotional dance music. Tuneful and beloved. One of their best.

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15. 15
    The ArchAndroidJanelle Monae

    The ArchAndroid

    Janelle Monae · 2010 · Soul & R&B

    An ambitious, genre-spanning concept record of funk, soul and sci-fi, dazzling in scope. Inventive and acclaimed. A bold debut album.

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16. 16
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyKanye West

    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

    Kanye West · 2010 · Hip-Hop

    A maximalist, operatic statement that reassembled Kanye's career after public disgrace, stacking lush production, A-list guests and raw confession. Ambitious to the point of excess and almost flawless. Frequently named the best album of its decade.

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17. 17
    Teenage DreamKaty Perry

    Teenage Dream

    Katy Perry · 2010 · Pop

    A candy-coloured pop blockbuster that spun off five number-ones. Bright and irresistible. A peak of 2010s pop.

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18. 18
    This Is HappeningLCD Soundsystem

    This Is Happening

    LCD Soundsystem · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    A wry, danceable peak of emotional dance-punk. Sharp and beloved. A strong send-off (for a while).

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19. 19
    I Speak Because I CanLaura Marling

    I Speak Because I Can

    Laura Marling · 2010 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A mature, literate folk peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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20. 20
    HeligolandMassive Attack

    Heligoland

    Massive Attack · 2010 · Electronic

    A dark, guest-laden late peak of trip-hop atmosphere. Immersive and acclaimed. A strong record.

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21. 21
    Pink FridayNicki Minaj

    Pink Friday

    Nicki Minaj · 2010 · Hip-Hop

    A blockbuster debut of pop-rap range and personality. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.

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22. 22
    LoudRihanna

    Loud

    Rihanna · 2010 · Pop

    A bright, hit-stuffed pop peak, home to 'Only Girl (In the World)'. Glossy and huge. A commercial high.

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23. 23
    Body TalkRobyn

    Body Talk

    Robyn · 2010 · Pop

    A landmark of melancholic dancefloor pop, home to 'Dancing on My Own'. Emotional and influential. A critical favourite.

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24. 24
    The Age of AdzSufjan Stevens

    The Age of Adz

    Sufjan Stevens · 2010 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A maximal, electronic turn from the hushed folk of Illinois. Bold and acclaimed. A creative swerve.

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25. 25
    InnerSpeakerTame Impala

    InnerSpeaker

    Tame Impala · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    A warm, psychedelic guitar debut of swirling retro textures. Hazy and assured. The start of Parker's run.

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26. 26
    Speak NowTaylor Swift

    Speak Now

    Taylor Swift · 2010 · Pop

    A self-written peak of narrative country-pop. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.

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27. 27
    BrothersThe Black Keys

    Brothers

    The Black Keys · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    A soulful, fuzzy blues-rock breakthrough, home to 'Tighten Up'. Gritty and huge. Their commercial peak.

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28. 28
    High VioletThe National

    High Violet

    The National · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    Lush, melancholic and immaculately crafted, their commercial breakthrough. Anthemic in a restrained way. A modern indie staple.

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29. 29
    The Wild HuntThe Tallest Man on Earth

    The Wild Hunt

    The Tallest Man on Earth · 2010 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A spare, Dylan-esque folk peak of raw intimacy. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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30. 30
    Tourist HistoryTwo Door Cinema Club

    Tourist History

    Two Door Cinema Club · 2010 · Alternative & Indie

    A bright, danceable indie-pop debut. Tuneful and beloved. A breakthrough.

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