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

21

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

2

1989

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

3

Lemonade

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

4

25

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

5

Anti

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

6

Melodrama

Lorde's 2017 maximalist pop meditation on youth, parties, and heartbreak.

7

When We All Fall Asleep

Billie Eilish's 2019 dark-pop debut album that redefined a generation's sound.

8

thank u, next

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

9

Rainbow

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

10

Pure Heroine

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

11

Reputation

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

12

Red

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

13

BEYONCÉ

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

14

Purpose

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

15

Fine Line

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