Pop Sonality Presents The 250 Best Albums of the 21st Century So Far. (2000-2024).
Pop Sonality Presents
The 250 Best Albums of the 21st Century So Far.
(2000-2024)
Pop Sonality's list of the 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century is a captivating ride through the best of music from 2000 to 2024, showcasing some of the most iconic and groundbreaking albums of the past 25 years. This list includes a wide range of genres, from pop to hip-hop, electronic, R&B, and indie, giving each genre its due recognition. While heavy hitters like Madonna, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Britney Spears are well-represented, the list also celebrates unexpected gems, such as Destroyer’s Kaputt and The Avalanches’ Since I Left You, adding unique and refreshing twists to the mix.
The top 10 albums immediately grab attention. Madame X by Madonna is a daring, genre-blending album that exemplifies her constant reinvention. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West is often hailed as his masterpiece, mixing hip-hop, rock, and classical influences into a truly unforgettable experience. Then there’s Kaputt by Destroyer, a dreamy and jazzy record that’s quietly influential and shows the power of understated, experimental music. Random Access Memories by Daft Punk redefined electronic music with its perfect balance of disco, funk, and futuristic sounds, making it a global hit.
Night Falls Over Kortedala by Jens Lekman brings Swedish indie pop to the forefront with clever lyrics and catchy melodies that have a lasting impact. Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience blends pop and R&B, with smooth, timeless tracks that were a massive cultural moment. Beyoncé’s Beyoncé (2013) was a game-changer, a bold, intimate, and groundbreaking record that surprised everyone and redefined what pop music could be. Blackout by Britney Spears remains one of the most influential pop albums of the 21st century, with its electronic, experimental sound and personal themes. Trilogy by The Weeknd, which started as a mixtape, became a classic with its haunting, atmospheric vibe that made him a global star. MOTOMAMI by Rosalía is a bold, genre-blending album that merges reggaeton, flamenco, and experimental sounds. It showcases her artistic evolution with innovative production and versatile vocals, making it a standout in modern Latin music.
Body Talk by Robyn blends electronic pop with emotional depth and raw vulnerability, while Since I Left You by The Avalanches is a sample-heavy, joyful record that remains an underrated masterpiece.
The list doesn’t stop there, with albums like Channel Orange and Blonde by Frank Ocean standing out for their blend of R&B, soul, and alternative influences. Lust for Life by Lana Del Rey showcases her cinematic storytelling and unique voice, while Black Messiah by D'Angelo & The Vanguard brings soulful sounds into the modern era with a powerful, relevant message. Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend offers a mix of indie rock and pop that made it an instant classic, while Back to Black by Amy Winehouse is a timeless fusion of soul, jazz, and pop that redefined the music scene in the 2000s.
You’ll also find albums like WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish and Everything Is Recorded by Richard Russell, which represent the wave of artists pushing boundaries and evolving music in exciting ways.
★ Blackstar by David Bowie is an experimental, haunting final masterpiece, and Give Up by The Postal Service remains a perfect indie-electronic classic. Voodoo by D'Angelo blends soul and funk in a way few others have managed, offering a sound that continues to inspire.
This list captures the incredible diversity of the last two decades, from pop and hip-hop to indie and electronic, highlighting both mainstream icons and lesser-known gems. Whether you're into the biggest pop stars or cult favorites, it's clear that all these albums have made a significant mark on music history and continue to influence the soundscape of today.
- Madame X - Madonna (2019)
- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West (2010)
- Kaputt - Destroyer (2011)
- Random Access Memories - Daft Punk (2013)
- Night Falls Over Kortedala - Jens Lekman (2007)
- The 20/20 Experience (The Complete Experience) - Justin Timberlake (2013)
- Beyoncé - Beyoncé (2013)
- Blackout - Britney Spears (2007)
- Trilogy - The Weeknd (2012)
- MOTOMAMI - Rosalía (2022)
- Body Talk - Robyn (2010)
- Since I Left You - The Avalanches (2000)
- The ArchAndroid - Janelle Monáe (2010)
- James Blake - James Blake (2011)
- Art Official Age - Prince (2014)
- Channel Orange - Frank Ocean (2012)
- Lust for Life - Lana Del Rey (2017)
- Black Messiah - D'Angelo and The Vanguard (2014)
- Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend (2013)
- Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2006)
- XX - The xx (2009)
- When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?- Billie Eilish (2019)
- Everything Is Recorded - Richard Russell (2018)
- ★ (Blackstar) - David Bowie (2016)
- Give Up - The Postal Service (2003)
- Voodoo - D'Angelo (2000)
- Happiness - Hurts (2010)
- American Life - Madonna (2003)
- 3121 - Prince (2006)
- Invincible - Michael Jackson (2001)
- El Madrileño - C. Tangana - (2021)
- Rebel Heart - Madonna (2015)
- FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake (2006)
- Born to Do It - Craig David (2000)
- Life in Cartoon Motion - Mika (2007)
- Miss E... So Addictive - Missy Elliott (2001)
- Lemonade - Beyoncé (2016)
- What's Your Pleasure? - Jessie Ware (2020)
- After Hours - The Weeknd (2020)
- Discipline - Janet Jackson (2008)
- Blonde - Frank Ocean (2016)
- LP! - JPEGMAFIA (2021)
- No Thank You - Little Simz (2022)
- Music - Madonna (2000)
- The Life of Pablo - Kanye West (2016)
- Far In - Helado Negro (2021)
- Yeezus - Kanye West (2013)
- Natural Brown Prom Queen - Sudan Archives (2022)
- V.O.R.T.E.X - Terence Nance (2022)
- Confessions on the Dancefloor - Madonna (2005)
- World of Hassle - Alan Palomo (2023)
- Controlling Crowds - Archive (2009)
- Playing Robots Into Heaven - James Blake (2023)
- Javelin - Sufjan Stevens (2023)
- El Mar Querer - Rosalía (2018)
- Maestro Espada - Maestro Espada (2024)
- Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend (2024)
- Chromakopia - Tyler, the Creator (2024)
- Have We Met - Destroyer (2020)
- Miss Colombia - Lido Pimienta (2021)
- Cape God - Allie X (2020)
- Kid A - Radiohead (2000)
- Vespertine - Björk (2001)
- Kala - M.I.A. (2007)
- Topical Dancer - Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul (2022)
- Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert - Little Simz (2021)
- Labyrinthitis - Destroyer (2022)
- Knower Forever - KNOWER (2023)
- The Silver Cord - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (2023)
- Girl With No Face - Allie X (2024)
- I Lay Down My Life for You - JPEGMAFIA (2024)
- Friends That Break Your Heart - James Blake (2021)
- Begin to Hope - Regina Spektor (2006)
- O - Damien Rice (2002)
- Minage - Mónica Naranjo (2000)
- Hurricane - Grace Jones (2008)
- 808s & Heartbreak - Kanye West (2008)
- Nashville - Josh Rouse (2005)
- A Ghost Is Born - Wilco (2004)
- A Place Where We Could Go - Jeremy Jay (2008)
- Love.Angel.Music.Baby. - Gwen Stefani (2004)
- Loose - Nelly Furtado (2006)
- I Feel Cream - Peaches (2009)
- Shock Value - Timbaland (2007)
- Production - Mirwais (2000)
- La Roux - La Roux (2009)
- Untrue - Burial (2007)
- Boy in da Corner - Dizzee Rascal (2003)
- Escapology - Robbie Williams (2002)
- I See You - The xx (2017)
- Joanne - Lady Gaga (2016)
- Lamp Lit Prose - Dirty Projectors (2018)
- Process - Sampha (2016)
- Melodrama - Lorde (2017)
- Unbreakable - Janet Jackson (2015)
- With Us Until You're Dead - Archive (2012)
- My Favourite Faded Fantasy - Damien Rice (2014)
- Blank Project - Neneh Cherry (2014)
- Everyday Robots - Damon Albarn (2014)
- Benjamin Booker - Benjamin Booker (2014)
- Love & Hate - Michael Kiwanuka (2016)
- 1000 Forms of Fear - Sia (2014)
- Record Collection - Mark Ronson & The Business Intl (2010)
- The Magic Whip - Blur (2015)
- Colour of the Trap - Miles Kane (2011)
- Regions of Light and Sound of God - Jim James (2013)
- Ash - Ibeyi (2017)
- At Least for Now - Benjamin Clementine (2015)
- Mirrorwriting - Jamie Woon (2011)
- Sin Miedo (del amor y otros demonios) - Kali Uchis (2020)
- Acts of Rebellion - Ela Minus (2020)
- Las Montañas - Delaporte (2022)
- I'm Your Empress Of - Empress Of (2020)
- We Will Always Love You - The Avalanches (2020)
- We’re All Alone in This Together - Dave (2021)
- Pictura de Ipse: Musique Directe - Hubert Lenoir (2022)
- Romeo - Sega Bodega (2020)
- No Gods No Masters - Garbage (2021)
- Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish (2021)
- Baby Keem - The Melodic Blue - Baby Keem (2021)
- Dawn FM - The Weeknd (2022)
- Paprika - La Bien Querida (2021)
- Teatro Lúcido - La Femme (2022)
- Un Verano Sin Ti - Bad Bunny (2022)
- Nekkuja - Marina Herlop (2022)
- Resistance & the Blessing - World’s End Girlfriend (2020)
- Volcano - Jungle (2021)
- Hit Parade - Róisín Murphy (2022)
- World Music Radio - Jon Batiste (2022)
- In Waves - Jamie xx (2024)
- Born in the Wild - Tems (2024)
- The Auditorium Vol. 1 - Common & Pete Rock (2024)
- Cancionero de los Cielos - Viva Belgrado (2024)
- What Now - Brittany Howard (2024)
- Isolation - Kali Uchis (2018)
- Broke With Expensive Taste - Azealia Banks (2014)
- So Sad So Sexy - Lykke Li (2018)
- XSCAPE - Michael Jackson (2014)
- Awaken, My Love! - Childish Gambino (2016)
- Shame, Shame - Dr. Dog (2010)
- Saint Barlett - Damien Jurado (2010)
- I Don’t Prefer No Blues - Leo Bud Welch (2014)
- Age of Transparency - Autre Ne Veut (2015)
- La Gran Esfera - La Casa Azul (2019)
- Fuego - La Bien Querida (2020)
- Space is Only Noise - Nicolás Jaar (2011)
- Malibu - Anderson.Paak (2016)
- Wildheart - Miguel (2015)
- Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans - Uffie (2010)
- Canciones para Robots Románticos - Fangoria (2016)
- Cape Dory - Tennis (2011)
- Disco Duro - Joe Crepúsculo (2011)
- Vulnicura - Björk (2015)
- Coastal Grooves - Blood Orange (2011)
- Oneirology - CunninLynguists (2010)
- Bubba - Kaytranada (2019)
- This Is All Yours - alt-J (2014)
- All My Heroes Are Cornballs - JPEGMAFIA (2019)
- Uknowhatimsayin¿ - Danny Brown (2019)
- Anima - Thom Yorke (2019)
- Life Will See You Now - Jens Lekman (2017)
- Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg (2012)
- Queen of the Wave - Pepe Deluxé (2010)
- Mykki - Mykki Blanco (2016)
- Rub - Peaches (2009)
- False Idols - Tricky (2013)
- 2012-2017 - A.A.L (Against All Logic) (2018)
- Good Kid, m.A.A.d City - Kendrick Lamar (2012)
- Ego Death - The Internet (2015)
- Life Is Good - Nas (2012)
- What Is This Heart? - How to Dress Well (2014)
- Anti - Rihanna (2016)
- Something - Chairlift (2016)
- The Bravest Man in the Universe - Bobby Womack (2012)
- Velvet Portraits - Terrace Martin (2016)
- The Broken Man - Matt Elliott (2012)
- TEN$ION - Die Antwoord (2012)
- Our Love - Caribou (2014)
- Grey Tickles, Black Pressure - John Grant (2015)
- Patience - George Michael (2004)
- Savane - Ali Farka Touré (2006)
- Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea - P J Harvey (2000)
- Discovery - Daft Punk (2001)
- Santogold - Santogold (2008)
- Yours Truly, Angry Mob - Kaiser Chiefs (2007)
- Koop Islands - Koop (2006)
- La Revancha del Tango - Gotan Project (2001)
- The Way I See It - Raphael Saadiq (2008)
- Destroyer’s Rubies - Destroyer (2006)
- Third - Portishead (2008)
- Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk (2009)
- Grace / Wastelands - Peter Doherty (2009)
- Nux Vomica - The Veils (2006)
- Wildflower - The Avalanches (2016)
- The Blue Hour - Suede (2018)
- Musicology - Prince (2004)
- Post Tropical - James Vincent McMorrow (2014)
- Sisyphus - Sisyphus (2014)
- Amnesiac - Radiohead (2001)
- In the Zone - Britney Spears (2003)
- A Wasteland Companion - M. Ward (2012)
- Beautiful Imperfection - Aṣa (2010)
- Handmade - Hindi Zahra (2010)
- Moment Bends - Architecture in Helsinki (2011)
- Mayhem - Imelda May (2010)
- Business Casual - Chromeo (2010)
- Parcels - Parcels (2018)
- Love in the Future - John Legend (2013)
- Elysium - Pet Shop Boys (2012)
- Intensive Care - Robbie Williams (2005)
- Babylon - OBK (2002)
- Body Language - Kylie Minogue (2003)
- Robyn - Robyn (2005)
- When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog - Jens Lekman (2004)
- A Grand Don’t Come for Free - The Streets (2004)
- Client - Client (2003)
- Pieces of the People We Love - The Rapture (2006)
- Bitte Orca - Dirty Projectors (2009)
- Rooty - Basement Jaxx (2001)
- Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (2008)
- Arular - M.I.A. (2005)
- Saints & Sinners - All Saints (2000)
- Fever - Kylie Minogue (2001)
- Exciter - Depeche Mode (2001)
- Now - Maxwell (2001)
- Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem (2007)
- Mama’s Gun - Erykah Badu (2000)
- Love Is Here - Starsailor (2001)
- Late Registration - Kanye West (2005)
- Gotta Get Thru This - Daniel Bedingfield (2002)
- Be - Common (2005)
- Blueprint - Jay-Z (2001)
- And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out - Yo La Tengo (2000)
- Game Theory - The Roots (2006)
- Elephant - The White Stripes (2003)
- American Idiot - Green Day (2004)
- Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant - Belle & Sebastian (2000)
- Statues - Moloko (2003)
- They Died for Beauty - Ilya (2002)
- Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague (2004)
- You are The Quarry - Morrisey (2004)
- Plastic Beach - Gorillaz (2010)
- Trouble in Dreams - Destroyer (2008)
- Arquitectura Efímera - Fangoria (2004)
- Animalitos - Hidrogenesse (2006)
- La Luz de la Mañana - Facto Delafé y Las Flores Azules (2007)
- Donda - Kanye West (2021)
- Ratchet - Shamir (2015)
- La Papessa - Lido Pimienta (2016)
- 200 Km/h in the Wrong Lane - t.A.T.u. (2002)
