Best Albums of the 2020s (so far)

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251.

Night Palace 

 Mount Eerie

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"Night Palace has been celebrated online as the Mount Eerie album that sounds the most like Phil Elverum's work in the Microphones. It's interesting that this would happen when the solo project has covered so much ground that builds on different aspects of the Microphones sound, whether that's the...""Night Palace has been celebrated online as the Mount Eerie album that sounds the most like Phil Elverum's work in the Microphones. It's interesting that this would happen when the solo project has covered so much ground that builds on different aspects of the Microphones sound, whether that's the quiet and intimate songwriting (Dawn, No Flashlight), the fuzzy loudness (Wind's Poem, Ocean Roar) and intensely personal lyrics (A Crow Looked At Me, Lost Wisdom), so why does Night Palace evoke these elements more? I think the key property of the record is its willingness to mix loud and quiet and to build on particular ideas. The first point in particular helps create that epic scope associated with Phil's 2000s era work, a completely loud album doesn't necessarily have this effect because there isn't a point of reference, whereas songs that include both create small and massive objects, with the former often swallowing up the latter. Think of the transition from the closing chords of I Felt Your Shape into the opening of Samurai Sword, that track would always sound noisy but after something so gentle it's like the loudest sound you've ever heard. The album Mount Eerie pushed this further, with fragile sounding vocals and acoustic guitars crashing up against thunderous drums, piercing electric guitars and walls of noise. It happens again here, the slow opening of Breaths is expanded by distorted drums and guitars, this is then ripped apart by Swallowed Alive (I'm still not 100% sure what we're even hearing on this track). I Need New Eyes is built around Phil's ever gentle vocals, but even the backing vocals are bolstered by an electric fuzz, making it all feel enclosed in something massive. Night Palace isn't just great because it recalls some great records from 20-25 years ago though. Many tracks have a cleaner sound and more straightforward progression, both of which work brilliantly as they never totally dominate the tracklist. The guitar work in Huge Fire is stunning, there's a beauty in the soft smoothness of I Walk and the quiet interplay between the piano and backing vocals at the start of I Heard Whales provides a strong counterpoint to the build up of noise. Like a number of Phil's recent records this one looks to and draws from the past without just emulating it, instead these ideas are reapplied to the less harsh and experimental music that he makes now. Maybe the biggest departure from previous work is the introduction of a political viewpoint regarding the land and nature that's always played a huge role in Phil's music. The land of the Pacific North West has often had this almost scared feel in the past, an unchanging landscape that creates a humility in how small it makes one feel. Night Palace deals with much tougher questions of how this land came to be what it is, observations like "only ten thousand years ago there were meadows here" and talk of mountains running like a stream that we are too short lived to see flow view this are as changing like everything else. It makes it as susceptible as anywhere or anyone else to the forces of greed (November Rain, Co Owner of Trees) and imperialism (Non Metaphorical Decolonisation and the mention of fighter jets on Demolition). Its a radical step into new territory for a project that's focused on the self and on the universe, without considering much of what's in between."  [+]  Reply

- JamesMowbray | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2024

Appears in:

102 charts

Rank Score:

333

Rank in 2024:

37

Rank in 2020s:

251

Overall Rank:

4,269

Average Rating:

 75 (71 votes)

Comments:

4

252.

Seventeen Going Under 

 Sam Fender

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"Seventeen Going Under represents a wind of change for male pop stars with guitars. The dregs of the 2010s capitalisation on them are on the way out, and none could even come within eyeshot of Fender’s genuine, essential writing. Heck, few things in music can right now: the pride with which he wea...""Seventeen Going Under represents a wind of change for male pop stars with guitars. The dregs of the 2010s capitalisation on them are on the way out, and none could even come within eyeshot of Fender’s genuine, essential writing. Heck, few things in music can right now: the pride with which he wears his hometown of North Shields on his sleeve, and the love he puts into his depiction of Newcastle, is magnificent. There’s a sting, however, that of the poverty, hegemonic masculinity and social issues impossible to escape from. In a country where we can’t even agree on what we disagree on, his anger feels relevant and essential, while his riffs are supremely catchy and wholesome. Like all the best protest music, there is hope laced throughout, and Fender’s indie-ready heartland rock was born to inspire it. Fender has struck a remarkable balance on Seventeen; he doesn’t present himself as a preacher or a politician, he doesn’t allow for his experiences to be romanticised by his radio-friendly riffs, and he appeals to a need to acknowledge the times we’re living through in a way that doesn’t drag into “oh dear”-ism. The sharp-jawed man who stares back at you from the album’s artwork is fully aware that he could cash it in to become the next safe industry heartthrob, or just another white guy with a guitar and a Twitter individuality complex. And the beautiful thing is that he doesn’t. "  [+]  Reply

- DeusExMackia | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

80 charts

Rank Score:

332

Rank in 2021:

53

Rank in 2020s:

252

Overall Rank:

4,285

Average Rating:

 73 (56 votes)

Comments:

2

253.

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As Days Get Dark 

 Arab Strap

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"(This is an awe-inspiring return by this duo after 16 years of no LPs released. Perhaps the darkest and most hopeless album I've heard this year - I suppose it helps that I can't understand the words in the new Knoll and Ad Nauseam and other death/grind albums - and also one of the better and mor...""(This is an awe-inspiring return by this duo after 16 years of no LPs released. Perhaps the darkest and most hopeless album I've heard this year - I suppose it helps that I can't understand the words in the new Knoll and Ad Nauseam and other death/grind albums - and also one of the better and more lovingly produced and detailed pop albums of the year as well.) This is one of the darkest and most hopeless and nihilistic albums I've heard in a long time, maybe ever. I wasn't expecting this level of brutal verbal destruction. It is amazing if you are in the mood for an album that strips away all the false covers and veneers of life to reveal the disgusting underbelly. When I first heard the album I wasn't in the mood for such a gloomy listen. Still respected the hell out of the spoken word poetry and the detailed electronic arrangements and tracks. But yeah it put me off how unrelenting the mood was. Today I listened a couple more times and I was way more invested. Maybe that has to do with my somewhat more dark mood, maybe its just a nice change of pace from the more level-headed, stoic messages of recent albums I've heard. Anyway, the point is, this album is a dark and harsh listen thematically and lush and beautiful musically. All throughout the album behind the captivating performances of Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton, there are gorgeous, detailed and lush touches musically, melodies and excellent guitar lines and heartfelt indietronica tracks, and these swelling chamber pop moments and all kinds of beautiful musical moments. These well executed sounds and tracks make the vocals and the lyrics all the more ear-catching and intense. There is a very nice way they play off each other. There isn't a bad track, I almost hate saying that cuz it sounds so basic. But yeah, fuck it, there aren't any tracks that I wanted to skip or felt was half baked. The consistency of the album is impressive. The way the album kicks off is awesome, with "The Turning of our Bones" being one of the most inspired and impressive opening tracks I've heard in awhile. That opening blast of desperate, poetic, hopelessness, is followed up by equally engaging "Another Clockwork Day", "Compersion Pt 1" and "Bluebird". The middle of the album keeps it strong, goes down little byways of musical expression. Then the last 3 tracks are all just as excellent and brutal with the 1-2-3 punch of ""I Was Once A Weak Man", "Sleeper", and the closer "Just Enough". This is a hard album to rank. I think this is one of the better produced and executed albums this year. But it makes me feel, at times, a bit empty and hopeless. Quality-wise its tops, I probably will rank it a little lower than the quality would suggest, but not too much. And I suspect this will be one of those albums that I look at and I see its placement throughout the year and I move up incrementally. Not sure. All I know is it is indeed an excellent album and an amazing way to come back after 15 years away."  [+]  Reply

- Mercury | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

91 charts

Rank Score:

330

Rank in 2021:

54

Rank in 2020s:

253

Overall Rank:

4,309

Average Rating:

 75 (75 votes)

Comments:

2

254.

Impera 

 Ghost (SE)

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"It's been a long time since I liked an album like I like this one. Best tracks: spillways and Respite on the spitalfields"  Reply

- StreakyNuno | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2022

Appears in:

72 charts

Rank Score:

328

Rank in 2022:

52

Rank in 2020s:

254

Overall Rank:

4,329

Average Rating:

 71 (72 votes)

Comments:

5

255.

Death By Rock And Roll 

 The Pretty Reckless

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"Saw this at the top of a music journalist's 2021. Not my usual cup of tea, but it's good for scratching an old school rock, hard rock, itch with a little 90s alternative/grunge seasoning."  Reply

- craab | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

39 charts

Rank Score:

327

Rank in 2021:

55

Rank in 2020s:

255

Overall Rank:

4,340

Average Rating:

 73 (33 votes)

Comments:

1

256.

2017-2019 

 Against All Logic

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"Just as good if not better than 2012-2017. Fantasy, Penny, and With an Addict are the standouts but there isn't a single bad track on here."  Reply

- Scoott | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2020

Appears in:

115 charts

Rank Score:

326

Rank in 2020:

53

Rank in 2020s:

256

Overall Rank:

4,354

Average Rating:

 73 (192 votes)

Comments:

10

257.

Patterns In Repeat 

 Laura Marling

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"It feels like a long, warm embrace. Love the guitar playing and strings arrangements, and Ms Marling is as strong as ever lyrically. Moving stuff, really, perfect for the fall season"  Reply

- giulius06 | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2024

Appears in:

90 charts

Rank Score:

326

Rank in 2024:

38

Rank in 2020s:

257

Overall Rank:

4,360

Average Rating:

 76 (71 votes)

Comments:

3

258.

My 21st Century Blues 

 Raye

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"Raye demonstrates a complete and total command of R&B, Soul, Blues, Rap, and EDM. What makes her stand apart from legions of other A-level performers is the way she blends these styles with a deeper understanding of what the music is saying, then combining it with her own original perspective, fu...""Raye demonstrates a complete and total command of R&B, Soul, Blues, Rap, and EDM. What makes her stand apart from legions of other A-level performers is the way she blends these styles with a deeper understanding of what the music is saying, then combining it with her own original perspective, fusing traumas both personal and collective. 9/10!"  [+]  Reply

- alexandermause | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2023

Appears in:

64 charts

Rank Score:

325

Rank in 2023:

43

Rank in 2020s:

258

Overall Rank:

4,364

Average Rating:

 74 (47 votes)

Comments:

3

259.

Untitled (Rise) 

 Sault

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"Stronger, tighter, and livelier than (Black Is). Still a little too long, but I prefer the edge on this one."  Reply

- HoldenM | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2020

Appears in:

112 charts

Rank Score:

324

Rank in 2020:

54

Rank in 2020s:

259

Overall Rank:

4,377

Average Rating:

 75 (81 votes)

Comments:

1

260.

Quaranta 

 Danny Brown

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"“Quaranta” takes Brown’s music to a more reflective place. Danny thinks about aging, his childhood, and mistakes with a sober glare. While not his most lyrically versatile work, the starkness of his words really hit. “Jenn’s Terrific Vacation” explores an interesting juxtaposition of Brown’s impo..."" “Quaranta” takes Brown’s music to a more reflective place. Danny thinks about aging, his childhood, and mistakes with a sober glare. While not his most lyrically versatile work, the starkness of his words really hit. “Jenn’s Terrific Vacation” explores an interesting juxtaposition of Brown’s impoverished memories clashing with the modern gentrified area. This tone reflects on the music with the instrumentals being quiet and bass heavy. It certainly works with the themes, but it becomes muted. The B side blends together creating a sluggish atmosphere. While “Quaranta” can be restrained, it is well worth a ponder."  [+]  Reply

- titansaurs28 | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

2023

Appears in:

105 charts

Rank Score:

323

Rank in 2023:

44

Rank in 2020s:

260

Overall Rank:

4,390

Average Rating:

 76 (98 votes)

Comments:

4

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 26 of 100

Best Albums of the 2020s (so far) composition

Top 1,000 Top 500 Top 250 Top 100

Year	Albums	%
2020	197	20%
2021	200	20%
2022	194	19%
2023	169	17%
2024	143	14%
2025	97	10%
2026	2	0%

Artist	Albums	%
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard	12	1%
Taylor Swift	7	1%
Charli XCX	4	0%
Bad Bunny	4	0%
Nas	4	0%
Black Country, New Road	4	0%
파란노을 [Parannoul]	4	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	516	51%
	234	23%
	45	4%
	39	4%
	29	3%
	19	2%
	15	1%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	995	99%
Yes	7	1%

Live?	Albums	%
No	988	99%
Yes	14	1%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	999	100%
Yes	3	0%