Albums of 2011

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.

1. 1
   21Adele

   21

   Adele · 2011 · Pop

   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.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
2. 2
   4Beyoncé

   4

   Beyoncé · 2011 · Pop

   A soulful, mature pop-R&B record of craft over singles. Warm and acclaimed. A creative turning point.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
3. 3
   ApocalypseBill Callahan

   Apocalypse

   Bill Callahan · 2011 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A spare, wry folk peak of deadpan depth. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
4. 4
   Bon Iver, Bon IverBon Iver

   Bon Iver, Bon Iver

   Bon Iver · 2011 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A lush, layered second album that expanded the hushed debut into widescreen beauty. Gorgeous and Grammy-winning. A peak.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
5. 5
   XXXDanny Brown

   XXX

   Danny Brown · 2011 · Hip-Hop

   A wild, abrasive breakthrough of hedonism and dread. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
6. 6
   Take CareDrake

   Take Care

   Drake · 2011 · Hip-Hop

   A moody, introspective record that defined the blend of rap and R&B in the 2010s. Atmospheric and influential. Widely held to be his best.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
7. 7
   +Ed Sheeran

   +

   Ed Sheeran · 2011 · Pop

   A warm, acoustic-pop debut, home to 'The A Team'. Tuneful and beloved. His breakthrough.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
8. 8
   Helplessness BluesFleet Foxes

   Helplessness Blues

   Fleet Foxes · 2011 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   More ambitious and searching than the debut, rich with harmony and questioning lyrics. Expansive and lovely. A folk high point.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
9. 9
   James BlakeJames Blake

   James Blake

   James Blake · 2011 · Electronic

   A spare, soulful debut of sub-bass, silence and fractured vocals that helped define post-dubstep. Intimate and influential. A striking arrival.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
10. 10
    Watch the ThroneJay-Z & Kanye West

    Watch the Throne

    Jay-Z & Kanye West · 2011 · Hip-Hop

    A lavish, maximalist team-up of two titans, home to 'Niggas in Paris'. Opulent and huge. A blockbuster collaboration.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
11. 11
    Section.80Kendrick Lamar

    Section.80

    Kendrick Lamar · 2011 · Hip-Hop

    A conceptual early peak of social commentary and craft. Sharp and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
12. 12
    Born This WayLady Gaga

    Born This Way

    Lady Gaga · 2011 · Pop

    A maximalist, anthemic pop peak of self-empowerment. Bold and huge. A commercial high.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
13. 13
    Hurry Up, We're DreamingM83

    Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

    M83 · 2011 · Electronic

    A vast, nostalgic synth-pop double album of widescreen euphoria, anchored by 'Midnight City'. Lush and grand. Their masterpiece.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
14. 14
    ReplicaOneohtrix Point Never

    Replica

    Oneohtrix Point Never · 2011 · Electronic

    A haunting, sample-based electronic landmark of uncanny loops. Inventive and acclaimed. A modern cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
15. 15
    Let England ShakePJ Harvey

    Let England Shake

    PJ Harvey · 2011 · Alternative & Indie

    A haunting, war-themed art-rock peak. Bold and Mercury-winning. A late masterpiece.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
16. 16
    SBTRKTSBTRKT

    SBTRKT

    SBTRKT · 2011 · Electronic

    A sleek, post-dubstep debut of soulful electronics. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
17. 17
    RevelatorTedeschi Trucks Band

    Revelator

    Tedeschi Trucks Band · 2011 · Blues

    A soulful, Grammy-winning blues-rock debut of big-band warmth. Polished and acclaimed. A modern highlight.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
18. 18
    House of BalloonsThe Weeknd

    House of Balloons

    The Weeknd · 2011 · Soul & R&B

    A dark, atmospheric mixtape debut that reshaped R&B. Bold and influential. A landmark.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
19. 19
    Ravedeath, 1972Tim Hecker

    Ravedeath, 1972

    Tim Hecker · 2011 · Electronic

    A vast, decaying ambient-noise peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →