Essential 2020s rock music

The best Rock Music albums of the 2020s.

Where to start with 2020–2029 rock music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

Top of the 2020s — rock music

Top picks from 2020–2029, ranked by where we would start.

Welcome 2 America

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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Homegrown

Neil Young

Homegrown

A raw and intimate collection of heartfelt ballads reflecting personal struggles and emotional landscapes.

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Talkin to the Trees

Neil Young

Talkin to the Trees

A reflective journey through vivid storytelling layered over rich acoustic melodies and evocative instrumentation.

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Is It Any Wonder?

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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Toy

David Bowie

Toy

A collection of lost gems, blending playful melodies with introspective lyrics and Bowie's signature theatrical flair.

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Father of All Motherfuckers

Green Day

Father of All Motherfuckers

A frenetic blast of punk-infused pop rock that balances rebellious spirit with catchy hooks and an upbeat tempo.

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Ed Sheeran

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A vibrant fusion of pop and folk elements underpinned by energetic rhythms and introspective lyrics that invite both dance and reflection.

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Play

Ed Sheeran

Play

A vibrant blend of alternative rock and dance rhythms layered with introspective folk melodies that invite deep emotional reflection.

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Saviors

Green Day

Saviors

A raw exploration of modern disillusionment wrapped in catchy hooks and punk energy.

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Meanwhile

Eric Clapton

Meanwhile

A reflective blend of blues and rock, intertwining heartfelt lyrics with Clapton's signature guitar work across diverse melodies.

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Fossora

Björk

Fossora

A lush, experimental tapestry intertwining organic sounds and electronic textures, exploring themes of nature and ancestry.

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143

Katy Perry

143

A vibrant blend of electropop and dance beats infused with themes of empowerment and self-discovery.

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Smile

Katy Perry

Smile

Bright, buoyant pop anthems blend with reflective moments, showcasing resilience and personal growth through infectious melodies.

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Something Beautiful

Miley Cyrus

Something Beautiful

A vibrant fusion of pop and country, layered with introspective lyrics and infectious melodies that capture a transformative journey.

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Plastic Hearts

Miley Cyrus

Plastic Hearts

A bold fusion of rock and pop, layered with confessional lyrics and anthemic choruses that echo resilience and self-discovery.

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Seven Psalms

Paul Simon

Seven Psalms

A meditative exploration blending folk melodies with reflective lyrics, creating a sonic journey through spirituality and personal introspection.

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Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

Lana Del Rey

Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

A lush tapestry of melancholic melodies and introspective lyrics, enveloped in baroque pop and dreamlike atmospheres.

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Blue Banisters

Lana Del Rey

Blue Banisters

Lana Del Rey weaves nostalgic melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly ethereal atmosphere throughout the album.

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Rough and Rowdy Ways

Bob Dylan

Rough and Rowdy Ways

A contemplative journey through memory and mortality, marked by Dylan's gravelly vocals and a tapestry of Americana influences.

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Las mujeres ya no lloran

Shakira

Las mujeres ya no lloran

A vibrant fusion of Latin pop and contemporary R&B, exploring themes of empowerment and resilience through infectious melodies.

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Our Songs

Anastacia

Our Songs

Anastacia blends soulful vocals with upbeat melodies and introspective lyrics, creating a vibrant yet reflective pop experience.

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Change the World

Ringo Starr

Change the World

A breezy mix of optimistic melodies and classic rock rhythms, reflecting a timeless spirit of collaboration and positivity.

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Zoom In

Ringo Starr

Zoom In

A joyful blend of pop rock and introspective ballads, celebrating life’s moments with a characteristic lightness.

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McCartney III

Paul McCartney

McCartney III

An intimate collection of experimental melodies and reflective lyrics, showcasing McCartney's enduring creativity during a time of global uncertainty.

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