What is the best classic pop album of the streaming era?

The streaming era has produced pop albums that feel like instant classics — records defined by their immediacy, cultural reach, and ability to dominate the conversation worldwide. Vote for the greatest classic pop album of the streaming era.

21

Adele's 2011 landmark brought the classic piano ballad format back to the centre of global pop in the streaming age.

1/14

25

Adele's 2015 comeback album continued her tradition of timeless pop balladry and shattered first-week streaming and sales records.

2/14

1989

Taylor Swift's 2014 synth-pop album has an enduringly classic 80s-inspired sound that feels as fresh today as on release.

3/14

Future Nostalgia

Dua Lipa's 2020 disco-revival album felt instant classic, drawing on the timeless sounds of 70s and 80s pop.

4/14

Fine Line

Harry Styles' 2019 album drew on classic 70s rock and pop sounds to create a warm, timeless record that will endure.

5/14

In the Lonely Hour

Sam Smith's 2014 debut recalled the intimate confessional tradition of classic singer-songwriters and is already considered a modern classic.

6/14

After Hours

The Weeknd's 2020 80s-influenced pop album already feels like an era-defining classic with its retro synthesizer sound.

7/14

24K Magic

Bruno Mars' 2016 funk-pop throwback radiates pure classic-pop joy, drawing on 80s and 90s R&B for a timeless sound.

8/14

Born to Die

Lana Del Rey's 2012 debut created a vintage Hollywood glamour sound that set a whole new aesthetic direction for pop.

9/14

Emotion

Carly Rae Jepsen's 2015 cult classic was immediately recognised as a modern successor to the great melodic pop albums of the 80s.

10/14

Harry's House

Harry Styles' 2022 Grammy Album of the Year winner recalls classic pop craftsmanship with a warmth and intimacy that feels timeless.

11/14

Divide

Ed Sheeran's 2017 album showed the power of acoustic-driven pop songwriting at a time when the genre felt increasingly synthetic.

12/14

Folklore

Taylor Swift's 2020 indie-folk surprise album stripped back the production and focused on storytelling in a classically pop way.

13/14

Unorthodox Jukebox

Bruno Mars' 2012 album recalled classic funk, soul, and pop from the 70s and 80s with masterful production and charisma.

14/14