Every decade has its own document of music that defines the times. The ’90s was populated with alternative rock, grunge, and industrial, turning Kurt Cobain and Trent Reznor into magazine cover stars. Pop punk and emo’s mainstream moment erupted throughout the 2000s, and, in contrast, the 2010s saw hip-hop dominate the biggest stages, becoming the most popular genre within the U.S. With this in mind, we started thinking about the best albums of the 2020s so far — and which ones could most deftly embody our current moment when we look back years from now. We threw the question to our readers, and their answers were just as varied as we expected. Find the top fan picks ranked below.
Read more: 15 of Fall Out Boy’s heaviest songs of all time, ranked
5. Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea
After releasing 2021’s Eternal Blue, Spiritbox had a lot to live up to. Their blend of crushing intensity with heavenly melodies is an alluring contrast that shot them into a “surreal simulation of heavy-metal stardom.” They’ve made good on the momentum since, hopping on tour with Korn, scoring a Grammy nomination (and going viral for being mistaken for Poppy), and collaborating with Megan Thee Stallion, but Tsunami Sea is definitely a different beast. Across their second LP, Spiritbox elevate their sound without losing any of the heaviness, starting off strong with the absolute ripper “Fata Morgana.”
4. L.S. Dunes – Violet
Our readers love L.S. Dunes, so they were bound to make this list. The post-hardcore supergroup released their searing debut album, Past Lives, in 2022, a project made during the pandemic that encapsulated the life-saving bond between Anthony Green, Frank Iero, Travis Stever, Tim Payne, and Tucker Rule — all of whom have their own impressive resumes within the alternative and punk space. Their highly anticipated sophomore, Violet, released earlier this year, ups the stakes, reflecting a collective only looking forward and following their “first best guess.” Recorded with their “sixth member” Will Yip, Violet is a complete triumph.
3. Pierce the Veil – The Jaws of Life
Prior to releasing The Jaws of Life in 2023, Pierce the Veil hadn’t made a proper album in seven years. During that time, the trio shifted into a new headspace and wanted to do things their own way — a move they admitted might confuse longtime fans who followed them since their post-hardcore days in the late 2000s. “We really didn’t know how people were going to take it, but we knew it was the record we had to make,” Vic Fuentes told us last year, reflecting on their reinvigorated perspective. It’s been nothing but positive since, resulting in a stadium tour with blink-182, a cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police,” and their own era-spanning headliner that kicks off next month.
2. Bad Omens – THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND
Bad Omens’ THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND was a huge departure in sound. Whereas their first two albums earned comparisons to Slipknot and BMTH, the band transcended their metalcore roots with their third, injecting trap, R&B, and hip-hop elements into their music while maintaining all of the intensity. “It’s very electronic and musically progressive to a degree that I don’t identify as a rock band anymore,” Noah Sebastian explained in 2022. “We still love rock and metal… but when I listen to rock bands, it doesn’t feel anything like what I’m doing. That’s always been the goal — to do something that isn’t the same as everything else on the rock playlist.”
1. Fall Out Boy – So Much (For) Stardust
If you know our readers, you won’t be surprised by this result. Fall Out Boy’s So Much (For) Stardust was a welcome return to their roots. They reunited with producer Neal Avron, who worked on their most beloved albums (From Under the Cork Tree, Infinity On High) and signed to Fueled by Ramen, the label that backed them in their scrappier days. Armed with the sophistication and wisdom from their many years together, Fall Out Boy stretched out — from orchestral flourishes (“I Am My Own Muse”) to the bonafide pop punk that made their name (“Love From the Other Side”). As we said upon its release, So Much (For) Stardust isn’t a comeback — it’s an expansion.