the 2020s have been a really interesting decade for music so far!i wanted to look back on some of my favorite releases and hopefully recommend some new music for some of you!
Sections
6
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2020
this is one of my favorite albums ever created! such a gorgeous, vulnerable work of art. my college graduation cap was inspired by this album!
Petals for Armor
one of my favorite alternative/indie albums. this was my jam during quarantine!
Punisher
this is hands down one of the greatest debut pop records i’ve ever listened to. the combination of 90s pop and numetal is genius!
Sawayama
one of the few taylor swift albums that i absolutely adore! i love it when she leans into her country/folk roots! i wish she made more music like this
folklore
2021
the album that made me a japanese breakfast fan! this album always puts me in a great mood when i listen to it
Jubilee
an incredible debut album by the marias! this album is such a vibe
Cinema
one the most heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and soul crushing albums i have ever had the pleasure of listening to in my life. i don’t think an album has ever made me cry this much
Home Video
this album was on repeat winter semester of my freshman year in college. such a raw, vulnerable work of art
Flowers for Vases/descansos
a great debut from olivia! not in love with everything on this album, but there’s so many other great track that make this album worth mentioning!
Sour
doesn’t stand out to me as much as folklore did, but evermore has some of her best songs yet! right where you left me is easily my favorite song of hers that she’s ever written
evermore
one of my favorite modern releases from marina! i still resonate with so many songs on this record. i equally hate how relevant some of them still are tho…
Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land
2022
love love love anything mitski releases. even if it’s not my favorite album of hers, it’s still a worthy addition to her discography
Laurel Hell
this was my introduction to rosalia as an artist and i was impressed! this is a great electronic/latin record!
Motomami
as controversial as they are, i can’t help but keep coming back to this album. it’s so vulnerable and emotionally driven, and at times quite fun and upbeat!
Being Funny in a Foreign Language by The 1975
while not as interesting as her debut record, this album really blew me away! a great pop record that makes me simultaneously want to cry and shake my ass
Hold the Girl
2023
a gorgeous record about love and friendship! this is a quintessential album of the 2020s
the record by Boygenius | Vinyl LP
pop perfection! i’m glad it’s gotten the attention it deserves
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
such a great album from a band that already had such a great discography! they prove time and time again why they’re my favorite band
This Is Why
this is one of mitski’s best albums to date. the cohesiveness it’s what really makes it stand out to me!
The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We
this is exactly what i wanted to hear from olivia’s sophomore record! i love that she leaned into that 2000s pop punk sound. it suits her so well!
GUTS
after 3 very “meh” releases, this was a great return to form from fall out boy. easily my favorite post-hiatus release of theirs.
So Much (For) Stardust
2024
what a beautiful, vulnerable debut pop record. rachel is going to be the next big pop girl. mark my words
What a Devastating Turn of Events by Rachel Chinouriri
my favorite record of the year!! this is indie pop perfection! if haven’t listened to magdalena bay then i highly recommend you start listening to them ASAP!
Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay
i was a huge twenty one pilots fan growing up, so i’m always biased whenever they release a new album. this release was a HUGE improvement from their last album. so many great songs that have become my favorites by them!
Clancy by Twenty One Pilots
i’ve never been huge on billie eilish’s albums, but this one blew me away! the production is incredible! this is some of her best work yet
Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish
it’s beyonce. i don’t think i need to say much more than that
Cowboy Carter by Beyonce
i wasn’t very familiar with porters music before this album, but i was completely blown away by how great this record is! cheerleader is my SOTY. if you don’t want to listen to this record, then at least listen to cheerleader
Smile! :D by Porter Robinson
not an album, but a worthwhile mention! this is my favorite chappell song and i’m so happy this was the song that made her the massive pop star she is now!
Good Luck Babe! [Red 7" Single]
this mixtape was my proper introduction to doechii!! i was impressed by what i listened to! doechii is for sure the next big thing
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
i’m obsessed with this album. i’ve been a fan of charli for years and this is her best album yet! i’m so glad it got the recognition it deserved
Brat by Charli XCX
my little indie band is no longer little! a great yet heartbreaking sophomore album by one of my favorite bands!
Submarine
2025
i already enjoyed pinkpatheress’ music, but this ep made me into a super fan! definitely one of my favorite releases of the year so far
Fancy That by pinkpantheress
another incredible debut that released in 2025. i had no idea who she was until recently and i’m very impressed by the material she’s put out so far. superscar might be SOTY for me
The Provocateur by Adela
my favorite release from gaga since ARTPOP! this record has little to no skips. my only critique is that i’m devastated i couldn’t go to the mayhem ball
MAYHEM by Lady Gaga
hayley williams does it again! i am completely blown away by how incredible this record is. i don’t think anything else that comes out this year can top this for me
Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams
the end of an era. a great send off to story that was being told over the course of 10 years. i cried like a baby when i realized it was all over