My Top 10 Albums of 2019

Didn't get nearly enough top 10s for the end of 2019? Well here's one more. Here are my top 10 albums of 2019, in no particular order:

FEVER DREAM by Of Monsters and Men

When Of Monsters and Men (OMAM) released their first album, "My Head is an Animal," in 2011, I was in 9th grade. Before then, I had never had a "favorite band."

Of Monsters and Men took that position.

"FEVER DREAM" is a wonderland for anyone who likes Of Monsters and Men. While this album contains more pop elements and electronic instruments than their previous albums, OMAM still manages to let some of their Icelandic folk/indie roots shine through. I personally really enjoy the new sounds they're making.

In addition, I love bands that sound the same live and in studio. I saw these guys over the summer, and I can testify that they are just as good live as they sound on the album.

Favorite Songs: "Ahay", "Alligator", "Wild Roses"

Lover by Taylor Swift

Full disclosure: I have been a Taylor Swift fan since her first album in 2006. She was also my most listened to artist of 2019, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this is on my list.

Taylor Swift's "Lover" features a more grown-up sound than has existed on her previous albums. Overall, this album is more similar to "1989" than her last album, "Reputation," with lighter, upbeat pop songs and I'm 100% here for it.

Where Swift really shines is in her songwriting. Songs like "Death By a Thousand Cuts" and "Soon You'll Get Better (feat. Dixie Chicks)" Showcase Swift's poetic style of lyric-writing. "Soon You'll Get Better" and "Paper Rings" also feature country vibes, which hearken back to Swift's beginnings.

As far as pop goes, the first two tracks are strong entries. While she hasn't released it as a single yet, "Cruel Summer" will hit the top 10 when it is released, and you can hold me to that. It's just too catchy. And that's that.

While "1989" is probably still my favorite T-Swizzle album to date, Lover makes a strong case to be no. 2. Only time will tell.

Favorite Songs: "I Forgot That You Existed", "I Think He Knows", "Paper Rings", "It's Nice to Have a Friend"

III by The Lumineers

This album was a dark horse to me. I chose to listen to it to review it for The Utah Statesman, the newspaper I work for.

I am glad I did.

In "III", you'll hear more of Colorado-based The Lumineers' signature acoustic sound. What makes this album special is the underlying stories that accompany this album through the lyrics and associated music videos. These stories tell tales of addiction and the destruction that occurs in the addicted, their friends and their families. These stories also tie in to characters introduced in previous Lumineers albums.

Pretty heavy stuff.

But the lyrics are so hauntingly beautiful, they stick with you days after you listen.

If I had one word to describe this album in one word, it would be that: beautiful.

Favorite Songs: "Donna", "Gloria", "Democracy"

Her and All of My Friends by Ritt Momney

If there were a definition for "gorgeous albums" in the dictionary, this would be it.

Ritt Momney is a great songwriter and this album is as close to a masterpiece as you can get in the world of the indie singer-songwriter genre. The lyrics for these songs could easily stand alone as poetry, but their emotional depth is increased when music is added.

One of the things I appreciate most about Ritt Momney is his use of electronics to auto-tune his voice. While many artists use auto-tune to (in my opinion) cover up a sub-par voice, Ritt Momney uses this tool to add interest and emotion.

Favorite Songs: "(If) the Book Doesn't Sell", "Pollution/Disclaimer", "Wormwood"

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish

Confession time:
Billie Eilish used to scare me, which kept me from listening to her music.
After listening to her debut album, I can now appreciate her music (but she still scares me a little bit, tbh).

This album is different from any other pop album that came out in 2019. And that's what makes it so good.

Billie's mostly whispered vocals, combined with her brother, Finneas', unique production caused Billie Eilish to enter my top 5 most listened to artists on Spotify for 2019. This album plays like an album should: a cohesive piece of work. The final track, "goodbye", wraps up the entire work as a reprise of the songs that came before. It's just so satisfying.

Listen, if you still aren't sure about her, try giving some of my fav songs a try. Just don't watch her music videos. They will give you nightmares lol.

Favorites: "bad guy", "you should see me in a crown", "when the party's over",

Djesse Vol. 2 by Jacob Collier

For as long as I do these lists (which is probably not long tbh), Jacob Collier will probably be on my list solely for the musicianship present on his records.

Like, this guy recorded his first album in his basement bedroom and won two Grammys for it.

That kind of talent.

Djesse Vol. 2 is a little calmer overall than Collier's previous volume. There is a bit more acoustic material and these songs give you time to soak in the multi-layered harmonies and polyrhythms. Songs like "Make Me Cry", "Sky Above", and "Feel" are good examples of this.

That isn't to say all the songs on this album are mellow. There are some high-energy performances here. The most prominent example to me is "Nebaluyo." This African-influenced tune has the craziest saxophone solo I have heard thus far. (If you're reading this and have other crazy saxaphone solos, send them to me. I'm always looking for crazy stuff.)

Favorites: "Make Me Cry", "Feel (feat. Lianne La Havas)", "It Don't Matter (feat. JoJo)", "Nebaluyo (feat. Oumou Sangaré)"

thank u, next by Ariana Grande

I'm a sucker for talented female pop artists.

Ariana Grande included.

She is one of the best pop vocalists in the market right now, hands down. I never thought I'd like her music when she first started, but I have really enjoyed the genre she's settled with: pop/r&b with some trap beats thrown in, just for good measure.

All I can say is, if you still think she's overrated, just go listen to a few live recordings.

Favorites: "NASA", "bad idea", "bloodline", "break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored" 

Sego Sucks by Sego

Over the summer, I worked in Salt Lake City and had to take the train every day. This gave me lots of opportunities to listen to new music and decide if I liked it. I had seen some buzz about Sego, a band from Utah, and their new album. One day, I decided to listen to it. It took a few listening sessions to get into "Sego Sucks," but it soon became one of my favorite albums of the summer.

"Sego Sucks" is the ultimate "Who cares?" album. Like, every song just makes me think of a surfer dude who literally could not care less what anyone else thinks of him and it's fun. Enough said.

Favorites: "Neon Me Out", "Shame", "Coming Home"

Amidst the Chaos by Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles was one of the artists I was able to see in 2019 and I lucked out.

Sara is the real deal. After finishing work on her Broadway musical, "Waitress", "Amidst the Chaos" is her first non-"Waitress" album since 2013.

This album is one of my go-to stress reliever albums. It is such a pleasant album, with meaningful lyrics and just enough groove to keep you bouncing around the house as you listen. Sara's voice is the perfect blend of commanding and lifting.

This album is really just a pleasure to listen to.

Favorites: "No Such Thing", "If I Can't Have You", "Miss Simone", "Orpheus"

Ruthless by The Moth & the Flame

Last, but not least, we have another Utah band, "The Moth & the Flame." I have enjoyed their music since their EP, "&," came out in 2013.

Let's cut to the chase. You will probably like this album if you like alternative rock bands like Coldplay, early Imagine Dragons, and other smaller bands (including Sego (see above)).

My favorite song on this album is definitely "The New Great Depression." It is such a good song and it, plus its music video, talk about depression and mental illness in a way that I haven't heard before.

Give 'em a try! You just might like it!

Favorites: "The New Great Depression", "Beautiful Couch", "Do What You Love", "Red Rising"

Honorable Mentions

• ​Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend
• Search by NF
• Human by dodie
• Stranger Songs by Ingrid Michaelson
  

Spotify Playlist

If you want a taste of the albums on this list, I compiled a playlist with some of my favorite songs on these albums. Of course, I would always suggest listening to an album all the way through, as well.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!