What are the best albums for every year in the 90s?

The 1990s were one of the most exciting decades in music history.

Grunge exploded out of Seattle. Britpop dominated Britain. Hip-hop became a global force. Electronic music entered the mainstream. Pop reinvented itself. And throughout it all, artists released some of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Choosing a single album to represent each year is almost impossible. Every fan will have their own favourites. But these are the records that best capture the spirit, quality and lasting impact of each year from 1990 to 1999.

1990 – Sinéad O'Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

The decade began with one of its most powerful statements.

Driven by the global success of "Nothing Compares 2 U", Sinéad O'Connor's second album combined raw emotion, political conviction and extraordinary songwriting. More than three decades later, it remains one of the most distinctive albums of the era.

Standout Track: Nothing Compares 2 U

1991 – Nirvana – Nevermind

If one album changed the direction of popular music in the 1990s, it was Nevermind.

Released in September 1991, the album transformed Nirvana from underground heroes into global superstars and pushed alternative rock firmly into the mainstream. Its influence can still be heard across modern rock music today.

Standout Track: Smells Like Teen Spirit

1992 – The Cure – Wish

1992 was an extraordinary year for music, with strong competition from R.E.M., Rage Against The Machine and Alice In Chains.

But Wish remains arguably the finest balance of accessibility and ambition that The Cure ever achieved. Featuring "Friday I'm In Love", "High" and "A Letter To Elise", it became the band's last UK Number One studio album for more than three decades.

Standout Track: Friday I'm In Love

1993 – Suede – Suede

Britpop hadn't fully arrived yet, but Suede lit the fuse.

Their Mercury Prize-winning debut brought glamour, drama and distinctly British storytelling back into guitar music. It helped lay the foundations for what would become the defining UK music movement of the decade.

Standout Track: Animal Nitrate

1994 – Oasis – Definitely Maybe

The greatest debut album in British music history?

Many would argue yes.

Oasis arrived with swagger, attitude and an endless supply of anthems. "Live Forever", "Supersonic", "Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol" ensured that Britpop's biggest stars had officially landed.

Standout Track: Live Forever

1995 – Pulp – Different Class

Britpop's masterpiece.

While Oasis and Blur dominated the headlines, Jarvis Cocker delivered the album that best captured life in 1990s Britain. Sharp, funny, emotional and endlessly quotable, Different Class remains one of the defining British albums of all time.

Standout Track: Common People

1996 – Manic Street Preachers – Everything Must Go

A remarkable achievement born from tragedy.

Released after the disappearance of Richey Edwards, the album transformed the Manics into one of Britain's biggest bands. The combination of emotional depth and huge choruses produced classics including "A Design For Life", "Australia" and the title track.

Standout Track: A Design For Life

1997 – Radiohead – OK Computer

Few albums have aged as brilliantly as OK Computer.

At a time when most rock music was looking backwards, Radiohead looked forward. Themes of technology, isolation and modern life feel even more relevant today than they did in 1997.

Many critics now consider it one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Standout Track: Paranoid Android

1998 – Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

An album that transcended genre.

Blending hip-hop, soul, R&B and pop, Lauryn Hill created one of the most influential records of the decade. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, it remains a landmark achievement in modern music.

Standout Track: Doo Wop (That Thing)

1999 – Eminem – The Slim Shady LP

By 1999, music was entering a new era.

Pop dominated the charts, but one album arrived that completely disrupted the landscape. The Slim Shady LP introduced the world to Eminem's unique blend of technical skill, dark humour and controversial storytelling.

Powered by hits such as "My Name Is" and "Guilty Conscience", the album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and transformed Eminem into one of the biggest names in music.

More than just a commercial success, it helped bring hip-hop even further into the mainstream and paved the way for one of the most successful careers in music history.

Standout Track: My Name Is

Honourable Mentions

A single album per year means some incredible records miss out:

• Violator – Depeche Mode (1990)
• Loveless – My Bloody Valentine (1991)
• Automatic For The People – R.E.M. (1992)
• Debut – Björk (1993)
• Parklife – Blur (1994)
• (What's The Story) Morning Glory? – Oasis (1995)
• Endtroducing..... – DJ Shadow (1996)
• Urban Hymns – The Verve (1997)
• Mezzanine – Massive Attack (1998)
• The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin (1999)

Which 90s Album Gets Your Vote?

The 1990s gave us grunge, Britpop, hip-hop, electronic music and some of the greatest singer-songwriters of any era.

Whether your favourite is Nevermind, Definitely Maybe, OK Computer or something completely different, one thing is certain: few decades can match the quality and variety of music released during the 1990s.

The entire list is available to buy on Chalkys

FAQ

What was the best album released in 1999?

Many music fans consider The Slim Shady LP by Eminem one of the most important albums released in 1999 thanks to its huge commercial success, critical acclaim and influence on modern hip-hop.

What is considered the best album of the 1990s?

Common contenders include Nevermind by Nirvana, OK Computer by Radiohead, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill and Different Class by Pulp.

Which British albums defined the 1990s?

Key British albums of the decade include Definitely Maybe by Oasis, Different Class, Everything Must Go and OK Computer.

What are the most influential albums of the 1990s?

Among the most influential albums are Nevermind, OK Computer, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Definitely Maybeand The Slim Shady LP.