Some of our favorite albums of the mid-2000s are officially exiting their teenage years in 2025… they grow up so fast! In all seriousness, these records climbed the charts and had every millennial grooving along on their iPods across all genres. From hip-hop and pop to alternative rock and all of the above (looking at you, Gorillaz), there was no shortage of hit singles in this era.
And even two decades later, the impact of these artists is more prevalent than ever. Who doesn’t love to rock out to “Feel Good Inc.” or side-eye their ex to Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together?” These records were always ahead of their time, and we’re excited to blow out the candles on these musical essentials in 2025.
Gorillaz – Demon Days
In 2005, a cartoon band broke into the music scene, creating an intersection between premium technology and pop culture that could never (and still hasn't!) be emulated. Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz delivered Demon Days, an audacious mix of dystopian imagery, funky beats, and genre-fluid audio that, ironically, left listeners feeling more heard than ever.
Singles like “Feel Good Inc.” and “DARE” became instant classics, but the album's deeper cuts — like the haunting “El Mañana” — will never be forgotten. Even as Gorillaz continue their Cracker Island era, named for their eighth record from 2023, we’ll never forget the trailblazing moments and musical legacy of Demon Days.

Kanye West – Late Registration
Despite his now-polarizing reputation, there’s no denying that Kanye West dominated the mid-2000s. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to top his debut record, The College Dropout, which introduced the world to his fearless hip-hop artistry and has been named as one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone and NME. But somehow, West managed to not only match his own genius for his sophomore effort, but also go above and beyond.
Late Registration saw Ye experimenting with various instruments and musical shifts, going beyond the realm of what the public expected of a rapper. Tracks like "Gold Digger," "Touch the Sky," and "Heard 'Em Say" were masterpieces laced with powerful lyrics and lush orchestrals, laying the groundwork for West’s future as one of music’s greatest risk-takers.

Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
The accolades are endless for Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois — a trailblazing effort in indie-folk storytelling that combines rich orchestration with deeply emotional narratives. Released as the second part of his ambitious yet ultimately abandoned “50 States Project,” the album paints an evocative portrait of Illinois, from its history and mythology to Stevens’ own personal musings.
His masterful arrangements, complete with horns, strings, and choir vocals, create an album that’s as expansive as it is intimate. Nearly two decades later, Illinois remains his greatest achievement. It’s a poetic, boundary-breaking record that feels timeless in its exploration of life’s beauty and pain… and was even adapted into a Broadway musical this year!

Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree
Every emo kid remembers the album that launched Fall Out Boy into mainstream superstardom, featuring the beloved anthem, “Sugar, We’re Going Down” among other hit songs. Everything that makes the Chicago band who they are — from the hopelessly long and cheeky song titles to Patrick Stump’s soulful vocals and beyond — can be traced back to this record. And for its 20th birthday, we can’t help but look back in awe on the legacy of From Under the Cork Tree.
They got their start in the Chicago hardcore scene, and are most often referred to as pop-punk with roots in mainstream pop, alt-rock, and even hip-hop. However, this record established Fall Out Boy as emo icons, and they were perfectly okay with that. Songs like “Dance, Dance” and “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More ‘Touch Me’” remain an essential part of their catalog all these years later…with many rocking out to them at When We Were Young in 2024!

Coldplay – X&Y
Sure, Coldplay were already icons when they released X&Y in 2005…but this album further sealed their reputation as bona-fide rockstars. Singles like “Speed of Sound,” “Fix You,” and “Talk” filled our hearts and arenas around the world, striking a balance between inner reflection and extreme grandiosity that only this British band could pull off.
Of course, we also can’t forget deeper cuts like “Square One” and “Low,” which displayed Chris Martin and Co.’s ability to explore darker tones and complex themes. With shimmering guitars, atmospheric synths, and larger-than-life melodies, Coldplay gave fans a sneak peak into their theatrical artistry that’s only expanded over the past two decades.

Mariah Carey – The Emancipation of Mimi
Mariah Carey has always been “that girl.” And even if people underestimated her talent for a brief moment in the early 2000s, that all changed with The Emancipation of Mimi. Everything this woman touches turns into gold (records,) and her tenth album was no exception. Who remembers chart-toppers like “Shake It Off,” “Fly Like a Bird,” and “We Belong Together,” all of which remain setlist staples today?
The Emancipation of Mimi won three Grammy awards and sold over 10 million copies, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and marking one of the most successful comebacks, ever. With her powerhouse vocals, stage presence, and reputation as one of pop’s most beloved divas, this record marked a new and exciting era for Mimi. One that she’s steered into superstardom for over two decades now.
