My 10 Favorite Albums of 2019
“Let’s find a place where happiness begins.”
Towards the end of October, I always take a look at what new Christmas albums are slated to be released in November and December. This year, I saw albums from Idina Menzel and Lea Michele (mother and daughter on Glee), but I didn’t see much else. They weren’t bad contributors to the Christmas music scene, but they weren’t sending me head over heels either.
That all changed when, seemingly out of nowhere, Jason Mraz, the Jonas Brothers, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift each released new music for the holidays! It was a dizzying array of some of my favorite artists pumping me full of candy-coated holiday joy. It was a sugar high that came straight from the heart of those with immense musical talent.
But they didn’t really come with albums; they mostly came into the world as singles. And even though I just counted down my one hundred favorite songs of the decade, my music in review for each year is always marked by albums.
Fortunately, there’s more than enough from the year in albums to make up for the Christmas singles not having enough surrounding them to be included. It was a great year for pop music and a great year for just listening, in general. Perhaps it’s something we could all afford to do a little bit better.
10. The Lion King: The Gift by Beyonce
The soundtrack from the 2019 remake of The Lion King was pretty great. Donald Glover, Beyonce, Billy Eichner, and more made for a series of classic tunes redone in a way that was quite pleasant to listen to. But in addition to that, Beyonce released an authentic, cultural album that served as a companion piece for the Disney mega-blockbuster. The Lion King: The Gift is a testament to the heart of music and the roots of so many iconic anthems. It wasn’t a conventional move for Beyonce, but it was one that was emblematic of the fire emoji all the same.
9. Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier
Hozier’s self-titled debut album from 2014 is one of the most fully-realized forays I’ve ever heard in my life. As such, I had high expectations for the long-gestating follow-up, Wasteland, Baby! It did not quite reach those lofty heights it had set for itself in my mind, but there’s still an undeniable talent that percolates behind the lyricism and stunning vocals of a Hozier album. My personal favorite song from the listing was “Would That I,” but I imagine that’s a honor that will consistently be in flux.
8. Everyday Life by Coldplay
A couple of years ago, Coldplay announced that they would be calling it a career on their music group. I made a point of seeing them live on what was supposed to be their swan song to the music industry. And now here we are. It’s 2020 and we just experienced a new Coldplay album last November. I can’t help but feel misled. Still, I won’t say no to new Coldplay music! It’s nowhere near as moving as some of their past albums, but this is a new sound for them and it’s better to accept that than to buck against it and demand the group be something they’re not. I’m glad Chris Martin is happy!
7. Norman Fucking Rockwell by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is one of the more underappreciated artists in my cultural consciousness. I always like her music, but I never anticipate it as much as I should. That’s why Norman Fucking Rockwell kind of flew under the radar for me for a while. But, of course, it’s just as melancholic and thought-provoking as all the tunes she’s embraced before. The title track is a testament to the growth she is always cultivating within herself.
6. Heard It in a Past Life by Maggie Rogers
“Light On” came from this album and that’s more than enough of a reason to feature Rogers’ first studio album on the list. But there’s so many other amazing tracks, too. “Alaska,” “Overnight,” “Burning,” “Past Life.” It’s all so incredible. The folk-pop stylings of Rogers has warranted inclusion on many “Best of the Year” reflections and for good reason, too. The sound of Maggie Rogers is a sound that’s all her own.
5. Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles
I’ve always been a big fan of Sara Bareilles and I think she has one of the most beautiful, most powerful voices in the world. Her 2019 album, Amidst the Chaos, was injected into my life first on Saturday Night Live. But that’s just the tip of the ballad-roots iceberg. “Fire” and “Saint Honesty” are the shimmering examples from that time, but they give way to an album that is filled with bona fide anthems like “If I Can’t Have You” and “Orpheus.” John Legend even makes an appearance! It’s Bareilles’ finest album yet, in my opinion.
4. Fine Line by Harry Styles
Somehow, Harry Styles manages to keep popping up high on these lists whenever he produces a new album. I was never a One Direction fan, but his solo career is just brimming with swagger. But it’s entirely earned swagger! He’s a straight up rock star and he can make something as absurd as “Watermelon Sugar” sound like a banger of a jam. He has had such a promising start to his solo endeavors that I truly can’t wait to see what he does next.
3. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande
In the first half of 2019, if you ever turned on the radio, I can guarantee that you heard a song from this album. “7 Rings,” “Thank U, Next,” “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” They all dominated the airwaves for a great majority of the year. But the thing is, they were actually pretty good songs! I would actually reach to increase the volume knob whenever a Grande song came on because I just enjoyed her voice. There’s a lot of energy and mystery in it, which cannot often be said for popstars. But it’s true for Grande!
2. Lover by Taylor Swift
Lover! Wow. I’ve listened to this album so much since it came out. I adore it with all my heart. I’ve never been a big Taylor Swift fan, but that changed this year. Now, I’m a devoted follower and a beloved Swiftie! And how could you not be? Lover is a ray of positivity, mindfulness, and love in this muddled world and it’s a testament to how great life can be if we put those feelings back into the world. “Paper Rings” is everything you could want in a song. “Cruel Summer” is genuine perfection. “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” is a worthy protest song. “Death by a Thousand Cuts” is a sweet take on a breakup song. There’s just so much to love here! I genuinely believe it will go down as one of the greatest pop albums ever made. Taylor, you’re a legend!
1. Happiness Begins by Jonas Brothers
Honestly, it was a coin toss between these top two selections. Ultimately, I chose to put Happiness Begins at number one just because I feel like the Jonas Brothers practically defined 2019 for me. Every step of the way, there they were. And it’s something I never would have anticipated at the start of the year. But they made many, many sections of 2019 very special and I’ll always be grateful for the memories they shared with all of us. This album is filled with all of it. Pain, heartbreak, loss. Love, redemption, adoration, fulfillment, dreams, belonging, nostalgia. It’s all here. From “Rollercoaster” to “Strangers” to “Only Human” to “Sucker” to “Hesitate” to “I Believe,” I am in awe of the artistic achievement that Nick, Joe, and Kevin put into the world this year. May their spirit endure forever.
See also:
(#1 was Blackstar by David Bowie)
(#1 was Melodrama by Lorde)
(#1 was Know by Jason Mraz)
My 100 Favorite Songs of the Decade
(#1 was “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA)
More from the Year in Review:
