OK I've decided to give another crack at making commentary about the biggest albums of the 2010's here in Australia, I won't go into too much depth about these albums as it would become repetitive if I did, however I'll make a quick comment with each of them to give you an idea of how homogenised this decade was throughout the world when it comes to popular music.
If you can believe it, The Weeknd actually came from a tiny indie label initially, meaning that his breakthrough album managed to be a massive success here in Australia due to heavy promotion on Triple J which the RNB singer still manages to receive to this day with his new material.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Earned it #13
Can't feel my face #2
The hills #3
In the night #13
This was a breakup album from Usher that initially struggled for success due to audiences tapping out from his music at the start of the decade, however it was given a second chance when the third single (at least from his native America) took off worldwide which allowed it to crossover internationally for the RNB singer. It's true success came from the deluxe edition and its singles here in Australia.
Peak position #2
(#3 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
OMG #1
DJ got us falling in love #3
More #7
This is an album that was released in this band's native Iceland in 2011, it didn't see an international released until a year later when the lead single became huge hit here in Australia and NZ thanks to heavy endorsement on Triple J. It remains their only successful album internationally likely due to them being an indie band during the height of the club boom.
Peak position #1x1
(#2 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Little talks #7
Mountain sound #29
This is another album that would qualify for my comeback list, mainly because it was the first album that Disturbed released since they reformed in the midpoint of the decade as well as it spawning their only genuine hit here in Australia. Admittedly it was when their Simon and Garfunkel cover became a hit here that this album became a best seller for them down under.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
The sound of silence #4
This is the final album from KD Lang to find any success here in Australia, mainly because the greatest hits package was released at the very start of the decade which means it rebounded during its chart run when it was considered the perfect Mother's Day gift.
Peak position #1x3
(#1 physical)
Hit singles
Hallelujah #13
While her popularity is finally beginning to dwindle here in Australia, it's clear that we Aussies still have plenty of love for P!nk given how her most recent album (as of this writing) is among the most popular of the decade down under.
Peak position #1x3
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Walk me home #12
Hurts 2b human #48
Although this album was a hit for Muse upon its initial release for Muse at the end of the 00's, its true peak in popularity didn't occur until the start of the decade when the singles were ranked high on Triple J's list of the best songs of 2009 which made this a shoe in for this list of mine.
Peak position #1x1
(#3 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Uprising #23
Undisclosed desires #11
Before Lorde, there was Lana Del Rey who was considered to be the queen of indie pop with her first album as Lana Del Rey (she previously released albums under her real name Lizzie Grant.) It was a massive success worldwide thanks to the songs being featured in many commercials on the internet, although it was also a success here in Australia due to it being heavily promoted by Triple J.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Born to die #34
Video games #23
Summertime sadness (remix) #3
This is an album that was extremely lucky to have any amount of success when it did given how Amy Shark was an indie artist who definitely wasn't capable of competing with streaming services when she released her debut album, this might have been one of the biggest of the whole decade had it not been pushed aside for the likes of Drake and Ed Sheeran from earlier on this list.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Adore #3
I said hi #6
Mess her up #29
This was originally released in 2011 to deafening silence here in Australia, it was given a second chance when someone used one of the tracks on the album in an audition which led to Birdy finding massive success with the album a year after its initial release. For a while, she was hailed as the new Adele given this was when Ms. Adkins had considered retirement; she changed her mind which left Birdy in obscurity.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
Hit singles
People help the people #10
Skinny love #2
There was a ton of hype going into this debut album from Rudimental here in Australia, the hype was effortlessly met when it was released given how it was one of the first albums to be released after all of the singles came out, a trend that would become very common during the height of streaming.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #9 physical)
Hit singles
Feel the love #3
Not giving in #12
Waiting all night #6
Right here #29
Free #5
This will be the only album that will ever be a success for Travis Scott, mainly because of a disastrous event that is named after this album that I won't talk about but has since rightfully gotten this guy cancelled in the music industry.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital)
Hit singles
Sicko mode #6
Stargazing #10
This is the last successful album that Guy Sebastian has had in his career, granted he's released new music since, however like many other Australian artists, he's been pushed aside in the music industry in favour of many international artists making it big through streaming.
Peak position #1x1
(#3 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Don't worry be happy #5
Gold #10
Battle scars #1
Get along #5
I did mention on my 2009 list that this had more of its success this decade than it did in the 00's, as such it became a shoe in for this list since it kick started the club boom that permeated for the first half of the decade.
Peak position #4
(#4 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
When love takes over #6
Sexy bitch #1
One love #36
Memories #3
Getting over you #5
This wasn't quite as successful for Sam Smith as their debut album from earlier on this list, however this was mainly because they hadn't conquered the streaming platforms when they released this album like they since have with their more recent material. Their third album was a huge success despite it being heavily delayed.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Too good at goodbyes #1
Pray #41
Well, this was released quite late in the 00's, naturally it would find most of its success this decade which ensured that it would have its place on this list.
Peak position #1x1
(#4 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Wheels #21
This was the album that began the internet's hatred of Maroon 5 throughout the decade, mainly because it feels more like a solo project for Adam Levine than their work from the 00's which of course caused people to cry sellout to their work. This is also another album on this list that would qualify for my biggest comebacks list from a few months back.
Peak position #4
(#2 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
Payphone #2
One more night #2
Daylight #19
Although this album was a massive hit for Lady Gaga upon its initial release, it received a polarising reception due to people growing tired of her style over substance approach to music that she had with her earlier appearance on this list. She would return to the spotlight later in the decade with her other entry on this list.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Born this way #1
Judas #6
The edge of glory #2
Hair #20
You and I #14
This was the debut album for Jason Derulo, it was a massive success at the start of the decade thanks to it spawning multiple hit singles for the RNB singer. His other albums did see minor success here in Australia throughout the decade, however they didn't leave enough of an impact to appear on this list.
Peak position #4
(#3 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Whatcha say #5
In my head #1
Riding solo #4
What if #32
The sky's the limit #22
This was released rather late in 2009, this allowed it to retain its popularity going into the 2010's which in turn allowed it a placement on this list of mine.
Peak position #3
(#2 digital, #6 physical)
Hit singles
Don't stop believing #5
Sweet Caroline #37
Take a bow #38
This is to date the final album that Sia has released in her career, mainly because she's step away from the music industry to direct a film that I'm not going to talk about on this list. This is a collection of songs that she wrote for other artists that were rejected by said artists that she wound up recording herself.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Alive #10
Bird set free #36
Cheap thrills #6
The greatest #2
Move your body #34
James Blunt was on a winning streak with his third album from the start of the decade worldwide, this is further proof that he wasn't a one hit wonder with "You're beautiful" internationally like he was over in America. He still has one more album to appear on this list, further proving the popularity of his catalogue.
Peak position #5
(#6 digital, #6 physical)
Hit singles
Stay the night #10
George Ezra was another artist who broke through in 2014 with their entry on this list that took forever in a day to release a follow up, he joins the ranks of James Bay and Hozier in this vein except he achieved moderate success with his second album thanks to one of the singles becoming a massive hit for him worldwide.
Peak position #4
(#3 digital, #7 physical)
Hit singles
Budapest #5
Blame it on me #10
This was the point where Keith Urban became a household name here in Australia, granted he released this greatest hits album in promotion of his appearance on the Voice Australia where he was a coach along the likes of Delta Goodrem, Seal and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Without you #39
This is the final successful album that James Blunt had in his career, it proved to be equally as successful as his earlier entry on this list even though this had a much higher peak than that did.
Peak position #2
(#2 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Bonfire heart #3
Heart to heart #26
Sing is a film I feel gets too much flack, mainly because while it is a predictable story looking to cash in on the success of reality singing shows, it's ultimately harmless and contains several decent covers made by the cast (who can at least all sing.) Audiences seemed to agree with this sentiment as both the film and soundtrack were a massive success worldwide.
Peak position #2
(#2 digital, #2 physical)
This is the final album on this list to win album of the year at the Grammys, although given how we've looked at entries from Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Adele, Bruno Mars and Mumford and sons, this feels like an outlier given how it was an EDM album compared to the rest of them being pop albums from the biggest names of the decade. This would also qualify for my comeback list due to the duo's absence on our charts since the start of the millennium.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Get lucky #1
I did mention this was more of a success in 2010 than it was upon its initial release for Temper trap, here we are with their debut album which became a worldwide smash thanks to the surprise success "Sweet disposition" had in the UK at the start of the decade.
Peak position #9
(#4 digital)
Hit singles
Love lost #42
Fader #47
Sweet disposition #14
This is the final Coldplay album to appear on this list, it was sandwiched between their two earlier entries on this list given how it wasn't seen as innovative as those two albums back in the day.
Peak position #1x3
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Magic #5
A sky full of stars #2
Midnight #25
While this didn't have that runaway hit anywhere in the world like their previous two albums had, this still managed to be a massive success for Florence + the Machine thanks to them having a strong and dedicated fanbase during the midpoint of the decade. Sadly, this would be their final successful album due to them being unable to compete on streaming services.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
What kind of man #16
Ship to wreck #48
Delilah #41
This is certainly a surprise entry, mainly because Paul Kelly never had much success with his albums here in Australia and hadn't had a hit in thirty years before he released this album. Indeed, this is the first major success he had in twenty years since his greatest hits package from 1997.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
This is the only other entry that Drake has on this list, mainly because it was his first album to heavily benefit from Spotify placing it on their curated playlists which has led many people (me included) into believing that he's engaging with payola on the site.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #9 physical)
Hit singles
Hotline bling #2
Too good #1
Pop style #44
Too good #3
Controlla #46
This was meant to be a comeback album for Ariana Grande, not that her previous album was a flop but rather it was mired in controversy due to her displaying public behaviour that was highly contentious throughout the decade. It was a massive hit for her; however, she still felt the need to rush release a follow-up that was far more successful as we've seen on this list.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
Hit singles
No tears left to cry #1
God is a woman #5
Breathin #8
There have been many popular covers albums over the years meant to cash in on nostalgia, this is by far the most prominent album to cash in on country nostalgia (at least here in Australia) given how it came from two country legends from our country scene despite this being both of their respective mainstream breakthroughs down under.
Peak position #2
(#7 digital, #1 physical)
This is one of four albums from Triple J to make the list, this was due to the rising popularity of their segment on the show where they find cover songs of indie artists (usually local artists) and present them as "like a version" (nice shout out to Madonna) which took our mainstream by storm this decade.
Peak position #5
(#2 digital, #6 physical)
Given how it spawned two of the biggest hits of the decade worldwide during the height of the indie boom, it makes sense that this second and final album from Fun managed to be a massive success during a time where rock music (even indie rock) was struggling to retain mainstream relevancy throughout the world.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
We are young #1
Some nights #1
Carry on #44
This is the final successful album to come from Damien Leith, naturally it was a covers album where the Irish born singer put his stamp on many Roy Orbison tracks which connected with us Aussies upon its initial release.
Peak position #2
(#2 physical)
OK I guess the Kings of Leon did manage to achieve some success with their fifth album at the start of the decade, I guess when you had an album as inescapable as their fourth one from 2008, you're not going to fade into obscurity as quickly as many of their contemporaries from the end of the 00's.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Radioactive #19
All three of Kendrick Lamar's albums sparked controversy when it came to the Grammys, mainly because they were beaten out in favour of albums from Macklemore, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars which led to a bunch of accusations towards the show that I won't get into here. Given how he was on a tiny indie label, his success here in Australia came from heavy promotion from Triple J.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
Hit singles
I #48
King kunta #32
It took a while for Missy Higgins to release her third album, in fact this came out around the same time as her rival Delta Goodrem's fourth album where this proved to be far more popular due to Missy remaining uncontroversial in the music industry where Delta wasn't for various reasons.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Everyone's waiting #11
Named after the year this album was released (which is also the name of an LGBT organisation here in Australia) this greatest hits album was released at the start of the decade by Guy Sebastian to massive success given how popular he was throughout the 00's here in Australia.
Peak position #4
(#10 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Who's that girl #1
This is another album that would qualify for my comeback list given how Human Nature somewhat fell into obscurity during the first half of the decade, this was a surprise success for them given how it had the same formula as their previous throwback albums of taking music of yesteryear and making it their own.
Peak position #2
(#2 physical)
This was a bigger hit here in Australia from the Marvel franchise; however, I'm only going by original chart runs for making this list which means that this album was less successful than the second edition as some of its success came when the second volume came out three years after this did.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #7 physical (eventually #6))
This is to date Pharrell's final solo album given how this was released around the time he was sued by the Marvin Gaye estate for "Blurred lines," it was a huge hit for him due to the lead single being the Oscar nominated theme song for Despicable me 2 that was a surprise mega hit for him.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Happy #1
Marilyn Monroe #29
This album would've been bigger here in Australia were it not pushed aside on streaming services in the mainstream, although at least it was a massive success here and in her homeland for Lorde which is more than I can say internationally where it was a flop for her despite its critical acclaim.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Green light #4
Liability #42
Perfect places #44
Homemade dynamite #23
Although this album was widely panned by critics upon its initial release and its success was a fraction of what their earlier entry on this list achieved, this still managed to make the cut for this list proving how little competition there was for the albums on here throughout the decade.
Peak position #8
(#3 digital, #8 physical)
Hit singles
The time #1
Just can't get enough #3
Don't stop the party #16
This album made history when it allowed Barbra Streisand to become the first artist to score a chart-topping album in every decade from the 60's to the 2010's in her native America, it's another duets album which I've noticed have been very popular over the years especially from older artists of the moment.
Peak position #1x1
(#5 digital, #1 physical)
This is the final successful album from Mumford and Sons here in Australia, although they did release one more album after this which likely would've been a hit for them here had it not been pushed aside from streaming services like so many other albums from artists not playing to Spotify's services.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Believe #29
Although this second album wasn't as successful for Flume here in Australia as his debut from earlier on this list, it made up for that by being an international success for him due to how wide of a reach the singles managed to achieve on the international indie scene.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Never be like you #1
Smoke and retribution #23
Say it #5
This is the only successful album to come from Jessie J, it would've appeared higher on this list had it not being more of a sleeper hit which suggests that we Aussies were a bit on the fence in making this a success from an artist that's often described as the British equivalent of Katy Perry.
Peak position #4
(#7 digital, #3 physical)
Hit singles
Price tag #2
Nobody's perfect #9
Domino #5
Laserlight #48
This will be the only appearance from Kanye West on this list, this was back before his presence in the mainstream became toxic throughout the decade for reasons I won't be going to on this list. Sure, he had the occasional slip up prior to this album (usually at the MTV awards) however after this album was where people found him to be insufferable as a human being.
Peak position #6
(#1 digital, #10 physical)
Hit singles
Runaway #46
All of the lights #24
This was a surprise hit for RagNBone man, a British artist who you'd think would be on a tiny indie label but wasn't and so, wasn't able to benefit from any promotion from Triple J like so many other artists with this sound were able to on this list. I guess audiences were really impressed with his booming voice on the album.
Peak position #3
(#3 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
Human #17
This is another album that is a contender for my comeback list, mainly because the world had given up on Train by the time they released this album at the start of the decade only to welcome them back with open arms due to how inescapably popular the lead single was for them.
Peak position #8
(#6 physical)
Hit singles
Hey soul sister #1
If it's love #21
This was initially a flop for Lady Antebellum here in Australia (now known as Lady A due to their original name having racist connotations they somehow didn't know about back then) however it was given a second chance a year after its initial release likely due to how many accolades the title track received at the Grammys.
Peak position #5
(#3 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
Need you now #27
He may have been dead for nearly forty years by the time it came out, however that didn't prevent Elvis Presley from working with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from beyond the grave with this project. OK so this is a classic example of artistic graverobber as the orchestra took the works of the king of rock and roll and turned them into classical music presumably with the permission of his family.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 physical)
The secret daughter was such a popular TV series here in Australia that its second season managed to also produce a massive soundtrack and even a hit single for its star Jessica Mauboy, although that hit was as such on our digital charts which is why it didn't appear on the biggest hits of the decade list.
Peak position #2
(#3 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Fallin #11
From what I can gather (because I didn't watch it) the Secret daughter is a show that explores themes of family connections as Jessica Mauboy plays a character claiming to be a daughter of a wealthy family to claim their inheritance (it may have connotations to the stolen generation due to her being first nations.) She plays a lounge singer, which of course means the soundtrack for season one was a massive success.
Peak position #1x3
(#3 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Wake me up #34
It worked for Frank Sinatra back in the 90's, so why not allow Tony Bennet to release a duets album consisting of him working with artists way younger than he is? This is a sequel to his 2006 effort which wasn't very successful for him that year, I guess the nostalgia circuit hadn't truly kicked in back then like it did when this came out.
Peak position #2
(#4 digital, #2 physical)
This was a greatest hits album that became a success multiple times this decade, again we're only looking at how well it did initially given how much nostalgic love there's been for the band and its lead singer Jimmy Barnes.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
This was originally a minor hit for David Bowie when it came out in 2015, however it became a huge success the following year when he tragically passed away.
Peak position #3
(#9 digital, #3 physical)
This is to date the penultimate album from Keith Urban, its appearance on this list is impressive considering how it had to compete with streaming services which he certainly wasn't gaming during the second half of the decade like Ed Sheeran or especially Drake.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Parallel line #47
Glee was so inescapable during the first stretch of the decade that the first five entries from their lucrative soundtrack franchise will be appearing on this list, this was the most successful out of the franchise due to it having the most popular collection of covers that appear on the show.
Peak position #3
(#1 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Billionaire #34
Empire state of mind #20
Forget you #24
Just the way you are #47
Marry you #27
River deep montain high #44
Teenage dream #24
Toxic #37
I'm not sure why the lead single to this album flopped here initially in Australia given how it was a fan favourite on Triple J, however it became a hit twice a year after its release which I already mentioned when I talked about it on the singles list. Naturally this found its popularity once the song became a hit the second time for reasons I can't seem to fathom.
Peak position #1x1
(#3 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Pumped up kicks #7 (originally)
Pumped up kicks #1
Call it want you want #39
This is the final appearance from Taylor Swift on this list, although considering I've included all of her albums barring her debut prior to 2020 on this list, it goes without saying that she was inescapable this decade given how time has largely left this album into obscurity outside her diehard fanbase.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Mine #9
Speak now #20
Back to December #26
Mean #45
This is another Australian act to make it big through Triple J to find massive success during the second half of the decade, this is impressive given how it was an indie band with punk roots which doesn't have any traction on streaming services. Who knows how big they would be were it not for streaming services dominating the mainstream these days.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Let me down easy #49
This is to date the Hilltop Hoods most recent album; it was a big success upon its initial release which is impressive given how it had to deal with all of the streaming services that pushed away any album that wasn't from the big names promoted on Spotify and those other services.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Clark Griswold #48
Leave me lonely #11
Exit sign #16
This is the final album that Powderfinger released before they went their separate ways at the start of the 10's, they agreed this would be their final album regardless of success given how Bernard Fanning wanted to pursue his solo career which didn't reach the dizzying heights of success of his debut album or his bands work throughout the 00's.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
All of the dreamers #23
Burn your name #45
This is another album that became a hit twice throughout its run, the first time was upon its initial release whilst the second was when their signature track "Feeding line" ranked high on Triple J's annual list for 2011 which naturally boosted the album's popularity.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Feeding line #46
This is the second appearance of a Like a version album to appear on this list, we'll look at the third and fourth albums to make it big this decade from the franchise as it reached a peak during the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
This is the third appearance from the Like a version series on this list, there was simply no signs of this franchise slowing down during the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
The greatest showman was such a cultural phenomenon that a covers album was commissioned where some of the biggest names in music put their stamp on the showtunes from the film which proved to be a massive success here in Australia.
Peak position #4
(#1 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
A million dreams #26
These guys were among the first in popular music to jump on the trend of making classical renditions of their back catalogue, although the first time they did it was with their breakthrough album from 2006 which wasn't as successful as this was for the group. Partially because they were unknown back then, but mainly because this was a two for one deal which doubled their chances of success when they released this.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
1955 #2
This is the other appearance from the Foo Fighters on this list, it wasn't as huge a success as their earlier entry, however it was clear that they were the one exception to the rule when it came to rock artists scoring massive success this decade that wasn't a legacy band or on a major label or promoted by Triple J.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
This is an album that didn't receive any promotion prior to its release, it was able to reveal how audiences don't care much for hype going into an album given how it was an immediate success for Beyonce worldwide.
Peak position #1x3
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
XO #16
Drunk in love #22
Pretty hurts #47
This is the only other album from Meghan Trainor that found any sort of success, granted she sat out the rest of the decade due to how poorly reviewed her first albums were which explains why she's since faded into obscurity given how audiences naturally moved on from her work.
Peak position #3
(#3 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
No #9
Me too #4
This was the debut album for what many consider to be Australian 1D who played their own instruments, the comparison is apt given how the Australian band were heavily supported by their British counterparts in the lead up to this album even if their popularity was more so here than it was internationally.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
She looks so perfect #1
Don't stop #3
Good girls #19
Kiss me kiss me #14
Everything I didn't say #11
Amnesia #7
One of the only other films from the Marvel franchise to find success with their soundtracks is Black panther, mainly because it managed to spawn a couple of huge hits on streaming services but also due to the film being billed as a celebration of black culture which of course worked well with audiences of colour.
Peak position #2
(#2 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
All the stars #2
Pray for me #9
This is the first of two entries from the Pitch perfect series as the films proved to be highly lucrative throughout the decade (I haven't seen them myself) this was the more popular entry given how it spawned the biggest hit from the franchise when it was initially released.
Peak position #3
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Flashlight #2
This was a bit of a surprise success for Paloma Faith here in Australia, mainly because of one of its singles becoming the bumper music to the TV series Winners and losers which helped the song and by extension the album find a massive audience for the otherwise unknown British singer/songwriter.
Peak position #4
(#2 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Only love can hurt like this #1
This will be the only appearance of one of Pitbull's albums on this list, mainly because of its ability to spawn multiple hits given how Pitbull has never been known to be an album artist. I feel this album's popularity mainly came from the Zumba craze given how each of these songs have appeared on every playlist that instructors used at the time.
Peak position #5
(#7 digital, #5 physical)
Hit singles
Hey baby #10
Give me everything #2
Rain over me #9
International love #15
This remains Cardi B's only studio album in her catalogue, although she has been fairly controversial since her breakthrough with the lead single for a multitude of different reasons. Let's just say that her comparisons to Nicki Minaj was the least of her problems which is why she struggles for mainstream relevancy nowadays (as of this writing.)
Peak position #5
(#4 digital)
Hit singles
Bodak yellow #33
I like it #14
Given how inescapable the Voice Australia was for the first few years of its existence, it was inevitable that the winners of the show would find success with their albums which of course began with Karise Eden who won her season of the show thanks to skillful coaching from Seal as well as already having a powerful voice when she first auditioned for the show.
Peak position #1x6
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
You won't let me #5
Even though this album was critically panned by critics upon its initial release, it still managed to be a massive success for Eminem which goes to show how much love the rapper had with his worst material compared to other artists who had a ton of critical acclaim this decade.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
Hit singles
Walk on water #10
River #2
This was the sophomore album for 1D, it's an album that even their diehard fans would tell you isn't very good due to how rushed it was compared to their debut given how it came out less than a year after their breakthrough in their native UK.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Live while we're young #2
Little things #9
Kiss you #13
Glee really felt like a force to be reckoned with during the first stretch of the decade, this third entry into their music catalogue being a massive success for the fictional group.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Gives you hell #47
Total eclipse of the heart #28
This wasn't as big a hit for Hilltop hoods as their 2009 effort, however the tradeoff was that it spawned a massive hit even if it was a success due to the presence of Sia on its chorus. This feels like a placeholder in their catalogue given how much more popular their earlier studio albums and even the restrung album were on this list.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
I love it #6
This was another easy hit for Human Nature throughout the decade, although their winning streak came to an end after this album as their next album was a flop due to it failing to compete on streaming services.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 physical)
This is the final album to come from 1D to have all five members of the group intact given how Zayn would leave the group during the album cycle, it caused a bit of controversy in their fanbase which perhaps explains why their fifth and (to date) final album was far less successful than their other works (it's still to come on this list.)
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Steal my girl #9
Night changes #33
Although it has a polarised reception to this day, the Baz Lurhman adaptation of the Great Gatsby was such a crowd pleaser largely thanks to its soundtrack that said soundtrack naturally wound up being one of the biggest hits of the decade here in Australia.
Peak position #2
(#1 digital, #4 physical)
Hit singles
Young and beautiful #8
A little party never killed nobody #43
One of the most contentious franchises of the decade (in any medium) was the 50 shades franchise, primarily for the way it depicted BDSM which many feel is a gross misrepresentation of the sexual pastime (among many more problematic elements.) At least the soundtracks were well received, particularly the first one which was a massive worldwide hit upon its initial release.
Peak position #1x4
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Earned it #13
Love me like you do #1
This technically should be bundled with her earlier entry on this list; however, ARIA was kind enough to count this separately from that entry which allows me to determine where this deluxe edition of her album would place on this list. This of course came out when she divorced Russell Brand which coincided with her biopic of the same name.
Peak position #5
(#4 digital, #6 physical)
Hit singles
Part of me #5
Wide awake #4
This is the sequel to Robbie's album Swing when you're winning, it wasn't as successful as the first entry likely due to it coming out a bit too late in his career for it to mean too much outside his diehard fanbase. That said, it saw a massive rebound on its chart run when it became the perfect Mother's Day gift shortly after its release.
Peak position #2
(#3 digital, #3 physical)
It was only inevitable that there would be rivals to Hilltop Hoods here in Australia, enter the male equivalent of Salt N Pepa as we have two rappers and a DJ who found massive success with this album at the start of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #2 physical)
Hit singles
Down by the river #45
Addicted #38
This is the only solo album that Slash released in his catalogue, mainly because every album he would release after this would be with Myles Kennedy, none of which found the level of success that this album did for the former Guns N Roses guitarist.
Peak position #3
(#1 digital, #3 physical)
This was a bit of a comeback for RHCP given how their previous album was a huge commercial disappointment for them, the band has just recently released a new album which was a complete flop for them as is anything released by an artist who isn't popular on streaming services.
Peak position #1x2
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
I guess Nickelback were able to score one more entry on this site of mine given how the internet hadn't completely convinced the general public the band weren't deserving of their success with this album, again it's an album that should be higher on this list due to appearing in the lower half of the charts for most of its run.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
When we stand together #20
This is the only album to find success from Meagan Washington, an Australian indie singer/songwriter who was pipped for great things this decade due to this being heavily promoted by Triple J but was sidelined as the decade went on as were so many other artists who weren't A-list celebrities this decade.
Peak position #3
(#2 digital, #3 physical)
This is the second collaboration that Elvis made from beyond the grave with RPO, it's also named after one of the latter hits in his career which naturally connected with audiences upon its initial release.
Peak position #3
(#3 physical)
This is an album that would've been higher on this list had it not lingered in the lower half of the charts during the height of its popularity, I guess this is one of those albums that heavily benefitted from streaming services which didn't translate here in Australia given how we didn't incorporate streaming data onto our album charts until the last stretch of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #10 physical)
Hit singles
Starboy #2
I feel it coming #7
Party monster #33
This is an album that should be much higher on this list given how Vance Joy is another artist who struggled to compete with streaming services during the last stretch of the decade, indeed the singles from this album were massive hits on our digital charts that also failed to find much success on our main charts.
Peak position #1x1
(#1 digital, #1 physical)
Hit singles
Lay it on me #18
We're going home #16
Saturday sun #47
