10 2019 Albums You Have To Listen To
- Catarina Esteves
- Dec 27, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 11, 2020
2019 has been a year full of new projects by musicians, weather it be solo releases, EPs, or albums. It's clear to say that this year's music has had a major impact on pop-culture and boosted several artists' careers, not to mention it having been a great way to wrap up the decade. So, whats a better way to end the year than to listen to some of the best projects that have been released throughout the last 12 months? The Giant Press team has come up with a list 10 albums from 2019 you have to check out!
1. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish
Cover Art by Kenneth Cappello
This album by 18 year old Billie Eilish was released on March 29th of this year and has a total of 14 songs with a total duration of 42 minutes and 55 seconds. The album's genre has been categorized as pop, avant-pop, and art pop, however is also influenced by other genres such as hip hop and industrial music. The album's tracks shift from nostalgic and sentimental to more upbeat songs with dark lyrics, something illustrated in the songs' music videos (those which are out at the moment). Throughout the year this album has received the title of Album of the Year in the Apple Music Awards 2019, Foreign Album of the Year in the Danish Music Awards 2019, Best International Album in the LOS40 Music Awards 2019, and 7 other nominations (including 3 for the 2020 Grammy Awards). If you are looking for lyrically driven music with electronic instrumentals, this is the album for you.
Memorable Tracks:
- bad guy
- xanny
- all the good girls go to hell
- bury a friend
2. Norman F***ing Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey
Cover Art by Chuck Grant
Norman F***ing Rockwell! is the sixth studio album by the singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey, having a total of 14 songs and 1 hour and 7 minutes of runtime. Released on August 30th of this year, the album has been categorized as soft rock, psychedelic rock, pop, folk rock, and psychedelic pop. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards along with the title track, "Norman f***ing Rockwell", which was nominated for Song of the Year. The album's lyrics have been said to take on larger themes than the musician's previous works, tackling subjects of complicated and often unrequited love, as well as Californian culture. Like many of Del Rey's past works, acoustic instrumentals are often present in songs (now with a twist of synth elements), making them either calming and melancholy or resembling 70's classic rock.
Memorable Tracks:
- Norman f***ing Rockwell
- Cinnamon Girl
- California
- Happiness is a butterfly
3. Igor by Tyler, the Creator
Cover Art by Luis Perez
This album by the American rapper Tyler, the Creator was released on May 17th of this year, having a total of 12 songs and 39 minutes and 46 seconds of runtime. The album is the musician's fifth studio album and, upon release, claimed the number one spot on the US Billboard 200, along with the lead single "Earfquake" at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. The album has also been nominated for the Best Rap Album at the upcoming 2020 Grammy Awards. Marked by it's heavy synth and R&B inspired sounds throughout most songs, the album has been categorized as hip hop, funk, R&B, and neo soul when it comes to genre, however the singer's rap sound is still present much like his past works. The album is very storyline driven, following the story of a love triangle and the singer's experience with heartbreak, love, and his thoughts on the situation in which he found himself. Listening to this album is a true experience especially once you analyze the lyrics, making it one of our most recommended albums to reflect on this year.
Memorable Tracks:
- Earfquake
- A Boy is a Gun
- Puppet
- Are We Still Friends?
4. Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend
Cover Art by Sony Music Records, Father of the Bride (album)
Father of the Bride is the fourth studio album by the band Vampire Weekend, having a total of 18 songs with a duration of 58 minutes and 1 second all together. Released on May 3rd, the album was categorized as pop and indie rock when it comes to genre, especially due to the band's involvement in the indie rock sound dating back to earlier projects. Upon its release, the album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammy Awards, and claimed the number one spot on the US Billboard 200. The album has been said to cover broader topics in comparison to the group's previous projects, having warm, relaxing music against dark lyrics with heavy meaning, digging into topics of mental health and the group members' own lives. This album's sound is also said to have been influenced by R&B, soul, rock, art pop, and baroque pop styles. With this great sound and style diversity in mind, this is definitely an album worth checking out.
Memorable Tracks:
- Harmony Hall
- This Life
- Sunflower
- Unbearably White
5. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande
Cover Art by Alfredo Flores
Released on February 8th of this year, this album is the fifth studio album by the singer Ariana Grande. With a total of 12 songs and 41 minutes and 10 seconds of runtime, the album's genre has been classified as pop, R&B, and trap. Shortly after the album's release, the album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards, along with being ranked in several end of the year music lists and breaking the record for the largest streaming week for a pop album. Several of it's hit songs also reached the US Billboard Hot 100 (such as the album's title track, reaching number one, and two more singles) as well as charts in several other countries. Talking about topics such as deaths of loved ones, relationships, self love, and growing from past pain, the album touched many fans' hearts and certainly caught people's attention, making the artist gain popularity (having her leap to one of the most listened artists on Spotify). Some songs are well known, but if you enjoy pop music this is definitely an album worth listening to.
Memorable Tracks:
- imagine
- 7 rings
- thank u, next
- break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored
6. Lover by Taylor Swift
Cover Art by Valheria Rocha
Lover is Taylor Swift's seventh studio album, having a total of 18 songs and 1 hour and 1 minute of runtime. The album was released on August 23rd of this year and was classified as pop, pop rock, synth pop, and electropop. Unlike the musician's previous works, dealing with topics of heartbreak, this album mostly tackles her current relationship and lovelife in a positive light. This album is said to have shown a side of maturity and honesty in the artist, demonstrating significant growth from her past works throughout the 2010s and being a great way to close off her career this decade. The album and it's singles have also received three Grammy Awards nominations including one for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Memorable Tracks:
- Lover
- The Archer
- I Think He Knows
- ME! (feat. Brendon Urie)
7. GINGER by BROCKHAMPTON
Cover Art by Henock Sileshi, Kevin Abstract, Adrian Nieto, and Robert Ontenient
This album by the boy band BROCKHAMPTON was released on August 23rd of this year, with a length of 44 minutes and 16 seconds containing 12 songs. The album was seen as contemporary and a mixture of styles, taking in influences from R&B, hip hop, and rap music, as well as other artists like Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean. The album's lyrics focus on the band members' mental health, their personal lives, losses, and digs deep into their emotional mindsets. The use of synth instruments, acoustic instruments, and even brass/orchestra snippets in some songs brings a different texture to this project in comparison to their past work, and certainly a different mood in general (having this album be much calmer, lyrically driven, and have a storytelling aspect to it). If you are into hip hop and R&B music, this album is definitely worth checking out.
Memorable Tracks:
- SUGAR
- BOY BYE
- ST. PERCY
- LOVE ME FOR LIFE
8. Cuz I Love You by Lizzo
Cover Art by Nice Life, Atlantic Records, Cuz I Love You (album)
Released on April 19th of this year, Cuz I Love You is Lizzo's third studio album. The album contains 11 songs and has a total duration of 33 minutes and 18 seconds, with the deluxe version having 14 songs with a length of 42 minutes and 9 seconds. The project has been classified as pop, funk, R&B, and hip hop, having upbeat songs and tracks which show the musician's individual style and story. It also has several popular songs, even having the US Billboard Hot 100 number one hit "Truth Hurts" as the 13th song on the track list. The album has so far won the title of Album/Mixtape of the Year on the Soul Train Music Awards 2019, and has gotten 4 nominations for various music awards (including the Album of the Year award on the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards, Album of the Year and Best Urban Contemporary Album for the 2020 Grammy Awards, and the Album of 2019 title for the People's Choice Awards 2019). With this in mind, it's definitely worth checking out.
Memorable Tracks:
- Cuz I Love You
- Juice
- Heaven Help Me
- Truth Hurts
9. PHASES by Chase Atlantic
Cover Art by Chase Atlantic, PHASES (album)
This album, released on June 28th of this year, has a total duration of 41 minutes and 7 seconds, along with 12 songs. Much like the band's earlier works, such as their "DON'T TRY THIS" EP, this album is classified as alternative and indie when it comes to genre. It's songs are supported by the use of synths and electronic instruments, along with the lead singer's unique vocal quality. Many of the songs talk about the band members' personal experiences and issues regarding mental health or addiction. It's very unique compared to other albums released this year, making it something you simply must listen to.
Memorable Tracks:
- PHASES
- LOVE IS (NOT) EASY
- HER
- STUCKINMYBRAIN
10. Fine Line by Harry Styles
Cover Art by Tim Walker
Fine Line is the second studio album by Harry Styles. Released on December 13th of this year, the album has 12 songs with a total of 46 minutes and 43 seconds. It's genre is categorized as pop, pop rock, and rock, following the artist's style from his last self-titled album. Debuting at number 3 on the UK Albums Charts, it proceeded to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 charts, in addition to having 478,000 album-equivalent units sold within the first week after being released. The album is very storyline based, dealing with the singer's last relationship, his breakup, and overcoming his pain to grow as a person. Many songs date back to an old rock feel, while some are quite upbeat, and others have a nostalgic, melancholy feeling. The album has had several positive ratings and is definitely worth listening to not only for it's lyrical value, but also old-school feel.
Memorable Tracks:
- Watermelon Sugar
- Lights Up
- Cherry
- Fine Line
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