One record per artist

Best of each artist

Every artist appears only once – with their best record. The list is ranked by the editors’ Still holds up score, then First listen and the readers’ ratings.

All 91 Rock 14 Pop 8 Soul, funk and R&B 7 Jazz 4 Hip hop 4 Electronic 5 Folk, country and song 5 Reggae and world 2 Hard rock and metal 42

1 The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 1966 · Pop Timeless classic
2 Carole King Tapestry 1971 · Pop Timeless classic
3 ABBA Arrival 1976 · Pop Timeless classic
4 Michael Jackson Thriller 1982 · Pop Timeless classic
5 Prince and the Revolution Purple Rain 1984 · Pop Timeless classic
6 Robyn Robyn 2005 · Pop Modern classic
7 Beyoncé Lemonade 2016 · Pop Modern classic
8 Taylor Swift folklore 2020 · Pop Modern classic

91 artists in the collection.