Essential pop rock listening

The albums that define pop rock.

Our picks for where to start with pop rock — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The pop rock essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Super Trouper

ABBA

Super Trouper

A vibrant tapestry of pop melodies, layered harmonies, and disco grooves that captures the essence of early '80s exuberance.

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The Black Album

Prince

The Black Album

A provocative blend of funk, rock, and provocative lyrics that challenges societal norms and personal boundaries.

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Young Americans

David Bowie

Young Americans

A lush blend of soul and rock, infused with Bowie's characteristic theatricality and introspection.

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Let's Talk About Love

Céline Dion

Let's Talk About Love

A sweeping collection of heartfelt ballads and upbeat anthems that showcase Dion's powerful vocals.

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Can't Be Tamed

Miley Cyrus

Can't Be Tamed

A bold blend of dance-pop and rock infused with themes of independence and self-assertion.

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Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

A vibrant fusion of pop and R&B that showcases Aguilera's powerful vocals and catchy hooks.

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Fearless

Taylor Swift

Fearless

A vibrant blend of country-pop anthems that capture youthful romance and heartache with infectious melodies.

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Speak Now

Taylor Swift

Speak Now

A sweeping blend of country and pop, layered with confessional storytelling and rich melodies.

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One More Light

Linkin Park

One More Light

A poignant blend of electronic textures and introspective lyrics that reflect vulnerability and resilience.

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New

Paul McCartney

New

A vibrant fusion of pop rock and experimental sounds that captures McCartney's enduring creativity.

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Amoeba's Secret

Paul McCartney

Amoeba's Secret

A blend of rock and pop that captures McCartney's introspective songwriting with a playful spirit.

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Something to Remember

Madonna

Something to Remember

A nostalgic blend of ballads and heartfelt reflections that encapsulate love and loss through lush arrangements.

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Like a Virgin

Madonna

Like a Virgin

A vibrant mix of dance-pop and R&B that redefined mainstream femininity and sexuality in the 1980s.

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The Game

Queen

The Game

A vibrant blend of rock and pop that showcases Queen's diverse musical palette and playful experimentation.

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The Works

Queen

The Works

A dynamic blend of rock anthems and synth-driven pop, showcasing Queen's theatricality and innovation.

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Push the Button

The Chemical Brothers

Push the Button

Pulsating beats and swirling synths create a kaleidoscopic journey through electronic soundscapes and rhythmic grooves.

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Plastic Beach

Gorillaz

Plastic Beach

A vibrant fusion of genres that blends electronic beats with orchestral arrangements and thought-provoking lyrics.

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Takin' Off

Herbie Hancock

Takin' Off

A vibrant blend of hard bop and rhythmic grooves, showcasing Hancock's inventive piano work and catchy melodies.

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Rock Steady

No Doubt

Rock Steady

A vibrant blend of reggae, ska, and pop rock that radiates danceable energy and infectious hooks.

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Yellow

Scandal

Yellow

Energetic pop-punk anthems intertwine with heartfelt melodies and vibrant arrangements, capturing youthful exuberance.

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La cultura de la basura

Los Prisioneros

La cultura de la basura

A sharp blend of punk and new wave that critiques societal norms with biting irony and infectious melodies.

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Singles Club

Paramore

Singles Club

An eclectic blend of alternative rock and pop sensibilities, capturing the emotional spectrum of youth in vibrant melodies.

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Safe Trip Home

Dido

Safe Trip Home

Delicate melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, evoking a sense of longing and emotional vulnerability.

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Esco di rado e parlo ancora meno

Adriano Celentano

Esco di rado e parlo ancora meno

A blend of melodic pop and introspective lyrics that reflects Celentano's enduring artistry and cultural resonance.

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