This article discusses the 10 best albums of the last decade that every music lover must listen to. From Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “To Pimp a Butterfly” to Billie Eilish’s award-winning debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?,” the list offers a diverse range of genres and styles. Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” explores themes of infidelity and forgiveness, while Frank Ocean’s “Blonde” is a soulful and emotional masterpiece. Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” takes listeners back to the disco era, while Lorde’s “Melodrama” offers a mature and hauntingly beautiful exploration of love and heartbreak. The article encourages readers to appreciate the creativity, bravery, and passion that went into these albums.
The 10 Best Albums of the Last Decade You Need to Listen To
The last decade saw some incredible music releases across various genres, ranging from pop to hip-hop, rock to electronic, and everything in between. As we look back at the music that shaped the 2010s, here are the 10 best albums of the decade that you need to listen to.
1. Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly is a complex and layered album that explores themes of race, identity, and self-discovery. It features soulful beats, stunning lyrics and collaborations with artists including Snoop Dogg, Bilal, and George Clinton. The album won several accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize, and has been hailed as a modern masterpiece.
2. Beyoncé – Lemonade (2016)
Beyoncé’s visual album, Lemonade, is a stunning visual and sonic experience that explores themes of infidelity, betrayal, and forgiveness. The album displays a range of genres from R&B to country, rock and roll to jazz, and features collaborations with artists including Jack White, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar. Lemonade continues to be a staple of cultural conversation and debate.
3. Frank Ocean – Blonde (2016)
Frank Ocean’s second studio album, Blonde, is a hauntingly beautiful melodic masterpiece. His voice is soulful, emotional and deeply moving, and the album explores themes of heartbreak, identity, and coming-of-age. The album features collaborations with artists such as André 3000, James Blake, and Beyoncé and was hugely popular and critically acclaimed.
4. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (2013)
The French electronic duo, Daft Punk’s fourth studio album, Random Access Memories, is a throwback to the disco sound of the 70s and 80s. The album features collaborations with artists from Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, and Julian Casablancas, and won several awards, including the Grammy for Album of the Year. The album is a timeless masterpiece that continues to be loved by fans today.
5. Lorde – Melodrama (2017)
Lorde’s second studio album, Melodrama, is a powerful and emotional exploration of love, loss, and heartbreak. Her lyrics and sound are sophisticated, mature, and hauntingly beautiful, and the album features collaborations with artists such as Khalid, Tove Lo, and Jack Antonoff. Melodrama received widespread critical acclaim, and it was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2018 Grammys.
6. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Kanye West’s fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, is a musical and lyrical tour de force that explores West’s psyche, fears, and desires. The album features collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Kid Cudi, and was widely regarded as a comeback album after a tumultuous year personally and professionally. The album won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2012.
7. Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer (2018)
Janelle Monáe’s third studio album, Dirty Computer, is an electrifying and empowering concept album that celebrates individuality, freedom, and self-expression. The album features collaborations with artists such as Grimes, Pharrell Williams, and Zoë Kravitz, and features some of Monáe’s strongest and most powerful vocals to date. Dirty Computer received universal critical acclaim and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammys.
8. Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City (2013)
Vampire Weekend’s third studio album, Modern Vampires of the City, is a sophisticated and mature exploration of youth, faith, and mortality. The album features collaborations with artists such as Sky Ferreira, and it features some of the band’s most catchy and memorable songs. Modern Vampires of the City received critical acclaim and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2014 Grammys.
9. Solange – A Seat at the Table (2016)
Solange’s third studio album, A Seat at the Table, is a celebration of blackness, feminism, and self-care. The album is deeply emotional, raw, and introspective, and it features collaborations with artists such as Sampha, Q-Tip, and Dev Hynes. A Seat at the Table received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2017.
10. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019)
Billie Eilish’s debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, is an emotional journey through the mind of a teenage prodigy. Her sound is haunting, emotional, and deeply personal, and it features collaborations with her brother and producer, Finneas O’Connell. The album was hugely popular and critically acclaimed, winning Album of the Year at the 2020 Grammys.
Conclusion
The last decade saw some incredible music releases from a multitude of artists and genres. The albums listed above are just ten examples of the creative and bold music founded in the 2010s. Each of the albums is a masterpiece in their right, and listening to them will give you an idea of the decade that shaped them. Take a moment to appreciate the creativity, bravery, and passion that went into these works as you listen to them.