20 Watts Staff Picks: Albums of the Decade
18 Months
Calvin Harris
Maya Tsimmer
Calvin Harris’ music made up a large part of my entire childhood. Specifically, the album with "Feel So Close", "We Found Love," "I Need Your Love" and "Sweet Nothing." These are the kind of songs that just make you feel some type of way and to this day, make me truly appreciate music that will be forever timeless.
21
Adele
Elizabeth Charette
This album, although somewhat forgotten, was definitely one of the best made in the past decade. Adele Adkins tells a story with her music and 21 was her best piece of art to show that. An album with pain, power, and resilience, 21 earned six well-deserved Grammys and lands its spot on my chart of top albums this decade.
22, A Million
Bon Iver
Christopher Scarglatto
Justin Vernon goes past his lonely winter days in a cabin to find himself from "For Emma, Forever Ago" to create a completely new amalgamate of sound, mixing folk music with large doses of electronic and hip-hop production. The polarized-genre smoothie of 22, A Million sounds like a computer glitch of sound, and marked a landmark of change in Bon Iver's music.
ANTI
Rihanna
Elizabeth Charette
In ANTI Rihanna broke free from the expectations of pop and R&B to create 16 tracks that showcase how experimental Rhianna is as an artist. When this was released in 2016, critics were surprised by her ability to change up her sound. However, within two days of its release, Rihanna’s ANTI, became platinum, showcasing her as a powerhouse artist. For her ambition and artistic freedom, Rihanna deserves her spot on top albums of the decade.
ASTROWORLD
Travis Scott
Elizabeth Charette
There aren’t many albums I can put on shuffle and love every song it brings; ASTROWORLD does just that. Lead by his four singles “Sicko Mode,” “Butterfly Effect,” “Yosemite,” and “Wake Up,” this album earned triple platinum. Travis Scott brought ASTROWORLD to life for his fans. From music videos to an unforgettable tour, ASTROWORLD was not just an album--it felt like a whole experience that I want to keep on living.
At.Long.Last.A$AP
A$AP Rocky
Josh Sholes
This record is A$AP Rocky at his best. Through each of the 18 tracks, Rocky convey his perceptions on love, drugs, religion, fashion, and status. Rocky’s beats and flow on this project were ahead of their time and their effect is undoubtedly felt in modern hip-hop and rap. Not only were the lyrics, beats, and themes dynamic and beautiful, but the accompanying music videos were works of art themselves. The stunning visuals in the “L$D”and “Excuse Me” video are breathtaking to say the least. The album also boasts some impressive features from artists such as Lil Wayne, Schoolboy Q, Kanye West, and Future among others. Rocky also spits my favorite one-liner of all time on “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2,” ‘always been a stand up guy, I’d rather stand out,’ so there might be a tad bit of bias here. Notable tracks from the album: “Wavybone,” “Fine Wine,” “Holy Ghost,” and “Pharsyde.”
CASE STUDY 01
Daniel Caesar
Surya vaidy
With this album, Daniel Caesar outdid himself. If Freudian (2017) was his debut as a breakout singer and writer, than CASE STUDY 01 finds Caesar with a more mature pen. The songs and lyrics are denser, and Caesar takes everything with confidence, strong and subtle at the same time. A stunning sophomore album.
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Kyle Henderson
Despite its 2012 release, this album has remained widely popular over the years, and rightfully so. Frank covers a wide array of subjects on this album, and makes it all look effortless. Songs like “Forrest Gump” and “Sweet Life” seem to get better with each listen, and help to solidify this album’s place in history.
Ctrl
SZA
Kyle Henderson
It may be bold to say, but I don’t believe there’s a single bad song on this album. Each song beautifully illustrates the trials and tribulations SZA has experienced, from her live life to her insecurities, and how they’ve shaped who she is today. While it is an incredibly personal album, the themes are universal, and they manage to strike a chord in every listener.
Currents
Tame Impala
Maya Tsimmer
No matter how many times artists will try to replicate the sound of Tame Impala, they will remain distinctive and iconic. Their music makes you want to dance, laugh and be nostalgic all at once, setting them apart from anyone else. Kevin Parker has even had a large influence on idols like Rihanna who covered “New Person, Some Old Mistakes” on her album Anti. He also collaborated with musical stars like Kanye West on his song “Violent Crimes” as well as with Travis Scott as Parker helped write and produce his song “Skeletons”. Though the psychedelic music genre, Tame Impala are by no means conforming to societal norms and mainstream music. They remain true to what they produce for their loyal and active listeners. Each album differs in theme and speed which is why their music, as a whole, is impossible to get tired of.
DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar
Josh Sholes
No artist strived as much in the 2010’s as Kendrick Lamar. Any of his projects could easily be considered the best of the decade but I gotta go with DAMN.because Kung Fu Kenny won a Pulitzer prize for it and that’s simply an incredible feat. Kendrick’s orchestration of the album—so that it tells one story and has a specific rhythm when you listen to it in order and then a different message and rhythm when you listen to it in reverse— shows the meticulous care he put into this project. On DAMN.Kendrick poses the following question for the audience, “wicked or weakness,” that serves as a theme throughout the album. As the listener you are intended to decide whether Kendrick’s actions and lifestyle, conveyed through the project, are exemplifications of wickedness or weakness. Also, in my humble (see what I did there) opinion, “Fear” is easily the best song of the decade and maybe even of the 21stcentury as a whole. Notable tracks from this album include: “FEAR.,” “YAH.,” “FEEL.,” and “GOD.”
El Mal Querer
ROSALÍA
Isabella Grella
Madre mia, Rosalia. El Mal Querer takes flamenco music to the next level, pushing the classic Spanish genre beyond its comfort zones. Produced by El Guincho, the hypnotic instrumentation on El Mal Querer is only half of what makes this album so beautiful. Rosalia’s vocals shine on tracks “PIENSO EN TU MIRA” and “A NINGUN HOMBRE,” paying homage to the genre she went on to study at university. Even non-Spanish speaking listeners will feel the passion evoked through each flamenco handclap and vocal leap.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Kendrick Lamar
Christopher Scarglato
Many people would hop on the train to say that Kendrick's 2015 To Pimp a Butterfly or 2017's DAMN would take the spot as Kendrick's best album. However, Kendrick speaks from the scenario of his former self impressionable teenage heart about his struggles from Compton and releases it in equal capsules on GKMC in each song. Knowing this may have been his only chance to speak up, Kendrick does not waste a single moment.
House of Balloons
The Weeknd
Chiara Donio
Okay, not an album but a mixtape, but when the faceless Drake-endorsed artist known simply as "The Weeknd" anonymously entered the R&B scene with House of Balloons, the internet was taken by storm. This blending of indie dream pop sounds-- see samples from Beach House and Cocteau Twins-- with guttural bass backing coked-up, depressed and self-loathing lyricism, would be a catalyst for a new style of dark and moody R&B that remained staple throughout the 2010s.
Favorite Tracks: Wicked Games, What You Need, Glass Table Girls
Hyperview
Title Fight
Lark Allen
Ah, Title Fight, where did you go? Currently on hiatus, this melodic rock group released their most recent album, Hyperview, back in 2015. Much like Hundredth’s evolution, Title Fight were originally a metal band that grew into a group that emphasized melodic guitars and dreamy vocals. The songs on Hyperview range from upbeat to hauntingly minimalist. Could 2020 be the band’s comeback year? Let’s hope so.
Isolation
Kali Uchis
Isabella Grella
Colombian singer Kali Uchis successfully creates a well-rounded experience in Isolation, with the silky cover art depicting exactly what the album makes me feel. Her smooth vocals float on diverse instrumentals that refuse to bound Uchis to one genre. With experimentation with reggaeton, funk and soul, Isolation proves to be a stand-out album that is uniquely Uchis.
Kaleidoscope Dream
Miguel
Camryn Simon and Isabella Grella
Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream is an R&B staple, containing Miguel’s breakout song “Adorn.” Nominated for a 2013 Grammy and 2013 Soul Train Award, Miguel carves a unique place for himself as one of the most notable R&B artists today.
Keepsake
Hatchie
Lark Allen
This New Zealand dream pop singer’s second album, Keepsake, was released in 2019 and didn’t let fans down. Hatchie’s songs on this album are a mixture of 90s shoegaze and her own unique spin on the dream pop genre. Simple guitar chords, heartfelt lyrics and ethereal melodies make this album addictive to listen to.
KOD
J. Cole
Josh Sholes
In my opinion, this album was an instant classic. J. Cole’s emotional complexity conveyed through his pristine bars and dynamic narrative makes this an exquisite project. His societal critique of concepts such as love in the social media age, politics, drug use, and the changing concept of hip-hop/rap is nothing short of masterful. Throughout this album, J. Cole occasionally takes the voice of an alter-ego, kiLL edward, who serves as an allegory so J. Cole can convey lessons he learned from those around him about substance abuse and trauma, among other topics. Also the fact that it was released on 4/20 doesn’t hurt ;) Notable tracks include: “Photograph,” “The Cut Off,” “Kevin’s Heart,” and “1985.”
Lemonade
Beyoncé
Kyle Henderson and Camryn Simon
Beyoncé broke boundaries and hearts with her sixth studio album Lemonade. Even with all of the whispers about Beyoncé’s private life and how they related to the album, the album stood on its own as a fantastic body of work, telling a story of heartbreak, anger, and overcoming it all for forgiveness.
Masterpiece
Big Thief
Surya vaidy
Intimate and brutal, Masterpiece was the debut album that drew the lights towards to Big Thief. Capturing grief, joy, and everything in between, each song is a story, and the band tackles these themes with elegance and sincerity.
Melodrama
Lorde
Chiara Donio
Lorde redefined pop music for a generation of apathetic teens, lonely millennials, and anyone else who is sick of glorified consumerism, re: Royals. Her second LP enhances her anti-pop pop aesthetic found on Pure Heroine with maturity, but not clarity. And that's on purpose. Melodrama at its core is an expression of the messy emotions that spur from teendom to adulthood, with metaphoric lyrics that will hit you in the stomach and orchestral sounds that will give you goosebumps.
Favorite Tracks: Homemade Dynamite, Perfect Places, Hard Feelings/Loveless
RARE
Hundredth
Lark Allen
Hundredth’s 2017 album RARE is a melodic masterpiece. Deviating from their earlier metal sound, RARE boasts soft, lilting vocals while still maintaining an edge. They’ve swapped out their sludgy distortion with chorus-laden guitars and crisp drum beats. They also released Ultrarare, a collection of singles from RARE remixed with a strong 80s new wave influence, in 2018.
The Money Store
Death Grips
Christopher Scarglato
Filled with screeching garble and a high-energy thrill ride of instrumentals, "The Money Store" is the pinnacle of what the "experimental" in an experimental rap album means. The entire album feels like you're on some sort of high, and despite how uncomfortable it may feel, you want to stay there in that element.
The Red Balloon
Project Skizzy Mars
Maya Tsimmer
As a NYC native, my friends and I grew up listening to Skizzy Mars as he was just a few grades older than us and attended a high school we were very familiar with. My brother was even friends with him. His music has transformed quite a bit over the years, but this particular album is very distinct. Each song makes you want to dance and just feel the energy that comes off of this album. It also hits close to home because back in New York City, we would all look up to him as an inspiration because he was just a regular city kid that made it big.
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Camryn Simon
Kendrick Lamar is arguably one of the greatest rappers alive and To Pimp A Butterfly solidified that. TPAB is Kendrick’s third studio album and received the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
What Did You Expect from The Vaccines
The Vaccines
Chiara Donio
Maybe this album didn't send shock waves throughout the decade as much as my other picks, but when I discovered this album on the proto-Spotify Tumblr girl ridden "8-Tracks", I felt gut-wrenched. A perfectly imperfect breakup album from top to bottom, with a dedication to the indie-garage rock genre crystallized by influences like the White Stripes and the Strokes, this album will always be one of my favorites of the 2010s.
Favorite Tracks: Post-Breakup Sex, Norgaard, If You Wanna
Yes Lawd!
NxWorries
surya vaidy
Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge created something really special. The mixture of old school R&B samples and hip-hop beats curated by Knxwledge frames Anderson .Paak’s voice perfectly. But .Paak is a standout, rapping and singing, often flowing in and out of both with no division. Each song is filled with charm and humor, wholly entertaining the listener every second.