Top 25 Albums of the 2020s (So Far)

The 2020s has been an exceptional decade for music so far. Creativity and lyrical ability is at an all-time high for a lot of genres, and even the genres that have maybe taken a backseat still have their highlights. It was difficult to cut this list down to only 25 - granted, not as difficult as the 2010s list - however I think I’ve done a good job to get some good variety in this list. One album per-artist as usual with these lists.

25.     Gold - Cleo Sol

Cleo Sol is a shining light in the neo-soul genre, which has taken a backseat in recent years. 

This album is soulful, peaceful and beautiful. Her soft vocals combined with her religiously-centred lyrics make for a project that bursts with warmth and hope. 

Cleo’s music career started over a decade ago however she only released her debut LP at the start of the decade. Whilst she may not have evolved so much stylistically, the lane she has stayed in works very well for her.

Favourite Songs: Life Will Be, Reason, Things Will Get Better, Please Don’t End It All

24.     A Brief Nirvana - Khamari

Khamari is one of the brightest young artists in all of r&b currently. 

He is my favourite vocalist of the decade so far, having such a strong presence on every song with a vocal range that just strikes your soul. 

I couldn’t really shake the Frank Ocean comparisons at first, however Khamari stylistically goes towards a more neo-soul route which really works in his favour. The live instrumentation complements his powerful vocal presence so well.

Favourite Songs: Doctor My Eyes, These Four Walls, Requiem, Wax Poetic

23.     Dark Times - Vince Staples

Looking back on my 2024 albums list, I would put this above Chromakopia. So that is why you don't see that on the list.

This album is a lot darker than Vince’s other efforts this decade and overall piques my interest more than the rest.

It’s his most concise record, clocking in at 13 tracks and 35 minutes and this run time works in its favour. This allows each track to stand out on its own whilst still making for a very cohesive record.

Vince’s rapping is incredibly solid as always too. Nothing exceptional but consistently very good to great.

Favourite Songs: Black&Blue, Etouffee, Government Cheese, Little Homies

22.     Hit Me Hard And Soft - Billie Eilish

Billie’s third album, and, in my eyes, undoubtedly her best.

She shows so much range as both a vocalist and as an artist here. Her vocal range is unbelievable, both mastering her signature whispering singing voice whilst also belting out notes when she needs to. 

And this works in tandem with the overall sound of each song, capturing feelings of desperation and yearning wonderfully.

Favourite Songs: The Greatest, Chihiro, Birds Of A Feather, L’Amour De Ma Vie

21.     Never Enough - Daniel Caesar

My golden boy finally appears in one of these lists. I would have loved to put it higher but there are albums that are far superior both stylistically and lyrically. Regardless, this album is special for alternative r&b.

Daniel is one of the best vocalists in modern r&b. He can convey a wide variety of emotions and sounds so well - even if a large majority of this album is slower and more melancholic.

This album is a lot more self-reflective than his previous work, focusing on themes of longing and emotional vulnerability. But these themes are furthered by Daniel’s, as previously mentioned, stunning vocal displays.

Favourite Songs: Always, Superpowers, Let Me Go, Valentina

20.     Descendants of Cain - Ka

This album is abundant in religious imagery, juxtaposing biblical tales with harsh modern circumstances such as poverty and violence.

Ka explores themes of struggle, morality and survival and draws parallels to the story of Cain and Abel, using Cain’s story as a metaphor for cycles of struggle throughout generations but also as a symbol of resilience and perseverance. 

Bonus points also for having one of the most beautiful album covers I've ever seen.

Favourite Songs: Sins of the Father, Patron Saints, The Eye of a Needle, Every Now and Then

19.     The Forever Story - JID

JID’s first taste at what truly stellar music sounds like. His previous two projects were good, sometimes great, but this is a showcase of his limitless potential as an artist.

He shows his fantastic diversity as an artist across this record. You have your borderline r&b cuts which he always likes to throw in there, but where I think he truly shines is how varied his raps are. 

After Dicaprio 2, JID sort of garnered this reputation as a purely ‘fast rapper’, but he is so much more than that on this album. His lyrical ability, outside of his flow, takes centre stage and allows him to really prove why he was one of the most promising rappers coming up.

Favourite Songs: Kody Blu 31, Stars, 2007, Better Days

18.     Melt My Eyez See Your Future (Extended Edition) - Denzel Curry

This is Zel’s magnum opus as of right now. Not to say he can’t top this piece of work, it will just be very difficult. 

His most introspective work to date, talking about his mental state and how he can grow as a person.

Sonically, this is one of his more diverse albums. Still having 808 heavy bangers such as ‘Ain’t No Way’ and ‘Sanjuro’ but he also executes a fantastic jazz-rap sound across this record, along with some really solid boom-bap work. 

I specifically chose the extended version of this album because the ‘Cold Blooded Soul’ versions of the tracks on the original not only improve upon their predecessors, but are also some of Zel’s best ever work. 

Favourite Songs: Melt Session #1 (Cold Blooded Soul Version), Walkin, The Ills (Cold Blooded Soul Version), Chrome Hearts

17.     After Hours - The Weeknd

A stark change from The Weeknd’s signature sound, but a very welcome reinvention.

He goes for a more 80’s synth-pop sound with this record, which makes for his most enjoyable project for me. The production is druggy, futuristic and atmospheric whilst still embodying Weeknd’s sensual charisma throughout.

This album sparked a new era in his career, spearheaded by this new sound and I am so glad we are getting a whole trilogy out of it.

Favourite Songs: Save Your Tears, After Hours, Faith, Hardest To Love

16.     Alfredo - Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist

Freddie Gibbs is a different animal when he collaborates with a producer for a full album. He is still an awesome rapper on his solo projects, but he is like ‘88 Jordan when it’s time for a producer collab. 

As for The Alchemist, he has had such a fantastic decade, and to start it off with this masterpiece is just unbelievable. 

The two have such amazing chemistry together it’s actually unfair. Alc’s production is so smooth with some very well worked-in samples, leaving pockets only Freddie could fill in. 

This is a duo that could seriously rival the fabled ‘MadGib’ with more releases.

Favourite Songs: 1985, Scottie Beam, Babies & Fools, Something To Rap About

15.     Circles - Mac Miller

Despite the circumstances, Circles is maybe Mac’s most comforting album yet.

It follows the same themes as its sister project Swimming, since the two were worked on in tandem, but the tone of Circles is much more optimistic. 

This is the Mac album that is the furthest away from hip-hop, but it isn’t entirely r&b either. It’s a singer/songwriter, neo-soul fusion child where Mac feels at his most comfortable stylistically, along with Swimming. 

One of the few posthumous albums executed right.

Favourite Songs: Hand Me Downs, Good News, Woods, Surf

14.     Folklore - Taylor Swift

An indie pop/folk-pop masterpiece that is far and away Taylor’s best ever work.

Her songwriting on here is some of the most potent and poetic I’ve ever heard. She has always been very honest emotionally, but here it feels more like personal reflection than her usual proclamation of her problems. 

It’s produced perfectly to match Taylor’s lyrical content. Very calm, soothing, melancholic instrumentals across here giving maximum effect to Taylor’s lyrics.

Favourite Songs: Mirrorball, Cardigan, August, Illicit Affairs

13.     Scrapyard - Quadeca

An amalgamation of a variety of different sounds and ideas that just comes together so beautifully.

Quadeca is one of the most promising young artists. It was a real toss-up between this and his concept album I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You, but this tape takes bigger leaps artistically with a wider range of production styles.

Genuinely just an awesome and impressive mixtape that exponentially grows my hype for his next studio album.

Favourite Songs: Guide Dog, U Don’t Know Me Like That, Easier, Way Too Many Friends

12.     LP! - JPEGMAFIA 

Another prime example of Peggy doing what he does best; making wildly inaccessible music. But once you truly appreciate it, you’ll never turn back.

He is a master at sampling - not in the same way that Dilla and Kanye are but in a more abstract way. The way he can make some of the most confusing instrumentals work so well is mind-blowing, ‘Nemo’ being a prime example.

Peggy also continues to prove that he is one of the most underrated on the mic today. His flow is absolutely impeccable, with some witty rhyme schemes and solid, albeit sometimes corny, punchlines.

Favourite Songs: Dirty, Hazard Duty Pay, Untitled, Tired Nervous & Broke

11.     Hellfire - Black Midi

An album that grabs your attention from the get-go, and does a fantastic job at keeping it.

Genuinely one of the most interesting listens I’ve ever had. One second it will be one of the most hectic instrumental sections ever then it cuts to a soft guitar strum. But it’s executed so masterfully that I don’t even question it.

The frantic fills are a big highlight of this record, along with the engaging lyricism from all vocalists. Just a super fun and compelling listen.

Favourite Songs: Sugar/Tzu, 27 Questions, Welcome To Hell, Dangerous Liaisons

10.     Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple

This is one of the most startlingly transparent albums I’ve ever listened to. 

It was the first Fiona Apple project I ever listened to, and whilst I adored it on first listen I’m not sure if it’s the ideal starting point. The instrumentals are raw and unconventional, mixed with Fiona’s defiant and unrestrained vocals, it makes for a very in-your-face first listen.

The all-over-the-place soundscape is put in place to match the topics discussed by Fiona herself. She reaches deep into her psyche and lays out all her issues and setbacks throughout her life as a showcase of her resilience.

Just an intriguing and overall wonderful listen.

Favourite Songs: Fetch The Bolt Cutters, I Want You To Love Me, Drumset, Under The Table

9.     Aethiopes - Billy Woods

I had such a tough time choosing just which Billy Woods album to include, especially when you factor in his work with Elucid under Armand Hammer. However, with all things considered I couldn't look past this masterpiece.

The most lyrically dense hip-hop album I’ve heard in a long time. Billy Woods is an absolute monster on the pen.

His vivid imagery and immaculate storytelling across these often cryptic, occasionally awkward beats makes for an enthralling listen. His delivery is often deadpan, but there’s a subtle aggression behind that is so captivating and gets me hooked into what he’s saying.

Woods has crafted a masterful discography this decade and almost cemented himself as one of the greatest writers in the genre’s history, with this album being the absolute cream of the crop.

Favourite Songs: Remorseless, Protoevangelium, Sauvage, Christine

8.     Lahai - Sampha

After a six year long hiatus, Sampha returns and is better than ever, surpassing the quality of his beautiful 2017 effort Process.

This is the perfect yang to Process’ yin, being softer and lusher in sound whilst exploring less sombre topics lyrically. 

Sampha’s vocals are on point as always, backed up by a futuristic and spacious production style that makes for a record that sounds freeing. It’s pure serenity in musical form, as if a massive weight had been taken off of Sampha’s chest before recording this.

Favourite Songs: What If You Hypnotise Me?, Only, Suspended, Jonathan L. Seagull

7.     Desire, I Want To Turn Into You - Caroline Polachek

A pop-album littered with both whimsy and introspection.

Caroline is very adventurous with her sound, implementing influences from various genres into a cohesive pop record. Combining this ambitious production style with her daring vocal acrobatics, it makes for an album that will be a cult classic for decades to come.

She continues this experimentality in the lyrics, depicting desire as a gravitational force that traps us in a cycle of constant need. This album as a whole is riddled with intention and experimentation.

This decade has been fantastic for pop music as a whole, and this record sits firmly in the mount rushmore.

Favourite Songs: Sunset, I Believe, Bunny Is a Rider, Smoke

6. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar

The long-awaited therapy session that Kendrick needed more than anyone else.

He is as transparent as can be, arguably more than one should be to a public audience. Kendrick delves into many issues in his life, regardless of if he caused said issues or not. And luckily enough, we got some damn good music along with it.

This album has some of Kendrick’s catchiest melodies and most addictive flows, accompanied by some of the most crisp and polished production of his whole career.

This album experiments with a lot of sounds that we aren’t used to hearing in Kendrick’s music. But it all works so well together, creating an album that lands close to the top of an already stacked discography.

Favourite Songs: Count Me Out, Mirror, United In Grief, Father Time

5.     Manger on McNichols - Boldly James & Sterling Toles

The first album I would give the full 10/10 on this list. This is hands down one of the best hip-hop records I’ve ever heard.

This is Boldy at his absolute peak in terms of rapping performances, which is wild considering it was almost entirely recorded in the late 2000s. He comes with some of his greatest ever flows, clever wordplay and top-notch rhyme schemes.

The main highlight however was producer Sterling Toles. He clearly put his heart and soul into this record, considering it was in the works for almost 15 years and that he has almost no other material released. 

The intricate details put into every instrumental is awesome, with every new listen another layer of the production is uncovered. Truly a one-of-a-kind project.

Favourite Songs: Mommy Dearest (A Eulogy), Medusa, Detroit River Rock, Got Flicked (Rebirth)

4.     Imaginal Disk - Magdalena Bay

I was not joking when I said I thought this album was genuine perfection. It is truly something special.

The instrumentation across every track is awesome, seamlessly blending genres to create this extraordinary soundscape. It takes influences from 80s dance pop, neo-psychedelia and even psych-rock all into one creative masterpiece.

Mica’s vocals are nothing to bat an eye at either. Whether her outstanding range is the focal point of a track or she is slightly drowned out acting as almost her own instrument, it always works in tandem with what the track is looking for.

Favourite Songs: Cry For Me, Tunnel Vision, The Ballad of Matt & Mica, Death & Romance

3.     Lianne La Havas - Lianne La Havas

One of the greatest neo-soul albums ever released with no exaggeration, this record is flawless.

Lianne’s vocals are breathtaking, with an unbelievable range and a soothing base delivery she clutches your attention for the entirety of this album.

The instrumentation is beautiful also. It’s extremely difficult for neo-soul production to sound bad at all, but this record reaches a perfect common ground between compositional excellence and a lush sonic experience.

I must also mention that it has one of the greatest cover songs I’ve ever heard when she covered ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’ by Radiohead.

Favourite Songs: Can’t Fight, Bittersweet, Sour Flower, Weird Fishes

2.     By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Injury Reserve

A stunning tribute to beloved member Steppa J. Groggs, this album takes a completely different direction from the rest of the group's work. 

This album is messy and hectic, but in the most structured way. The fact it makes no sense is why it makes perfect sense. It perfectly embodies the feelings of grief that members Ritchie and Corey were feeling after Groggs’ passing. 

The instrumentals are brash and hazy, the rapping can be mixed awkwardly at points too. Overall, it's a confusing listen for sure, but it’s what the group needed to release as their final project. 

Beauty lies in the essence of time, and as more time is spent with this album, its true grace is unravelled and understood. 

Favourite Songs: Postpostpartum, Footwork In A Forest Fire, SS San Francisco, Knees

1.     Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road

Quite a stereotypical and basic pick for music critics, but it’s that way for a reason. The beauty of this record is undeniable.

The instrumentation is grand over-the-top, but still has a familiar, homely feel to it. Their unique way of playing strings and brass has a nostalgic vibe that words can’t really describe. Other than the strings, the tension that is consistently created and the subsequent pay-offs are such a joy to listen to. 

Frontman Isaac was the lead vocalist for this album, and he puts in a performance of a lifetime. He has a strong vocal presence that seeps with depth and emotion. His range across the album is impressive too, going through a variety of emotions ranging from calmer deliveries to frantic belts.

The lyricism is wonderful too. A bulk of the lyricism is imagery, largely metaphors, which are used in such clever and poetic ways, as shown in ‘Concorde’. Where he compares a lover to a concorde plane which is flying away and that he’ll never reach, as a way of saying he knows he’ll never get to be with this lover.

Every aspect of this record is extraordinary and it deserves all the praise it’s already garnered and more.

Favourite Songs: The Place Where He Inserted The Blade, Basketball Shoes, Chaos Space Marine, Concorde