The 10 essential albums to own on vinyl

Vinyl is booming, and if you own a record player, you've probably got a nice collection of records with music you love. One of vinyl's great benefits is sound quality, but which records bring out the best in the format?

We've picked 20 of the best-sounding records from a bunch of different genres -- including jazz, pop, punk and electronica -- starting in the 2010s and going back to the 1950s. Keep in mind that it's subjective, as these kind of lists always are. But if you want to augment your record collection, or perhaps buy a record for your favorite music fan, you'll find something to like here.

Karen O and Danger Mouse -- Lux Prima (2019)

If there's one producer who appreciates the '70s vinyl aesthetic, it's Danger Mouse. His productions are brimming with horns, mellotrons and surf guitars, and on the underrated Lux Prima he goes all out. Collaborator Karen O has never sounded better, and the record also boasts her best writing -- Woman and Redeemer are fantastic.

Daft Punk -- Random Access Memories (2013)

Daft Punk's richest-sounding record, Random Access Memories is less '90s rave and more '70s discotheque. This album is single-handedly responsible for rekindling the careers of producer Giorgio Moroder and producer-guitarist Nile Rodgers.

Talking Heads -- Speaking in Tongues

While the preceding Remain in Light album gets all of the accolades, I'll come right out and say that Speaking in Tongues is more consistent. It's also less self-consciously weird and more danceable -- has there ever been a better kick drum sound than the one on Slippery People? This album is also the source of Talking Head's unlikely hit single, Burning Down the House.

Pink Floyd -- Wish You Were Here (1975)

Every fan has a favorite Pink Floyd album, and this is ours. The first side is a chemical-free drug trip, while the title track on side 2 is simply devastating.

Steve Wonder -- Talking Book (1972)

You could take any one of Stevie Wonder's '70s albums and put it here, yet Talking Book is one of his most diverse. It goes from the almost-country of Blame it on the Sun to torch ballads like I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) to the irrepressible funk of Superstition. Get 'em all, but get this one first.

The Beatles -- Abbey Road (1969)

The Beatles' music still endures 50 years after the band broke up, and every vinyl fan probably owns at least one of their records. Though the Sgt. Pepper stereo remix was released to great fanfare several years ago, we were bigger fans of the band's penultimate record, Abbey Road. The 2009 remaster already sounds fantastic, but the 50th anniversary remix truly brings the record into the 21st century.

Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon is a must-have for any record collection. Not only does it contain tracks touching on every aspect of life (time, money, death, love, etc.), but you can also turn it on when you're watching The Wizard of Oz - we call that synchronicity. Dark Side stayed on the Billboard top 200 chart for 15 years straight after its release, a record that has still not been broken to this day. Dark Side progresses beautifully as as album, diving into topics everyone deals with and telling a story in a way that few other records have been able to match.

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Thriller is literally the best-selling album of all time, selling over 30 Million copies in the US alone. That’s certified platinum 30 times! MJ’s movie-like music videos soon became part of the regular rotation at MTV, further cementing this album's all-time great reputation. Thriller is constantly ranked with the best albums of all time, and it’s a must-have for any record collection great or small.

Purple Rain - Prince

How could we choose just one album from an artist with such a robust catalog? It’s a tough choice but we took the easy way out with one of Prince’s most accessible records. A full, indulgent pop album, Purple Rain is one of Prince’s best. And its legacy alone earns it an essential spot in our list.

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s groundbreaking soul record just celebrated its 50th anniversary and remains just as vital as it was in the 70s. Gaye manages to balance socio-political commentary with genuine grooves on an album that is largely considered the single best album of all time. Even if you wouldn’t make such a bold claim, What’s Going On is essential. Sit back with a cup of coffee and lounge on a weekend morning.