The 25 best front-to-back albums of the last decade

The indie rock supergroup boygenius consists of three singer-songwriter legends: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. Their recent 2023 release, The Record, is arguably one of the best indie albums of the century. The group’s vulnerable lyricism and unique songwriting are among the driving factors behind their success.

Phoebe Bridgers’s Punisher is such a lyrically complex, melancholic album that genuinely has no skips. Perhaps I’m biased, as I have a soft spot for emo-folk music, but each song sounds like a gorgeous poetic confession. Her music will have you reflecting in solitude for months on end—in the best way, of course.

Lana Del Rey has been a legend for years. However, her 2019 album Norman F#$*ing Rockwell blew fans away. Critics have labeled it a masterpiece, calling it one of the best albums of the century. 

Taylor Swift shocked her fans when she released Folklore in 2020, just months into the pandemic. The album was—and remains—unlike any other of her many releases, appealing more to her indie-folk audience and steering away from her usual pop sound. Her lyricism on this album was some of the most incredible she’s ever pulled off. 

R&B album CTRL by SZA took the world by storm in 2017, gaining her a massive following. As a debut studio album, the release pretty much became an instant success. SZA touches on countless relatable themes, like self-worth and control as they relate to love and romantic relationships. 

If you’re active on social media at all, you likely know that Brat by Charli XCX is considered one of the most legendary albums of our time. In fact, some even label it a cultural movement. Reminiscent of the early 2000s English rave scene, Brat is a unique and catchy album that gained the singer a legion of new fans to go along with her already loyal fandom.

American rapper NF is known for his unique sound and incredible lyricism. Fans admired his vulnerability on his album The Search, which explored themes like mental health (including specific struggles like OCD) and fame. This album goes down as one of his most popular releases. 

Florist is one of the most distinctive indie-folk bands out there. When I first heard the track “The Fear of Losing This” off their 2017 album If Blue Could Be Happiness, I knew I had to listen to the rest of their music—and I was not let down. From their gorgeous melodies to their introspective lyrics, Florist is one of those bands that makes you reflect on your own life and mortality. 

Fans of Noah Kahan were beyond thrilled when he released his killer album Stick Season. With themes like nostalgia, mental health, grief, and stagnation, the album is one of the most relatable pieces of work in recent years. Kahan’s signature folk-pop sound is both catchy and deeply introspective—both of which make for the perfect album. 

Indie folk/folk-pop artist Lizzy McAlpine has a beautiful, lullaby-like voice that fans adore. Her 2020 album, Give Me a Minute, touches on relatable themes like heartbreak, anxiety in love, and self-discovery. Not to mention, each song is as comforting lyrically as it is sonically. 

Any Midwest emo/pop-punk fans out there? If that sounds like you, you’ll be fine by Hot Mulligan is the album for you. This release is enjoyable from front to back, involving all the core elements you’re looking for in an emo album, like deep lyrics and aggressive angst to catchy hooks and unique synth work.

In my opinion, Bully—the solo project of musician and producer Alicia Bognanno—does not get the recognition it deserves. Lucky For You, her recent release, has become her most popular album, and for good reason. The indie rock/grunge sound is incredibly nostalgic, and one of her tracks even features indie star Soccer Mommy.  

Alice Phoebe Lou’s indie, neo-folk album Glow is truly one of a kind. The singer-songwriter’s raw vulnerability and empowering lyrics entice listeners as they move through each track. If you need a confidence boost or self-love resource, this is the album for you.

Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia blew fans away with its unique yet versatile style. The band is known for its genre-blending sound and mythological references, which are oddly relatable in various contexts. There truly is no band like Sleep Token, and this album is a masterpiece from start to finish. 

The National’s album First Two Pages of Frankenstein is a melancholic, lyrical gem. Featuring artists like Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift, it merges different genres and explores complex themes like love, loss, isolation, and writer’s block. Lead singer Matt Berninger’s emotive vocals are compelling yet gentle, just like each song’s lyrics.

Through his critically acclaimed album Damn, Kendrick Lamar dove deep into the duality of good versus evil via his strong lyricism. Many believe this particular release was more experimental than his other albums—in the best way possible. Some of his tracks even include powerful collaborations with artists like Rihanna and U2. 

Gemini Rights by Steve Lacy is one of the best releases in recent years. This genre-blending album merges styles like indie rock, funk, alternative, R&B, and jazz. Each song is as unique as the next, detailing complex themes like grief, longing, and hope.

Iconic metalcore band Spiritbox has become a leading artist in the genre—and in a short period of time. The band released its debut album, Eternal Blue, back in 2021, marking a major turning point for the group. This album is truly a no-skip release, with each track providing a cathartic listening experience. 

The Marias offers a distinctive, atmospheric sound that fans love. Blending dream pop, jazz, and synth-pop influences, their album Submarine explores themes like grief, isolation, and self-discovery. In fact, according to The Marias, the album was born from a breakup between co-founders Maria Zardoya and Josh Conway. 

Shapeshifter is for all the emo, pop-punk fans out there. Knuckle Puck blew fans away with this no-skip album, which includes a variety of deep, introspective tracks spanning themes from identity to disillusionment. Featuring slow songs like "Plastic Brains' and hyper hits like "Double Helix," this release is impossible not to love.

Proper Dose was a long-awaited album by pop-punk legends The Story So Far — and it did not disappoint. From its introspective lyrics to its mature (yet still distinctive) sound, it appealed to both old and new fans, tackling important topics like addiction, recovery, and forgiveness.

Guard Dog by Searows is one of the most beautiful albums released in recent years. The indie-folk artist is known for crafting raw, vulnerable songs with deep symbolism and metaphors. This soft, primarily acoustic album provides a gentle, intimate, and comforting listening experience.

Lorna Shore’s 2022 release Pain Remains is an awe-inspiring concept album that fans have adored. The deathcore band delivered emotional narratives through genre-blending techniques. From heavy breakdowns to atmospheric elements to compelling arcs, there’s much to love about the album.

Gracie Abrams bared her heart and soul for her 2024 album The Secret of Us. This release included the deeply relatable personal anecdotes and honest, vulnerable lyricism that we all look for in music. Not to mention, Abrams' unique voice only seems to get better with each release. 

I discovered Handsome Ghost during the pandemic and immediately fell in love with their album Some Still Morning. Though it’s not a well-known release, I believe it’s one of the most poignant, haunting albums from front to back. Each song on the indie/electro-folk album holds its own introspective magic, covering topics like loss, grief, longing, and solitude.