alt-J Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Few bands have a sonic signature as distinct as alt-J. Their intricate, often cryptic, and beautifully layered music invites deep listening.

This naturally leads to passionate discussions among fans about their discography. What is the best alt-J album? It's a question with no single right answer.

Here, we explore the alt-J albums ranked according to fan sentiment. We'll also look at how they stack up based on current popularity data, offering a complete picture of their celebrated work.

Ranking alt-J's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. An Awesome Wave (2012)

alt-J's debut album, An Awesome Wave, arrived in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim.

The record introduced the world to their unique sound with singles like "Breezeblocks" and "Tessellate."

It went on to win the prestigious British Barclaycard Mercury Prize. It was also named Album of the Year at the Ivor Novello Awards.

The title itself is a reference to a quote from the Bret Easton Ellis novel American Psycho.

Key tracks:

• Breezeblocks
• Tessellate

It's no surprise that An Awesome Wave claims the top spot for fans. Debut albums often capture a lightning-in-a-bottle moment, and this record is a perfect example.

It established the band's identity so perfectly that for many, it remains the definitive alt-J experience.

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2. This Is All Yours (2014)

Released in 2014, This Is All Yours was the band's highly anticipated second album. It was their first release after the departure of founding member Gwil Sainsbury.

The album proved their success was no fluke, going straight to number one in the United Kingdom.

It continued to build on their signature sound while expanding into new territories, featuring standout tracks like "Left Hand Free."

Key tracks:

• Left Hand Free
• Every Other Freckle

As a follow-up to a monumental debut, This Is All Yours had enormous expectations to meet. It succeeded by refining and deepening the band's musical world.

Its high ranking shows how much fans appreciate its confident and expansive sound. It solidified alt-J as a major force in indie rock.

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3. RELAXER (2017)

alt-J's third studio album, RELAXER, was released in 2017. It stands as their most musically ambitious and experimental work to date.

At just eight tracks, it's a concise but incredibly dense record. The album includes standout songs like "In Cold Blood" and "Deadcrush."

RELAXER was also nominated for the Mercury Prize, marking the band's second nomination for the prestigious award.

Key tracks:

• Deadcrush
• In Cold Blood

RELAXER is often seen as the band's most polarizing album. Its bold sonic detours and unconventional structures are precisely what its admirers love most about it.

While it may not have the instant accessibility of their earlier work, its placement here proves it has a strong, dedicated following that values its artistic risks.

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4. The Dream (2022)

The band's fourth album, The Dream, arrived in 2022 after a nearly five-year gap.

Promoted by singles like "U&ME" and "Hard Drive Gold," the record explores themes of beauty and darkness, often inspired by true-crime stories and Hollywood tales.

It was praised by critics as a compelling return, blending the band's classic elements with a newfound embrace of American sounds.

Key tracks:

• U&ME
• Hard Drive Gold

Holding the final spot in the fan ranking, The Dream is still a relatively new chapter in the alt-J story.

Its legacy is still being written. While it may not have unseated the classic early albums for longtime listeners, its intricate songwriting shows the band is still pushing its creative boundaries.

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Picked your top alt-J classic? Check out alt-J's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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alt-J albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of alt-J's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	An Awesome Wave	2012
2	This Is All Yours	2014
3	RELAXER	2017
4	The Dream	2022

Quick FAQs about alt-J's albums

Q: What is the artwork on the cover of An Awesome Wave?

A: The cover features a multi-layered radar image of the Ganges river delta. The image was acquired by the European Space Agency's Envisat satellite.

Q: What does the album title An Awesome Wave mean?

A: The title is a direct quote from the 1991 novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.

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So there you have it – a look at the incredible studio albums of alt-J.

The rankings, whether driven by fan passion or engagement data, tell a story of a band that made an immediate and lasting impact.

Ultimately, the best alt-J album is the one that connects with you personally. Each record offers a unique and rewarding journey.

What does your ranking of alt-J albums look like?