The 2010s were defined by streaming and internet culture. Singles, rather than full-length albums, became the new currency, and platforms like Tumblr made artists take off in ways that hadn’t previously been possible. Needless to say, the decade was long and expansive, teeming with breakthroughs, reunions, surprise releases, and music that eventually became genreless. It’s difficult to create an all-encompassing list of an era so broad of genres and ideas, but we tasked our readers to name some of the best 2010s albums of all time.
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They answered with a range of different artists who made the decade so special, from Paramore to Bring Me the Horizon. See the top fan picks ranked below.
5. twenty one pilots – Blurryface
As twenty one pilots prepare to conclude their intensive multi-album narrative with Clancy in May, it’s hard not to look back on the project that started it all. Blurryface, a record that embodied Tyler Joseph’s greatest fears and insecurities, set the band on a path following their Fueled By Ramen debut Vessel in 2013. “Car Radio” was only a glimpse at what they were capable of, as cuts like “Stressed Out,” “Ride,” and “Tear In My Heart” made them go wide, reaching a whole new audience. The record sold millions of copies and even earned them a Grammy for “Stressed Out.”
4. Paramore – After Laughter
Paramore’s core band was back together on After Laughter, and the renewed chemistry is on full display. Rather than relying on the pop-punk angst that made their name, though, Paramore delved into the world of ’80s new wave. Influenced by giants like Talking Heads, Blondie, and Fela Kuti, Paramore’s embrace of funk produced a number of unmissable hits, including “Hard Times,” “Fake Happy,” and “Rose-Colored Boy.” Honestly, there’s not a weak song from front to back.
3. Pierce the Veil – Collide With the Sky
Pierce The Veil’s Collide With the Sky was a defining moment for the band that took them to new, unimagined heights. The record not only yielded the platinum-selling single “King For A Day” featuring Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens, whose inventive music video only added to its legacy, but also included cuts like “Bulls in the Bronx” and “Hold on Till May.” The LP is so iconic that PTV will perform it in its entirety later this year at When We Were Young.
2. My Chemical Romance – Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
Danger Days was unlike any other My Chemical Romance release. The band traded their Black Parade suits for more vibrant, futuristic outfits and adopted Killjoy alter egos who fought against the corrupt corporation Better Living Industries. The result is a superb collection of songs that take place in a post-apocalyptic California. “Vampire Money,” “Bulletproof Heart,” and “Na Na Na” are standouts as MCR dove head-first into a world of brighter color and sound. Even though it was divisive, their approach was more fun, optimistic, and hopeful, which made it all the more bittersweet when they went on hiatus.
1. Bring Me the Horizon – Sempiternal
After fans named Bring Me the Horizon’s Sempiternal as the band’s best album earlier this year, we’re not surprised that they also voted it the best album of the 2010s. It signaled a major turning point for the band, as keyboardist-producer Jordan Fish joined the fold and Sykes used a more dynamic vocal range. Both elements added depth and made the record feel like a whole new era. Its songs may not be that underrated, but Sempiternal is a classic for a reason.
