We Picked the Best Albums of 2019 That You Need to Download ASAP
We Picked the Best Albums of 2019 That You Need to Download ASAP
2019 is coming to a close, and we have quite the roundup of artists that delivered stellar albums this year. From the bluesy sound of Gary Clark Jr. to the futuristic autotune of Terror Jr, there's a little something in the mix for everyone to love.
Sucker Punch — Sigrid
Sucker Punch is aptly titled for Sigrid’s first album. The Norwegian singer comes out swinging on her debut, giving off major Robyn and Carly Rae Jepsen vibes.
“Mine Right Now” is the song you’ll want to blast and dance around your room to — and then she hits us with songs like “In Vain” and “Dynamite” to show she’s just as good at slowing things down as well.
Remind Me Tomorrow — Sharon Van Etten
As soon as Van Etten’s vocals come in on the album’s opening track “I Told You Everything,” you know you’re in for a treat. Her fifth studio album falls just short of an hour and leaves you thirsting for more. You’ll probably find yourself going back to revisit “Jupiter 4” and “Seventeen” (if not the entire album) on a regular basis.
Betty — Betty Who
Since the release of her 2017 album The Valley, Betty has ditched RCA Records and released a few one-off singles along with an EP.
On Betty, she delivers the same fun pop style that she's done so well in the past and it just keeps getting better. Listening to "The One," you'd swear it's something from back in the days of the daily video countdown on MTV's Total Request Live.
Unfortunately, Terror Jr — Terror Jr
Having released three EPs since 2016, pop duo Terror Jr finally dropped their debut studio album in January in all its auto-tuned glory. It’s hard not to listen to this collection of robotic synth-pop and imagine this is what the future of the genre might sound like. It’s purposely over-produced and undeniably catchy.
Assume Form — James Blake
The English singer-songwriter returns with his fourth studio album, and it’s a doozy. With features including Andre 3000 and Travis Scott, Assume Form sets the bar high for all other music coming in 2019. We’re still a ways off, but this album has Grammy written all over it.
Good at Falling — The Japanese House
This English indie pop act dropped her first studio album in early March, but it's definitely one you’ll want to pull up again this summer while chilling on the beach.
Amber Bain channels Imogen Heap on much of this 13-track collection, which is always a good thing. This is how you do dream pop.
When I Get Home — Solange
This album is tailor-made to be the soundtrack to your next night of pampering yourself. Grab a bottle of wine, run the bath, and just chill out to Solange's silky vocals. It's pure R&B and pure magic. There are no standout tracks because this is an album meant to taken in its entirety.
Wasteland, Baby! — Hozier
Hozier took us to church back in 2014, and now it's off to the wasteland.
The bluesy vibes on this latest offering can be transformative under the right circumstances. It's full of toe-tappers like "Dinner & Diatribes," complete with the soulfulness that has become Hozier's signature sound.
Jade Bird — Jade Bird
The British singer-songwriter came out strong with the single "Lottery," and the rest of her debut album keeps up that momentum. Jade Bird has one of those folksy voices that make both her upbeat love songs and slower tracks equally irresistible.
Ventura — Anderson .Paak
You know you're getting a solid album when the opening track has a feature from André 3000 and then the second track has Smokey Robinson. Although Paak has top-notch talent accompanying him on his fourth album, it's solo songs like "King James" and "Twilight" where Ventura really takes flight.
portraits — Greyson Chance
Remember that kid who went viral in 2010 performing an insanely good version of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” on piano at his school talent show? Well, he’s an adult now, and his album reflects a level of maturity (vocally and emotionally) and confidence in his unapologetic queerness that resonates throughout.
Chance shines most on songs like “Shut Up” and “West Texas,” where he seems to get more personal. “White Roses” is also one you’ll find yourself wanting to revisit.
Widows Weeds — Silversun Pickups
The Pickups released their fifth album through their own imprint, New Machine Recordings, and they've never sounded better. Teaming with rock producer Butch Vig (Nirvana's Nevermind), the band gets more personal than ever, addressing themes of change and growing up.
Singles "It Doesn't Matter Why" and "Freakazoid" only scratch the surface of what makes this album worth a listen.
Beauty Marks — Ciara
Ciara's Beauty Marks is one of the most overlooked albums of the year — but we're here to give it the acclaim it deserves. Her seventh album was her lowest-charting album to date, but hits like "Level Up,” "Dose,” and "Thinkin Bout You" tell a different story. She still knows how to get people to the dance floor, regardless of chart performance.
Pony — Orville Peck
This masked country singer prefers to keep his identity a secret (Orville Peck is a pseudonym) and that just makes the music more intriguing. He's like the love child of Lana Del Rey and Johnny Cash. It's moody in all the right ways.
54+1 — Danny Ocean
Venezuelan singer-songwriter Danny Ocean has been a rising star in the Latin music world since 2016 — and now his debut album carves him out a place among today's top artists. Songs like "Swing" and "Tuyo Mía" provide the perfect soundtrack for when you're looking to chill out.
This Land — Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. sets the tone for his third studio album with the title track cowritten by Woody Guthrie addressing racism in America. This album is best enjoyed sipping some whiskey while sitting silently and just taking in every note of the electric guitar that fills this 72-minute masterpiece.
Dedicated — Carly Rae Jepsen
CRJ has a dedicated fanbase who knows that everything she puts out is gold. The tracks may never have the chart success that "Call Me Maybe" had, but that doesn't matter as long as we get gems like "Want You in My Room" and "I'll Be Your Girl."
The Big Day — Chance the Rapper
Chance throws a lot at us with this 22-track album, and The Big Day showcases everything we love about him. His sense of humor is part of what sets him apart from other rappers these days.
The wide range of guest spots (Randy Newman, Shawn Mendes, Megan Thee Stallion, etc.) should tell you that this album is unlike any other rap release this year.
Girl — Maren Morris
Morris has been rising the ranks of the country world for a few years now and Girl may be just what she needs to get to the top. Listening to tracks like "The Bones" and "To Hell & Back" gives you a bigger sense of what she can do as an artist than her mega-hit "The Middle" that has been playing nonstop since 2018.
Girl doesn't have any DJ features, but instead blesses us with a Brandi Carlile collaboration and the Brothers Osborne.
Cuz I Love You — Lizzo
Lizzo snatched the crown as the breakout star of 2019. It's been years in the making and well-deserved. Cuz I Love You is 11 tracks of pure gold. It's the type of album that you instantly start over the minute it finishes.
Father of the Bride — Vampire Weekend
The fourth studio album from Ezra Koenig and co. did not disappoint loyal VW fans. Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album prove the critics were equally as impressed. Collaborating with a Haim sister on not one, but three tracks, will never steer you wrong.
Hot Pink — Doja Cat
The sophomore slump is not a thing. At least not for Doja Cat. Her second album is track after track of nearly perfect beats and verses. If you're not already familiar with her work, you've been missing out because Doja's songs make for the perfect party or workout playlist.
Hollywood's Bleeding — Post Malone
Post brought along some friends including Future, Halsey, Meek Mill, Ozzy Osbourne, and SZA to spice things up on his third album. The top-notch collaborations is just one of the many reasons why this is one of the best albums of the year. The rapper has really carved out a space for himself in the industry over the last few years and Hollywood's Bleeding firmly establishes that he deserves to occupy that space.
Lover — Taylor Swift
We love when Taylor is in love! Her seventh studio album showed a much cheerier side to Swift when compared with the darker themes on her sixth album, Reputation. With all the drama surrounding her old music catalog, it's anybody's guess which direction TS8 will go but lets hope she keeps up the momentum from this joyride.
Sing to Me Instead — Ben Platt
The actor you may know from Pitch Perfect, Netflix's The Politician, or Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen dropped his debut album in 2019 and it will give you all the feels. Anybody who has watched his acting work already knows he has the pipes (his characters tend to share his remarkable vocal abilities) and this album clearly shows that music is as much of his calling as acting.
The Highwomen — The Highwomen
Yes, Maren Morris had two of the best albums of the year. She's that good! So are the other three women (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, and Amanda Shires) who make up the country supergroup. Each member is a strong singer in their own right, but the music they make together brings it to a legendary level.
Fine Line — Harry Styles
Harry Styles was late to enter the race when his album dropped in early December, but Fine Line immediately became one of the year's best. Tracks like "Lights Up" and "Treat People With Kindness" show a side to Styles that will make people forget he was ever in a boy band. His self-titled solo debut in 2017 was a good album...but this follow-up is outstanding.
Don't miss out on the top music of the year.