BEST MUSIC OF THE 2010s
(Originally Published January 6, 2020)
What a crazy and wonderful decade the 2010s was in the world of music. I know I say this all of the time, but I constantly hear about how there is no good music coming out anymore. This drives me crazy. There has been great music coming out every year for way longer than you or I have existed. This past decade may be my favorite time period yet! I have compiled a list of my favorite albums, songs, and concerts over the past 10 years.
For the Top 100 Albums of the 2010s list, there were no real parameters. If an album was released in the 2010s, it was eligible to be included. As making some of these choices was tough, I have also included an unranked list of 20 more albums that just missed out on the Top 100. Also, the Top 20 were exceedingly difficult to order, and I will probably change my mind the minute after this list is posted.
For the Top 250 Songs of the 2010s Countdown, I could only choose one track per album, EP, or single release. This would give more artist differentiation to the overall list. It also gave more songs to the more prolific artists, who just happened to release more music throughout the decade. If I had decided to include multiple songs from the same album release, the quantity of songs would no doubt go into the thousands and take years to compile. I don’t have time to write about that, and no one would ever care to read it. Two-hundred fifty songs are probably too many as it is. But as I was compiling this list, I didn’t want to leave important things out. When I rate a song, I like to give it a score from 1 to 11. Every song on this list scored an 8.5 or higher. A 10 is a perfect song. An 11 is a better-than-perfect song. (You know an 11 when you hear it.) This is my favorite playlist I’ve ever made. Click here to check it out on Spotify.
For the Top 40 Concerts, I tried to choose and rank what I remember being my favorite shows of the 2010s. Sometimes this was difficult to do, as memories and experiences are tricky things. Something I said was really great in 2010 didn’t necessarily translate as important in 2019. But all of these shows were really great for one reason or another. And since I never included Festival sets on my best concert lists of the past, I also made a Top 10 Festival Performances of the 2010s. Shout-out to all of the wonderful people that went to these shows and made them extra special. I hope you all remember these great performances as fondly as I do.
Finally, I did a little statistical analysis to find out what were my favorite years of music during 2010s. Throughout the decade, I’ve always thought more kindly of particular years (especially 2010 and 2015). It was fascinating to see which years ended up having the biggest impact overall.
TOP 100 ALBUMS OF THE 2010s
100. The Drums – ‘Abysmal Thoughts’ (2017)
99. Lana Del Rey – ‘Ultraviolence’ (2014)
98. St. Vincent – ‘St. Vincent’ (2014)
97. The Front Bottoms – ‘Talon of the Hawk’ (2013)
96. The National – ‘I Am Easy to Find’ (2019)
95. Chance the Rapper – ‘Coloring Book’ (2016)
94. Spoon – ‘Hot Thoughts’ (2017)
93. Cardi B – ‘Invasion of Privacy’ (2018)
92. Guards – ‘In Guards We Trust’ (2013)
91. Tune-Yards – ‘Nikki Nack’ (2014)
90. Miguel – ‘Wildhart’ (2015)
89. Lady Gaga – ‘Joanne’ (2016)
88. Chvrches – ‘The Bones of What You Believe’ (2013)
87. Ezra Furman – ‘Perpetual Motion People’ (2015)
86. The Naked and Famous – ‘Passive Me, Aggressive You’ (2010)
85. Lorde – ‘Pure Heroine’ (2013)
84. The Voidz – ‘Virtue’ (2018)
83. Arcade Fire – ‘Reflektor’ (2013)
82. Lana Del Rey – ‘Born to Die’ (2012)
81. Spiritualized – ‘Sweet Heart, Sweet Light’ (2012)
80. Sufjan Stevens – ‘Carrie & Lowell’ (2015)
79. The Antlers – ‘Burst Apart’ (2011)
78. Cee-Lo Green – ‘The Lady Killer’ (2010)
77. Jay-Z & Kanye West – ‘Watch the Throne’ (2011)
76. Grimes – ‘Art Angels’ (2015)
75. Leon Bridges – ‘Good Thing’ (2018)
74. Future Islands – ‘Singles’ (2014)
73. Charley Bliss – ‘Young Enough’ (2019)
72. Belle and Sebastian – ‘Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance’ (2015)
71. The War on Drugs – ‘A Deeper Understanding’ (2017)
70. Janelle Monáe – ‘Dirty Computer’ (2018)
69. St. Vincent – ‘MASSEDUCTION’ (2017)
68. The Drums – ‘The Drums’ (2010)
67. Waxahatchee – ‘Out in the Storm’ (2017)
66. Royal Headache – ‘Royal Headache’ (2012)
65. Diet Cig – ‘Swear I’m Good At This’ (2017)
64. Tame Impala – ‘Currents’ (2015)
63. San Cisco – ‘Gracetown’ (2015)
62. Drake – ‘Take Care’ (2011)
61. The Hold Steady – ‘Heaven is Whenever’ (2010)
60. The Strokes – ‘Angles’ (2011)
59. Allo Darlin’ – ‘Allo Darlin’’ (2010)
58. The Decemberists – ‘What A Terrible World, What a Beautiful World’ (2015)
57. Future Teens – ‘Breakup Season’ (2019)
56. The National – ‘Sleep Well Beast’ (2017)
55. Japandroids – ‘Near to the Wild Heart of Life’ (2017)
54. Taylor Swift – ‘Lover’ (2019)
53. Arcade Fire – ‘The Suburbs’ (2010)
52. The Weeknd – ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’ (2015)
51. Kendrick Lamar – ‘good kid, m.A.A.d. city’ (2012)
50. The Last Royals – ‘Twistification’ (2013)
49. Bruno Mars – ‘24K Magic’ (2016)
48. Daft Punk – ‘Random Access Memories’ (2013)
47. LCD Soundsystem – ‘American Dream’ (2017)
46. The xx – ‘I See You’ (2017)
45. Taylor Swift – ‘1989’ (2014)
44. Kendrick Lamar – ‘DAMN’ (2017)
43. Lady Gaga – ‘Born This Way’ (2011)
42. Slow Club – ‘Complete Surrender’ (2014)
41. Vampire Weekend – ‘Father of the Bride’ (2019)
40. Janelle Monáe – ‘The Electric Lady’ (2013)
39. Jens Lekman – ‘I Know What Love Isn’t’ (2012)
38. Howler – ‘America Give Up’ (2012)
37. Crystal Fighters – ‘Cave Rave’ (2013)
36. Jack White – ‘Blunderbuss’ (2012)
35. The 1975 – ‘I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it’ (2016)
34. Passion Pit – ‘Gossamer’ (2012)
33. Jens Lekman – ‘Life Will See You Now’ (2017)
32. Sufjan Stevens – ‘The Age of Adz’ (2010)
31. The Tallest Man on Earth - 'The Wild Hunt' (2010)
30. Oberhofer – ‘Time Capsules II’ (2012)
29. Frank Ocean – ‘Blonde’ (2016)
28. Misterwives – ‘Our Own House’ (2015)
27. Beyoncé – ‘Lemonade’ (2016)
26. Taylor Swift – ‘Red’ (2012)
25. Spiritualized – ‘And Nothing Hurt’ (2018)
24. Frank Ocean – ‘Channel ORANGE’ (2012)
23. Tune-Yards – ‘WHOKILL’ (2011)
22. Wyldlife – ‘Wyldlife’ (2011)
21. Los Campesinos – ‘No Blues’ (2013)
20. Kendrick Lamar – ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ (2015)
19. Arctic Monkey – ‘AM’ (2013)
18. Allo Darlin – ‘Europe’ (2012)
17. LCD Soundsystem - 'This is Happening' (2010)
16. Alex Lahey – ‘I Love You Like a Brother’ (2017)
15. The 1975 – ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships’ (2018)
14. Two Door Cinema Club – ‘Tourist History’ (2010)
13. Lorde – ‘Melodrama’ (2017)
12. Los Campesinos! – ‘Romance is Boring’ (2010)
11. Big Boi - 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Song of Chico Dusty' (2010)
10. Vampire Weekend – ‘Modern Vampires of the City’ (2013)
09. Beyoncé – ‘Beyoncé’ (2013)
08. Spoon – ‘They Want My Soul’ (2014)
07. Bleachers – ‘Gone Now’ (2017)
06. Shamir – ‘Ratchet’ (2015)
05. Kanye West – ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ (2010)
04. Alabama Shakes – ‘Boys and Girls’ (2012)
03. Carly Rae Jepsen – ‘Emotion’ (2015)
02. Japandroids – ‘Celebration Rock’ (2012)
01. Janelle Monáe – ‘The Archandroid’ (2010)
OTHER NOTABLE ALBUMS THAT JUST MISSED THE CUT
Sleigh Bells – ‘Treats’ (2010)
Fang Island – ‘Fang Island’ (2010)
Spoon – ‘Transference’ (2010)
M83 – ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ (2011)
The Front Bottoms – ‘The Front Bottoms’ (2011)
Beach House – ‘Bloom’ (2012)
Killer Mike – ‘RAP Music’ (2012)
Kanye West – ‘Yeezus’ (2013)
Drake – ‘Nothing Was the Same’ (2013)
Lily Allen – ‘Sheezus’ (2014)
Todd Terje – ‘It’s Album Time’ (2014)
Courtney Barnett – ‘Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit’ (2015)
Leon Bridges – ‘Coming Home’ (2015)
Radiohead – ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ (2016)
Los Campesinos! – ‘Sick Scenes’ (2017)
The Carters (Jay-Z & Beyoncé) – ‘Everything is Love’ (2018)
Caroline Rose – ‘Loner’ (2018)
Kali Uchis – ‘Isolation’ (2018)
Lizzo – ‘Cause I Love You’ (2019)
Alex Lahey – ‘The Best of Luck Club’ (2019)
TOP 250 SONGS OF THE 2010s
(Click Here To Listen on Spotify)
250. Bishop Allen – “Start Again” (2014)
249. Sky Ferreira – “Everything is Embarrassing” (2012)
248. Harlem – “Friendly Ghost” (2010)
247. ANOHNI – “4 Degrees” (2016)
246. Mannequin Pussy – “Drunk II” (2019)
245. Diet Cig – “Harvard” (2015)
244. Islands – “This Is Not A Song” (2012)
243. The Drums – “I’ll Fight For Your Life” (2017)
242. Alex Cameron – “Miami Memory” (2019)
241. The Strokes – “Drag Queen” (2016)
240. Leon Bridges – “River” (2015)
239. Mayer Hawthorne – “Back Seat Lover” (2013)
238. Run the Jewels – “Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” (2014)
237. Amber Coffman – “No Coffee” (2017)
236 Maggie Rogers – “Light On” (2018)
235. Matt and Kim – “Block After Block” (2010)
234. Icona Pop (Feat. Charli XCX) – “I Love It” (2012)
233. Cayucas – “High School Lover” (2013)
232. MGMT – “Flash Delirium” (2010)
231. Pine Grove – “Old Friends” (2016)
230. MisterWives – “whywhywhy” (2019)
229. Alabama Shakes – “Future People” (2015)
228. Billie Eilish – “idontwannabeyouanymore” (2017)
227. Spoon – “Before Destruction” (2010)
226. Arctic Monkeys – “One Point Perspective” (2018)
225. HAIM – “Forever” (2013)
224. Bleachers – “I Wanna Get Better” (2014)
223. Frank Ocean (Feat. JAY-Z & Tyler the Creator) – “Biking” (2017)
222. Vampire Weekend – “Giving Up the Gun” (2010)
221. The Drums – “There Is Nothing Left” (2014)
220. Local Natives – “Past Lives” (2016)
219. Allo Darlin’ – “Bright Eyes” (2014)
218. Dr. Dog – “Stranger” (2010)
217. Kali Uchis – “In My Dreams” (2018)
216. Courtney Barnett – “Elevator Operator” (2015)
215. Cloud Nothings – “Stay Useless” (2012)
214. Modest Mouse – “The Best Room” (2015)
213. The Strokes – “Welcome to Japan” (2013)
212. Royal Headache – “Little Star” (2015)
211. Michael Kiwanuka – “Love & Hate” (2016)
210. Waxahatchee – “8 Ball” (2017)
209. Parquet Courts – “Instant Disassembly” (2014)
208. Jack White – “Hypocritical Kiss” (2012)
207. Belle & Sebastian – “Play for Today” (2015)
206. Julien Baker – “Appointments” (2017)
205. Owen Pallett – “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt” (2010)
204. Kehlani – “Advice” (2017)
203. No Age – “Glitter” (2010)
202. Adele – “Rolling in the Deep” (2011)
201. Crystal Fighters (Feat. Bomba Estereo) – “Goin’ Harder” (2018)
200. Savages – “Shut Up” (2013)
199. Eminem – “Cold Wind Blows” (2010)
198. Diet Cig – “Maid of the Mist” (2017)
197. Tove Lo – “Talking Body” (2014)
196. Drake (Feat. Nicki Minaj) – “Up All Night” (2010)
195. Kanye West – “Ghost Town” (2018)
194. Taylor Swift – “Sparks Fly” (2010)
193. Lucy Dacus – “Pillar of Truth” (2018)
192. Arcade Fire – “Half Light I” (2010)
191. Future Teens – “Frequent Crier” (2019)
190. Florence + The Machine – “Shake It Out” (2011)
189. Lady Gaga – “A-Yo” (2016)
188. The Hold Steady – “The Only Thing” (2014)
187. Rihanna, Kanye West, & Paul McCartney – “FourFiveSeconds” (2015)
186. The Front Bottoms – “Flashlight” (2011)
185. Lauv (Feat. Troye Sivan) – “I’m so tired” (2019)
184. Jens Lekman – “Waiting for Kirsten” (2011)
183. Lana Del Rey – “Off to the Races” (2012)
182. Wolf Alice – “You’re A Germ” (2015)
181. Cloud Nothings – “I’m Not Part of Me” (2014)
180. Beck – “Wow” (2016)
179. King Tuff – “Stranger” (2012)
178. St. Vincent – “New York” (2017)
177. Hot Chip – “Melody of Love” (2019)
176. Bear Hands – “Belongings” (2010)
175. Two Door Cinema Club – “Invincible” (2016)
174. The Heligoats – “Goodness Gracious” (2010)
173. Natalie Prass – “It Is You” (2015)
172. Royal Headache – “Never Again” (2012)
171. Ezra Furman – “Lousy Connection” (2015)
170. Solange – “Losing You” (2012)
169. Alvvays – “Party Police” (2014)
168. Sufjan Stevens – “The Only Thing” (2015)
167. Arctic Monkeys – “That’s Where You’re Wrong” (2011)
166. Sharon Van Etten – “Seventeen” (2019)
165. Walk the Moon – “Shut Up and Dance” (2014)
164. Grimes – “Flesh Without Blood” (2015)
163. Arcade Fire – “Normal Person” (2013)
162. Chairlift – “I Belong In Your Arms” (2012)
161. Post Malone (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – “Psycho” (2018)
160. Titus Andronicus – “A More Perfect Union” (2010)
159. The National – “Rylan” (2019)
158. Courtney Barnett – “Hopefulessness” (2018)
157. Chance the Rapper (Feat. Lil Wayne) – “No Problem” (2016)
156. Spoon – “Do I Have to Talk You Into It” (2017)
155. Belle & Sebastian – “I Didn’t See It Coming” (2010)
154. Daft Punk (Feat. Pharrell Williams) – “Lose Yourself to Dance” (2013)
153. The Front Bottoms – “12 Feet Deep” (2014)
152. Drake – “Passionfruit” (2017)
151. Future Islands – “Doves” (2014)
150. Phoenix – “J-Boy” (2017)
149. Caracara – “Better” (2019)
148. Jamila Woods – “Way Up” (2016)
147. The Decemberists – “Once in My Life” (2018)
146. Teyana Taylor – “Rose in Harlem” (2018)
145. Diarrhea Planet – “Announcement” (2016)
144. Majical Cloudz – “Downtown” (2015)
143. The Hold Steady – “We Can Get Together” (2010)
142. Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are” (2010)
141. CHVRCHES – “Graffiti” (2018)
140. Allo Darlin’ – “Kiss Your Lips” (2010)
139. Jack White – “Lazaretto” (2014)
138. Wolf Parade – “C’est La Vie Way” (2016)
137. St. Vincent – “Digital Witness” (2014)
136. Kanye West (Feat. Big Sean, 2 Chainz, & Pusha T) – “Mercy” (2012)
135. Skylar Spence – “Fiona Coyne” (2015)
134. M83 – “Midnight City” (2011)
133. Girls – “Oh So Protective One” (2010)
132. Frank Ocean – “Sweet Life” (2012)
131. Fang Island – “Daisy” (2010)
130. Dan Deacon – “Feel the Lightning” (2015)
129. Kendrick Lamar (Feat. Zacari) – “LOVE” (2017)
128. Tame Impala – “Yes, I’m Changing” (2015)
127. Superorganism – “Everybody Wants To Be Famous” (2018)
126. Middle Kids – “Mistake” (2018)
125. The 1975 – “She’s American” (2016)
124. The Casket Girls – “Same Side” (2014)
123. Gorillaz – “On Melancholy Hill” (2010)
122. Los Campesinos! – “I Broke Up in Amarente” (2017)
121. Courtney Barnett – “Anonymous Club” (2014)
120. Lorde – “Royals” (2013)
119. Frank Ocean – “Novacane” (2011)
118. Kanye West – “Bound 2” (2013)
117. Middle Kids – “Edge of Town” (2017)
116. Guards – “I Know It’s You” (2013)
115. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Too Much” (2019)
114. The Front Bottoms – “Laugh Till I Cry” (2015)
113. The Weeknd – “Wicked Games” (2011)
112. Sharon Van Etten – “Your Love Is Killing Me” (2014)
111. Lily Allen – “Our Time” (2014)
110. Beyoncé (Feat. Kendrick Lamar) – “Freedom” (2016)
109. Bob Mould – “Sunshine Rock” (2019)
108. Miguel – “coffee” (2015)
107. Los Campesinos! – “Avocado, Baby” (2013)
106. The Walkmen – “Heaven” (2012)
105. Strand of Oaks – “Goshen ‘97” (2014)
104. Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (2016)
103. Howler – “Wailing (Making Out)” (2012)
102. San Cisco – “Too Much Time Together” (2015)
101. Best Coast – “I Don’t Know How” (2013)
100. The Last Royals –“Crystal Vases” (2013)
99. Alex Lahey – “Don’t Be so Hard on Yourself” (2019)
98. The National – “Day I Die” (2017)
97. Frank Ocean – “Self Control” (2016)
96. The War on Drugs – “Up All Night” (2017)
95. Oberhofer – “Away Frm U” (2012)
94. Hot Chip – “Huarache Lights” (2015)
93. She & Him – “Thieves” (2010)
92. Bern & The Brights – “Boo” (2010)
91. Spiritualized – “A Perfect Miracle” (2018)
90. Yeasayer – “I Remember” (2010)
89. Lorde – “Perfect Places” (2017)
88. Allo Darlin’ – “Europe” (2012)
87. Cults – “Go Outside” (2010)
86. Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill” (2010)
85. The xx – “On Hold” (2017)
84. Taylor Swift – “Cruel Summer” (2019)
83. The Front Bottoms – “Twin Sized Mattress” (2012)
82. Alessia Cara – “Here” (2015)
81. WU LYF – “We Bros” (2011)
80. Harry Styles – “Sign of the Times” (2017)
79. The Naked and Famous – “All of This” (2010)
78. Drake – “Under Ground Kings” (2011)
77. Tune-Yards – “Bizness” (2011)
76. Calvin Harris (Feat. Frank Ocean & Migos) – “Slide” (2017)
75. Killer Mike – “R.A.P. Music” (2012)
74. The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (2010)
73. Vampire Weekend – “Harmony Hall” (2019)
72. CHVRCHES – “Clearest Blue” (2015)
71. Japandroids – “Near to the Wild Heart of Life” (2017)
70. Jens Lekman – “The World Moves On” (2012)
69. Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” (2018)
68. Kendrick Lamar – “Backseat Freestyle” (2012)
67. Arctic Monkeys – “R U Mine?” (2013)
66. The Carters (Jay-Z & Beyoncé) – “APESHIT” (2018)
65. Vampire Weekend – “Diane Young” (2013)
64. Robyn – “Dancing On My Own” (2010)
63. LCD Soundsystem – “I Can Change” (2010)
62. Spiritualized – “So Long You Pretty Thing” (2012)
61. The Antlers – “Putting The Dog to Sleep” (2011)
60. Japandroids – “The Nights of Wine and Roses” (2012)
59. Mikal Cronin – “Weight” (2013)
58. Belle & Sebastian – “Best Friend” (2018)
57. Crystal Fighters – “Lay Low” (2016)
56. Los Campesinos! – “A Heat Rash in the Shape of the Show-Me State” (2010)
55. Arcade Fire – “Creature Comfort” (2017)
54. “The Weeknd – “In The Night” (2015)
53. The 1975 – “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)” (2018)
52. Passion Pit – “I’ll Be Alright” (2012)
51. Kanye West – “POWER” (2010)
50. The Drums – “Me and the Moon” (2010)
49. Nicki Minaj – “Super Bass” (2011)
48. Sufjan Stevens – “The Age of Adz” (2010)
47. Beach House – “Myth” (2012)
46. Wyldlife – “Saturday Night” (2013)
45. Two Door Cinema Club – “What You Know” (2010)
44. MisterWives – “Hurricane” (2015)
43. Taylor Swift – “Style” (2014)
42. Caroline Rose – “Soul No. 5” (2018)
41. Lizzo – “Juice” (2019)
40. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment – “Sunday Candy” (2015)
39. The Tallest Man On Earth – “Burden of Tomorrow” (2010)
38. Jens Lekman – “To Know Your Mission” (2017)
37. Charly Bliss – “Young Enough” (2019)
36. MisterWives – “Chasing This” (2017)
35. Spoon – “They Want My Soul” (2014)
34. Lana Del Rey – “Cruel World” (2014)
33. Passion Pit – “Lifted Up (1985)” (2015)
32. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Cut to the Feeling” (2017)
31. JAY-Z & Kanye West – “Ni**as in Paris” (2011)
30. Beyoncé – “Love On Top” (2011)
29. Wyldlife – “(She’s Making Me) Nervous” (2011)
28. Shamir – “On the Regular” (2015)
27. Tune-Yards – “Water Fountain” (2014)
26. Kanye West – “Ultralight Beam” (2016)
25. Big Boi – “Back Up Plan” (2010)
24. The Strokes – “Under Cover of Darkness” (2011)
23. Los Campesinos! – “Hello Sadness” (2011)
22. LCD Soundsystem – “Call the Police” (2017)
21. The Decemberists – “Lake Song” (2015)
20. Taylor Swift – “All Too Well” (2012)
19. Beyoncé – “XO” (2013)
18. Alex Lahey – “Every Day’s the Weekend” (2017)
17. Japandroids – “Younger Us” (2010)
16. LP – “Someday” (2012)
15. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Run Away With Me” (2015)
14. CeeLo Green – “Bright Lights Bigger City” (2010)
13. Justin Timberlake – “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” (2016)
12. Janelle Monáe (Feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope” (2010)
11. Alabama Shakes – “You Ain’t Alone” (2012)
10. FIDLAR – “West Coast” (2015)
09. Janelle Monáe – “Dance Apocalyptic” (2013)
08. Bleachers – “Don’t Take the Money” (2017)
07. Kendrick Lamar – “King Kunta” (2015)
06. CHVRCHES – “The Mother We Share” (2013)
05. Lady Gaga – “You and I” (2011)
04. Mark Ronson (Feat. Bruno Mars) – “Uptown Funk” (2015)
03. Leon Bridges – “Beyond” (2018)
02. Crystal Fighters – “Love Natural” (2013)
01. Slow Club – “The Queen’s Nose” (2014)
TOP 40 CONCERTS OF THE 2010s
40. Crystal Fighters. April 6, 2017. Music Hall of Williamsburg. Brooklyn, NY.
39. Japandroids / Craig Finn. February 23, 2017. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
38. Tame Impala. June 15, 2016. Prospect Park Bandshell. Brooklyn, NY.
37. The Offspring / Pennywise. August 5, 2014. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
36. The Rapture. December 4, 2019. Music Hall of Williamsburg. Brooklyn, NY.
35. Belle and Sebastian. July 11, 2013. Prospect Park Bandshell. Brooklyn, NY.
34. Dismemberment Plan. October 18, 2013. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
33. Lady Gaga. August 28, 2017. Citi Field. New York, NY.
32. Sufjan Stevens. May 1, 2015. King’s Theatre. Brooklyn, NY.
31. The Drums. September 20, 2014. The Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY.
30. Royal Headache. August 25, 2015. Rough Trade. Brooklyn, NY.
29. Slow Club. September 17, 2014. The Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY.
28. The Strokes. May 31, 2016. Capitol Theatre. Port Chester, NY.
27. Spiritualized. October 11, 2018. King's Theatre. Brooklyn, NY.
26. Neutral Milk Hotel. January 29, 2014. The Tower Theatre. Philadelphia, PA.
25. The Hold Steady – April 17, 2010. Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY.
24. Carly Rae Jepsen. March 25, 2016. Terminal 5, New York, NY.
23. The Postal Service. June 14, 2013. Barclays Center. Brooklyn, NY.
22. Radiohead. May 31, 2012. Prudential Center. Newark, NJ.
21. Jens Lekman. March 19, 2017. Music Hall of Williamsburg. Brooklyn, NY.
20. The Dismemberment Plan. January 29, 2011. Webster Hall. New York, NY.
19. Los Campesinos!. January 22, 2014. Irving Plaza. New York, NY.
18. Weezer / Pixies. July 20, 2018. PNC Bank Arts Center. Holmdel, NJ.
17. LCD Soundsystem. June 21, 2017. Brooklyn Steel. Brooklyn, NY.
16. Japandroids – April 1, 2010. Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY.
15. Los Campesinos!. November 14, 2018. Elsewhere. Brooklyn, NY.
14. Bleachers. November 21, 2017. Brooklyn Steel. Brooklyn, NY.
13. of Montreal / Janelle Monáe – September 18, 2010. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
12. The National. September 8, 2017. Bowery Ballroom. New York, NY
11. The Rapture. August 20, 2011. Music Hall of Williamsburg. Brooklyn, NY.
10. The Hold Steady. December 3, 2016. Brooklyn Bowl. Brooklyn, NY.
09. Taylor Swift. July 22, 2018. Metlife Stadium. East Rutherford, NJ.
08. Japandroids. June 29, 2012. Johnny Brenda’s. Philadelphia, PA.
07. Belle and Sebastian – September 30, 2010. Williamsburg Waterfront. Brooklyn, NY.
06. Passion Pit. February 8, 2013. Madison Square Garden. New York, NY.
05. Arcade Fire / Dan Deacon / The Unicorns. August 23, 2014. Barclay’s Center. Brooklyn, NY.
04. The Hives. June 22, 2012. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
03. LCD Soundsystem. March 29, 2011. Terminal 5. New York, NY.
02. Arcade Fire. September 12, 2017. Madison Square Garden. New York, NY.
01. Sufjan Stevens. August 2, 2011. Prospect Park Bandshell. Brooklyn, NY.
TOP 10 BEST FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES OF THE 2010s
10. Kendrick Lamar. May 11, 2013. Sweetlife Festival 2013. MD
09. LP. Jun 23, 2013. Firefly 2013. Dover, DE.
08. Arcade Fire. August 8, 2010. Lollapalooza 2010. Chicago, IL.
07. Outkast. June 6, 2014. Governor’s Ball 2014. New York, NY.
06. The Killers. July 21, 2012. Firefly 2012. Dover, DE.
05. Frank Ocean. July 28, 2017. Panorama NYC 2017. New York, NY.
04. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Jun 21, 2013. Firefly 2013. Dover, DE.
03. The Strokes. June 7, 2014. Governor’s Ball 2014. New York, NY.
02. Lady Gaga. August 6, 2010. Lollapalooza 2010. Chicago, IL.
01. Paul McCartney. June 19, 2015. Firefly 2015. Dover, DE.
TOP 10 ARTISTS OF THE DECADE
10. The National: 3 Songs; 2 Albums
09. Spoon: 3 Songs; 2 Albums
08. Arcade Fire: 3 Songs; 2 Albums
07. Japandroids: 3 Songs; 2 Albums
06. Janelle Monáe: 3 Songs; 3 Albums
05. Beyoncé: 4 Songs; 2 Albums
04. Los Campesinos!: 4 Songs; 2 Albums
03. Kendrick Lamar: 4 Songs; 3 Albums
02. Taylor Swift: 4 Songs; 3 Albums
01. Kanye West: 7 songs; 2 Albums
DECADE ALBUM STATISTICS BY YEAR
2010: 14 Albums [6 Albums in Top 20; 2 (21-50); 6 (51-100)]
2011: 7 Albums [0 Albums in Top 20; 3 (21-50); 4 (51-100)]
2012: 14 Albums [3 Albums in Top 20; 7 (21-50); 4 (51-100)]
2013: 13 Albums [3 Albums in Top 20; 5 (21-50); 5 (51-100)]
2014: 7 Albums [1 Album in Top 20; 2 (21-50); 4 (51-100)]
2015: 13 Albums [3 Albums in Top 20; 1 (21-50); 9 (51-100)]
2016: 6 Albums [0 Albums in Top 20; 4 (21-50); 2 (51-100)]
2017: 15 Albums [3 Albums in Top 20; 4 (21-50); 8 (51-100)]
2018: 6 Albums [1 Album in Top 20; 1 (21-50); 4 (51-100)]
2019: 5 Albums [0 Albums in Top 20; 1 (21-50); 4 (51-100)]
DECADE SONG STATISTICS BY YEAR
2010: 41 Songs [8 Songs in Top 50; 11 (51-100); 6 (101-150); 8 (151-200); 8 (201-250)]
2011: 19 Songs [7 Songs in Top 50; 4 (51-100); 3 (101-150); 4 (151-200); 1 (201-250)]
2012: 27 Songs [4 Songs in Top 50; 9 (51-100); 4 (101-150); 5 (151-200); 5 (201-250)]
2013: 21 Songs [5 Songs in Top 50; 4 (51-100); 5 (101-150); 3 (151-200); 4 (201-250)]
2014: 25 Songs [5 Songs in Top 50; 0 (51-100); 7 (101-150); 7 (151-200); 6 (201-250)]
2015: 33 Songs [9 Songs in Top 50; 4 (51-100); 7 (101-150); 6 (151-200); 7 (201-250)]
2016: 19 Songs [2 Songs in Top 50; 2 (51-100); 6 (101-150); 4 (151-200); 5 (201-250)]
2017: 29 Songs [6 Songs in Top 50; 8 (51-100); 4 (101-150); 4 (151-200); 7 (201-250)]
2018: 20 Songs [2 Songs in Top 50; 5 (51-100); 5 (101-150); 4 (151-200); 4 (201-250)]
2019: 16 Songs [2 Songs in Top 50; 3 (51-100); 3 (101-150); 5 (151-200); 3 (201-250)]
There was so much great music to be thankful for during the 2010s. But I look forward to seeing what the 2020s holds in the world of music. Will the dawn of the new decade that is 2020 will be as marvelous as 2010? Will 2025 and 2027 be as awesome as 2015 and 2017? Will the best album of the 2020s come out in 2029? The 2010s encompass the ages from 25 to the 35. Will I be as into new music in 2030 when I am 45 years old? Will I still be making these lists? Only time will tell.
Let me know your favorite songs or albums of the 2010s in the comments below. Let me know what you agreed with, or let me know what mistakes I made in compiling this list. Thanks for reading! Thanks for listening! Thanks for understanding!