Top 25 Albums of 2019

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My favorite albums of 2019 are here! As happened with the Top 100 Songs of 2019, there really wasn’t a clear cut winner for me. I almost wanted to give it to Vampire Weekend for being so damn consistent, but their album was too long with a few weak tracks that kept them out of the #1 ranking.

After some debate, I realized the album that I enjoyed the most was PUP’s Morbid Stuff. It’s one of those great rock albums, and PUP is such a fun and loud band that loves being loud. They’re the musical man child of Japandroids and New Found Glory. Their live shows must be nuts.

As for the remainder of albums, there’s a number of notables, including my favorite newcomer (for me), Rex Orange County, a singer/songwriter without a great voice or much notable traits that I can point to other than the fact that he sounds like his own. It’s not always about some amazing voice or guitar licks, sometimes it’s just being yourself that makes music so great.

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Monday Mixtape, Vol. 133

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We’re stating the mixtape with a track from a rapper, Denzel Curry, whose new album, ZUU, is a contender for rap album of the year, and one of my favorite albums I’ve listened to all year. The production is unique, raw, and Denzel Curry brings a heavyweight punch to certain tracks while displaying his verbal dexterity on others. If you dig the songs on here, check the album out.

Speaking of favorite albums of the year, I have another album, a COMPLETE 180 from Denzel Curry, the mellow and delicate Faye Webster. She instantly reminded me of Natalie Prass with a touch of country (thanks to that slide-guitar featured throughout), and my wife thought she sounded like a chill Gwen Stefani, which I thought was an apt comparison.

Webster’s Atlanta Millionaires Club (Yeah, I’m not sure about the album name OR THE ALBUM COVER…) is a true album, it flows completely from the front to the back, recounting a romance with “Jonny” that didn’t work out. Love it.

Palace continue to release great singles,  and I’m hoping a new album is in the mix. Clairo is a new pop artist, whenyoung reminds me of the music woman-child of Best Coast and Florence & The Machine, and finally, Bon Iver released a new track, which sounds like a combination of all three of his albums. It’s got electronics (22, A Million), a catchy chorus (For Emma, Forever Ago), and a subdued rhythm (Bon Iver). I’m digging it.

Have a great week!