After surpassing the halfway mark through the 2020s in July, it's safe to say that it's been a pretty great decade for music. From R&B to pop, it's really been hit after hit. We started strong with records like Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa, Folklore by Taylor Swift, and Chromatica by Lady Gaga and have continued through the present—GNX, anyone?

With such massive global events (both catastrophic and amazing), music has been a place of escape and relaxation. As previously mentioned, Taylor Swift's Folklore was a massive 2020 hit that a lot of Swifties found comforting during that time of uncertainty. It was a total—and much appreciated—surprise, released on July 24th of that year. Many have said that the album helped with mental health struggles during this time.

One such listener, Angela Darby, wrote on ASCLS that the album was a great distraction, ending her testimony with the final words being lyrics from Swift's song August:

"Just know that if you are struggling, I empathize, I SEE YOU, and I thank you for everything you do, day in and day out, to keep the healthcare machine running '… for the hope of it all."

But there were so many other albums that had the same effect on listeners around the world, so let's take a walk down the musical memory lane and see the most meaningful and influential albums (in no particular order) of the 2020s.

#1: Cowboy Carter-Beyoncé

Beyonce's country hit wasn't just easy on the ears—it was revolutionary. Many artists had made the transition from homegrown country to a household name (namely, Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton), but only a few had made the reverse, and even fewer successfully. But Bey certainly did.

The album was streamed roughly 2 billion times on Spotify, sparked several TikTok dances, and most importantly gave attention to Black country artists and other country artists of colour on songs like BLACKBIIRD, SPAGHETTII, and JUST FOR FUN.

Another cute addition to the album was the cameo Beyonce's son Rumi had on track 4, entitled PROTECTOR, and her oldest daughter Blue Ivy joining her for some select tour dates.

Image Credit: Rocbeyonce from Wikimedia Commons

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#2: Everything I Know About Love-Laufey

Jazz has long been a genre unexplored for young audiences. Growing up, many of us thought it was boring or weird. But Laufey did it differently.

With her breakout album containing thirteen songs (sixteen in the deluxe edition), Laufey brought the sounds of classic bossa and inventive traditional to a new generation. The record is a gorgeous collection of songs of heartbreak and coming of age.

Aside from great music, the album sparked a new aesthetic: Laufeycore. Since the album's debut, the vintage and whimsical style has spiked in popularity.

Image Credit: Tomzorz from Wikimedia Commons

#3: Brat-Charli XCX

No other album is as synonymous with a specific period in time as Brat with the summer of 2024. It was messy, unapologetic, and nothing like anything we had seen before. The music was, of course, iconic—but the vibe was untouchable.

The trademark green was almost blinding, perfectly suited to the aggressive album. With songs like Von Dutch and So Julia, the album shot to fame and notoriety, spending 31 weeks straight at the top of Billboard's Dance Albums.

Its popularity and pop cultural impact were surely deepened by the collab with the "it" game of 2023 and 2024: Dress to Impress.

Image Credit: Charli XCX or team from Wikimedia Commons

#4: Call Me If You Get Lost-Tyler, the Creator

Tyler, the Creator has been a reasonably successful musician for over ten years, but CMIYGL was the album that really brought him into the mainstream. It's a trans-genre masterpiece that changed how we perceive music. After its release, music was no longer rap or R&B. It could be both.

But, like many of the other albums on this list, it's not just the music. Tyler's streetwear aesthetic was instrumental to the iconism of the record. His style is unique yet wearable, funky but approachable, and, above all else, weird.

You can always tell if a look is Tyler-inspired. His specific style is easily distinguished from others, making him and his music more popular.

Image Credit: Raph_PH from Wikimedia Commons

#5: Un Verano Sin Ti-Bad Bunny

For a long time, Latin music had been a genre unexplored for the West; it was almost stigmatized. But Bad Bunny broke this stigma and brought the genre to the mainstream. His music is inspired and unlike anything else, and this album shot him to global fame.

It cleaned up, winning a Grammy, a Latin Grammy, Billboard awards, and an American Music Award. All of this was a huge step in the direction of complete musical equality.

Image Credit: Toglenn from Wikimedia Commons

Conclusion

As we look back on the past half-decade, we can recognize the highs and lows—and boy, have we had some lows. But whatever the case may be, we've had music to get us through it. Pandemics and wars are no match for the musician's spirit, and I am confident that we can handle whatever is thrown at us next with the help of amazing and influential albums to come.

Stay tuned.