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SeekingThrill

SeekingThrill's 50 Favorite Albums of the 2010s

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30. Madonna - Madame X (2019)

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This is an album I didn't expect to put on the list. Rebel Heart should have appeared, but after listening to Madonna's 2010s albums, I figured out Madame X deserved it the most. The previous albums had issues with the production and execution overall, but Madame X is simply well made. Yes, MDNA and RH have more accessible pop songs, but production on those albums sound dated or even unfinished. There is something off about them. Madame X has some accessible stuff too, but overall it isn't everyone's cup of tea and that is alright. Even if we all don't stan Madame X, we can't ignore the fact that she experimented. It is the first true reinvention musically and visually since COADF. Yes, even HC, MDNA and RH were different a bit from Madonna's previous works, but HC was too much into the sound of its time, while MDNA and RH were too much retrospective musically and not in a good way. With Madame X, Madonna showed she can still be creative, different and provocative. 

The only flaws are overuse of autotune, repetition and adding too many songs on the album. The album would have flown better without Faz Gostoso and Bitch I'm Loca. Plus, Funana and Back That Up to the Beat, but they were bonus songs, so they don't matter that much.

Highlights: Medellin, God Control, Crave.

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29. Goldfrapp - Silver Eye (2017)

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With this album, Goldfrapp brought back electroclash that was the signature of their old albums like Black Cherry and Supernature. In comparison to those albums, Silver Eye is more experimental and less accessible, but it still has some catchy songs. Goldfrapp mixes electroclash and snythpop and creates a dreamy, dark, moody and space-like soundscape.

Highlights: Moon In Your Mouth, Systemagic, Anymore.

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27. Pompeya - Dreamers (2018)

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Pompeya is a Russian band whose music is a mix of pop, indie rock and nu-disco, inspired by the 70s, the 80s and the 90s. Their sound is breezy, bright and fun.

Dreamers could be their best album. The album is inspired by the 80s (rock, new wave, syntpop, dreampop, hip hop, pop). The rock elements evoke Duran Duran, while the catchy melodies evoke the 80s pop hits. The subtle synthpop and dreampop elements add a nice touch and create an airy, dreamy vibe.

The album sounds like a good collection of hit songs of the past.

Highlights: Nothing Is Coming Back, Hot Summer + July, Wondering. 

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26. Blossoms - Cool Like You (2018)

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Blossoms' sophomore album is more oriented on synths, than rock. However, it isn't very different from their debut. 

The songs are romantic and melancholic, while the music is catchy. Like the debut, this album evokes the 80s (synthhpop, new wave) and also disco on Lying Again.

Highlights: Stranger Still, Unfaithful, Lying Again.

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24. Kitten - Kitten (2014)

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Kitten is the eponymous debut by American alternative rock band Kitten. It is a mix of alternative rock, new wave and synthpop.

The music sounds like it has been made in the 80s, only with modern production. The songs are dreamy, nostalgic and sensual. Like a Stranger sounds like a hit song from the 80s, while Devotion evokes Blood Orange's Your Not Good Enough. The voice of Chloe Chaidez, band's singer, is angelic and spice up the songs with strong emotions.

Highlights: Sex Drive, Like a Stranger, I'll Be Your Girl.

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23. Taylor Swift - 1989 (2014)

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Taylor truly stepped up her game with this album and transformed herself into a superstar. It was a needed reinvention. Although her music did have pop elements before 1989, 1989 was her first true pop album. The album is a mix of pop and synthpop inspired by the 80s. The album is full of anthemic songs with catchy melodies and every song had a potential to be a single. 

Highlights: Bad Blood, Wildest Dreams, Wonderland.

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21. Shura - Forevher (2019)

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While the debut was all about the 80s, this album is closer to the 90s. Some songs still have that 80s vibe, but that doesn't mean Shura recycled the old sound. She evolved. The production is polished, while the lyrics are introspective. The album evokes the 90s r'n'b scene (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson).

Highlights: Religion, Forever, Skyline.

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20. Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials (2011)

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Just like on the debut, Kate Bush influence is very obvious on this brilliant album. Ceremonials is an art rock album whose songs have elements of baroque pop, neo soul and indie pop. The music is melodic and powerful, while Florence's emphatic singing reminds of Kate Bush.

Highlights: What the Water Gave Me, Only if for a Night, Spectrum.

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19. Hurts - Exile (2013)

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On Exile Hurts went further with their sound. While the debut was focused on polished synthpop, this album mixes synthpop with elements of industrial rock and new wave.

The album is darker than the moody debut album musically and lyrically. However, songs have were catchy melodies. There are only a few songs that could be defined as accessible pop songs, which is good, because other songs are more creative and superior in general. 

Highlights: Somebody To Die For, Miracle, Mercy.

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18. Alphabeat - The Beat Is... (2010)

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The album was actually released in 2009 titled The Spell. In 2010 it was internationally released with a new name. While the debut was a much simpler dance pop album with some synthpop elements, this album mixes dance pop with europop and house, while synthpop is more present. The album is full of bops inspired by the 90s.

Highlights: Hole In My Heart, Always Up With You, The Right Thing.

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16. Ryan Adams - Prisoner (2017)

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Another brilliant 80s inspired rock album by Ryan Adams. Beautifully composed, the album evokes works of artists such as Bruce Springsteen. Elements of country music are also present on certain songs.

Highlights: Do You Still Love Me?, Shiver and Shake, Anything I Say To You Now. 

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15. Robyn - Body Talk (2010)

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After self titled album, Body Talk is just another piece of music that confirms Robyn is one of the best pop/electropop, if not the best, artists in the contemporary music scene.

The album bursts with creativity, interesting lyrics and brilliant production. Like Annie Lennox of Eurythmics, Robyn is also very capable to combine futuristic soundscapes with emotions. Criminal Intent, one of the best songs, deserved to appear on the standard edition. 

Highlights: Criminal Intent, U Should Know Better, Dancing On My Own.

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