Loyle Carner Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
Ranking the work of an artist as personal as Loyle Carner is always a challenge.
His music connects on a deep, individual level. This makes debating the "best" Loyle Carner album a conversation full of personal stories and strong opinions.
To create our list of Loyle Carner albums ranked, we've turned to the fans. We looked at community discussions and sentiment to see which records resonate the most.
We will also look at how his albums stack up based on current popularity data.
Ranking Loyle Carner'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. Yesterday's Gone (2017)
Loyle Carner's debut album, Yesterday's Gone, arrived in January 2017.
The record immediately garnered widespread acclaim from music critics.
Its impact was significant, earning a nomination for the prestigious 2017 Mercury Prize.
The album features poignant samples of songs written by his late stepfather, weaving family and memory into its very fabric.
Key tracks:
- Damselfly
- Ain't Nothing Changed
It's no surprise that Yesterday's Gone sits at the top of the fan ranking. A debut album this confident and emotionally resonant is rare.
For many listeners, this was their introduction to Carner's world. Its blend of jazz-infused hip-hop and candid storytelling created a blueprint for everything that followed.
2. Not Waving, But Drowning (2019)
Released in April 2019, Not Waving, But Drowning is Loyle Carner's second studio album.
The album's title is a direct reference to the poem of the same name by British poet Stevie Smith.
This reference hints at the album's themes of communication, perception, and inner turmoil.
Key tracks:
- Ottolenghi
- Desoleil (Brilliant Corners)
Coming in at a strong number two, Not Waving, But Drowning is seen by many as a brilliant evolution of the sound established on his debut.
It expanded his lyrical themes and musical palette, proving that his initial success was no fluke. Fans often point to the album's warmth and cohesive narrative as reasons for its high regard.
3. hugo (2022)
Carner's third studio album, hugo, was released in October 2022.
The album is deeply autobiographical. It documents Carner's life as a young, Black artist and new father, dealing with issues from his past.
It explores his relationship with his estranged father and issues of identity and racism, featuring samples of poet John Agard and activist Athian Akec.
Like his debut, hugo was also shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, a testament to its critical acclaim.
Key tracks:
- Homerton
- Speed Of Plight
Holding the third spot, hugo represents a more confrontational and mature Loyle Carner.
Fans who connect with this album appreciate its raw honesty and powerful social commentary. It's his most urgent record, and its placement shows a deep respect for his artistic growth and willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on.
4. hopefully ! (2025)
Released in June 2025, hopefully ! marks the fourth studio album from Loyle Carner.
The album continued his success on the charts, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart.
This made it his highest-charting album in his home country to date.
Key tracks:
- time to go
- feel at home
As the newest entry in his discography, hopefully ! is still finding its long-term place in the hearts of fans.
Its placement here reflects the time it takes for an album to build the same deep-rooted connection as established classics. Over time, its standing in fan rankings is likely to shift as its stories become part of listeners' lives.
Picked your top Loyle Carner classic? Check out Loyle Carner's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.
Loyle Carner albums: A look at popularity data
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Claim Your Free MonthWhile 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 Loyle Carner'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 | hopefully ! | 2025 |
| 2 | Not Waving, But Drowning | 2019 |
| 3 | Yesterday's Gone | 2017 |
| 4 | hugo | 2022 |
Quick FAQs about Loyle Carner's albums
Q: How successful was Loyle Carner's debut album?
A: Yesterday's Gone was very successful. It received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize.
Q: What is the origin of the name Loyle Carner?
A: His stage name is a spoonerism of his double-barrelled surname, Coyle-Larner. It's also a reference to his experiences with ADHD and dyslexia.
So there we have it, two different ways of looking at Loyle Carner's albums ranked.
The fans place his groundbreaking debut at the very top, while current listening data highlights his more recent work.
Of course, the best Loyle Carner album is always the one that means the most to you.
What's your number one?