best of @michael's Top 100 Albums of the Decade *complete*

[@michael]

 

Hi everyone! I haven't made a Best Of thread in years, but I'm back this year to celebrate the end of the decade with my Top 100 albums of 2010-2019. I've been gathering my list for a while now, perfecting it along the way in order to showcase my personal taste and to reminisce about all of the great artists and music I've discovered in the last decade. I'm excited to present to you these 100 albums from 80 different acts across all ten years of the decade.

 

[@michael]

 

100. LYKKE LI - SO SAD SO SEXY (2018 - 8th of 8)

best songs - "last piece"; "jaguars in the air"; "deep end"; "two nights"; "so sad so sexy"

 

I thought it would be nice to start this countdown with one of my favorite artists of the decade, Lykke Li. Her fourth album, So Sad So Sexy, was a shift in a new direction for Lykke, after completing her "trilogy" of Youth Novels, Wounded Rhymes, and I Never Learn. This album features a much more obvious electro-pop sound, with sleeker production and harder beats. However, at the core, it's still the same Lykke Li that I fell in love with, with her heartbreaking vocals and somber tones that somehow come across as uplifting in the strangest ways. So Sad So Sexy represented a bold step forward for Lykke Li, even if I do find it to be weaker than her other albums; it was definitely worth the risk.

 

99. PURITY RING - SHRINES (2012 - 9th of 9)

best songs - "crawlersout"; "fineshrine"; "saltkin"; "ungirthed"; "grandloves"

 

I have fond memories of listening to Purity Ring's debut album, Shrines, because it was a great discovery of alternative music for me. I loved being immersed in the sounds and the productions throughout the album. Shrines definitely has a magical quality about it, all the way down to its song titles, which are somewhat English, somewhat gibberish. Megan James's vocals are light and airy with so much charm, which makes the music very captivating. It's a shame that their follow-up, Another Eternity, couldn't live up to expectations.

 

98. MUNA - SAVES THE WORLD (2019 - 8th of 8)

best songs - "number one fan"; "pink light"; "good news (ya-ya song)"; "stayaway"; "hands off"

 

I didn't know about MUNA until this year, so Saves the World is my introduction to the group. I can definitely say I'm impressed with them, and I see the potential. I love their pop sensibilities and can understand why people compare them to another girl band trio (HAIM). However, I feel like MUNA has much more of a '90s vibe going on, definitely in terms of aesthetic, but also in terms deadpan-ish vocal deliveries. I look forward to seeing more of what this band has to offer in the future.

 

97. THE WAR ON DRUGS - A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING (2017 - 9th of 9)

best songs - "up all night"; "strangest thing"; "knocked down"; "holding on"; "thinking of a place"

 

I first heard of The War on Drugs from their 2014 album Lost in the Dream. While I loved the song "Red Eyes", I thought that the album as a whole was a bit bloated and occasionally sonically overwhelming. A Deeper Understanding cleans things up a bit, with a more focused sound that borrows a lot from the '70s rock scene. The album could probably be higher on my list if The War on Drugs could work a bit on cutting their song times down, as I'm not a fan of albums full of 6+ minutes-long songs.

 

96. BEACH HOUSE - BLOOM (2012 - 8th of 9)

best songs - "wild"; "irene"; "on the sea"; "new year"; "myth"

 

Bloom was the first album I ever heard from Beach House, and this introduction to the band remains my favorite album from them. The production is expansive and lush. Victoria Legrand has incredible vocals that roll on throughout the songs, never getting drowned out by the music, which can sometimes happen with this type of music. While I love the synths that penetrate through much of the album, there is a lot of great piano work also going on that has to be appreciated.

[madonnas]

I honestly think MUNA is a poor man's 2010s Tegan and Sara   But Number One Fan is good and so is Loudspeaker.

 

The rest is good especially Shrines.

[@michael]

 

95. KESHA - RAINBOW (2017 - 8th of 9)

best songs - "praying"; "spaceship"; "woman"; "bastards"; "old flames (can't hold a candle to you)"

 

Kesha's comeback in 2017 was so nice to see. After all of her hardship, it was great for her to be able to make new music and release an album that followed her vision, and hers only. While I have fond memories of listening to her electrotrash music of the past, I was able to appreciate her new, stripped down sound. Even without the synthesizers, her quirky oddball-ness was still able to shine through. The most powerful track is obviously "Praying", one of my favorites of the decade for its strength and vulnerability.

 

94. KACEY MUSGRAVES - GOLDEN HOUR (2018 - 7th of 8)

best songs - "butterflies"; "space cowboy"; "rainbow"; "high horse"; "lonely weekend"

 

I remember Kacey Musgrave's debut album, Same Trailer Different Park, before she became a sorta "main pop girl" and Twitter meme queen. I remember when she was a prolific songwriter for Miranda Lambert and others. It was great to see her come to such mainstream prominence with Golden Hour. She still has her great simple songs with eloquent songwriting, such as "Butterflies" and "Space Cowboy".  It was great to see her step out with some pop tracks, specifically "High Horse". I also feel that Kacey is an underrated vocalist, as she really shines in live performances of "Rainbow". I can't wait to see what the next decade has in store for Kacey.

 

93. JEREMIH - LATE NIGHTS: THE ALBUM (2015 - 15th of 15)

best songs - "don't tell 'em"; "planez"; "impatient"; "pass dat"; "actin' up"

 

I feel that this entry is a bit out of left field for me, but I really enjoy listening to this album. I decided to give it a listen because of the amazing "Don't Tell 'Em", and I was not disappointed with the rest. I feel like Jeremih is really great at setting a certain mood and aura, and he committed 100% to this vision. The album intro, "Planez", is one of my favorite album openers, with second track "Pass Dat" being a fantastic follow-up. Coming across an album like Late Nights makes me realize that it's worth stepping out of one's comfort zone for new music.

 

92. MIRANDA LAMBERT - FOUR THE RECORD (2011 - 9th of 9)

best songs - "all kinds of kinds"; "dear diamond"; "nobody's fool"; "fine tune"; "look at miss ohio"

 

Miranda Lambert is one of my favorite artists of the decade. Her albums Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Revolution were released in the previous decade, but I didn't become a fan until this decade. I feel like the four albums she's released in this decade have not been as good as those other two, but Four the Record is the best of them. On this album, Miranda is in a great place vocally and her confidence shines through as usual. Artistically, Miranda was not as involved on this album in terms of songwriting. Most of the songs were written by other camps, or were covers by lesser-known artists. Of my five favorite tracks, only "Dear Diamond" was written by Miranda, but it's such a great highlight. While Lambert is mostly known as one of the great singer-songwriters, this album proved that she can work with anyone's material and make it her own.

 

91. CAROLINE POLACHEK - PANG (2019 - 7th of 8)

best songs - "so hot you're hurting my feelings"; "hit me where it hurts"; "ocean of tears"; "door"; "pang"

 

Caroline Polachek has had a long and successful career, but this is the first album to be released under her birth name. I loved her work with Chairlift (especially Moth); the song she wrote for Beyonce, "No Angel", is one of the highlights of Self-Titled; and her solo work under her Ramona Lisa moniker was quirky and interesting, but I didn't love it. On Pang, Polachek puts her lifetime of experience into a great body of work that is diverse, yet still cohesive. Her vocals are some of the most unique in the industry. The way she can make her voice travel is really astounding and captivating. "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" is the big pop song on this record, but "Hit Me Where It Hurts" is a cool track that works over a standard trap beat and turns it into something better. If Caroline ever got an inkling to work with the big pop producers, then I think there would be some really interesting stuff that could come from that. But I have a feeling Caroline enjoys going her own way and making her own path, which leads us to a lot of good music.

[TheWayWeWere]

omg , I love your remarks of albums counting by years  

SSSS making it kinda underrated  

Rainbow is great  didn't really expected something like that from K

Kacey and Caroline were one of my biggest discovers this decade  

[@michael]

 

90. KELIS- FLESH TONE (2010 - 8th of 8)

best songs - "fourth of july (fireworks)"; "acapella"; "22nd century"; "brave"; "emancipate"

 

In 2010, Kelis, one of the most enigmatic pop stars of our times, decided she would release an electro-dance album. This album, Flesh Tone, is often forgotten because it was released at the start of the decade and many only saw it as trend-hopping because of the electronic movement happening in pop at that time. However, I don't believe this album was a quick hop on a trend. Kelis really dedicated herself to making a true dance album that still has replay value today. It really says something that Kelis was able to take an album produced by David Guetta, will.i.am, and Benny Benassi and make something of high quality. The beat drops throughout are sensational, and Kelis's voice really stands out in the music, as opposed to being drowned out, which happens a lot in dance music. I encourage anyone not familiar with Flesh Tone to give it a listen.

 

89. HOW TO DRESS WELL - CARE (2016 - 11th of 11)

best songs - "lost youth/lost you"; "can't you tell"; "untitled"; "what's up"; "burning up"

 

How To Dress Well is the moniker of Tom Krell, a philosophy student who became a musician known for his sadboy music. I'll be the first to admit that HTDW's music can be a bit melodramatic and burdensome, but his 2016 album Care stands out for me because he involved outside producers in the process (including Jack Antonoff). I feel like these producers helped him cut down on the meandering and put more focus on structure. I wouldn't necessarily call Care an alternative R&B album, because HTDW is just a little too unbearably white, but there are some really good jams and a bit of funk ("Can't You Tell" is an unexpected funky number that opens the album). I've yet to listen to his latest album, The Anteroom (2018), but I'm good with settling for Care as the end of my HTDW journey.

 

88. SHANIA TWAIN - NOW (2017 - 7th of 9)

best songs - "who's gonna be your girl"; "life's about to get good"; "we got something they don't"; "swingin' with my eyes closed"; "poor me"

 

Shania Twain is the artist that I grew up to in my small Southern town. She hit the big leagues in 1995, just as I was really starting to notice music and absorbing it. After fantastic albums The Woman in Me (1995) and Come On Over (1997), Shania disappeared due to raising her child and dealing with personal drama. By the time 2017 hit, I really never expected another album from her. Finally, she came out with Now, which was a major personal and professional triumph. She got back to #1 on the album charts and it's been so nice to see her confidence come back these past few years. Musically, Now doesn't have much of a country feel. It's definitely underneath the surface in some parts, but I would mainly categorize this as pop-rock/adult contemporary. I have to admit that if this album were made by anyone else, then I probably wouldn't care for it. However, Shania has the charm, personality, and nostalgia factor for me to really enjoy this album shamelessly.

 

87. JANELLE MONAE - DIRTY COMPUTER (2018 - 6th of 8)

best songs - "pynk"; "so afraid"; "make me feel"; "screwed"; "dirty computer"

 

I was a late-comer to Dirty Computer, as I didn't listen to the album until 2019. However, I can see why it made so many year-end lists in 2018. This is probably a tired comparison, but I can see how Janelle Monae could be considered a worthy heir to Prince. She's really not afraid to play with different styles and still somehow bring together a cohesive album. Not many people could have an album with features from Brian Wilson, Zoe Kravitz, Grimes, and Pharrell Williams and still make it all work. The ultimate highlight is "Pynk", a wonderful feminist anthem that's equal parts cute and cut-throat. "So Afraid" is the real emotional peak for me, with a lot of raw openness and vulnerability. "Make Me Feel" is that classic jam with the obvious nod to Prince. There's so many different things going on in Dirty Computer that everyone can find something to love about it.

 

86. JAMIE XX - IN COLOUR (2015 - 14th of 15)

best songs - "loud places" "i know there's gonne be (good times)"; "obvs"; "seesaw"; "girl"

 

In Colour is, so far, the only solo album by Jamie xx, the main man behind The xx, one of the defining "indie" bands of the decade. While The xx came onto the scene with their sparsely-produced music, In Colour really feels like a dance album in many parts. Yes, there are quiet moments, but this is mainly an uptempo record. Two of the best songs on the album feature vocals from Jamie's xx bandmate, Romy ("Loud Places and "SeeSaw"). "Loud Places" is great because it explores how a lot of people go to the dance club to escape their perpetual loneliness (I've been there many times). The track that got the most love from critics is "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)", featuring Young Thug and Popcaan, which could have honestly been a top 10 radio hit if it had been given a label push. Overall, In Colour is just a wonderfully-produced album that feels good to listen to. Sometimes the music is just so good that there is no other option but to appreciate it wholeheartedly.

[@michael]

 

85. FRANK OCEAN - CHANNEL ORANGE (2012 - 7th of 9)

best songs - "pyramids"; "thinkin bout you"; "pink matter"; "lost"; "forrest gump"

 

I'm really not on the Frank bandwagon like so many critics were this decade. However, I did really enjoy channel ORANGE, even though it felt a little bloated in parts. I remember being in awe of "Pyramids" the first time I heard it. It never got old with repeated listens, even though it's nine minutes long. "Thinkin Bout You" is the great classic on this album that will stand the test of time. The album really hits its peak in the back half, with the stretch from "Pyramids" to "Forrest Gump" full of A+ material. Although I don't bow down at the altar of Frank like so many do, I can definitely appreciate this work. 

 

84. ST. VINCENT - ST. VINCENT (2014 - 10th of 10)

best songs - "i prefer your love"; "regret"; "birth in reverse"; "prince johnny"; "severed crossed fingers"

 

St. Vincent's eponymous album is the only album of that I've ever heard from her. I had never listened to her previous material, and I haven't listened to the follow-up, Masseduction, either. I do really like St. Vincent though. It has a great indie rock feel that, in parts, references other times in rock music. "I Prefer Your Love" gives me a "Nothing Compares 2 U" vibe, while the guitar work on much of the album gives a punk sound.  While the album does pay tribute to earlier alternative rock, it's mainly pushing the genre forward. St. Vincent does a great job of bringing in new sounds and making the unpolished still sound nicely-produced. I'll have to listen to her other stuff in the near future - I'm making it a project!

 

83. SOLANGE - A SEAT AT THE TABLE (2016 - 10th of 11)

best songs - "cranes in the sky"; "don't wish me well"; "scales"; "junie"; "where do we go"

 

Solange is an important figure in music because of the influence she's had on her sister over the past decade. When Solange realized at a young age that she would never be the pop monolith like her sister, she forged her own way, focusing more on making quality music than on making an impact on the pop charts. Her first step towards indie icon status came with her True EP in 2012. While True had more of a pop vision, A Seat at the Table was more focused on Solange's wokeness, and established her as a leader in alternative urban music. I really feel that Beyonce and Lemonade wouldn't exist without Solange's influence, but that's just my opinion. "Cranes in the Sky" is such a highlight that really exposes Solange's vulnerable side and talks about her struggle with mental illness. "Don't Wish Me Well" is such a dark track with great harmonization; I could repeat the song for hours. While I'm definitely not a fan of the new album, When I Get Home, I definitely cherish the impact that A Seat at the Table had on music over the last several years.

 

82. NATALIE PRASS - NATALIE PRASS (2015 - 13th of 15)

best songs - "my baby don't understand me"; "bird of prey"; "violently"; "your fool"; "never over you"

 

I honestly don't know much about Natalie Prass. If it wasn't for Pitchfork reviewing this album, then I definitely would have never heard it. Natalie Prass really brings things back to a different time in music. The album has a classic feel with lush live instrumentation, mainly with piano ballads and some lovely horns. "My Baby Don't Understand Me" is a haunting breakup song that will break your heart upon listening. Natalie's mousy vocals really sell the heart-break. I don't mean for "mousy" to sound insulting at all. Her voice as a really unique charm to it, and she can really make you feel her pain, her sadness, and her occasional happiness throughout the record. I haven't heard much from Natalie Prass these days, but this album has definite replay value.

 

81. CARIBOU - OUR LOVE (2014 - 9th of 10)

best songs - "can't do without you"; "our love"; "julia brightly"; "your love will set you free"; "second chance"

 

"Can't Do Without You" is one of those special tracks that can really make you fall in love with music all over again. The lead track from Caribou's album Our Love really starts things off on a high note. I don't want to end up writing the whole blurb about one song, but it was definitely one of my top tracks of 2014. The album has tons of other dance music highlights, especially "Second Chance", featuring guest vocals from Jessy Lanza. "Julia Brightly" is a massive uptempo number that really gets my blood pumping. The album closer, "Your Love Will Set You Free", is not just a statement, but really an outlook for life. Honestly just give me some drugs and let me jam out to this album for hours and I can die happy.

[gagacasanova]

Golden Hour, Rainbow 

 

Queen Shania 

[TheWayWeWere]

sis you're serving some taste here  

Flesh Tone is PERFECT, I used to feel like Kelis is Ciara-like nishe artist, but thanks to this album I appreciate her so much

Dirty Computer

Now was cute , not her best, but it was such a pleasure to see her performing again

ASAT is FLAWLESS literally in my top 10 of all-time favorite records

[Ivan]

Ke$ha is amazing, and as you said is very nice to see her comeback after everything that has happened to her 

[@michael]

I seriously gotta finish this thing for my own peace of mind, even if nobody reads it

[@michael]

 

80. LANA DEL REY - HONEYMOON (2015 - 12th of 15)

best songs - "freak"; "honeymoon"; "art deco"; "god knows i tried"; "the blackest day"

 

The release of Lana's latest album, Norman Rucking Fockwell!, had me reconsidering her whole discography because she had me so shook. I had written her off after Born to Die (still terrible), but I really enjoyed Honeymoon. I feel like this album is where Lana's songwriting really started to go into new, more complex dimensions. However, the pacing is a bit off, with the album going back and forth between cinematic, slow music and hip-hop inspired beats.

 

79. SZA - CTRL (2018 - 6th of 9)

best songs - "drew barrymore"; "the weekend"; "garden (say it like dat)"; "love galore"; "pretty little birds"

 

I really like the SZA goes on her own route, never really being tied down to just one music genre. She has a very diverse sound and is able to pull off a lot of different ideas. I feel like this is the type of alternative contemporary R&B that has inspired a new crop of artists in the past two or three years.

 

78. KING PRINCESS - CHEAP QUEEN (2019 - 6th of 8)

best songs - "watching my phone"; "if you think it's love"; "hit the back"; "cheap queen"; "tough on myself"

 

I had to include King Princess because I really think she has the potential to be an influential artist of the new decade. She is so young but already seems so sure of herself artistically and musically. I think her debut album does have some weak spots, but the highs are high enough to make up for it. Hopefully she won't let herself get eaten up by the corporate machine.

 

77. BRAIDS - DEEP IN THE IRIS (2015 - 11th of 15)

best songs - "miniskirt"; "bunny rose"; "letting go"; "sore eyes"; "taste"

 

I'm actually listening to this album for the first time in years as I write this. I'm reminded of why I liked it so much, but also reminded that there is a lot of heavy material in here. The album themes center heavily around sexual abuse, addiction, loneliness, and depression. I can definitely relate to a lot of the subject matter, but repeated listening probably wouldn't be advised for mental health reasons. It's still a very powerful work.

 

76. THE NEW PОRNOGRAPHERS - BRILL BRUISERS (2014 - 8th of 10)

best songs - "fantasy fools"; "spidyr"; "brill bruisers"; "born with a sound"; "war on the east coast"

 

This is the first album I heard from TNP, and I listened to them because ATRL member Ace Reject was obsessed with one of their singers, Neko Case. This is one of the albums that I honestly don't ever listen to, but when I do, I'm just amazed at how good it is. There are a lot of hooks, and it's a real collaborative effort with several different lead singers throughout the album. I'm going to go listen to it now, BRB.

[@michael]

 

75. EMPRESS OF - ME (2015 - 10th of 15)

best songs - "everything is you"; "standard"; "kitty kat"; "icon"; "how do you do it"

 

Empress Of's debut album, Me, is a great introduction to the artist. The first track, "Everything is You" is one of my favorite tracks of the decade. I hadn't realized until re-listening just how much of an industrial feel this album has. The beats hit extremely hard. I feel like Me was really successful at capturing the mood at this time in 2015. I feel like I've stepped into the New York underground scene whenever I'm listening to it.

 

74. BILLIE EILISH - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? (2019 - 5th of 8)

best songs - "when the party's over"; "bad guy"; "i love you"; "xanny"; "bury a friend"

 

I'm not much of a Billie Eilish stan like a lot of people on this forum, but I did enjoy her debut album a lot. I feel like she has a lot of interesting things to say for someone who is so young. Her debut reminds me a lot of Lorde in that sense. It's amazing to see such young women able to create wonderful art on a large scale. I feel like Billie is a very distinct personality who has pushed pop music forward into something new and exciting.

 

73. JESSIE WARE - TOUGH LOVE (2014 - 7th of 10)

best songs - "champagne kisses"; "want your feeling"; "kind of...sometimes...maybe"; "tough love"; "keep on lying"

 

Jessie Ware's sophomore album, Tough Love, wasn't as good as her debut, but it was still a formidable pop effort. Jessie worked with many great collaborators in the pop music world on this project, including Ed Sheeran, Miguel, Dev Hynes, Benny Blanco, James Napier, and Nineteen85. "Champagne Kisses" is the absolute standout, and rivals anything on Devotion. "Want Your Feeling" is a catchy collaboration with Dev Hynes, so it was always going to be perfect.

 

72. JUSTIN BIEBER - PURPOSE (2015 - 9th of 15)

best songs - "sorry"; "what do you mean?"; "no pressure"; "love yourself"; "company"

 

Bieber was the total joke of the music industry before Purpose. Nobody really took him seriously. As he hit his 20s, however, Justin matured in his sound and his image, and released a truly great pop album. With a string of #1 hits, Bieber really looked to position himself as the next in a line of talented young men who have taken over the pop game and became icons. The trio of "What Do You Mean?", "Sorry", and "Love Yourself", is one of the strongest trinities of pop singles that I can remember in a long time.

 

71. DEMI LOVATO - TELL ME YOU LOVE ME (2017 - 5th of 9)

best songs - "tell me you love me"; "you don't do it for me anymore"; "sorry not sorry"; "ruin the friendship"; "daddy issues"

 

I never would have dreamed that Demi Lovato would have an album in my top 100 before 2017. Before this album, Demi's music was totally generic pop and void of any personality. She was always chasing easy hits, yet still failing for the most part. With "Sorry Not Sorry", I actually felt like I saw some true Demi personality coming out. Her voice has always been big, but for the first time, it was also captivating. There are a couple of clunkers, like "Sexy Dirty Love" and "Cry Baby", but I can overlook them because of the other great songs listed.

[TheWayWeWere]

Honeymoon is my least favorite album by Lana

TMYLM is pop excellence never expected such a great recor dfrom Demi

Tough Love  

[@michael]

 

70. FKA TWIGS - MAGDALENE (2019 - 4th of 8)

best songs - "cellophane"; "mirrored heart"; "home with you"; "mary magdalene"; "thousand eyes"

 

FKA twigs managed to sneak her latest album in just before the end of the decade. Honestly, I had been saving a spot for her all along because I knew this album would be good. I was not disappointed. "Cellophane" is one of the most special songs I've ever heard. It proved that twigs didn't need all of the chops and screws to make compelling music; her voice is enough. However, it's a twigs album, so there's going to be chops and screws, and those are great too. "Home with You" is really such a complex puzzle of a song. It's amazing that she was able to bring so many different elements together into a cohesive collection.

 

69. THE WEEKND - BEAUTY BEHIND THE MADNESS (2015 - 8th of 15)

best songs - "the hills"; "acquainted"; "can't feel my face"; "often"; "real life"

 

Beauty Behind the Madness was The Weeknd's first release as a major pop artist. Obviously, he had already been releasing music that was more alternative R&B, but once he decided to go full pop star, he went hard. "Can't Feel My Face" is one of those songs that will sound fresh and be a classic ten or twenty years from now. "The Hills" is the ultimate banger; the lines "I only love it when you touch me, not feel me/ When I'm ****ed up, that's the real me" are so good at showing how people use substances to mask their pain and loneliness.

 

68. PARAMORE - AFTER LAUGHTER (2017 - 4th of 9)

best songs - "idle worship"; "pool"; "26"; "hard times"; "fake happy"

 

I really loved Paramore's self-titled 2013 album, and After Laughter was a great follow-up. For this album, Paramore almost completely left their pop-punk roots behind, going all-in on new wave and funky pop tunes. Ironically, my favorite from the album, "Idle Worship", is the song that' reminds me the most of their previous work, along with "No Friend". Hayley Williams does a really good job with introspective lyrics, especially on "26" and "Fake Happy". She really is a supreme vocalist and I wish her well for her upcoming solo project.

 

67. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL (2015 - 7th of 15)

best songs - "what kind of man"; "long & lost"; "st. jude"; "ship to wreck"; "delilah"

 

Florence + the Machine's debut album, Lungs, came out at the end of the last decade, and it was one of my favorites. She did a lot of growing and maturing on her way to 2015's How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. This album delivered a more diverse sound, as Florence intentionally set out to push her own limits and leave her comfort zone. HBHBHB is a true-blue rock album, especially "What Kind of Man", which hits so hard and is relentless in the vocal delivery. The softer moments, like "St. Jude", are really mesmerizing. Florence is one of those singers that can really make anything sound great because of that voice.

 

66. HAIM - SOMETHING TO TELL YOU (2017 - 3rd of 9)

best songs - "kept me crying"; "something to tell you"; "you never knew"; "little of your love"; "want you back"

 

HAIM's debut album, Days Are Gone, is one of my absolute favorites of the decade. The follow-up, Something to Tell You, didn't quite reach those heights for me, but it is still pretty dang good. The album contains more of HAIM's signature soft rock sound, but I feel like there were some distinct '80s sounds that were introduced on this album that weren't on the previous one. I hear elements of Prince, George Michael, and Bruce Springsteen, three juggernauts of the 1980s. Those sounds, clashed together with the usual Fleetwood Mac vibes, makes this album really special.

[@michael]

 

65. MILEY CYRUS - BANGERZ (2013 - 13th of 13)

best songs - "wrecking ball"; "adore you"; "do my thang"; "we can't stop"; "drive"

 

Some people may look back and cringe at the Bangerz era, but it really was such a fun time in pop culture. Miley was so extra in her new persona, and it usually overshadowed the actual music, which was pretty good. "Wrecking Ball" still remains a TITANIC of a song, which Miley was able to do justice. "We Can't Stop" was so try-hard, but in all of the right ways. "Adore You" is the perfect album opener. That doesn't even cover some of the great album tracks, like "Do My Thang", "Drive", "Maybe You're Right", and "Someone Else", an underrated album closer. Miley continues to have pop identity issues, with the epic failure of Younger Now, but hopefully she can dig up the creativity that created these bangers again.

 

64. ARIANA GRANDE - THANK U, NEXT (2019 - 3rd of 8)

best songs - "ghostin"; "imagine"; "in my head"; "fake smile"; "thank u, next"

 

Going into the Sweetener era, Ariana was looking to cement her status as a main pop girl. Honestly, that album was slightly terrible in places, which is why I was so happy when she rush-released a completely new album just a few months later. Thank U, Next turned out to be that legacy-cementing album. One thing I love about this album is the consistency of the vibe. You can tell that these songs were made in a short period of time because they mostly follow the same type of sound. I love the back-to-back tracks "Needy" and "NASA", which are about co-dependency on both sides. "Ghostin" is a true heart-breaker, while the album opener "Imagine" is a simply stunning way to kick things off.

 

63. ELLIE GOULDING - DELIRIUM (2015 - 6th of 15)

best songs - "holding on for life"; "something in the way you move"; "army"; "on my mind"; "codes"

 

Let's just face it. Ellie Goulding's Delirium is the album Taylor tried to make with Reputation, except two years earlier. Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings. Delirium, in all of its electropop wonder, is certainly different from the Ellie Goulding that I first knew from her debut album, Lights. It took me a while to adjust to Ellie's career trajectory of simply chasing easy radio hits, but once I accepted this, I started to enjoy the music for what it was. It's damn catchy, hard-hitting, and also has its sentimental elements, such as "Army" and "Scream It Out". I feel like Ellie just wanted to make a lot of happy music with this album, and she definitely succeeded. 

 

62. NICKI MINAJ - PINK FRIDAY (2010 - 7th of 8)

best songs - "super bass"; "your love"; "moment 4 life"; "blazin'"; "did it on'em"

 

While many swear that The Pinkprint is Nicki's best album, and others prefer Queen, her debut is still my favorite. The album came when Nicki was still new and unproblematic. There aren't any traces of her gritty mixtape days. This album is glossy pop in a rap disguise. There are missteps, like "Check It Out", "Dear Old Nicki", and "Here I Am". However, I can overlook those because of the great songs. "Your Love" is a fun take on a classic sample; "Moment 4 Life" is an amazing collab with Drake. I'll always love the song with Kanye, "Blazin'". It's insane that "Super Bass" is only a bonus track, as it is the song that most signifies what this release is about. Fun, light rap with a bouncy pop melody: that's the essence of Pink Friday.

 

61. LANA DEL REY - ULTRAVIOLENCE (2014 - 6th of 10)

best songs - "west coast"; "ultraviolence"; "money power glory"; "old money"; "cruel world"

 

As I said, 2019 was the year of my Lana Del Rey revelations. We've already seen one LDR album, and yes, there will be more. Of course, the highlight of Ultraviolence is its production value. Dan Auerbach did such a great job in collaboration with Lana. I love how rock this album is. It's mindblowing that Lana was ever seen to be some basic, label-run pop star after getting to know her discography so well in 2019. It's crazy that her major label even let her release such a rock-heavy album, especially after the success of Born to Die, but I'm so glad they did. "West Coast", "Ultraviolence", "Cruel World", and "Shades of Cool" do a lot of the hard-hitting, and "Money Power Glory" has the best lyrics on the album. There's also nice, soft touches with "Old Money" and "The Other Woman" closing out the album. This album probably should be higher on my list, but I didn't want to be too greedy with the Lana love.

[TheWayWeWere]

sis your taste served  

Magdalene was such an unexpectable slayage

I love Starboy, but BBTM remains his magnum opus  

AL is masterpiece, I hope she does something in this vein 

I don't get the hate for HBHBHB  

even tho I understand Haim drags during last era, STTY > DAO for me  

Ultraviolence  

Delirium and Bangerz were a bit mediocre after such a great singles 

 

[@michael]

 

60. KACEY MUSGRAVES - SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (2013 - 12th of 13)

best songs - "merry go 'round"; "follow your arrow"; "silver lining"; "it is what it is"; "keep it to yourself"

 

This album was the start of it all for Kacey. I knew back in 2013 that there was potential for big things from her, but never expected her meteoric rise to be this big.

 

59. JAY Z & KANYE WEST - WATCH THE THRONE (2011 - 8th of 9)

best songs - "lift off"; "****** in paris"; "why i love you"; "who gon stop me"; "new day"

 

This album was an interesting clash of Kanye's next-level productions with Jay-Z's old-school classic flows. It was nice to see Kanye push Jay-Z out of his comfort zone.

 

58. TAYLOR SWIFT - 1989 (2014 - 5th of 10)

best songs - "shake it off"; "clean"; "blank space"; "style"; "wildest dreams"

 

 The first official pop album by Ms. Swift was a huge success. The next two pop albums just haven't measured up to this future classic. Fun, classic, clean.

 

57. THE 1975 - I LIKE IT WHEN YOU SLEEP, FOR YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL YET SO UNAWARE OF IT (2016 - 9th of 11)

best songs - "somebody else"; "loving someone"; "a change of heart"; "if i believe you"; "nana"

 

I hadn't listened to The 1975 until A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, but this album shows that they were on the way to great things artistically.

 

56. TINASHE - AQUARIUS (2014 - 4th of 10)

best songs - "bated breath"; "2 on"; "pretend"; "cold sweat"; "all hands on deck"

 

Tinashe was really ahead of the game with her debut album. Her career has become a sad story; her album could have been huge if released in 2017.

[@michael]

 

55. SHURA - NOTHING'S REAL (2016 - 8th of 11)

best songs - "2shy"; "make it up"; "kidz 'n' stuff"; "touch"; "indecision"

 

This album is a bit of an unexpected gem. I don't know anything about Shura, but she released a pop album that sounds fresh while still giving great throwbacks to the '80s synth scene.

 

54. DISCLOSURE - SETTLE (2013 - 11th of 13)

best songs - "you & me"; "latch"; "help me lose my mind"; "confess to me"; "white noise"

 

This was the dance album for those whose taste was a bit more refined the David Guetta. Disclosure's fresh productions combined with some of the bright young faces of the British music world in 2013 was really something special.

 

53. RIHANNA - ANTI (2016 - 7th of 11)

best songs - "needed me"; "higher"; "love on the brain"; "work"; "yeah, i said it"

 

This album isn't as great as ATRL as hyped it, but it is by far the most artistic and left-field thing Rihanna has ever released. "Work" was a bold first single choice that worked, and "Needed Me" was the song of the decade. Yeah, I said it.

 

52. LORDE - PURE HEROINE (2013 - 10th of 13)

best songs - "ribs"; "tennis court"; "buzzcut season"; "team"; "white teeth teens"

 

It's still hard to believe Lorde made this album at 16. The main drawback is that the production gets a bit repetitive, but the album showed Lorde's obvious potential.

 

51. BEYONCÉ - 4 (2011 - 7th of 9)

best songs - "countdown"; "1+1"; "end of time"; "love on top"; "run the world (girls)"

 

Beyoncé made a throwback R&B album in 2011 while everyone else was making electropop. This album was the first sign that Beyoncé was going to do whatever she wanted this decade, and own it.

[@michael]

 

50. MARIAH CAREY - CAUTION (2018 - 5th of 8)

best songs - "the distance"; "gtfo"; "giving me life"; "8th grade"; "a no no"

 

Mariah Carey made ten songs with ten different production teams and still made an impressively cohesive album. That is pure talent. That's the power of songwriting, baby!

 

49. ARIANA GRANDE - DANGEROUS WOMAN (2016 - 6th of 11)

best songs - "dangerous woman"; "into you"; "thinking bout you"; "knew better/forever boy"; "touch it"

 

Dangerous Woman was a huge step in musical maturity for Ariana. My Everything was almost there, but this album made the full leap.

 

48. SHARON VAN ETTEN - REMIND ME TOMORROW (2019 - 2nd of 8)

best songs - "jupiter 4"; "seventeen"; "comeback kid"; "hands"; "you shadow"

 

This album would probably be higher if released a year sooner. It's left a big impression on me; I didn't have enough time to soak it all in.

 

47. DRAKE - TAKE CARE (2011 - 6th of 9)

best songs - "take care"; "marvins room"; "look what you've done"; "under ground kings"; "headlines"

 

This album showed that Drake was more than just a simple pop star. The artistry increased. The raps got better, more emotionally detailed, and showed vulnerability. There were also a lot of great samples and guest appearances.

 

46. LANA DEL REY - LUST FOR LIFE (2017 - 2nd of 9)

best songs - "cherry"; "lust for life"; "tomorrow never came"; "change"; "love"

 

This is album #3 on this countdown for Ms. Del Rey. Lust for Life isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it was a step that was needed in order for Lana to continue her odyssey towards NFR! The hip-hop influences of Honeymoon continued, but we began to see the influences of folk rock in her work.

[@michael]

 

45. BON IVER - BON IVER (2011 - 5th of 9)

best songs - "calgary"; "holocene"; "beth/rest"; "perth"; "hinnom, tx"

 

This album is simply art. Bon Iver takes so many disparate elements and brings them together to make a unique whole.

 

44. SALEM - KING NIGHT (2010 - 6th of 8)

best songs - "king night"; "redlights"; "hound"; "release da boar"; "asia"

 

One of the most out-there albums on my list. The music is basically just noise that will bust the speakers out of your car. It makes me happy though.

 

43. LYKKE LI - WOUNDED RHYMES (2011 - 4th of 9)

best songs - "silent my song"; "i follow rivers"; "sadness is a blessing"; "unrequited love"; "get some"

 

Lykke Li's second album is the first one that I liked. Her debut wasn't for me. The live instrumentation really makes this album stand out. It's basically 50s & 60s inspired pop music with a Swedish big-band twist.

 

42. ROBYN - BODY TALK (2010 - 5th of 8)

best songs - "call your girlfriend"; "dancing on my own"; "stars 4-ever"; "hang with me"; "time machine"

 

I know everyone loves this album, but apart from the six or seven highlights, there is quite a bit of junk on this album. The filler really held this album back; some quality control could have been helpful. But the tracks that are good are just so brilliant that the album can't be ignored.

 

41. MITSKI - BE THE COWBOY (2018 - 4th of 8)

best songs - "geyser"; "nobody"; "two slow dancers"; "lonesome love"; "washing machine heart"

 

Cowboys are wild, uncontrolled, the makers and breakers of their own rules. That best describes Mitski's style. She makes music for herself that is varied and complex, and such a joy to listen to. The fact that most of her songs are two minutes or less really leaves you wanting more. Genius strategy.

[Green]

Body Talk, Lust for Life, Caution, Bangerz, 4, Pure Heroine, 1989, Same Trailer, I like it when you sleep, Thank u next, Anti, Golden Hour, Rainbow, Dirty Computer, Now, are some of my favorites   

[Mr. Loco]

Dangerous woman & Anti are really good albums 

1989 is a real masterpiece 

[TheWayWeWere]

Be the Cowboy great record, but I still prefer Puberty 2 

Body Talk is pop excellence  

Wounded Rhymes  

Lust for Life aged a bit bad for me, but I still stan for some gems  

Dangerous Woman and Caution back to back  

4 and ANTI are best works from Bey and Rih  

Nothing's Real  

[@michael]

 

40. SOLANGE - TRUE (2012 - 6th of 9)

best songs - "losing you"; "lovers in the parking lot"; "bad girls"; "some things never seem to ****ing work"; "locked in closets"

 

This EP was the first sign that Solange had just as much musical ambition as her sister. Her collaboration with Dev Hynes was really dynamite, and it's a shame that their professional relationship went downhill.

 

39. SUFJAN STEVENS - CARRIE & LOWELL (2015 - 5th of 15)

best songs - "fourth of july"; "all of me wants all of you"; "john my beloved"; "should have known better"; "the only thing"

 

Pensive, thought-provoking, and definitely depressing in parts. I had a hard time just picking my five favorite songs from this album. This album takes a lot of growing and soul-searching to really enjoy.

 

38. BLOOD ORANGE - CUPID DELUXE (2013 - 9th of 13)

best songs - "you're not good enough"; "chamakay"; "it is what it is"; "always let u down"; "time will tell"

 

It's fitting that this is in the same update as Solange, because she is the reason I first listened to this album. I love Dev Hynes's style. So much of it sounds like classic pop, but there is a rough edge that always keeps you guessing and intrigued.

 

37. BAT FOR LASHES - THE HAUNTED MAN (2012 - 5th of 9)

best songs - "laura"; "a wall"; "marilyn"; "lilies"; "winter fields"

 

Bat for Lashes created two great albums in the last decade, and she continued the trend with her first release of this decade. Sonically, the album felt a little different for me, with more stripped-back production in parts, but the emphasis on great songwriting is still there.

 

36. THE WEEKND - STARBOY (2016 - 5th of 11)

best songs - "i feel it coming"; "starboy"; "reminder"; "a lonely night"; "love to lay"

 

This album is when The Weeknd had firmly landed on top of the world, and he felt like doing whatever he wanted. He took his pop to a new level, but also left us some reminders of how he got to this huge level.