It’s hard to believe 10 years have already passed since 2014. The year was huge for the music industry, seeing the release of several albums by influential pop artists. To celebrate the monumental year and make you feel slightly old, Pop Passion has compiled a list of Iconic Pop Albums Turning 10 in 2024.
1. Sam Smith - In the Lonely Hour
Marking the 10th anniversary of Sam Smith’s debut album, In the Lonely Hour was released in the UK on May 26, 2014. The album was a global commercial success, becoming the second best-selling album of 2014 in the UK and third best-selling of 2014 in the US. In the Lonely Hour earned Smith nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, winning the latter. Giving the artist many hits, this album features many fan-favorites including “Money on My Mind,” “Stay With Me,” and “I’m Not the Only One.”
2. Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence
Serving as the artist’s third studio album, Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence was released 10 years ago on June 13, 2014. The album achieved global success, charting at number one in 11 countries including the United States. Five singles were released prior to the album, using “West Coast,” “Ultraviolence,” “Shades of Cool,” “Black Beauty,” and “Brooklyn Baby” to promote Del Rey’s work.
3. Hozier - Hozier
Celebrating 10 years since the release of his debut album, Hozier’s Hozier was released September 19, 2014. The artist began gaining traction prior to the album’s release with his EPs Take Me to Church (2013) and From Eden (2014), later including songs from these works on his self-titled album. Hozier is described as a blend of blues, soul, indie rock, gospel, R&B, and folk music, setting the stage for Hozier’s unique sound that fans have grown to know and love. The album achieved global success with its lead single, “Take Me to Church” earning a nomination for Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Some of the other hits from the album include “From Eden,” “Work Song,” and “Someone New.”
4. Jessie J - Sweet Talker
The third studio album by English singer-songwriter Jessie J, Sweet Talker was released October 13, 2014, by Lava Records and Island Records. The album features several noteworthy guest appearances, including 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, De La Soul, and Lindsey Stirling. Sweet Talker achieved critical acclaim, especially for the worldwide hit singles “Bang Bang (ft. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj)" and "Masterpiece."
5. Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear
Sia’s sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear, was released 10 years ago on July 4, 2014. The album is primarily electropop but infuses elements of reggae and hip hop throughout the track listing. 1000 Forms of Fear lyrically represents many of Sia’s personal struggles, focusing on her experiences with drug addiction and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the time (later being re-diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2019). A huge commercial success for Sia, 1000 Forms of Fear earned the artist three ARIA Music Awards in 2014 and several Grammy nominations for the wildly popular song “Chandelier.” Aside from “Chandelier,” other hits from the album include “Elastic Heart,” “Fire Meet Gasoline,” and “Big Girls Cry.”
6. Taylor Swift - 1989
Swifties rejoice as Taylor Swift’s 1989 gets ready to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. The artist’s fifth studio album was released October 27, 2014, by Big Machine Records and features a sound inspired by 1980s synth-pop. 1989 netted the superstar several awards, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards, and became certified nine-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Giving Swift a plethora of commercial hits and fan favorites, 1989 has an iconic track listing that includes songs like “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,” “Bad Blood,” “Wildest Dreams,” “Out of the Woods,” and “Style.”
7. Ed Sheeran - X
Marking the 10th anniversary of Ed Sheeran’s sophomore album, X (pronounced “multiply”) was released through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records on June 20, 2014, in Australia and New Zealand, later releasing worldwide on June 23 of the same year. The album achieved international commercial success as it peaked at number one in 15 countries, topping both the UK Albums Chart and US Billboard 200. Several singles spawned from the album, including “Sing,” “Don’t,” “Bloodstream,” “Photograph,” and “Thinking Out Loud.”
8. Maroon 5 - V
Fifth studio album by the iconic Maroon 5, V will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the near future as the album was released August 29, 2014, via 222 and Interscope Records. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and spawned several hits for the group, including “Maps,” “Animals,” and “Sugar.” V marked the return of keyboardist/backing vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jesse Carmichael after his absence from their previous album, Overexposed.
9. Ariana Grande - My Everything
Recently hitting the 10-year mark, Ariana Grande’s My Everything was released on August 22, 2014, by Republic Records. The album’s production featured an all-star cast as Grande worked with names like Max Martin, Shellback, Zedd, Ryan Tedder, Darkchild, Benny Blanco, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and David Guetta. Showcasing Grande’s evolving sound at the time, My Everything blended several genres including pop, R&B, EDM, electropop, and dance-pop. The album saw Grande collaborating with other iconic artists as Iggy Azalea, Big Sean, Zedd, Cashmere Cat, Childish Gambino, A$AP Ferg, and The Weeknd made guest appearances. My Everything quickly achieved global success and had many breakout hits, including “Problem,” “Love Me Harder,” and “One Last Time."
10. Charli XCX - Sucker
An impressive sophomore album coming up on its 10th anniversary, English singer Charli XCX’s Sucker was released December 15, 2014 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was a commercial success for the artist, finding itself included on several year-end lists for best albums of 2014. Sucker spawned several memorable singles and fan-favorites, including “Boom Clap,” “Break the Rules,” “Doing It (ft. Rita Ora),” and “Famous.”
11. One Direction - Four
Fourth studio album by the English-Irish boy band One Direction, Four was released November 17, 2014, by Columbia Records and Syco Music. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, debuting at number one in 18 countries and being the band’s fourth number one album in the United States. Four was the sixth best-selling album of 2014, having sold 3.2 million copies worldwide, and featured several hits including “Steal My Girl” and “Night Changes.” The album was the last one released with member Zayn Malik as he announced his departure in March of 2015.
12. 5 Seconds of Summer - 5 Seconds of Summer
Celebrating 10 years since the release of their debut studio album, 5 Seconds of Summer’s self-titled album was released June 27, 2014, in Europe by Capitol Records. The album debuted at number one in the US on the Billboard 200 and spawned several hits for the Australian group, including “She Looks So Perfect,” “Amnesia,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Good Girls.” Reminiscent of One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer features a blend of elements from the pop punk, pop rock, and power pop genres.
13. Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint
A throwback from December 12, 2014, Nicki Minaj’s third studio album, The Pinkprint, turns 10 this year. The album was released through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records and was co-executive-produced by Minaj alongside Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Ronald Williams. The Pinkprint received positive reviews from critics and fans, peaking at number two on the US Billboard 200. Giving Minaj many commercial hits, The Pinkprint features the singles “Pills n Potions,” “Anaconda,” “Only,” “Truffle Butter,” “Bed of Lies,” and “The Night Is Still Young.”
14. Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett - Cheek to Cheek
A blend of jazz and traditional pop, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s Cheek to Cheek is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024. The duo’s first collaborative album was released in September 2014, serving as Bennett’s 58th studio album and Gaga’s fourth. Receiving critical acclaim, Cheek to Cheek was praised by critics and won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Cheek to Cheek featured songs like “Anything Goes” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” both of which were released as singles prior to the album.
Do you remember when these albums came out? What are some of your favorites from 2014? Let us know on our socials!
Written By Cheyenne Johnson
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