Essential 2010s experimental music

The best Experimental Music albums of the 2010s.

Where to start with 2010–2019 experimental music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

Top of the 2010s — experimental music

Top picks from 2010–2019, ranked by where we would start.

Warzone

Yoko Ono

Warzone

A bold exploration of personal and political themes, blending experimental sounds with Ono's distinctive vocal style.

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Take Me to the Land of Hell

Yoko Ono

Take Me to the Land of Hell

Experimental soundscapes intertwine with provocative lyrics, blending elements of rock, electronic, and avant-garde artistry.

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Congress Shall Make No Law...

Frank Zappa

Congress Shall Make No Law...

A sprawling, satirical journey through the absurdity of American politics layered with complex musical textures.

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Greasy Love Songs

Frank Zappa

Greasy Love Songs

A whimsical blend of experimental rock and playful lyrics, showcasing Zappa's unique approach to love and humor.

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Syro

Aphex Twin

Syro

A kaleidoscopic blend of intricate beats and ethereal textures that defy genre boundaries.

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Cheetah

Aphex Twin

Cheetah

A rhythmic exploration of intricate textures and hypnotic beats, embodying the avant-garde spirit of electronic music.

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Async

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Async

A haunting soundscape where delicate piano melodies intertwine with ambient textures, evoking a sense of introspection and fragility.

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Flumina

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Flumina

Fluid electronic textures intertwine with delicate piano melodies, creating an intimate soundscape of introspection and serenity.

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Apriti sesamo

Franco Battiato

Apriti sesamo

A whimsical blend of electronic textures and lyrical introspection, Apriti sesamo invites listeners into a fantastical sonic landscape.

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Mount Wittenberg Orca

Björk

Mount Wittenberg Orca

Ethereal soundscapes blend with intimate vocal performances, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of nature and humanity's interconnectedness.

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Utopia

Björk

Utopia

A lush tapestry of electronic soundscapes intertwined with themes of love, healing, and the search for paradise.

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About to Die

Dirty Projectors

About to Die

A kaleidoscope of intricate harmonies and experimental arrangements that challenge conventional song structures while maintaining a pop sensibility.

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Lamp Lit Prose

Dirty Projectors

Lamp Lit Prose

Bright melodies intertwine with intricate harmonies, reflecting a playful yet introspective take on modern life and relationships.

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You're Dead!

Flying Lotus

You're Dead!

'You're Dead!' captures the essence of Flying Lotus's innovative approach to music, balancing cerebral compositions with engaging grooves. The album seamlessly transitions through various moods and styles, reflecting his mastery of texture and rhythm.

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Pattern+Grid World

Flying Lotus

Pattern+Grid World

A kaleidoscopic blend of electronic beats and jazz-infused melodies creates an intricate soundscape that is both experimental and accessible.

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Mutant

Arca

Mutant

A kaleidoscopic blend of avant-garde soundscapes, glitchy textures, and emotional vulnerability that challenges conventional pop structures.

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Arca

Arca

Arca

A visceral blend of experimental textures and intimate vocals that challenge conventional pop structures.

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Bad as Me

Tom Waits

Bad as Me

A gritty blend of blues, jazz, and experimental rock, laced with Waits' signature growl and vivid storytelling.

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Bones

Son Lux

Bones

'Bones' captures the essence of Son Lux's innovative approach to music. Its tracks pulse with energy while exploring themes of introspection, providing a introduction to their style.

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Lanterns

Son Lux

Lanterns

Intricate soundscapes weave together electronic beats and orchestral elements, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of emotional landscapes.

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Make It Be

R. Stevie Moore

Make It Be

An eclectic mix of lo-fi pop and experimental sounds that playfully reflects R. Stevie Moore's unique musical vision.

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Ku Klux Glam

R. Stevie Moore

Ku Klux Glam

A playful collage of lo-fi sounds and eccentric melodies that blur the lines between genres, reflecting a chaotic yet charming musical landscape.

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Reunion

Buckethead

Reunion

An eclectic blend of avant-garde jazz and dark ambient soundscapes, exploring emotional depth through intricate guitar work.

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Feathers

Buckethead

Feathers

A meditative blend of ambient textures and intricate guitar work, evoking a serene yet surreal soundscape.

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