The 2020s have marked the rise of several prominent artists, acts, and projects. With 2025 coming to an end and the decade halfway over, I decided to compile a list of the best albums released since 2020 that I’ve come across.
Circles – Mac Miller
Although completed before his death, the companion album to his 2018 album Swimming was released posthumously by Mac Miller’s estate. It may just be his most honest and sonically impressive album, up there with even Watching Movies with the Sound Off and GO:OD AM. Beautifully produced and written tracks like Good News, Woods, and Blue World are exemplary of the album’s incredible variety and quality.
Black Metal 2 – Dean Blunt
The sequel to 2014’s Black Metal matches—or maybe even surpasses—its predecessor in quality. The British singer-songwriter masterfully wrote and produced this project, with seamless blends of intricate sampling and instrumentation. The jangly percussion and guitar work create one of the most instrumentally unique projects of the decade.
Eternal Atake – Lil Uzi Vert
Everyone remembers where they were when Eternal Atake released—one of the most anticipated albums in recent history, the project absolutely lived up to the hype. Fun, bouncy production blends the 2015-17 Uzi sound with a newer, more evolved one. And a stacked feature list includes many of the trap pioneers who inspired Uzi’s sound: Chief Keef, Young Thug, Future, and more.
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You – Big Thief
Big Thief’s folk-rock sound is mastered in Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. The 20-track masterpiece has wild leaps and variety. Adrianne Lenker’s vocals and writing are especially honest, evident in tracks like Blurred View and Red Moon. This is one of my all-time favorite albums in this genre (in my admittedly limited exploration of it).
Pray For Paris – Westside Gunn
An intricately-compiled boom bap album, Pray for Paris is a breath of fresh air from your typical 2020s rap project. The Buffalo native recruited many of boom bap’s greats for his magnum opus: Joey Bada$$, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Roc Marciano, Boldy James, Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher, and more.
Pixel Bath – Jean Dawson
Jean Dawson essentially created his own genre with Pixel Bath, an emotional alternative/hard rock/hyperpop project with even some Spanish-sung verses and a co-sign from A$AP Rocky. It’s truly one of the most original albums of the decade, and its sound has yet to be replicated (though it has certainly inspired many).
Let’s Start Here – Lil Yachty
When Lil Yachty dropped a psychedelic rock album in early 2023, it was seen as a complete 180 from his previous music. I actually remember the project releasing earlier in some time zones and fans going to social media to thank him for the “masterpiece.” Anticipating another silly, fun hip-hop album (or maybe another Detroit rapper impression) from Yachty, listeners were shocked to hear a profound Pink Floyd-esque album with ornate, dreamy production and surprisingly fitting vocals. Each track was more impressive than the last. The album marked the beginning of a new era for Lil Yachty. It’s always impressive when an artist is able to properly reinvent themselves, but the quality at which Yachty was able to do it is seen very rarely.
Ganger – Veeze
A fun, colorful debut studio album from the Detroit Rapper. Although Detroit has been one of the most exciting hip-hop scenes this decade, no one expected Veeze, of all acts, to become one of its pioneers. Yet, Ganger cemented him as not only one of Detroit’s best but one of the entire genre’s. The 26-track album is one of the most uniquely-produced I’ve stumbled across, with energetic tracks (Not a Drill, GOMD, Gangermatic), softer, more reflective tracks (Safe 2, Tony Hawk), and everything in between (LICK, Boat Interlude). I find myself coming back to this project perhaps more than any other on this list.
Kiss the Ring – Rome Streetz
Signed to Westside Gunn’s label, Griselda, this grimy boom-bap project fits the New York sound perfectly. Rome Streetz lyricism, storytelling, and complex rhyme schemes come together to create one of the most technically impressive rap albums ever released. Production from The Alchemist, Daringer, and Conductor Williams makes the album equally (if not more) impressive sonically.
