Rolling Stone: Albums of the Year, 1965-2024

Rolling Stone: Albums of the Year, 1965-2024

Since 1977, the American music magazine Rolling Stone has done an annual list of the year’s best albums. This list also includes picks back to 1965, based on best-of-all-time lists created by Rolling Stone. Check out other album of the year awards here. Charli XCX Brat 2023: SZA SOS 2022: Beyoncé Renaissance 2021: Olivia Rodrigo Sour 2020: Taylor Swift Folklore 2019: Ariana Grande Thank U, Next 2018: Cardi B Invasion of Privacy 2017: Kendrick Lamar Damn. 2016: Beyoncé Lemonade 2015: Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly 2014: U2 Songs of Innocence 2013: Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City 2012: Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball 2011: Adele 21 2010: Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 2009: U2 No Line on the Horizon 2008: TV on the Radio Dear Science 2007: M.I.A. Kala 2006: Bob Dylan Modern Times 2005: Kanye West Late Registration 2004: Kanye West The College Dropout 2003: OutKast Speakerboxxx/The Love Below 2002: Beck Sea Change 2001: Bob Dylan Love and Theft 2000: Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 1999: Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles 1998: Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 1997: Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind 1996: Beck Odelay 1995: PJ Harvey To Bring You My Love 1994: Hole Live Through This 1993: Nirvana In Utero 1992: R.E.M. Automatic for the People 1991: R.E.M. Out of Time 1990: Sinéad O’Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got 1989: Neil Young Freedom 1988: Midnight Oil Diesel and Dust 1987: Bruce Springsteen Tunnel of Love 1986: Paul Simon Graceland 1985: Talking Heads Little Creatures 1984: Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. 1983: R.E.M. Murmur 1982: Richard & Linda Thompson Shoot Out the Lights 1982: Bruce Springsteen Nebraska 1981: The Rolling Stones Tattoo You 1980: The Clash London Calling 1979: Neil Young & Crazy Horse Rust Never Sleeps 1978: The Rolling Stones Some Girls 1977: Fleetwood Mac Rumours 1976: Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life 1975: Bruce Springsteen Born to Run 1974: Elton John Greatest Hits (compilation: 1970-74) 1973: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 1972: The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street 1971: The Who Who’s Next 1970: Black Sabbath Paranoid 1969: The Beatles Abbey Road 1968: The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) 1967: The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 1966: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 1965: The Beatles Rubber Soul Resources and Related Links: RockListMusic.co.uk: “Rolling Stone’s Album of the Year and End of Year Critic Lists” (1977-2020) Dave’s Music Database: “Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Albums of All Time” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” First posted 12/31/2020; last updated 12/2/2024.