10 Artists That Followed GREAT Albums with BAD Albums

10 Artists That Followed Great Albums With Bad Albums

Welcome to MsMojo, where were looking at times talented musicians followed up an acclaimed album with a disappointing one.

#10: Solar Power (2021)

Lorde

In 2013, the New Zealand singer released her debut album Pure Heroine, which was a huge success. She then teamed up with Jack Antonoff for her 2017 release, Melodrama, which a lot of people thought was even better than her debut. This put a lot of pressure on Lorde to release another outstanding album. After 4 years, Solar Power was released, which was her first weak release. While it wasnt all bad, it was nowhere near the same level of quality as her other albums. Thankfully, her fourth album from 2025 was received much better, marking a return to form.

#9: MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 (2002)

Lauryn Hill

In 1998, American musician Lauryn Hill rose to fame after dropping her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was widely adored, considered by many one of 1998s greatest albums. A year later, she became the first rapper on Time magazines cover. In 2002, things went downhill for Hill when she released MTV Unplugged No. 2.0. Critical reception was seriously divided. A lot of fans felt it sounded like a rambling live album, with little structure or cohesion. As the years have passed, its garnered a cult following, and feelings have warmed towards it. You cant deny that it disappointed many at release, however.

#8: Encore (2004)

Eminem

After a mediocre debut album, Eminem achieved global fame with a run of three incredibly praised releases. The final was The Eminem Show, which he dropped in 2002. Two years later, the divisive album Encore hit record stores. It included some iconic tracks, such as Like Toy Soldiers and Mockingbird. As an album, though, it didnt have the same cohesion and consistency as the three before it. Even Eminem calls it one of his weakest releases. He claimed it was so poor quality because he was severely addicted to narcotics at the time.

#7: The Big Day (2019)

Chance the Rapper

There was a period when Chance was considered one of the greatest up-and-coming rappers in the business. His first three mixtapes were all highly acclaimed, attracting a larger audience with each release. Alongside the mixtapes, he also contributed heavily to the 2015 album Surf, an experimental neo-soul release which was widely adored. Unfortunately, his 2019 debut solo album The Big Day was an absolute disaster. There was little to praise about the 77-minute-long album, which is now considered one of the most disappointing albums ever. Since then, Chance hasnt released a follow-up, likely due to the immense pressure surrounding a comeback.

#6: Self Portrait (1970)

Bob Dylan

In the early 60s, Dylan started to gain tons of momentum from releasing acclaimed album after acclaimed album. The last album in this incredible run was Nashville Skyline, released in 1969. Despite changing his vocal style significantly, it was widely celebrated. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. When the 70s rolled around, Dylan released Self Portrait, and it was difficult to find a fan. In 1984, Dylan explained his motivation behind the album. Hed grown fed up with the overwhelming fame, so he released it as a bit of a joke, in the hopes it would diminish his huge following.

#5: American Life (2003)Madonna

She didnt earn the title Queen of Pop for nothing. Throughout both the 80s and 90s, she dominated pop music. At the turn of the century, she released Music, another huge success for Madonna. Sadly, her follow-up album American Life caused a significant dip in her popularity. It was her most politically charged album yet. It critiqued American culture, with its title track's video featuring Madonna in a soldiers uniform. At a time when America was invading Iraq, it made her feel unpatriotic and out of touch with the average American audience. The video was so controversial, Madonna refused to release it initially.

#4: Tonight (1984)David Bowie

From the late 60s to the early 80s, Bowie kept putting out great albums consecutively. Even when he was consuming nothing but milk, peppers, and narcotics, he released acclaimed records like Station to Station. This remarkably consistent run fell apart when Tonight was released. It felt like he was just coasting off Lets Dances success, with three of the tracks being Iggy Pop covers. Unlike his previous albums, it lacked innovation and felt much less adventurous. Even Bowie was so unimpressed he didnt tour for it and only played two tracks off it live in later shows.

#3: Man of the Woods (2018)

Justin Timberlake

The Prince of Pop had a solid streak of albums during his career, beginning with Justified in 2002. In 2013, he released a 2 part album The 20/20 Experience, which was a wonderfully mature double album. Five years later, he released Man of the Woods, which received a lukewarm reception, to put it kindly. Its critics said it lacked thematic cohesion, with a wide lack of consistency in the quality of songs. Despite the reception, it sold pretty well initially, but it doesnt have the same impact as his other releases. In 2024, he followed it up with a new release, Everything I Thought It Was. Unfortunately, it has an even lower rating on average than the 2018 LP.

#2: The Final Cut (1983)

Pink Floyd

The Wall by Pink Floyd is considered to be one of their greatest albums. The main creative force behind the album was Roger Waters, the bass player. As opposed to older albums, where they wouldve had a more equal say. This motivated them to follow it up with even more Waters, which resulted in The Final Cut. Many people consider it more of a Waters solo album than a Pink Floyd album. It was met with fairly mixed reviews, marking the end of their extremely successful four-album run, beginning with Dark Side of the Moon. Waters considered Pink Floyd a spent force creatively, then asked the High Court to dissolve them when the remaining members carried on.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Goats Head Soup (1973), The Rolling Stones

Despite Topping Charts, Critics Were Not Too Impressed

Im In You (1977), Peter Frampton

It Had a Solid Title Track, but Not Much Else

Artpop (2013), Lady Gaga

Now, Many Fans Consider This Their Favorite, but at Release, It Was Much More Disliked

Indicud (2013), Kid CudiCudi Has Never Reached the Heights of His Man on the Moon Era

Maya (2010) M.I.A.

This Was Nowhere Near as Successful as Kala That Preceded It

#1: Let It Be (1970)

The Beatles

In 1968, The Beatles released The White Album, which was all over the place. It had some of their best songs and their worst since they were seriously divided. A few months later, they started recording Let It Be, but they grew so tired of it, they shelved it around spring 1969. Instead, they worked on Abbey Road, which is widely considered one of the greatest albums ever made. Instead of going out on a high note, they decided to rework and release Let It Be, which was a huge disappointment. It felt like one last cash grab to a lot of fans, especially since theyd already broken up before it dropped.

Did you listen to any of these albums at release, and have your thoughts changed since? Let us know in the comments below!