25 Best Flop Albums of the 2000s (So Far)
We’re officially a quarter of the way through the 21st century, and the past 25 years have given us hundreds of unforgettable albums. But not these ones — they’re flops.
What is a “flop” album? There’s no universal definition, but the term is usually applied to projects that underperform compared to the artist’s previous efforts. So, a flop generally changes the trajectory of an artist’s career by selling significantly fewer units than prior albums, spawning fewer successful singles, falling off the charts quickly, or attracting considerable negative attention. It’s less common for a debut album to be considered a flop but it can happen — usually because there was heavy promotion and a massive single.
In some cases, albums weren’t heavily promoted or looking for mass commercial success, usually because the artist changed record labels or wanted to appeal to their core fan base. These cases aren’t considered “flops” because the album wasn’t aiming to top the charts or produce massive singles.
Being a flop does not mean these albums are bad; in many cases, they’re great projects that were mismanaged. Over the years, many of these albums have earned cult followings that redefined their legacies. At a minimum, these projects are worth a revisit, because they have many great songs that get overlooked when defining them by their commercial performance.
Note: All references to album performance look at the Billboard 200 chart. The performance of singles is referencing their placement on the Billboard Hot 100.
25. Bittersweet World — Ashlee Simpson: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Few people have a single moment that altered their career in a way Ashlee Simpson does. Her 2004 SNL lip-synching controversy seemingly hurt her career, but not so much that her second album, “I Am Me,” didn’t debut at №1 in 2005. By the time her third album was released, her hype and the scandal had died down. The album was overlooked compared to her prior projects, peaking at №4 and only spawning two singles. It was also a shift sonically, drawing inspiration from ’80s pop and working with producers like Timbaland and Chad Hugo. This can be heard on dancy songs like “Boys” or more personal tracks like “Little Miss Obsessive.”
24. Icarus Falls — Zayn: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
When it comes to One Direction, Zayn achieved a lot of firsts: first to leave, first solo №1 album, and first solo №1 song. His fortune ended when it came to seconds. His sophomore project only managed to reach №61 in the US despite being a double album with 27 songs. The album often feels bloated with a surplus of mellow tracks, but when the album peaks, it can be really good. Songs like “There You Are” show Zayn’s vocal abilities and tracks like “Sour Diesel” show how well his voice can adapt to other genres.
23. 0304 — Jewel: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
From the moment the lead single “Intuition” was released, listeners knew this album would be a massive departure from Jewel’s previous folk-rock projects. “0304” was supposed to be a commentary on early ’00s culture, but that was a hard sell when the lead single was used in a razor commercial. Decades later, the album may have its intended effect, with the message of songs like “Stand” and “America” remaining relevant, even if some of the references are dated.
22. Treat Myself — Meghan Trainor: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
In the mid-2010s, Meghan Trainor burst onto the scene with her triple-platinum 2015 debut “Title” and her platinum follow-up “Thank You” in 2016. Her third album wasn’t released until early 2020, and it was a departure from the doo-wop sound that once made her popular, but it was able to produce fun pop songs — a point of contention on her second album. Songs like “Nice To Meet Ya” and “Genetics” had fans, but the album only peaked at №25.
21. Invincible — Michael Jackson: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
For most artists, a №1, double-platinum album would be a success. For Michael Jackson, “Invincible” was a big decline, especially when you consider the album’s record-breaking $30 million production value. Upon its release, this album received lukewarm reviews, but in retrospect, MJ was on-trend — if not ahead of his time. The titular track “Invincible” and opening track “Unbreakable” perfectly incorporate the drum-heavy R&B sound that was popular in the early ’00s. Toward the end of the album, Santana joins MJ on “Whatever Happens,” another great contribution from Santana’s Y2K resurgence.
20. This Time Around — Hanson: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Hanson is far from the first family band, but their cultural impact from the late ’90s can’t be ignored. As the new millennium and their sophomore album approached, the band was forced to slightly mature their sound. They incorporated more rock elements without abandoning their pop roots, which laid the groundwork for the style of music the band would play for the next 25 years (and counting). It also meant diminishing support from their record label, leading the album to peak at №19. It only had one charting single, but the song “If Only” was a staple on MTV’s Total Request Live. The project also includes pop-rock gems like “Runaway Run” that would have fit perfectly in the pop-rock wave that took over the radio around 2002.
19. 143 — Katy Perry: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
It may be early to call this album a flop, but this project was expected to be Katy’s big comeback after her stint on American Idol. There seemed to be a big investment in the project, with a stunning Video Vanguard Award performance at the VMAs, podcast appearances, and a high-budget video for the lead single “Women’s World.” The results were underwhelming, the project debuted at №6, and Katy received backlash for working with Dr. Luke on a women’s empowerment anthem. Admittedly, the lead single may have been a misfire, but the album is a good throwback to early 2010s pop, with infectious dance songs like “Nirvana” or hip-hop-infused tracks like “Gimme Gimme” and “I’m His, He’s Mine.”
18. Libra Scale — Ne-Yo: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Ne-Yo was one of the quintessential hitmakers of the 2000s, catapulting himself to the top of the charts and lending his songwriting talents to Mario, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. He entered the 2010s with no signs of slowing down, and his fourth album seemed poised to continue the success. “Libra Scale” seemed to push Ne-Yo in a slightly different direction, merging his smooth vocals with more dance elements. This felt like a natural step for the singer, and songs like “One in a Million” and “Cause I Said So” show the album’s potential. But, the lead single “Beautiful Monster” underperformed, sales disappointed, and within a year Ne-Yo was moving past this album to climb atop the charts on Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything.”
17. Ciara — Fantasy Ride: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Billed as the “Princess of Crunk,” Ciara was bound to struggle when the genre fell out of favor. By the time her third album was on the horizon, she intended on a genre-blending, three-disc effort. Instead, we got a single album, but the final product may have been the best of all three concepts. “Fantasy Ride” generated buzz with the single “Love Sex Magic,” peaking at №10, but the project didn’t make much of a splash beyond that. The song “Turntables” probably had a good shot at being a successful follow-up single, but its featured artist Chris Brown was shrouded in controversy at the time. Instead, it remains a beloved deep cut in Ciara’s catalog, along with other songs like “High Price” and “Like a Surgeon.”
16. Britney Jean — Britney Spears: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
After the successes of “Circus” and “Femme Fatale” Britney Spears found herself at a crossroads. So, she looked inward when working on her eighth album, receiving writing credits on every song. This doesn’t mean every track is deeply personal — “Work Bitch” is notably shallow, but beloved nonetheless. The project also contains the fan-favorite song “Passenger” and the ballad “Perfume” that was co-written with Sia. “Britney Jean” debuted at №4, making it Brit’s lowest debut position, but the album contains some of Britney’s best songs while showing she can be both vulnerable and fun.
15. American Life — Madonna: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Madonna’s career is full of ups and downs, but controversy has been the one constant. “American Life” is no exception, but you’d be forgiven for not wanting to listen to the Material Girl sing (and rap, at times) about the vanity of American culture while making commentary on war, gender, and religion. Singles like “Hollywood” may paint the impression that she’s singing about the illusion of fame and pop culture, but deeper cuts like “Nothing Fails” and “Love Profusion” push through this illusion. “American Life” is a perfect paradox, giving depth to shallow subjects. The vulnerability on the album almost feels out-of-place from Madonna, but it’s Madonna, so of course it works perfectly.
14. Paris — Paris Hilton: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Undeniably, Paris Hilton was one of the biggest names of the ’00s — but for what, people weren’t exactly sure. In 2006, she tried to turn herself into a pop star, and the effort wasn’t the failure some people expected. It also wasn’t a runaway success, so the mediocrity allowed “Paris” to fall off the radar fairly quickly. Years later, the album has become a bit of a cult favorite because it’s actually enjoyable. Some tracks are intended to be self-aware jokes, like the cover of “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” but other songs are noteworthy on their own merits. Lead single “Stars Are Blind” received praise upon its release, but the follow-up single “Nothing In This World” and the deep-cut “Screwed” are infectious pop songs that make this album a nostalgic trip into mid-00s culture.
13. Folie à Deux— Fall Out Boy: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Fall Out Boy’s fourth album marked a shift in their sound, taking a few steps further away from pop-punk and embracing other genres (most notably hip-hop) a bit more. The lead single “I Don’t Care” was a modest hit, reaching №21, but the album only peaked at №8. Then, the band went on hiatus and returned in 2013 with a much more commercially successful project, “Save Rock and Roll.” Looking back, “Folie à Deux” is a step in a good direction, with experimental songs like “Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet” becoming a fan favorite and “She’s My Winona” serving as a perfect representation of a Fall Out Boy love song.
12. Solar Power — Lorde: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
After her moody, unfiltered, and beloved debut “Pure Heroine” and the introspective critical darling “Melodrama,” Lorde had the impossible task of coming up with a third album. To the surprise of many, it was a happier sound that opened with the blissful track “The Path.” By the time you get to “Mood Ring,” a highlight from the album, it becomes clear this project is about finding joy. It’s about Lorde’s effort to find happiness, even if it takes a lot of work. While it wasn’t as commercially successful as her other two, peaking at №5, it gets better with each listen.
11. Chinese Democracy — Guns N’ Roses: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Plagued by delay after delay, this was GNR’s first album of original music in 17 years. It debuted at №3, perhaps because fans didn’t actually believe it was finally released, and reviews were fairly mixed. It may not have the memorability of the band’s early efforts, but if someone had never heard of Guns N’ Roses before, this wouldn’t be a bad representation of their music. With highlights like “There Was a Time” and the guitar-driven “Prostitute,” it’s a good continuation of the band’s career — even if Slash was missing from the project.
10. My December—Kelly Clarkson: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Coming off her monumental “Breakaway” era, Kelly Clarkson wanted to move in a different direction. It was a little darker and angstier, and her record label did not support it. If we compare the album to “Breakaway,” it is a bit moodier, but it was still tame compared to the emo artist getting popular at the time. Songs like “Hole” and “Can I Have a Kiss?” capture Kelly’s new sound perfectly, but when you hear songs like “How I Feel” you realize this project isn’t a far cry from her previous albums. The momentum from “Breakaway” allowed “My December” to debut at №2, but it only spawned one charting single. To be fair, Kelly said she wanted the album to be “uncommercial,” and it seems she got exactly what she wanted.
9. Glitter — Mariah Carey: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
In the 1990s, it felt like everything Mariah Carey touched turned to platinum, but the aptly titled “Glitter” lacked the luster of her previous projects upon its release. It was attached to a panned movie, Mariah was hospitalized for exhaustion while promoting the album, and the lead single “Loverboy” was altered when Jennifer Lopez interfered with its production. The album was also (unknowingly) given the unfortunate release date of Sept. 11, 2001. All of this caused the album to perform poorly (peaking at №7), and Mariah Carey was bought out of a nearly $100 million, 5-album contract after just one release. Decades later, fans have praised “Glitter” as an ‘80s-pop-inspired dance album with upbeat songs like “Loverboy” and power ballads like “Lead the Way.”
8. Relapse — Eminem: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Compared to other entries on this list, “Relapse” was commercially successful. It debuted at №1, has been certified 3x platinum, and spawned a №1 single with “Crack a Bottle.” However, the project was critically panned upon its release, as it dove into Eminem’s darker moments and lacked a lot of the satire and sarcasm that was featured in his previous projects. Humorous songs like “We Made You” felt out of place, but the incohesiveness is kind of the point. Eminem’s next studio album, “Recovery” has been certified 8x platinum, outperforming “Relapse,” but it also gives context to the album. This is a project about addiction, and it has a purpose in Eminem’s career timeline, it just didn’t make sense until its successors arrived.
7. Journals — Justin Bieber: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Released as a series of singles, this project never actually charted on the Billboard 200 because its sales figures weren’t reported. However, other metrics (like international sales and the performance of singles) indicate a sharp decline from Justin’s previous projects. He was also going through struggles in his life during the project’s rollout, but he made a smart choice with this compilation: He shifted toward an R&B sound. This is apparent on the opening track, “Heartbreaker,” but you’ll also hear it on uptempo songs like “Confident” and “Backpack.” This project is a step toward maturity, and it comes across as a young artist establishing his voice rather than chasing trends.
6. Artpop — Lady Gaga: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
For some, this project was a showcase of Mother Monster’s talents, but for most people, the album was underwhelming. Despite debuting at №1, “Artpop” hasn’t sold a million copies in the US yet — an achievement Born This Way accomplished in its first week. The album had a lukewarm start when its lead single “Applause” peaked at №4 on the Hot 100, and subsequent singles failed to gain the airplay Gaga was known for. The infamous single “Do What U Want” only reached №13 and its video was never released, and the third single “G.U.Y.” Never cracked the top 50. Despite this, Gaga’s fans still view the project fondly, especially for deep cuts like “Gypsy,” even if they affectionately call it Artflop.
5. Damita Jo — Janet Jackson: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Despite debuting at №2, this album seemed like it was poised to be monumental. After all, it was 2004 when R&B was still topping the charts and the year was dominated by Usher’s Confessions. Then, the Super Bowl Half Time incident happened and nearly killed Janet’s eighth album before it arrived. Revisiting “Damita Jo” will have you feeling nostalgic for what could have been with the rock-infused lead single “Just a Little While,” fan-favorite track “R&B Junkie,” and an early Kanye feature on “My Baby.” All of this is buried under the backlash from Justin Timberlake accidentally exposing Janet’s breast, though Janet’s career was the only one that really suffered from the scandal.
4. Double Dutchess — Fergie: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
If you ever wanted to see a botched album release, look no further. Fergie’s first solo album, “The Dutchess,” spawned five top 10 singles, including three that topped the Hot 100. “Double Dutchess” came out 11 years later after facing many delays. Its first single, “L.A. Love,” came out in 2014 and two years passed before the second single, “M.I.L.F. $” debuted. This allowed interest to wane, and the album didn’t make a huge splash upon its 2017 release, peaking at №19. But, it featured fun songs like “You Already Know,” and personal tracks like “Life Goes On” and “A Little Work” that make it a solid sequel to “The Dutchess.”
3. Bionic — Christina Aguilera: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
Upon its release, “Bionic” was criticized for chasing the trends of its time. Christina received many comparisons to people like Lady Gaga and Kesha and less praise for her powerhouse vocals. The album only had two singles hit the Hot 100, “Not Myself Tonight” and “Woohoo,” but these songs only scratch the surface when it comes to “Bionic’s” highlights. The album features vulnerable tracks like “I Am” and ahead-of-its-time songs like “Elastic Love.” As time passed, “Bionic’s” reputation has improved. Not only does it embrace the experimental nature of early 2010s pop, but it does it well.
2. Witness — Katy Perry: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
This definitely wasn’t the first time an artist had a “flop era,” but for many people, this was the album that pushed the term into the public lexicon. Before the album came out, it was being promoted as “purposeful pop,” and the debut single “Chained to the Rhythm” seemed to lean into that concept. That description only lasted until the second single, “Bon Appétit,” came out and made the album look more ironic than purposeful. This project may be a case study of what not to do when reinventing an artist’s image, though it has some gems like “Pendulum” and “Save as Draft.” Still, the album debuted at №1, but it barely hit gold status despite multiple singles and promotional efforts.
1. Blackout — Britney Spears: Amazon | Spotify | Apple Music
In 2007, it felt like the world was against Britney Spears following her mental health struggles and underwhelming VMA performance. Billboard even revised its Billboard 200 policies on the week of “Blackout’s” release, giving Britney her first album not to debut №1. In the weeks following “Blackout’s” release, media outlets panned the project for being unable to sell 500,000 copies in its first month — a sharp decline for the star who sold that many copies of “Oops! I Did It Again” in its first day and over a million in its first week. But Britney’s fans have stood by “Blackout,” praising its lead single “Gimme More” and deep cuts like “Get Naked” and “Ooh Ooh Baby.” Since then, the tides have turned, and “Blackout” has a bit of a cult following. Pitchfork celebrated the album in 2024 with a stronger review, and Rolling Stone has honored it on its 500 Greatest Albums list at №441.
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