The albums that defined
the 2020s.
Our picks for where to start with 2020–2029 — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
The 2020s are still in motion, but the shape is forming. The pandemic forced an acoustic-first turn (Folklore, Evermore, Punisher) that resolved within two years into something more maximalist. TikTok changed how songs find their audience and rewired what a chorus needed to do. The line between mainstream and underground keeps thinning; the line between music and content keeps blurring.
Hip-hop continues as the dominant gravitational force. Kendrick releases Mr. Morale and the year's best rap battle. Beyoncé pivots through dance music (Renaissance) and country (Cowboy Carter). The young guard — Olivia Rodrigo, Ethel Cain, MICHELLE Zauner's Japanese Breakfast — make records that sound nothing like each other but share a common confidence. Rock doesn't die; it just gets more interesting around the edges (Wet Leg, Big Thief, Black Country New Road).
Where to start: anything by the artists named above. The decade's still writing itself, and any "best of" written today will look incomplete in three years — but the records that have already broken through are worth a serious listen. Adjacent listening: the late 2010s catalog, especially the underground releases that the decade is still drawing from.
Top of the 2020s
Twenty-four picks from 2020–2029, ranked by where we would start.
ABBA
Voyage
A triumphant return that blends nostalgia with contemporary pop sensibilities, showcasing ABBA's signature harmonies and rich melodies.
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"Weird Al" Yankovic
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
A whimsical blend of nostalgia and satire, revisiting classic parodies with fresh arrangements and humorous storytelling.
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Prince
Welcome 2 America
A bold fusion of funk and soul, underscored by sharp social commentary and Prince's signature eclecticism.
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Bastille
Give Me the Future
A vibrant exploration of future anxieties wrapped in synth-driven melodies and introspective lyrics.
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John Coltrane
Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy
A mesmerizing dialogue of avant-garde improvisation and melodic exploration, showcasing two jazz titans in a vibrant live setting.
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Neil Young
Before and After
A reflective blend of folk rock and blues, weaving personal narratives with rich instrumentation.
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Neil Young
Homegrown
A raw and intimate collection of heartfelt ballads reflecting personal struggles and emotional landscapes.
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Busta Rhymes
Blockbusta
Dynamic flows and intricate wordplay collide with vibrant beats, showcasing the evolution of Busta Rhymes' distinctive style.
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Lily Allen
West End Girl
A vibrant blend of pop and grime, merging playful lyrics with catchy hooks and infectious beats that evoke urban life.
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Busta Rhymes
Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God
A vibrant tapestry of intricate wordplay and eclectic beats showcasing Busta Rhymes' unyielding energy and lyrical prowess.
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Duran Duran
Danse Macabre
A haunting blend of electronic textures and shadowy melodies that evokes a spectral dance through the night.
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Duran Duran
Future Past
A vibrant blend of synths and rock-infused melodies, capturing Duran Duran's signature sound while exploring modern themes.
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Within Temptation
Shed My Skin
Dramatic orchestration intertwines with powerful vocals to create an immersive soundscape that defines Within Temptation's gothic metal ethos.
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Within Temptation
Bleed Out
Symphonic metal anthems intertwine with haunting melodies and powerful lyrics, creating a dramatic landscape of resilience and conflict.
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LL Cool J
The FORCE
A fusion of sharp lyricism and experimental beats that challenges the conventions of contemporary hip-hop.
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Jolin Tsai
Pleasure
A vibrant fusion of electronic and pop elements, layered with Jolin Tsai's dynamic vocals and infectious energy.
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Céline Dion
I Am: Celine Dion
A sweeping blend of orchestral pop and heartfelt ballads showcasing Céline Dion's powerful vocal prowess.
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Carly Rae Jepsen
Dedicated Side B
An effervescent blend of catchy pop hooks and heartfelt lyrics wrapped in bright, synth-driven melodies.
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David Bowie
Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001)
A sprawling collection of eclectic sounds, blending experimental rock with electronic textures and soulful melodies over a decade of innovation.
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Carly Rae Jepsen
The Loveliest Time
A vibrant blend of disco-infused pop and heartfelt folk melodies, inviting listeners to revel in love and nostalgia.
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David Bowie
Is It Any Wonder?
A vibrant blend of alternative rock and experimental soundscapes, infused with Bowie's signature theatricality.
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Céline Dion
Love Again – Soundtrack from the Motion Picture
A lush blend of heartfelt ballads and powerful anthems, showcasing Céline Dion's iconic vocal prowess and emotional depth.
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Midnight Oil
Resist
A defiant blend of punk energy and atmospheric rock, echoing urgent calls for environmental and social justice.
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Enrique Iglesias
Final (Vol. 1)
A vibrant blend of Latin rhythms and pop melodies, echoing the infectious energy Iglesias is known for.
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By genre
The 20s, one tradition at a time.