Well, it’s that time of year again where everyone’s going crazy for Spotify Wrapped. But it’s also that time of the decade - the halfway mark. So, I thought, why not do a Wrapped for the first half of the 2020s (2020-2024).   The first half of this decade has been a time of turmoil, a monopoly over the live music industry, political unrest and division, a global pandemic, and more. But it has also been a time of exploring what it means to identify who we are, increasing diversity in the music world, watching cult worthy movies, attending tours for the era, and genre exploration. The popular music that came out of this time reflects the ups and downs of these times, and likely also holds a special place in our hearts.

I say pop adjacent as many of these albums cross genres, and often bend norms of the pop as a whole. I chose pop because it’s what I am most familiar with, and therefore best equipped to talk about. Keep in mind these choices are just my opinion, and are not based on statistics (although I like to think this list is pretty based). 

My hope is that this list serves as a time capsule of sorts for the early 20s. So sit back, relax, and perhaps listen to some tunes, as I hopefully bring back  the memories that made up the past 5 years. 

1. After Hours - The Weeknd (March 20, 2020‍)

Reason For Inclusion: While this list is in chronological order, it is fitting for The Weeknd to be number one, as he has been the number one artist on Spotify for almost all of the last five years. In 2021, his song “Blinding Lights” was the top Billboard Hot 100 Song of all time. This concept album also inspired the trend among pop artists to utilize 80s synth pop in their songs. 

Popular Track: “Blinding Lights”

Underrated Track: “Scared to Live”

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2. Tickets To My Downfall - Machine Gun Kelly (September 25, 2020)

Reason For Inclusion: 

Many of you might be questioning why I would place MGK on this list, but I have a good reason. His album, TicketsTo My Downfall, went number 1 on the Billboard Top 200, and was instrumental to the emo/pop-punk revival of the 2020s. A huge credit, though, should actually go to Travis Barker (of the 2000s pop-punk band Blink 182), who produced this album. He produced many, many pop-punk/emo tracks during the 20s, including the likes of Lil Nas X, Avril Lavigne, WILLOW, YUNGBLUD, and many more (if you listen to songs produced by him from this era, you can hear the similarities).

But I digress, I chose “Tickets To My Downfall” by MGK because of its mainstream success, in a genre that had (sadly) mostly been dead to the mainstream since the 2000s.This album also cemented MGK as a mainstream success, since before he was mostly known as the rapper who got taken down by Eminem. The album also has a film accompanying it called Downfalls High which was directed by MGK and Mod Sun and stars Sydney Sweeney and Chase Hudson.

Popular Track: my ex’s best friend ft. blackbear

Underrated Track: title track

Features:  Travis Barker, Halsey, Trippie Redd, Pete Davidson, blackbear, ian dior, Megan Fox, YUNGBLUD & Bert McCraken of The Used (on the SOLD OUT edition)

Covers:  “Misery Business” by Paramore (SOLD OUT version)

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3. SOUR - Olivia Rodrigo (May 21, 2021)

Reason For Inclusion: Many people grew up watching Olivia Rodrigo on the Disney Channel, and would never have expected her to become a symbol of teen angst during a global pandemic. She combines alternative pop with pop-punk/emo, and folk, which don’t usually go together - and kudos to her for refusing to be boxed into any one genre on her debut album, especially in genres that were not very popular at the time. In the UK in 2021, the pop-punk single “good 4 u” was the first rock hit that was number 1 on the charts for four consecutive weeks since Evanescence in 2003. Rodrigo also brought theatrical music back to the mainstream, as much of today’s popular music is incredibly mellow. Rodrigo’s album became a symbol of the rage and grief teens were feeling during a time of turmoil and gave permission to young people, especially young women, to feel the feelings they were feeling. This was solidified for me when I saw her in concert this year, and it was by far the loudest concert I have ever been to, filled with young women and girls screaming and crying their hearts out the entire show. This album also initiated conversations about copyright and plagiarism in music.

Popular Track: “drivers license”

Underrated Track: “brutal”

Samples: “New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift in “1 step forward, 3 steps back”; “Misery Business” by Paramore in “good 4 u”; “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift in “deja vu”

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‍4. Inside - Bo Burnham (June 10, 2021)

Reason For Inclusion: This is the album that inspired me to make this list, because it was created during the pandemic and is one of the only mainstream art pieces to directly reflect upon this time. It is the soundtrack from the Netflix musical/comedy special/film Inside. Burnham provides an in-depth critique of social media, society, politics, and mental health, utilizing musical comedy to reflect the ironic, meta, darkly comedic attitude of Gen Z and younger Millennials .This is usually only done on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube by independent creators, and is not usually reflected in mainstream, Hollywood art. 

Popular Track: “Bezos 1”

Underrated Track: “Goodbye”

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5. Montero - Lil Nas X (September 17, 2021)

Reason For Inclusion: Montero (the real name of Lil Nas X) is a mainstream, rebellious, emotional and celebratory album that mixes pop, rap, and rock. It is unapologetically queer, both in terms of the artist’s sexuality, but also as a protest against a white cisheteronormative, Christian society. This album is important because it addresses homophobia and racism and the negative impact they have had on the artist’s life, but it also celebrates his identity, creating a very empowering record. In the music video for the track “MONTERO  (Call Me By Your Name)” Lil Nas X infamously poll dances down to hell, gives a lap dance to the devil, and then triumphs to become the devil himself. This caused outrage among Christians and the alt right, which ironically cemented Lil Nas X as a queer icon.

Popular Track: “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”

Underrated Track: “LIFE AFTER SALEM”

Features: Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus and Kanye West (producer of “Industry Baby”)

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6. Red (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift (November 12, 2021)

Reason For Inclusion: I had to include a “Taylor’s Version” album on this list, as Taylor Swift and her journey to reclaim her own music is a definitive part of early 2020’s pop culture. I chose Red for two main reasons. First, the 2021 version of the song “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” was everywhere, even as a short film at TIFF. Second, for those of us (like me) who graduated in 2022, the song “22 (Taylor’s Version)” became an anthem celebrating the end of an era. Swift even capitalized on this by selling merch for the graduating class. 

Popular Track: “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)”

Underrated Track: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version)” - while still popular, I think this song deserves more love

Features: Gary Lightbody, Ed Sheeran, Phoebe Bridgers, and Chris Stapleton

Covers: All the songs except the ones from the vault are covers of her own songs from the 2012 album Red.

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7. Barbie The Album - Various Artists (July 21, 2023)

Reason For Inclusion: The summer of 2023 was defined by both this album, and the film Barbie. It revitalized film-going after the pandemic with the Barbenheimer meme, and also made feminism mainstream, especially during an era when feminism is seen as a man-hating endeavor. The album features a lot of the biggest stars in music right now and the song “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish became a symbol of the challenges and beauty of girlhood and womanhood, especially on TikTok. The album incorporates a mix of pop, hip hop, show tunes and rock. Much of the music is co-written and produced by Mark Ronson.

Popular Track: “What Was I Made For?” - Billie Eilish

Underrated Track: “I’m Just Ken” - Ryan Gosling

Features: Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Aqua, Charli xcx, Sam Smith, Tame Impala, Ryan Gosling, Dominic Fike, HAIM, Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, The Kid LAROI, Khalid, PinkPantheress, GAYLE, Ava Max, FIFTY FIFTY, Kaliii, KAROL G, Aldo Ranks, Brandi Carlile, and Catherine Carlile    

Covers/Samples: “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, “Push” by Matchbox Twenty (on the Best Weekend Ever edition), “butterflies” by Crazy Town, “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil and “Closer I am to Fine” by the Indigo Girls

8. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan (September 22, 2023)

Reason For Inclusion: It is interesting that this album came out in 2023, but took almost a whole year to become popular. Dan Nigro is the producer of both Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo, and Roan opened for Rodrigo on her GUTS world tour. When I saw Roan open for Rodrigo in March 2024, very few people knew her songs. By the summer of 2024, Roan was one of the biggest stars in the world. Her rise to fame has led to mainstream debates about parasocial relationships and boundaries with celebrities. This album is also important because it celebrates queer, drag, and lesbian culture and Roan is an out lesbian artist.

Popular Track: “HOT TO GO!”

Underrated Track: “Pink Pony Club” - this song deserves even more love

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9. COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé (March 29, 2024)

Reason For Inclusion: It’s 2024 and country music and aesthetics are everywhere now,  popular not just in rural areas, but even in cities like Toronto (both Victoria and Trinity College are hosting country themed parties this year). Pop (adjacent) artists like Zayn, Chappell Roan, Post Malone, and MGK are moving to the country genre. But Beyoncé really is the non-country artist who made this genre switch to mainstream with her album COWBOY CARTER, which made country cool among audiences who typically didn’t like the genre (like myself, I’ve always hated the genre, but man I sure love this). As well, according to Rolling Stone, she is the first Black woman to have a number one country song.

Popular Track: “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”

Underrated Track: “AMERIICAN REQUIEM”

Features: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Rumi Carter, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Shaboozey, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone

Covers: “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, “Blackbird” by the Beatles, and “Oh Louisiana” by Chuck Berry

10. BRAT - Charli xcx (June 7, 2024)

Reason For Inclusion: Brat Summer. That’s it. This phrase became such a big deal in the summer of 2024 that even Kamala Harris used the phrase “Kamala is Brat” and the green album cover aesthetic as part of her promotional campaign for the 2024 US presidency. The viral dance for the track “Apple” was all over TikTo k and I could not escape it all summer. A second version of the album was released in fall 2024 with some of the biggest pop stars in the world, renamed “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat”. While I don’t fully understand “Brat” myself, this is a cultural phenomenon that had to be included.

Popular Track: “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish

Underrated Track: “I might say something stupid”

Features: Robyn, Yung Lean, Bb trikz, Ariana Grande, The 1975, John Hopkins,  Troye Sivan, Addison Rae, A.G. Cook, Caroline Polachek, Bladee, Lorde, The Japanese House, Tinashe, Julian Casablancas, Bon Iver, Shygirl, Billie Eilish and Kesha

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As the first half of this decade comes to an end, I’m excited for the music to come in the latter half!

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