Biggest album of the 2020's in NZ so far

I've also decided to make a list for popular albums in NZ, although the only new entries on this list will be from prominent NZ artists given how I'm not interested in covering albums that didn't make the cut on the Australian list that had every opportunity to do so. As such, these new albums will be the only new commentary I'll be offering up on this list.

Is there any surprise that Six60 tops this list? Again, I've decided to include local artists to show my readers how good the kiwis are at looking out for their own compared to the rest of the world who are more interested in chasing the Tik Tok trends that wind up going nowhere.

Peak position #1x34

Hit singles

The greatest #3

Please don't go #2

Raining #8

Never enough #10

Long gone #5

Sundown #6

There was a promising career for Pop smoke if the overwhelming success of his one and only album is anything to go by, yes, he sounds like a 50-cent rip-off, however that's only because he was heavily influenced by the 00's rapper who agreed to executive produce the album.

Peak position #1x10

Hit singles

The woo #10

Mood swings #4

For the night #9

What you know about love #6

This didn't even get to number one, and yet it's by far the most successful album of the decade so far. It makes sense that it's a success given how inescapable the Weeknd is, however its refusal to die on the charts is a testament to how little validity they ultimately have.

Peak position #1x3

There was so much hype going into this album that even the pandemic wasn't able to affect its inevitable success upon its initial release, although this proved to be fluke for Dua Lipa as her third album would crash and burn in 2024.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Don't start now #3

Physical #16

Break my heart #12

Levitating #5

This was technically eligible for my 2010's album list as it did crack the top fifty for the ARIA year end charets for 2019, however it saw its success in 2020 which is why it's on this list instead. It was the album that made Harry Styles an international juggernaut given how much bigger it is compared to his debut and anything he did with 1D.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Lights up #7

Adore you #6

Falling #24

Watermelon sugar #4

Golden #40

Given how the pandemic prevented anyone from promoting their music, this meant that there wasn't any chance for fresh new talent to rise to the levels of Taylor Swift and Drake until 2021. The first fresh face to do so was Olivia Rodrigo who took the world by storm with her debut album that year.

Peak position #1x15

Hit singles

Driver's license #1

Deja vu #3

Good 4 u #1

Traitor #5

Brutal #8

This was one of the most delayed albums on this list given how the lead single came out two years prior to it seeing the light of day, suffice to say that the wait was worth it as this second album from Sza managed to finally give her mainstream success that her debut failed to do.

Peak position #1x9

Hit singles

Good days #3

I hate u #8

Shirt #15

Nobody gets me #22

Kill bill #1

Snooze #5

Even though every album Taylor Swift has released was a candidate for this list, this 2022 effort still feels like a comeback of sorts given how it was the first to spawn a genuine hit for her since her 2019 effort Lover.

Peak position #1x8

Hit singles

Anti hero #1

Lavender haze #2

Karma #9

This is the most recent entry from Harry Styles, even though I said it didn't do as well as his earlier entry on this list, that's only because it dropped out of the upper echelons of the charts much quicker than his earlier entry.

Peak position #1x8

Hit singles

As it was #1

Late night talking #2

Music for a sushi restaurant #4

Satellite #30

Daylight #8

Given how she managed to go from a lolcow to a genuine artist during the pandemic, it made sense that Doja Cat's second album would have hype going into its release which was effortlessly met due to the positive reception her back catalogue had received during the lead up to its release.

Peak position #1x4

Hit singles

Kiss me more #1

You right #6

Need to know #5

Woman #9

Get into you #18

If you want proof that cancel culture is something that only exists on social media, consider the fact that Morgan Wallen went from a mere reality show contestant to an overnight sensation after the far left tried to cancel him for derogatory slurs he said during a drunken night out.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

You proof #37

Last night #2

This is the penultimate album from Ed Sheeran seeing as he decided that - would be his final album when that dropped in 2023, I guess he ran out of mathematical equations to name his albums with which resulted in that album being rejected by his fans.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Bad habits #1

Shivers #3

Overpass graffiti #10

The joker and the queen #26

Even though he only had four albums to his name by the time he released this greatest hits album, Post Malone still had a healthy catalogue of singles to allow it to be the perfect starting point for newer fans getting into his music.

Peak position #3

Talk about a sleeper hit, this was initially a minor success when it came out in 2019 as audiences were too busy ridiculing the big hit from the album in order to pay attention to what else Lewis Capaldi had to offer. It finally took off when the deluxe edition was released which got him out of the one hit wonder bin.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Bruises #40

Someone you loved #4

Before you go #9

I wasn't expecting to feature an album from Metro boomin of all people on this list, although it doesn't escape my notice that the album art for his breakthrough bears a striking resemblance to that of the Pink Floyd album Wish you were here from 1975.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Creepin #6

This was the comeback album that Justin Bieber released following the disaster that was his 2020 effort Changes (which will be featured on this list BTW.) He's yet to release a new album due to personal trauma he's experienced in recent years, however I'm sure it'll be as big as his previous efforts.

Peak position #1x3

Hit singles

Holy #2

Lonely #12

Anyone #9

Hold on #7

Peaches #1

Ghost #16

Behold the album which spawned the biggest hit of all time for the remainder of time in NZ, admittedly this was simply a highly successful reggae album from a supergroup that spawned a hit that refuses to die on the RIANZ charts, however it's legacy will outlive everything else on this list as far as music historians are concerned.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

In the air #1

Even though this ranks fairly high on this list, this is clearly a disappointment from Olivia Rodrigo given how it only had one inescapable hit as opposed to the four from her earlier entry. We'll have to wait and see if she'll bounce back from this misstep with her next album.

Peak position #1x3

Hit singles

Vampire #1

Bad idea right #4

Get him back #5

You'd think that after the Astroworld disaster that Travis Scott would be blacklisted from the music industry, it appears that wasn't the case as while his most recent album failed to spawn a hit for him, it made up for that by being his biggest album to date as an album.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

K-pop #27

Delresto #30

Meltdown #4

I know #10

Fein #6

Following the success of their earlier album (well more specifically that albums big hit) L.A.B released their fourth self-titled album which became an instant success for them and continued their winning streak on the singles charts.

Peak position #1x5

Hit singles

My brother #35

Why oh why #1

Yes I do #13

I hope you're ready for the Taylor's versions of her back catalogue because they're all going to feature on this list, this was by far the most successful given how inescapable the original version from 2014 was throughout the 2010's.

Peak position #1x7

Hit singles

Slut #5

Is it over now #1

I'm somewhat cheating with this entry as there's several evolutions to its existence which contributes to its success, it's initial release was a success only here in Australia back when we still promoted local talent (good times.) The deluxe edition is where Kid Laroi managed to acquire an international market thanks to the hits it spawns, and the ultra-deluxe edition is what spawned his biggest hit to date.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Go #32

So done #17

Without you #8

Stay #1

This was a straggler from 2019 that failed to rack up the points to appear on my 2010's list, fortunately it lasted for quite some time during the pandemic meaning we can finally have a look at the breakthrough album that the Drax project had from their homeland. Admittedly it's a bit bizarre they haven't had any further success in their homeland given how they saw crossover success here in Australia.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Woke up late #15

All this time #21

Catching feelings #3

You knew that there would be a sequel to the first Curtain call album from 2005, however it appears that fans aren't as impressed with the post Encore material from Eminem as they were with his early material given how this has dropped off the charts while the first volume continues to chart to this day.

Peak position #5

Regardless of whether you consider it brilliant satire of fourth wave feminism (like I do) or indoctrination towards a life of misery and unfulfillment like its detractors, there's no denying that Barbie was a phenomenon when it came out largely thanks to its soundtrack which was also a success.

Peak position #1x4

Hit singles

Dance the night away #5

Barbie world #3

Speed drive #22

What was I made for #2

Adele was 33 when this album came out and yet it still manages to be one of the most popular albums of the 2020's. Admittedly its success doesn't hold a candle to what her previous two albums achieved, however the fact it succeeded in a landscape dominated by Tik Tok videos is impressive.

Peak position #1x7

Hit singles

Easy on me #1

Oh my god #10

I drink wine #7

This is another album that was delayed due to the pandemic, although I don't think Billie Eilish minded as she's always been uncomfortable with the fame she receives from her music. Indeed, this was less popular that her first album and potentially her fourth album from 2024.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

My future #4

Therefore I am #1

Your power #5

Lost cause #15

DNA #14

Happier than ever #4

Oh look, another Drake album, it goes to show that even someone as divisive as him can put out (in my and many others opinion) mediocre material and still find success over the likes of the Tik Tok crowd in this day and age.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Slime you out #9

Rich baby daddy #9

Although she toyed with the idea of going indie on her 2019 album Lover, this was the point where Taylor Swift decided to make the commitment which may have costed her hit singles, but the trade-off was critical acclaim she hadn't received since her Fearless days.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Cardigan #2

Exile #5

Betty #22

I think I'm in the minority when I say the music to Disney's Encanto sucks, that definitely seemed to be the case shortly after its release as said soundtrack might just be the most successful Disney has ever spawned.

Peak position #1x4

Hit singles

We don't talk about Bruno #4

Speak now was never among Taylor's most well revered albums, as such it makes sense that none of the songs were released as singles which likely benefitted the album as it allows it to outrank the other Taylor versions of her back catalogue.

Peak position #1x2

Ariana Grande had a mixed year in 2020 as on the one hand she scored a bunch of hits but on the other one of them was a pandemic cash grab with Justin Bieber which rubbed people the wrong way. She capped it off with this album which was a massive success for her.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Positions #1

34+35 #3

POV #19

Who knows how this album would've turned out had Juice wrld lived to see its completion, what I do know is that his label had to make do with a bunch of demos he had lying around and have other artists make sense of what he was going for in order to finish the album.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Righteous #14

Life's a mess #14

Come and go #8

Wishing well #13

Smile #12

OK I think I understand now why Six60 kept naming their albums after themselves given how the first time they called it something else it saw a massive dip in popularity. That said, this still did quite well among their fellow kiwis, which is further proof they tend to look out for their local talent.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Before you leave #3

Never been tonight #39

OK I jumped the gun when I said that Drake hasn't had any success with his albums in the 2020's, admittedly it's a downgrade to his 2010's success, however his fans have been loyal enough for his newer output to make the cut for the list.

Peak position #1x3

Hit singles

Way 2 sexy #7

Girls want girls #2

Knife talk #13

File this in the category of the singles being far more popular than the album itself, although make no mistake, this was a massive hit for the Weeknd even if it was released during the height of the pandemic. Still, this does feel a bit low given how much of a landmark it was upon its initial release.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Heartless #13

Blinding lights #1

After hours #29

In your eyes #24

Save your tears #9

It looks like Taylor Swift's been busy in recent years as not only has she been rerecording her back catalogue to get back at Scooter Braun, but she also found time to release not one but two new albums in 2020 with this being the second of those albums.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Willow #3

No body no crime #29

For the third year in a row, L.A.B released a self titled album which became an instant success for them, they took a year off in 2022 from releasing a new album, however they returned in 2023 for their latest album which peaked in 2024 (and thus won't be appearing on this list at this stage.)

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Mr. reggae #3

Under the sun #12

It looks like spawning a hit is what costed this album a higher spot on this list, although the fact that this still manages to make the cut over so many other obvious entries should tell you how well loved the country scene is since the pandemic shook the music landscape.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Fast car #8

It took him a while to follow up the Black panther soundtrack, however Kendrick Lamar returned in 2022 with this album that while failing to produce a hit single for him, was a massive hit in its own right. We'll have to wait and see if his latest album matches the success of his previous output.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

N95 #2

Die hard #6

There are simply no signs of Eminem slowing down as he managed to begin the decade with another successful album to his name, heck his latest album only barely missed the cut for this list and could potentially make the cut due to how recently it's come out.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Darkness #35

Godzilla #2

If you're wondering who Sons of Zion are meant to be, they are a reggae band from NZ who despite not achieving much success, managed to score a massive hit with this greatest hits album they released in 2022 among their fellow kiwis.

Peak position #9

We have only one entry from Kanye West on this list, naturally it's the one entry that doesn't have any baggage attached to it given how there wasn't any controversy surrounding the rapper when he released this album.

Peak position #1x1

Hit single

Hurricane #3

Off the grid #7

We have another Taylor's version album to look at, this time it's Red which seemed to match the success of the original version from nine years prior despite the new singles failing to light up the charts upon its initial release.

Peak position #1x1

It was only inevitable that Lil Nas X would find success with his debut album given the storm his E.P created in 2019, here he is with said album that succeeded purely through offending the far right (particularly the idiots from the Daily wire) by rubbing his gayness in everyone's faces.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Montero #2

Industry baby #1

That's what I want #6

You know this decade has been weak for the music industry when this "flop" from Justin Bieber still manages to make the cut for this list, although make no mistake, this was a disaster for the pop star given how ridiculous the lead single was.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Yummy #1

Intentions #1

This was a bit of a comeback for Beyonce as it's the first album from her to spawn a hit single anywhere in the world since herself titled from nine years prior, although this feels like a temporary comeback as though it spawned a hit for her, her next album was a huge flop due to her pivoting towards country.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Break my soul #16

Cuff it #3

America has a problem #25

Even though the singles all bombed in the mainstream, that didn't prevent this album from the Weeknd from being a huge success worldwide which makes you wonder why they all bombed to being with. I guess the mainstream was able to see the fallout of his show the Idol a year in advanced.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Take my breath #12

Sacrifice #22

AC/DC is still making music, and not only that it still resonating with modern audiences? That seems to be the case as their 2020 effort managed to make the cut despite so many other obvious entries being absent on this list.

Peak position #1x1

It took them four years, but Sol Mio 3 managed to release their fourth album which granted didn't reach the dizzying heights of success of their first three albums but was nonetheless a big hit for the trio in their homeland.

Peak position #2

It took them forty years, however Abba finally reunited in 2021 to make one last album together which managed to become a hit purely through nostalgia of their heyday from the 70's. Still the fact this succeeded over the likes of those Tik Tok clowns is proof the music industry isn't dying.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Don't shut me down #31

This might be the last we hear from P!nk given how it only makes the cut due to the love we Aussies have for her back catalogue, although for what it's worth, the title track did receive constant airplay despise it being a massive flop on our charts.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Trustfall #36

Again, we have proof that Drake's fans are loyal to the Canadian rapper no matter what given how this critically panned album managed to make the cut on this list over so many other names you'd think would be swarming this list.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Sticky #10

Massive #15

Jimmy cooks #3

From what I can gather, Teeks is a Māori artist who saw massive success with his debut album in his homeland in 2021. He's described as a singer/songwriter, so I'm guessing he didn't rely on Tik Tok or social media gimmicks in order to appeal to his fellow kiwis.

Peak position #1x1

Much like the first film, this second entry in the Frozen franchise divides audiences due to perceived "wokeness" affiliated with it. Again, I'm not an "anti-woke" moron by any means, which means I don't buy that the film or its soundtrack is indoctrinating kids like so many others do.

Peak position #8

Until recently, this was the final album that Lady Gaga released given how she disappeared from the spotlight following its lukewarm success compared to her previous album A star is born. She's since reemerged following her critically panned performance in Joker folie a deux.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Stupid love #23

Rain on me #2

It looks like Post Malone lost a lot of good will by taking a break between his third album Hollywood bleeding and this fourth release given how there was a three-year gap between both albums, although his fans eventually returned given how big the third single was from the album,

Peak position #2

Hit singles

One right now #19

Cooped up #8

I like you #6

You knew that Stranger things would make the cut given how season four got "Running up that hill" to rechart in 2022, although interestingly that song is nowhere to be found on this album despite how big it got.

Peak position #6

As promised, we have here the big albums from 2024 which I'll eventually add to the main list once the dust settles later in the year.

This is Billie Eilish's most recent entry, again we'll have to wait and see if this will overtake her entry on the main list given how it's not even a year old as of this writing, however it looks likely given how much more popular the singles are compared to that entry.

Peak position #1x10

Hit singles

Lunch #2

Birds of a feather #1

Chihiro #6

Of course, we start off this bonus section with Taylor Swift's latest album, it may have been panned by everyone not a part of the Swiftie culture, however the Swifties are so powerful that they made it the biggest album of the year despite the backlash it received.

Peak position #1x4

Hit singles

Fortnight #1

I can do with a broken heart #6

I don't think anyone was expecting to see Charli XCX on one of these lists given how her time in the spotlight came to an end in 2015 when "Break the rules" fell off the charts. Here we are almost a decade later with this album which managed to spawn her biggest hit and thus become a success in its own right.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

360 #33

Apple #22

Guess #1

This was released to deafening silence in 2023 likely because nobody knew what to make of a woman who presented herself as a drag queen, however it took off due to the success of Chapell Roan's latest single "Good luck babe" which encouraged her fans to discover her back catalogue.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Hot to go #17

These guys were so successful that their greatest hits album the released this year managed to become a massive success for them fifteen years into their career, this is proof that these types of albums still have a place in the music scene even in the age of streaming.

Peak position #2

The final entry for my list, it comes to us from Ariana Grande who managed to pick things up where she left them off in 2021 with her latest album. We'll have to see how well the Wicked soundtrack does given how it was released too late in the year to be a contender for this list.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Yes and #3

We can't be friends #1

The boy is mine #23

Much like Six60, L.A.B were also able to score a massive hit in 2024 with a greatest hits album. It makes sense given how well they've done in the 2020's so far.

Peak position #1x4

It took her six attempts; however, Sabrian Carpenter has finally been able to make it into the mainstream with her latest album due to the drama she found herself in with Olivia Rodrigo earlier in the decade. It's also possible she'll now take over from Taylor Swift as the female pop start of the decade given the success of its singles.

Peak position #1x10

Hit singles

Espresso #2

Please please please #1

Taste #2

Bed chem #9

This is a half greatest hits half live album from Ed Sheeran, I guess the fact that it's a two for one deal is what made it a success although we have to wait and see if this is the full extent of its popularity given how it's the most recent entry on this list.

Peak position #3

Whereas her father has never had a critical hit to his name, Gracie Abrams has taken the music industry by storm with her second album thanks to hopping on the country bandwagon which helped her distinguish herself from the Taylor Swifts and Billie Eilish's of the world.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Close to you #31

I love you I'm sorry #5

That's so true #1