Decades: 2010s

In the early 2010s, we've seen a new emergence of fun, upbeat pop music created by alternative-leaning artists. Enjoy some new songs about celebrating, dancing, and (often) being in love.

Highlights from the critically-acclaimed albums released in the Winter of 2011. You won't hear these songs on the radio.

Since 1958, Billboard's Hot 100 chart has been America's barometer of song popularity. This playlist includes the most recent additions to the Hot 100.

Songs from the best albums of 2011, as chosen by NPR.

We read all the music blogs so you don't have to. Updated weekly, these are the songs that indie music blogs love.

Listen to the 100 most popular songs in the world as determined by data from Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, VEVO, Pandora, Clear Channel, Myspace, Facebook, Yahoo, AOL and many, many others.

Can't get enough country music? Listen to this regularly updated playlist of songs that have hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts since the year 2000.

Listen to the most popular dance hits in America as determined by Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

Listen to the most popular rock songs in America as determined by the Billboard charts.

Listen to the most popular hip hop and R&B songs in America as determined by the Billboard charts.

Listen to the most popular rap songs in America as determined by the Billboard charts.

Listen to the most popular country songs in America as determined by the Billboard charts.

Suave, sophisticated and usually dedicated to the ladies, these are the slickest and sexiest songs from the world's biggest modern male R&B superstars.

Party music. Big, loud, nasty, sweaty, party music from the 2000s.

Songs by all of the 2011 Grammy Winners.

Songs by all of the 2011 Grammy nominees.

Listen to songs by all of the artists nominated for a 2011 BET Award.

Listen to songs by all of the artists nominated for a 2011 VMA Award.

Songs by all of the 2011 ACM Awards nominees, featuring the most popular country artists of the past year.

Songs by all the artists that will be inducted into and honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

The most popular songs of the year, across all genres, as ranked by Billboard chart placements.

Accessible indie tunes that should be the soundtrack for your favorite local coffee shop.

Some call it chillwave, others call it glo-fi. Whatever the name, this laid-back blend of modern lo-fi recording techniques and vintage synth noises is one of today's most addictive sounds.

Disco music has proven to be one of the sturdiest genres of dance music. Faster than funk and more charming than house, disco continues to evolve thanks to these new artists and producers.

With the fast tempos of traditional punk, today's pop punk prominently features electronic keyboards and hi-fi production for an accessible, radio friendly sound.

Bollywood, India's Hindi film industry, is known for its colorful song and dance numbers. Here is a collection of hit songs from Bollywood films from the past decade.

These massive dubstep tracks will make you want to dance until you drop.

A taste of the hottest new dancehall "riddims" created during the last decade, featuring hard, fast, reggae-based grooves that have influenced hit songs by Beyonce, Rihanna and more.

On this playlist the fiercest Latina femcees take on the testosterone-dominated genres of reggaeton and hip hop.

Some of the best wobble effects in dubstep. "Wob wob wob" the night away with Coki, Benga and Zomby.

Enjoy the low, thudding bass of chill dubstep, the perfect soundtrack for relaxing nights.

Summery, fun, and jangly lo-fi pop. Grab some friends, pack some munchies, and lie on the grass and watch clouds for hours.

Nocturnal and textural electronica for long nights. By yourself, or with someone special, listen to this until the sun rises.

This collection of heart-thumping hip hop beats will help you reach the next level in your cardio workouts.

Light, upbeat indie pop to help you start your day.

This playlist of mostly acoustic, guitar-based songs is perfect for long, relaxing nights in your bedroom. By yourself, or with someone special, listen to this until the sun rises.

Awesome songs that have been featured in Apple commercials.

Songs from the best albums of 2010, as selected by the music blog Stereogum.

Here's how SPIN summarized music in 2010: "All that glitters is not gold. But we can all agree: All that glitters is fabulous. As was 2010."

Songs from the best albums of 2010, as selected by the music blog Gorilla vs. Bear.

The best rap songs of 2010, as selected by the rap music blog Cocaine Blunts.

Here's how Esquire.com described their list of 2010's best songs: "From country to Clipse and everything in between, discover new music that will make you feel better in 2010."

With credible indie bands like Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and The Black Keys licensing their songs for use on Television, it's not selling out anymore.

Can't get enough Weezy? Listen to these songs performed by and featuring Lil Wayne.

A bunch of songs produced by Yeezy from the last decade.

The very best songs produced by Danger Mouse, one of Esquire magazine's seventy-five most influential people of the 21st century.

The Neptunes produced some of the biggest hit songs of the late 1990s and early 2000s. These are the essential tracks that defined this production duo's raw, percussive sound.

When he's not wearing a robot suit and making a spectacle with The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is producing hits for artists ranging from Michael Jackson to U2. Listen to a playlist of the biggest hits he's produced.

N.W.A., 2pac, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, G-Unit, Eminem: Dr. Dre's production resume speaks for itself. Listen to the greatest beats from hip hop's most influential producer.

Celebrate the release of Jack White's new album Blunderbuss (http://bit.ly/Io5JGE) with this playlist, featuring the best of the White Stripes, his side projects, artists on his Third Man Records label, and other collaborations.

Songs by some of the best female indie pop singers.

Hit songs performed by former American Idol contestants including Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood and more.

Here's how Rolling Stone summarized music in 2010: "Eminem got sober, Arcade Fire got spooked, Katy Perry flashed her hits, and Kanye sang one for jerk-offs everywhere."

Listen to all of the artists and songs nominated for a 2011 Americana Music Award.

Listen to a mix of the best songs by artists playing at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival taking place June 9-12th, 2011 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Songs by all of the indie bands in the SXSW 2011 lineup.

Songs from artists performing at the eclectic three-day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, headlined by Kanye West, Arcade Fire, and Kings of Leon.

Songs by artists that performed at the 2010 Sasquatch Festival!

This four-day, foot-stomping festival in the heart of the Midwest brings together some of today's best rock, bluegrass and funk artists.

Curated by guitarist Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule, Allman Brothers Band), the annual Mountain Jam Festival brings together the best classic and up-and-coming jam bands. This year's festival takes place June 2-5 in Hunter, New York.

This four-day festival in Telluride, CO brings together popular and upcoming bluegrass acts as well as some crossover artists. This playlist should prepare you for "acoustic adventures at 8,750 feet," whether you're headed to the Rockies or not.

Songs by all of the best up-and-coming electro-dance artists performing as part of the 2011 HARD Summer Music Festival.

Songs by all the artists performing at the 2011 Sasquatch Festival taking place on May 27-30 at The Gorge.

Listen to songs by all the artists performing at the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.

Checkout the lineup from Virgin Mobile's annual FreeFest, held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD 9/10/11!

Songs by artists who played at the 2010 Lollapalooza Festival.

From the land of long nights and longer winters come these white-hot electro and indie dance pop bangers that'll melt even the most frozen of faces.

This is where the Hot 100 meets 100 hot reps. Get your fitness on!

Work your Wget magic while listening to these motivational electro-bangers.

Known for its distinctive vintage sound and house band, Daptone Records has become one of the world's premier independent record labels. Listen to highlights of the best soul, funk, gospel and afrobeat released by this Brooklyn-based label.

Baile funk (or funk carioca) is a type of dance music commonly played in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Derived from the bombastic sounds of Miami bass (a.k.a. booty bass), Baile funk brings powerful Brazilian slang to undeniably danceable music.

Indie R&B (sometimes derisively called PBR&B) combines dreamy, synth-based indie music with contemporary R&B beats. This soothing, warm new sound has been influencing underground and mainstream artists alike.

Since 2007, Dead Oceans has released a steady stream of critically-acclaimed indie rock from artists including White Hinterland, John Vanderslice, Phosphorescent and more. Listen to the best songs from this small but influential label.

4AD Records is known for breaking some of today's most critically-acclaimed independent artists, including Bon Iver, St. Vincent, The National, and Deerhunter. This playlist features songs released on the label since 2000.

From Magic City in Atlanta to King of Diamonds in Miami, gentleman's club DJs are now powerful tastemakers in rap and R&B music. This playlist features some of the dramatic and sexy sounds that pervade many of these popular urban haunts.

From his vintage soul arrangements to his obscure rap and rock samples, Mark Ronson has become one of the most versatile figures in pop music. Listen to highlights from his prolific career as a DJ, bandleader, and producer.

Innovative producer Diplo is known for blending ghetto house, dubstep, baile funk, and dancehall. Listen to this collection of bangers produced by Diplo or released on his label, Mad Decent Records.

The Top 100 songs of 2010, as chosen by the writers and contributors of Pitchfork.

Listen to the catchiest, most hook-laden dance songs and remixes from the past decade.

Go shawty, it's your birthday! No need to wait in line at Tao, Pure, Lavo, or Marquee -- pop some bottles and drop it like it's hot with the hottest club bangers of the '00s.

For the last decade, Brooklyn has been to hipsters what San Francisco was to hippies. From lo-fi noise to electro-dance to old-school soul to ironically glammed-up rock, Brooklyn has something for everyone.

Have you ever found yourself muttering "These kids today..." while listening to the radio? Stave off incipient fogeydom at any age by listening to these young artists who use the sounds of the '60s, '70s and '80s as their jumping-off point.

Songs that have been recently designated "Best New Music: by Pitchfork.com

In honor of the new season of Jersey Shore, here are some electro bangers to make you sweat on the dancefloor. Hair gel and bronzer optional.

Cold, skittish electronica from witch house to post-dubstep with beautifully brooding synthpop sprinkled into the mix.

Listen to all of the artists and songs nominated for a 2011 American Music Award.

Pop, dance and electronica from Scandinavia. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland represent!

As the '90s became the '00s, indie artists began doing the unthinkable: embracing and creating dance music. Here's some of the best indie dance from the past decade.

Songs by indie artists that are strongly influenced by traditional roots rock, bluegrass, and country. Rootsy and rough around the edges.

Did Adele turn you on to the current soul-revival scene or the older artists who inspired her? Get deeper into these soulful, sometimes danceable songs by Adele's peers and those who came before them.

Songs by all of the 2011 CMA Award winners and performers.

Loud and in your face, these dubstep artists embrace the heavier side of the genre to get audiences onto the dance floor.

Songs and remixes written by, performed by, and featuring Drizzy.

A compilation of contemporary female artists who refuse to mold to society's ideal. These ladies are not for the faint of heart and that's exactly why we love them. This playlist includes upbeat electro, rap, soul. NSFW.

Get acquainted with a multitude of bass-heavy Brits. Explore over two decades' worth of UK dance music subgenres, from classic drum'n'bass to the recent emergence of dubstep.

At just 24, Sonny Moore, or Skrillex, to his legions of fans, is the biggest name in the festival-circuit, dubstep scene. Here are some of "Skrill's" favorite tracks, as well as the best from his own catalog and those of his closest contemporaries.

These quiet, pensive tunes are perfect for an overcast afternoon, either curled up at home or settled in at a cozy cafe.

Rick Ross is one of today's hottest -- and most prolific -- MCs. Listen to every great track the Teflon Don has guested on, as well as some of his own hits. "Huh!"

Psychedelia is eternal. These contemporary indie artists explore altered states much like the lysergic explorers of the past.

In the late '80s and early '90s, country stars like Garth Brooks staged an unprecedented invasion on the pop charts. These days, this new batch of twangin' torch-carriers has been crashing the border from Music City to mainstream fame.

Party music. Big, loud, nasty, party music for 2012.

Highlights from the critically-acclaimed albums released in the Spring of 2012. Updated weekly with brand new music that you won't hear on the radio.

Enjoy today's latest top Latin pop songs from the current crop of bilingual stars.

Everyone with a soft spot for singer/songwriters knows their Troubadour History 101, filled with songsmiths from previous generations, but here's where you'll find the best of the current crop of artists committed to the crafting of thoughtful tunes.

The retro sounds of '60s soul music have made a comeback. These contemporary artists are updating classic soul sounds for the 21st century.

Bring down the house with this collection of today's most massive electro house and dubstep tracks.

Born in Trinidad and raised in Queens, Nicki Minaj has stormed the charts with her double-take inducing talent. Here's every song that features Nicki Minaj, as well as the best from her own catalog.

From crunk classics to modern baller anthems, this is the boisterous sound of southern rap songs that are guaranteed to tear the club up. Get low!

Dutch producer Afrojack has made waves producing and remixing tracks for Pitbull, Beyonce, Kid Cudi, Lady Gaga and many more. These are the tracks that define his signature sound.

Start your morning right with these upbeat contemporary pop hits. Perfect for getting the day started on the right foot.

Life can't all be thrash. Enjoy the more relaxed side of post-2000 pop-punk artists, with slower tempos and acoustic guitars for those mellow moments.

From easygoing to uplifting, these twangin' tunes deliver the ultimate country music morning. Now you've got just what it takes to start your day off right, country-style.

Go deeper into the chilly beauty, imagination and melancholy that's at the heart of Justin Vernon's music. Explore his influences, contemporaries and several of the artists Vernon (aka Bon Iver) has collaborated with.

Celebrate Chris Brown's new single "Till I Die" (http://bit.ly/JPYDOc) with this playlist, featuring all of the best songs from Breezy's catalog, as well songs from his closest collaborators and contemporaries.

Cuddle up with your boo to the sounds of these hip-hop-meets-R&B love jams.

Rock ballads, bubblegum pop and dance are the most popular genres of V-Pop, or modern Vietnamese music. Inspired by French pop and American pop/R&B tunes of the 90s, V-Pop blended modern foreign sound with Vietnamese sentiments. Enjoy the latest Vpop hits here

Fill your apartment with friends, neighbors and strangers; pour some drinks and dim the lights; start this playlist of new, cool and stylish songs; play it loud.

The softer side of contemporary country music. Songs with themes of love, heartbreak, patriotism and nostalgia that evoke that comforting, down-home feeling.

A blend of hazy rap anthems from old heads and smoked-out upstarts. Roll one up.

IDM may have originally stood for Intelligent Dance Music, but it doesn't have to live on the dance floor. This cerebral electronica also makes the perfect soundtrack for studying, reading, or simply relaxing.

An exploration of the Latin 'indie' scene through the songs of popular bands as well as emerging acts.

The term "indie" may conjure up thoughts of a scrappy aesthetic, but as these exceptional acts prove, there's plenty of room for a more refined sound as well.

Keep up with the latest, hottest tracks rocking the world's hippest dance floors. Keep the night alive.

If you thought your favorite '90s alt rockers were gone then you were mistaken. Listen to the return of the flannel-flaunting hitmakers who are attempting to be restored to the glory of the grunge years.

Since winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has been one of country music's biggest crossover stars. Celebrate the release of her new album Blown Away (http://bit.ly/JLn3od) with this playlist, featuring Carrie and her closest contemporaries.

Rowdy three-chord rock from both the latest buzz bands and the stalwarts of the indie scene. Crack a tall boy.

Soundtrack your rooftop, outdoor patio, or backyard party with these new, energetic indie rock songs.