What is the best pop album of the 2010s?

Rank the defining pop albums of the 2010s — a decade of streaming breakthroughs, stadium anthems, and intimate bedroom pop.

1. 1
   21

   Adele's 2011 heartbreak opus that became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
2. 2
   1989

   Taylor Swift's 2014 synth-pop pivot that swept the Grammys.
3. 3
   Lemonade

   Beyoncé's 2016 visual album weaving pop, R&B, country, and social commentary.
4. 4
   25

   Adele's 2015 follow-up anchored by Hello, one of the fastest-selling albums ever.
5. 5
   Anti

   Rihanna's 2016 experimental pop album that proved her artistic depth.
6. 6
   Melodrama

   Lorde's 2017 maximalist pop meditation on youth, parties, and heartbreak.
7. 7
   When We All Fall Asleep

   Billie Eilish's 2019 dark-pop debut album that redefined a generation's sound.
8. 8
   thank u, next

   Ariana Grande's 2019 self-empowerment album written and recorded in weeks.
9. 9
   Rainbow

   Kacey Musgraves' 2018 genre-crossing country-pop album and Grammy Album of the Year.
10. 10
    Pure Heroine

    Lorde's 2013 minimalist debut that made teenage ambivalence feel cinematic.
11. 11
    Reputation

    Taylor Swift's 2017 dark, hip-hop-inflected reinvention album.
12. 12
    Red

    Taylor Swift's 2012 emotionally sprawling pop-rock album, later re-recorded.
13. 13
    BEYONCÉ

    Beyoncé's surprise 2013 visual album that changed how music is released.
14. 14
    Purpose

    Justin Bieber's 2015 EDM-pop comeback cementing his adult superstar status.
15. 15
    Fine Line

    Harry Styles' 2019 guitar-pop and psychedelia-tinged solo second album.

Comments 1