The Best Albums of the 2010s

After an intensely fought, staff-wide race and ranking, Afterglow has chosen the best albums of the decade.

Written by Afterglow Staff
Illustrated by Paige Giordano

Oh, the 2010s.

The decade in music was wrought with boundless experimentation, from the cyclical redefinition of popular music to the increasingly convoluted labeling of genres. With the ushering in of ambitious newcomers to the partings and emotional farewells of beloved heroes, Afterglow has reflected on the great bodies of work that have characterized the past 10 years, paying homage to quality, cultural impact, and nostalgic caliber, in equal measure.

As a new decade of thoughtful work approaches, so continues the evolution of music through its endlessly creative forms. Until then, as the result of an intensely fought, staff-wide race and ranking, here are our best albums of the 2010s:

**30. Swimming (2018) — Mac Miller**

Image courtesy of Warner and REMember Music

“Neo-soul,” “synth-funk,” and “dancehall-inflected trip-hop” are just a few of the many ways in which Mac Miller’s final album Swimming was described upon its release in 2018 — the project was a significant departure from the earlier hip-hop beats Miller featured on his work at the beginning of the decade. The fifth studio album in the late Miller’s repertoire came one month before his unfortunate passing with a string of interviews in which he wanted his fans to “know he’s ok.” Miller inspired a generation of rap fans with his relatable themes and self-proclaimed “Macadelic” style, and his passing created meaningful dialogue about mental health awareness and drug abuse prevention. For these contributions, Miller’s legacy as an artist will live on far past the start of the next decade. — Micaela Garza

**29. Hozier (2014) — Hozier**

Image courtesy of Island Records and Rubyworks Records

Hozier leaves no genre of music untouched in his debut album Hozier. The eclectic blend of sounds, in addition to the powerful viral video for the album’s most beloved song, “Take Me to Church,” quickly put the Irish musician on the map. The album’s genius extends far beyond its visuals, however — its release brought new possibilities for rock to the mainstream, and the brilliance of the album is found in its ability to cover topics like love, religion, and loneliness with effortless poise and grace. Hozier’s rich vocals mesh perfectly with the indie guitar licks in each and every track, making Hozier the perfect album for any mood. — Delaney Davis

**28. Body Talk (2010) — Robyn**

Robyn’s first full-length masterpiece singlehandedly invented the “dance-while-you-cry” trope so prevalent in modern pop music today, with each song glittering in disco-drunk euphoria. The cathartic “Dancing On My Own” was an instant classic, with its celebration of heartbreak in the heat of a dance club. In 2010, the Swedish singer emerged from her restrictive status as a pop teen icon, founded her own label, went on a European and North American tour, and recorded and released three mini albums compiled into the electropop fantasy of Body Talk. Its international success, backed by the reclamation of her emotional and timeless work, solidified her status as a pop legend. — Zoe Judilla

**27. Blackstar (2016) — David Bowie**

Image courtesy of ISO, RCA, Columbia, and Sony

The 25th and final studio album in David Bowie’s legendary career, Blackstar, may be the most ambitious of them all. The record is at times haunting, at times cerebral, and at times manic, but always boundary-pushing as Bowie stares down his own mortality in the face. While his passing makes the message of the album that much more poignant, it is undeniable that Blackstar stands as one of David Bowie’s greatest musical achievements of all time. — Adithya Srinivas

**26. In Colour (2015) — Jamie xx**

With Jamie xx’s solo debut, heaven exists on the dancefloor. The powerhouse producer of indie rock band The xx gives a stunning homage to club music’s past, present, and future, from doo-wop to house to electronica, wholly representing the spectrum of sound. Diverging from The xx’s famously simple beats and concise wordplay, Jamie xx’s colorful production aims to find an individualized ecstasy in a genre catered to rooms full of blurry-faced bodies. From the holiness of “Loud Places” (featuring The xx’s Romy Madley Croft) to the inimitable freedom of “I Know There’s Gonna be Good Times” (featuring Young Thug and Popcaan), Jamie xx’s debut continues to set the bar for the authenticity of dance music. — Zoe Judilla

**25. El Mal Querer (2018) — ROSALÍA**

ROSALÍA’s sophomore album El Mal Querer has garnered the Catalan-born artist the attention of millions. The record earned the title of Album of the Year at the 2019 Latin Grammys, establishing ROSALÍA alongside music giants like Luis Miguel, Rubén Blades, Juan Gabriel, and Juan Luis Guerra, who have also won this award. Described by ROSALÍA as “experimental,” El Mal Querer’s seemingly bare tracks backed by heavily synthesized engineering set the stage for the artist’s breathtaking vocals. A perfect balance between her flamenco influences and contemporary pop, ROSALÍA’s second album marked the beginning of the artist’s rise to fame and a significant cultural crossover. — Samantha Paradiso

**24. Carrie and Lowell (2015) — Sufjan Stevens**

Sufjan Stevens’ intimate, autobiographical portrayal of his family unfolds throughout his 2015 LP Carrie & Lowell. Reflecting on the long-term effects of his childhood abandonment by his late, schizophrenic and drug-addicted mother, Stevens revives the pared-down folk sound of his earliest works to glide through musings on life and death. The gentle strings, selective use of synthesizers, and Stevens’ own whispered vocals create a hypnotic, surreal sound appropriate for greeting the ghosts of one’s past. Although the album recounts deep pain, as in “Should Have Known Better” and “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,” Stevens demonstrates an understanding of his mother on “Death with Dignity,” where he states, “I forgive you mother,” ultimately telling a tale of absolution. — Kasey Clarke

**23. LP1 (2014) — FKA Twigs**

FKA twigs first emerged into the music world in the 2010s. While her two previous EPs, appropriately named EP1 (2012) and EP2 (2013) put twigs on the map, her much anticipated debut LP1 solidified her status as the new queen of experimental pop. Standout tracks “Two Weeks” and “Pendulum” blended traditional R&B sounds with twigs’ signature futurism to create something utterly refreshing. LP1 would precede two more pieces of highly acclaimed work, twigs’ 3rd EP M3LL155X and her latest release MAGDALENE. From her start as a best-kept secret amongst music aficionados to a world-renowned experimental pop singer/dancer/swordswoman/etc., twigs’ rapid evolution in the 2010s only made fans look forward to seeing what the 2020s have in store for her. — Lauren Cook

**22. Saturation III (2017) — Brockhampton**

Image courtesy of Question Everything and Empire

The final chapter of Brockhampton’s debut and career-defining Saturation trilogy, Saturation III finds the perfect harmony between cutting-edge experimentation and clean production. The boys rely heavily on vulnerable lyricism over catchy beats and never restrain themselves to traditional song structures. In 2017, Brockhampton lived together and recorded three albums out of their LA home, and the bond they developed makes itself evident on Saturation III. The boys’ personal and creative trust allowed them to produce a project with heart-wrenching anecdotes, wailing sirens, and smooth transitions, ultimately concluding an era that put the boyband in the global eye. As their last “homemade” project before signing with RCA, Saturation III proves the group’s attention to detail, knack for production, and chemistry in making music. — Ellen Daly

**21. Angles (2011) — The Strokes**

The Strokes’ fourth album Angles successfully rebuilt the band’s image after multiple attempts to recreate the influential sound of their debut Is This It. The band decided to create their music through a more collaborative songwriting process, resulting in pop-ballad dynamics and more sophisticated lyrical styles. The album contains some of The Strokes' most critically-acclaimed songs to date, such as "Undercover of Darkness," "Taken for a Fool," and "Life is Simple in the Moonlight." Their incredible comeback showed that The Strokes can adapt to new musical styles and still be connected to their Modern Age roots. — Keylee Paz

20. 21 (2011) — Adele

Image courtesy of XL Recordings and Columbia Records

As Carrie Fisher once said, “Take your broken heart, make it into art” (and millions of dollars). Having already gained widespread acclaim with 19, Adele unleashed a new level of heartbreak with 21. The singer-songwriter soulfully croons on “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” fully embodying the pain and acceptance of her melancholy over her real-life breakup. From its musical production, rooted in ‘60s soul and Americana blues, to its heart-wrenching lyrics, 21 was era-defining: it won Album of the Year at the 2012 Grammys, became the best-selling album of the 21st century, and earned over 400 certifications worldwide. What should have broken her down instead orchestrated a timeless record that put music and lyrics to the universal experience of a broken heart. — Roberto Soto

19. AM (2013) — Arctic Monkeys

AM came out as the mature older sibling of previous Arctic Monkeys albums Humbug and Suck It and See, a testament to lead singer Alex Turner’s musical growth and poetic lyricism. The album’s inherent sensuality deviated from the band’s previous hard rock sounds and made way for a wider listener base, launching the Arctic Monkeys from UK fame to worldwide status. “Do I Wanna Know?,” “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?,” and “I Wanna Be Yours” became the soundtrack to many first heartbreaks, losses, and moments of self doubt, making this album a staple for those who welcomed a change from traditional pop music. — Catalina Pozos

**18. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) — Kanye West**

Image courtesy of Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records

To open Kanye’s rollercoaster decade of the 2010s, he dropped his most impressive record in his career. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is an extravagant, fine-tuned, wonderfully produced masterpiece that every hip-hop album strives to be. Each track feels like an event within itself, from the grandiose “All of the Lights” (seemingly featuring every artist in existence), to the boisterous cypher “Monster,” with a feature from Nicki Minaj that is renowned as one of the best rap verses of the decade. Kanye’s magnum opus includes high-profile features and peak Kanye lyricism that is as impressive as it is brash. The 2010s for Kanye can be described simply as organized chaos, and this album, to start the decade, embodied that sentiment perfectly. — Thomas Galindo

**17. Bon Iver (2011) — Bon Iver**

Taking some time to defrost from the frigid winter of For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver returned with their sophomore self-titled to imaginative and fanciful places. The indie folk sound the band became known for returned, but with a little more life. The instrumentation grew denser, adding twinkling synths, saxophones, drums, and horns to the mix. The wildly divisive “Beth/Rest” is a total departure from Bon Iver’s previously established sound with its heavy synth, autotune, and power guitar melodies. Bon Iver announced that their newest album, i,i, would be the last installment of a cycle that began with For Emma, Forever Ago. Although one chapter of Bon Iver is over, a new chapter will definitely begin in the next decade. — Lauren Cook

**16. Harry Styles (2017) — Harry Styles**

Image courtesy of Columbia Records and Erskine Records

Just over one year after One Direction announced its indefinite hiatus, Harry Styles became the third member of the boyband to venture into a solo career. In the most critically-acclaimed solo project of the bunch, Styles gives listeners a peek at his vulnerability, backed by the rhythms and sounds of a cross-genre vintage rock pastiche. Styles successfully packages a catch-all vintage rock aesthetic to be digestible by the masses. With charisma strong enough to melt the hearts of every single person on earth, Styles knocks it out of the park on his self-titled debut. — Andres Garcia

**15. Modern Vampires of the City (2013) — Vampire Weekend**

A departure from the sophisticated indie rock that more or less defined their first two albums, Vampire Weekend’s third album Modern Vampires of the City finds them at their most fearful, and subsequently, at their best. The band dives further into the experimentation they toyed with on Contra by riddling this record with orchestral arrangements, inventive production, and complex lyricism, creating a sound that pairs perfectly with the theme of post-graduate existentialism. From the dense metaphors and twinkling keys on “Step” to the slow, wavy build and quick release of “Hannah Hunt,” Modern Vampires searches for meaning and finds, at the very least, a painfully beautiful album. — Laiken Neumann

**14. When I Get Home (2019) — Solange**

With When I Get Home, Solange demonstrates what it looks like when an artist truly creates for themselves. Naming several tracks for landmark locations in her native Houston, producing the entire album herself, and directing the accompanying film, she was determined to take solitary responsibility for the album. Lyrically, it was a more abstract project than her previous work (leaving us to wonder, what things did she imagine?). But tracks like “Dreams” and “I’m a Witness,” coupled with the film’s unique mix of historic and futuristic imagery, help make things a little more specific. Solange tasks herself with locating joy among growing pains, of deciding how the past affects what she wants the world to look like, and When I Get Home stands as proof of the process. — Selome Hailu

**13. Be the Cowboy (2018) — Mitski**

Be the Cowboy is an essential exploration of love and loneliness in its various distorted forms. In an interview with NPR, Mitski disclosed the truth about her beloved cowboy persona: “When I say cowboy, I'm talking about the Marlboro myth of a cowboy — the very strong, white male identity. And so, as an Asian woman, I sometimes feel I need to tap into that to achieve things that maybe I don't believe I can achieve.” Be the Cowboy is an individualized study of power and rage. And while it is uncertain whether Mitski will end up riding into the sunset alone, she has finally come to terms with the business of being the cowboy: at once big and small, brash and timid, and with a pistol always cocked at the ready for her next impassioned adventure. — Zoe Judilla

**12. After Laughter (2017) — Paramore**

On After Laughter, Paramore perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to be jaded with reality and forced into an empty adulthood. Gone are the days of teenage rage, and here to stay is a much more mature sense of existential dread, a collection of masterfully produced pop beats, and a perfect showcase of lead singer Hayley Williams’ gifts as a songwriter and as a vocalist. Over 10 years into their career, Paramore are finally done being “Fake Happy” — and the result is an era-defining record, perfect for blasting out loud on lonely nights that beg for a hint of light at the end of the tunnel. — Minnah Zaheer

**11. Born to Die (2012) — Lana Del Rey**

Image courtesy of Interscope Records and Polydor Records

Born to Die made huge waves upon its release, breeding the aesthetic of modernized nostalgia and establishing Del Rey as a household name. Critics chastised the album for nearly everything, from its lyrics, to its instrumentation, to Del Rey’s lips on the cover. But its references to classic Americana coupled with Del Rey’s crooning vocals tell rich and detailed stories of love, lust, and heartbreak and give a moodier, more vulnerable perspective some time in the spotlight. Countless artists have made songs about being sad and wanting to be born in a different time, but Del Rey’s debut project has aged like fine wine and established itself as a timeless record. — Minnah Zaheer

**10. A Seat at the Table (2016) — Solange**

Image courtesy of Saint Records and Columbia Records

Solange calls her third studio album, A Seat at the Table, a “project on identity, empowerment, independence, grief and healing.” A Seat at the Table is a testament to a Black woman who, after years of trials and struggles, has finally allowed herself to take up space. Throughout the album, Solange uses the sounds of soft R&B to discuss the dense topics of Black rage, Black despair and Black pride. The multiple interludes placed in the album, such as “Interlude: Dad Was Mad” and “Interlude: Tina Taught Me,” weave together the topics introduced on the album into one seamless, flowing idea. — Tiana Woodard

**9. Golden Hour (2018) — Kacey Musgraves**

Few albums change how we view an entire genre, yet Golden Hour did just that. Texas’ very own Kacey Musgraves swaps typical country tropes for complex yet comforting tracks about loneliness, relationships with our mother, and the trickiness of our own emotions. Of course, she doesn’t shy away from love — tracks like “Butterflies” and “Golden Hour” are best described as audible love letters. Ultimately, Musgraves’ earnest lyricism and genre-bending versatility granted the rarity of a country album winning Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammys. But the true beauty of the album lies in its ability to successfully experiment with genres and unite various music tastes, even for those who “listen to anything but country.” — Delaney Davis

**8. Currents (2015) — Tame Impala**

Currents is arguably one of the most iconic albums of the decade, cementing Tame Impala as one of the 2010s’ most influential artists. The album opens with the 7-minute long track “Let It Happen,” which showcases Kevin Parker’s impressive vocals and instrumental skills. Parker intricately crafts an almost supernatural edge to the rock genre with the album’s impressive production, somehow breathing life into their already unique sound. Smooth tracks like “Yes I’m Changing,” “‘Cause I’m A Man,” and “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” were the soundtrack to many a smoke session — “The Less I Know The Better” has attracted almost half a billion listens on Spotify. Overall, Currents is just one of the few albums that Tame Impala has released this decade that has greatly impacted the pop and rock genres. — Gabriela Ruiz

**7. ANTI (2016) — Rihanna**

Image courtesy of Westbury Road and Roc Nation, LLC

Rihanna is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time. But her eighth studio album, ANTI, finds her at her most vulnerable and authentic — the simmering rage and passion under the surface of every track adds a new level to her artistry. Even though the album has fewer radio-friendly songs than her previous records, it favors a more cohesive narrative and has also redefined what pop music can and should look like. The Barbadian singer used ANTI to shed all expectations of a career that started when she was barely 16, and the result is her most brilliant record to date. Fans have been waiting for a follow-up for what feels like forever, but if it sounds anything like the genre-redefining ANTI, it’ll be well worth the wait. — Minnah Zaheer

**6. Melodrama (2017) — Lorde**

Image courtesy of Universal, Lava, and Republic Records

With Melodrama, Lorde finds great beauty in transition. As she illustrates a night-long journey into the feigned maturities of adulthood, she is sentimental, self-loathing, and self-destructive, funneling her heartbreak into a justifiably dramatic escapade. Lorde’s sophomore effort displays a clear sense of maturity compared to her 2013 debut, with complex, crystalline production and raw lyricism gracefully articulating the absence of youth. From the immersive whirlwind of “The Louvre” to the catharsis of “Perfect Places,” Lorde’s heart aches for the naivety she leaves behind. But the result of her intensely-varied emotions is something altogether wild, fluorescent, and utterly undeniable. — Zoe Judilla

**5. Blonde (2016) — Frank Ocean**

Long awaited and highly anticipated, Frank Ocean’s second studio album Blonde was released four years after Channel ORANGE, reminding listeners of their love for the R&B artist. Scantly using instruments and employing heavily synthesized vocals, Frank guides listeners through a head-swirling haze of emotions. Although it journeys through topics like drug use, police brutality, and facing modernity, Blonde, above all, is an album about heartbreak, loss, and embracing one’s sexuality. Thematically complex, Ocean’s raw vulnerability resonates with his fans — however, the record’s sound is just as profound as its commentary. Reminiscent of the seamless transitions in “Pyramids,” listeners cannot deny the euphoria that is “Nights”’s beat drop. With 17 songs spanning an hour, Frank Ocean leaves it all on the table in this incredibly sincere album that leaves listeners feeling like they’re walking through a dream. — Samantha Paradiso

**4. Channel Orange (2012) — Frank Ocean**

Channel Orange was Frank Ocean’s first full-length release independent of his former group Odd Future after an array of mixtapes and songwriting for other artists. The album shows how Ocean is first and foremost a storyteller with personal narratives about drugs’ effects on a loved one in “Crack Rock,” a modern retelling of enslaved stripper Cleopatra in “Pyramids,” and lonely musings over unrequited love to a taxi driver in “Bad Religion.” Channel Orange solidified Ocean’s place in the rap and R&B world as someone who wasn’t afraid to question controversial topics like sexuality, religion, and addiction, while being unapologetically open about his own identity. — Catalina Pozos

**3. Lemonade (2016) — Beyoncé**

Image courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records

Beyoncé’s sixth studio album and second visual album, Lemonade, is the artist’s most prolific project to date. Embracing the media frenzy that was Jay-Z’s alleged infidelity, Beyoncé explores her feelings of betrayal, outrage, and reclamation through her emotionally charged songs, transcendent spoken word, and compelling visual storytelling. Though the “Crazy in Love” artist had previously stuck to the pop scene , Lemonade embarked on the beginning of a new era for Beyoncé, engaging in thoughtful political discourse about race and gender. Her most popular album yet, Beyoncé has left her critics and music fans alike blown away and asking for more. — Samantha Paradiso

**2. Pure Heroine (2013) — Lorde**

Lorde’s debut album, written at age 16, is a moody alt-pop introduction to the sound that has defined teenage experience throughout the decade. Whether it be through the angsty howl of “Ribs” or the quirky lyricism of “400 Lux” (“you buy me orange juice”), Lorde established herself in the mainstream as a young genius. Confessing suburban boredom, youthful longing, and teenage angst in the form of echoing harmonies and reverberating synth, Pure Heroine edges pop further away from its constructs — influencing the very anti-pop state in which the decade ends. — Laiken Neumann

**1. To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) — Kendrick Lamar**

Image courtesy of Top Dawg Entertainment

In To Pimp a Butterfly’s final track, “Mortal Man,” Kendrick Lamar orchestrates a conversation with late West Coast rapper Tupac. Tupac answers all of his questions, except one: “The butterfly sheds light on situations that the caterpillar never considered, ending the eternal struggle / Although the butterfly and caterpillar are completely different, they are one and the same. What’s your perspective on that?" Despite the conclusion that most critics put forth, To Pimp a Butterfly isn’t a lecture on Black America; Lamar isn’t teaching us about Blackness (nor should he have the responsibility to). Instead, the album is an open-ended question. Lamar layers funk, jazz, and soul with metaphors for racial inequality to create a dense, intricately polished record that he hands off to listeners. It’s our responsibility to make sense of his lyrics and apply them to the injustices happening around us. There’s no album that encapsulates the tragedy and triumphs of this decade better than To Pimp a Butterfly, which is why it rightfully rests at number one. — Tiana Woodard

Afterglow ATXDecember 16, 2019kasey clarke, collab