If you think that pop songs sound all the same these days, you’re not alone. There is a certain quality about them that makes them less characterful than the music being produced in the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s.

Even though the post-2010 landscape moved away from the aggressive, compressed club pop music of the late 2000s, it still brought a new character to the music industry that we simply haven’t seen before.

So, what were the most beautiful songs of the period? Let’s take a look.

Someone Like You by Adele, 2011

Perhaps the most beautiful song of 2011 was “Someone Like You” by Adele. It delivers a masterclass in heartbreak and is related to the famous British singer’s personal life. Because of the depth of emotion Adele was feeling at the time, the song has now become a hymn for anybody experiencing heartbreak or who has had to let somebody go. There’s genuine vulnerability in the chorus and a cascading piano line that fills you with emotion and dread.

Stay by Rhianna featuring Mikky Ekko, 2012

“Stay” by Rihanna was one of the most beautiful pieces of music to emerge in 2012. Although it didn’t get as much limelight as it probably deserved, it’s now become deeply popular among music aficionados.

During the 2012 era, Rihanna was dominating the clubs with high-energy dance tracks. “Stay” was a real pivot for her. It stripped back the drums and built the music on a simple piano, describing in music what happens when you fall in love in a way that can’t be controlled.

Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey, 2012

Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey is a beautiful song because of the combination of bittersweet nostalgia and vintage glamour. There’s a slow trip-hop beat and sweeping, melancholic chords that create an atmosphere that feels reminiscent of the end of summer. It’s also like the fading of a sunset or the dying of a love that two people have shared. As always, the song is beautifully tragic and cemented Lana Del Rey’s reputation as the sad girl of pop.

Story of My Life by One Direction, 2013

“Story of My Life” by One Direction in 2013 marked a powerful change in the boy band’s musical repertoire. It was a more mature version of their original music and an attempt to tell their life story.

The music was an instant hit and was actually written by key band members, including Harry Styles, Lewis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan. The band traces love not as a static moment, but as a series of moments in time, like Polaroids. It tracks how relationships evolve, memories fade, and things always change.

Liability by Lorde, 2017

“Liability” by Lorde was a beautiful piece of music because of the underlying heartbreaking piano ballad that appears in the middle of his pop album. The melody is bittersweet and sounds like a lonely waltz that could have been written centuries ago.

What’s so interesting about this piece of music is that it appears right in the middle of an otherwise vibrant pop album. It centres around the painful realisation that some characters and personalities might be excessive for the people around them.

Run Away With Me by Carly Rae Jepsen, 2015

“Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen is one of her most memorable songs. Critics have called it a “masterpiece of pure pop,” and it has a euphoric element rather than a sad one. The opening echo of the saxophone, combined with waves of 80s synthetic synth pop, captures the breathlessness of a new romance. The video for “Run Away With Me” features Tom Hanks, which is another string to Carly Rae Jepsen’s bow. The musician really got into her stride with this piece of music. Later, she worked with Owl City on similar-sounding tracks.

Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens, 2017

If you thought that beautiful indie folk music mixed with acoustic pop was a thing of the past, then Sufjan Stevens’ “Mystery of Love” has a message for you: it’s still doing well. The music itself is light and magical, with Sufjan picking mandolin and fragile vocals pairing them stunningly together to depict a picture of first love. He also cleverly interweaves the grief that comes along with love once it’s gone and vanishes forever.

No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande, 2018

Ariana Grande wrote “No Tears Left to Cry” in the wake of a personal and public tragedy. What’s interesting about the music is that it’s transformative and hopeful at the same time. Grande isn’t afraid to be inspired by dance tracks while weaving in emotional transitions using attractive, sweeping melodies. The song is beautiful in the end because it shows the transcendence of joy and healing over inner darkness and pain.

Driver’s Licence by Olivia Rodrigo, 2021

If you’re looking for music that masterfully represents modern pop architecture, then you can’t go wrong with “Drivers Licence” by Olivia Rodrigo. This 2021 track starts off small, with a car door chime and a soft piano, and then it builds massively to a raging, cathartic bridge. What’s interesting about this track is how it captures the aching heartache of teenage romance lost. The song  builds on itself, culminating in layers of harmony, taking its inspiration from the 80s and the 1990s.

As It Was by Harry Styles, 2022

“As It Was” by Harry Styles is the final and perhaps most beautiful song in this list. The pop track combines an infectious retro synth-pop groove with an upbeat melody that contrasts with the melancholy lyrics discussing immense loneliness. You can see that the song was inspired by Harry’s personal experiences after gaining significant fame and adoration. It is a masterclass in vulnerability and the fragility of the human soul.

So which of these songs do you think is most beautiful? Do you still think that great music is being made in the modern era? Let us know in the comments.