Apple Music has rolled out the first 10 albums on its 100 Best Albums of all-time list, beginning a 10-day countdown to number one. It takes us back to the days when Rolling Stone magazine wrote about the top 100 albums of all-time.
The list has been been curated by Apple Music’s team of experts, a group of artistes — including Pharrell Williams, Maren Morris, J Balvin, Charli XCX, Mark Hoppus, Honey Dijon and Nia Archives — songwriters, producers, and industry professionals.
Apple Music said the 100 Best Albums list is an “editorial statement, fully independent of any streaming numbers on Apple Music — a love letter to the records that have shaped the world music lovers live and listen in”.
The company did not factor in streaming statistics when compiling the list. “If this list sparks more debate among fans outside of Apple Music and gets people talking passionately about the music they love, then we’ve done what we set out to do,” Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director and lead anchor for Apple Music 1, said in a news release.
What does the list look like at the moment?
100: Body Talk by Robyn
99: Hotel California by Eagles
98: Astroworld by Travis Scott
97: Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine
96: Pure Heroine by Lorde
95: Confessions by Usher
94: Untrue by Burial
93: A Seat at the Table by Solange
92: Flower Boy by Tyler, The Creator
91: Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 by George Michael
Keeping the list company, Apple Music has a dedicated microsite that will update every day of the countdown, making it easy for listeners to follow along. Available now at 100best.music.apple.com, the microsite spotlights in-depth analysis of each album, archival interviews, and more, and makes it easy for fans to share their favourite albums with friends and on their social channels.
Fans can also enjoy a full 100 Best Albums Radio takeover on Apple Music Hits, where round-the-clock specials with Apple Music Radio hosts and daily specials will be broadcasted, plus exclusive content will drop every day on demand on Apple Music and Apple Podcasts.
The last 10 albums will be revealed on May 22, with a special roundtable discussion broadcasting globally on Apple Music that features guest artistes Nile Rodgers and Maggie Rogers.
