The 2010’s: The most transformative years of our lives. We learned how to drive and graduated high school. We went to our first school dances and made our very best friends. We had our first heartbreaks and started college. We got our first iPods, our first cell phones.
The 2010’s were also transformative for music. Streaming services made all of our favorite tunes easily accessible and affordable. Indie music changed the game for pop. Artists created some of the most daring and genre-blurring music to exist.
A lot has changed in the past decade for us and for music. What has stayed constant, however, are our favorite tunes. What better way to reminisce on the end of an era than by remembering some of the best albums and songs to come out of the 2010’s? I asked for your submissions and I received them. Here is, in no particular order, your favorite music of the 2010’s.
Artists
Taylor Swift
Releases: 2010-2019
Genre: Pop
You guys like Taylor Swift. A lot. Swift has been making music since 2004 and her sound has changed dramatically, but for the sake of this article, we’ll focus on her music from this decade. Between 2010 and 2019, Swift has released five albums and is one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
Pure Heroine- Lorde
Released: 2013
Genre: Pop/electropop
Lorde’s debut album, “Pure Heroine,” sold over 129,000 copies and was one of 2014’s best-selling albums.
Melodrama- Lorde
Released: 2017
Genre: Pop/electropop
Lorde’s sophomore studio album, “Melodrama,” debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and went on to be certified gold in the United States.
A song for every moon- Bruno Major
Released: 2017
Genre: R&B, Pop
This is Major’s debut album.
Drive Slow- Mac Ayers
Released: 2017
Genre: R&B
This is Ayers’ debut EP.
Contra- Vampire Weekend
Released: 2010
Genre: Indie Rock
“Contra” is Vampire Weekend’s second studio album and made Pitchfork’s list of 100 Best Songs of the Decade So Far in 2014.
After Laughter- Paramore
Released: 2017
Genre: Punk-pop
It’s safe to say that Paramore has made some of the best music of the decade. Their fifth album, “After Laughter,” doesn’t even scrape the surface of their iconic repertoire. “After Laughter” sold 67,000 copies and is Paramore’s third top ten album on the charts.
Songs
Countdown- Beyoncé
Released: 2011
Genre: R&B
Beyoncé’s discography as a whole is home to the decade’s most iconic music. “Countdown” is certified gold and topped a number of charts both in the United States and internationally.
Pumped Up Kicks- Foster the People
Released: 2010
Genre: Indie Pop
Despite the song’s controversy, “Pumped Up Kicks” spent eight consecutive weeks as number three on Billboard's Hot 100 and received a Grammy nomination.
Princess of China- Coldplay x Rihanna
Released: 2012
Genre: Electropop/ R&B
This iconic collaboration is a single from Coldplay’s “Mylo Xyloto.” The song topped charts in both the United States and the UK.
No Hands- Waka Flocka Flame
Released: 2010
Genre: Hip Hop
The anthem of every party of our early teens, “No Hands” had great success, making it in the top 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Super Bass- Nicki Minaj
Released: 2011
Genre: Pop/rap
“Super Bass” is a single from Minaj’s first studio album, “Pink Friday.” The song made it to number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
We Can’t Stop- Miley Cyrus
Released: 2013
Genre: Pop
“We Can’t Stop” tied with “Party in the USA” as Cyrus’ highest ranking single on the charts and has sold over two million copies in the United States.
In the Stars- My Brothers and I
Released: 2015
Genre: Electropop
The single “In the Stars” is from the band’s album, “Don’t Dream Alone.” The group of brothers is making a name for themselves in the alternative-indie-pop scene.
Adorn- Miguel
Released: 2012
Genre: R&B
“Adorn” reached number one on the Hot R&B and Hip-Hop Songs chart and earned the singer three Grammy nominations.
Of course, these albums and songs alone don’t fully encompass the greatness that is music from our childhood, but it sure does give us a lot to look back on and even more to look forward to.
