Top 50 albums of the decade (40-31)

Here is the next ten of my list, hope you enjoy it and respond with any feedback about it. The next one should be with you shortly.

40 to 31


Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- lowest of Kanye’s album, MBDTF is an album, I’ve never really connected with compared to other work of Mr. West. It’s got some very well known and popular songs but for me, it’s just very beige and doesn’t convey Kanye's uniqueness at all. Just a generic pop and rap album. Kanye is better then is and as you will see later, he backs this up.
 

Frank Ocean, Channel Orange- another artist who has transcended the genre that he is supposed to be a part of. In similar ilk to Tyler, The Creator and Childish Gambino. Channel Orange is the biggest seller of these innovators of the R&b scene and it is worthy of that accolade. Thinking bout you is the lead single of the album and it is the stand out track of the album in my opinion. 

Beyonce, Lemonade- a seminal pop star with a legacy befitting of any list but perhaps her greatest achievement is a place on this list. Hold up and sorry are two very good songs on this album and perhaps the rawest and emotionally transparent in mrs knowles back catalogue. This album also made me change my opinion on Beyonce from overrated celebrity to legitimate musician. 

Drake, Views- a Toronto legend and an utter shithouse legend during the 2019 playoffs which earned him legendary status in my eyes. The album is pretty basic but some of the songs took a life on their own and thus the album is looked upon considerably more favorable by most. Hotline bling, controlla and one dance are club classics but musically inept thus the rather low ranking for one of the biggest selling albums of the decade

Lana Del Rey- Born to die, the 2010s were the decade for Lana and she fully embraced the decade and made it her own. Perhaps suffering from her albums having good songs spread amongst them and this probably counted against her in the end. However, Born to Die is the most complete album of hers. Video Games, Summertime Sadness and the title track are the most mainstream and probably the three best songs on the album. 

Blossoms, Blossoms- blossoms are a band who are very close to my heart. Found them on a bbc introducing video and followed them ever since. The album has some classic indie sing alongs in and superior to the most recent album. Not at all revolutionary but a solid indie album which is more than can be said of most recently.

Travis Scott, Astroworld- this album was certified triple platinum with Sicko Mode the lead single on the album. Sicko Mode is another song which transcended the genre that it was released in. Although most of the album to me is mostly held up by Sicko Mode. Most of the album is not for me but if Kylie likes it and reads this. This was my favorite album but don’t look it anymore. Although Sicko Mode has 31 writers, which is thoroughly disappointing, as I could have a hit single if there was 30 writers behind it. 

Dave, Psychodrama- a dmu legend and a winner of the mercury prize of 2019. Considerably more mature album than either of his two previous eps. Less of the mainstream songs but a deeper dive into issues that Dave faces. Black is an open window for me as a white man, to the problems that institutional racism all over the world. Location is a wonderful song with Burna boy and Dave complimenting perfectly and equalling in a near-perfect song. 

Skepta, Konnichiwa- one of the biggest factors in grime entering the mainstream along with Stormzy. Another winner of the mercury prize ahead of Bowie’s final album, which I’m sure David would have much preferred. I saw Skepta at Parklife 2017 and it was one of the best gigs I’ve been to and it was right after Liam which was incredible. Shutdown and Man are two examples of as close to grime perfection. Not aggressive, a good song with insults but not a diss track as such. Mostly written by Skeppy himself which for most people in this list is something that can’t be said for most of these entries. 

Kanye West,
Jesus is King- kanyes most ambitious album To date so far. I have no real affinity to Kanye and thus I appreciate the idea but not the message. Religion is bollocks and a waste of time and I pray for all involved that there is something out there or all their life has been a lie. Gospel and rap has potential but I think that it only works perfectly in this album is god is. Closed on Sunday, everything we need and on god wouldn’t look to out of place on earlier west albums. Artists will never stay the same unless they fall out of general publics interests. The lyrics are complete tripe as aforementioned but concepts in this album impressed me and would be interested in a follow up. 

Kasabian, 48:13- another Leicester icon and probably the greatest thing to come out of Leicester since Red Leicester cheese. 48:13 is the most boring name for a title although somehow works as an album title to my utter disbelief. Kasabian after this album headlined Glastonbury and it was one of the best sets I’ve seen on the telly. Stevie is a slow builder but the best song on there. It isn’t as pumping as eez-eh or as experimental as bow. A slow builder but once it builds it is truly remarkable and a proper tune of many on the album.