20 of the best breakup albums

Beyoncé's Lemonade is the ultimate breakup album about a rough time in her marriage to rapper Jay-Z after discovering his many infidelities. The multihyphenate sings about his transgressions in several tracks, including "Hold Up." She says, "How did it come down to this / Scrolling through your call list / I don't want to lose my pride, but I'ma mess me up a trick." 

Adele is known for creating moving albums about complicated times in her relationship, and 21 is no different. It features popular songs "Rolling In The Deep" and "Set Fire To The Rain." 

Sorry to list her twice, but like we said, she creates the best breakup albums. Adele's 2021 project, 30, is another example. The album's lead single, "Easy On Me," won the Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy in 2023.

Thank U, Next has bop after bop, from the lead single of the same name to "7 Rings," where Ariana Grande boasts about her riches and fabulous life. Both songs eventually hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Miley Cyrus has been living her best life, and we're here for it. Her 2023 album, Endless Summer Vacation, is quite the project with many self-love anthems, including the international hit "Flowers."

If the title didn't give it away, Ye's 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak may be the album that mends the broken heart. The project has popular songs like "Amazing" and "Welcome To Heartbreak," but the best tune has to be "Heartless." 

Sam Smith's In the Lonely Hour was our introduction to the UK singer and featured the international hit "Stay With Me." It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in many other countries, including Poland, New Zealand, and Ireland. 

SZA's 2017 project Ctrl had everybody talking, including us. It featured the popular singles "Drew Barrymore" and "The Weekend." The 14-track album also snagged a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2018. 

Frank Ocean's 2016 album Blonde is an R&B album with moving lyrics about falling in and out of love. It also touches on many other themes, including identity, love, and loss. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and has since sold over one million records. 

Drake has released many musical projects about heartbreak, and Take Care, his 2011 album, is no exception. The performer tackled many themes, including heartache and loss, with such honesty that it's hard not to be moved. He won a Grammy in 2013 for Best Rap Album.

The Weeknd has been linked to some high-profile celebrities, including Selena Gomez, who is believed to be the subject of his album My Dear Melancholy. The song "Call Out My Name" tells the story of someone clinging to the person they love most despite their split. "I want you to stay even though you don't want me," The Weeknd sings. 

If you enjoyed Giveon's 2020 single, "Heartbreak Anniversary," you'll love his album, Take Time. The songs are about love, loss, and everything in between. The project has received rave reviews from many and snagged a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album in 2021.   

If there's one thing The Weeknd does well, it's create a breakup album. His 2020 creation, After Hours, features the moving track "Alone Again," which is all about losing the love of his life. 

Lorde's project Melodrama comes out the gate swinging with "Green Light" — a big screw you to the person who broke her heart. The tides shift in "Hard Feelings/Loveless," where she softens up a bit, expounding on the pain of losing the one she thought was forever. 

Olivia Rodrigo was the talk of the town when she released her debut album, SOUR, in 2021. Accompanied by hit singles "Deja Vu," "Good 4 U," and "Driver's License," the multihyphenate captured the hearts of many with songs that felt familiar yet so fresh at the same time. Rodrigo won a Grammy in 2022 for Best Pop Vocal Album. 

Kelly Clarkson is always brutally honest with her music. From her popular single "Stronger" to "Skip This Part" from her latest album about her crushing divorce, Chemistry, the American Idol winner knows how to create relatable music.

Listeners love Bryson Tiller's album TRAPSOUL because of his honesty on every track. His most popular single, "Don't," features an interpolation of Mariah Carey's 2005 single, "Shake It Off," and peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100. 

Amy Winehouse's final album, Back To Black, perfectly displays heartbreak and grief. The project is said to have been about her ex-husband and told stories of suffering, heartbreak, trauma, and addiction. 

Marvin Gaye's 1978 creation, Here, My Dear, about his bitter divorce, was initially slammed by critics for its laid-back and mellow theme. However, in the years following his death, the album experienced a resurgence and has since been praised by many. It's even made Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list. 

If you're looking for the perfect album to get you in good spirits after a breakup, listen to Lizzo's Cuz I Love You. The project won a Grammy in 2020 for Best Urban Contemporary Album and garnered tons of praise. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and has sold over one million copies in the United States.