#bestalbums2019

[artifacts-and-beyond]

***Best Albums of 2019*** Music gives me life and these albums helped me live in 2019...

Aldous Harding ∞ Designer  :  This album excites me like when I first heard Kate Bush.  She sounds nothing like Kate Bush.  Just as unique and sure as shit.  A really solid album.  From the writing, to the the sound production, singing, presentation, etc....  a sonic gem!  A true, creative artist working at her best.

 Lisa Coleman ∞ Collage  :  A stunning, very long overdue debut by Prince & the Revolution’s Lisa.  Honest and Beautiful from start to finish.  It’s perfect and I can’t wait for the next.

Michael Kiwanuka ∞ KIWANUKA  :  Quietly and deftly blends the Future and Present of music with the Past.  I mean take a listen - sounds like retro soul but really, there is an organic future and present underlying throughout.  Pretty damn cool and runs deep.

Solange ∞ When I Get Home  :  This album really surprised me.  So impressed!  I absolutely LOVE the sonic journey from beginning to end that Solange takes us on.  Tonnes waaaaaay more free, creative energy expressed on When I Get Home than expected.

Howe Gelb ∞ Gathered  :  Another disc that really surprised me.  A wonderful mix of varied styles, fused with all of Gelb’s heart and soul.  An eclectic mix that gels into a real beautiful album.  Is country jazz a genre now?

SIO ∞ sbtxts  :   Poetic, honest, heart on sleeve.  Tender, immediate, passionate expression.  Delicate and Confidant.  Stunning.  Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.  You know her.

Helado Negro ∞ This Is How You Smile  ...by listening to this album, that’s how!  Helado’s voice is sooooo soothing to my soul.  His music, without a doubt, is as well (been a fan from the start).  However, now that he’s full on singing... I’m in love!  There is something really special going on and whole(complete) and healing and beautiful.  

Heather Woods Broderick ∞ Invitation  :  This album is Magic.  Nature.  It is West Coast.  Quiet.  Night.  Powerful.  Reminds me of carefully walking with my best friend Zonya (who has since passed away from Evil Cancer), down the big rocks to the swirling Ocean on a stormy moonlit night in British Columbia.  I feel like I’m next to her when listening to this beautiful Coastal Faerie.

Raphael Saadiq ∞ Jimmy Lee  :  Wow!  What an amazing, super album.  It’s sooooo fucking good.  Yes, there’s a concept - but it’s so deeply personal it gives the narrative spine-tingling truth.  It so connected to the human condition and how crazy humanity is, the music brings you to tears.  Cathartic Soul.

Nona ∞ Nona  :  A newbie from the Netherlands.  I love Nona’s voice!  And I love this album.  Definite references to Amy Winehouse and all of the bad girl vocalists.  A quietly timeless and solid debut.  I want more!

DIIV ∞ Deceiver  :  Beauty in discord.  Purge Grunge Release.  Pretty/Ugly.      

Karen O and Danger Mouse ∞ Lux Prima :  Twinges of Ennio Morricone.  An amazing movie score of the soul.  Twin Peaks.  Tarintino.  Late night searches.  Beautiful Dark.  Revelations and secrets revealed.  I’m a disciple.

DJ Shadow ∞ Our Pathetic Age  :  ...Isn’t it though?  We are supposed to be enlightened beings but what the fuck are we doing?  Challenging.  Current.  Creative.  Bring it on!  I love DJ Shadow and how he pushes the genre forward, The social commentary.  His expression and presentation.  His art.  Excellent.

Sampa the Great ∞ the Return  :  From where, you ask?  You’ll have to listen to find out!  A deep, personal journey to rediscover the Soul.  Sampa the Great’s soul.  A journey for your musical soul.  New perspectives and discoveries.  Fresh.  

Kaytranada ∞ Bubba  :  Montréal Congestion Fluide.  Party Lah.  Merci Beaucoup mon ami.  xoxo  Très, très bien.

Jenny Lewis ∞ On The Line  :  This album will last forever.  Such well crafted songs.  Intelligent lyrics.  Infallible sound.  Jenny’s voice is amazing.... the lower she goes is seemingly effortless.  Talented to the max.  So consistently good.

Ropert Glasper ∞ Fuck Yo Feelings  :  I love how Glasper mixes jazz with hiphop, soul and other influences to create such wonderful modern sounds.  “Endangered Black Woman” is worth the price of admission.  Glasper and guest crew (Herbie Hancock, Bilal, Andra Day + more!) produce a super album that makes you think and feel.

Lana Del Rey ∞ NFR!  Norman Fucking Rockwell  :  Very impressive album.  Cinematic.  Clear Heart.  Solid Direction.  Honest.  Emotional.  Dramatic.  Fuck, cut my wrists and make me bleed Biker Bitch.  All kidding aside, there are many moments so tender and so honest it’s scary.  It’s like the best movie ever.  The best Lana Del Rey.

Chaka Khan ∞ Hello Happiness  :  So much Joy.  Life.  Love.  Passion.  !DANCE!  Smoldering HOT.  Yes it’s Chaka, but it’s Chaka with a super clear vision and consistent presentation.  Solid.

Jayda G ∞ Significant Changes  :  Former Vancouverite debuting and serving up a fabulous Electronic palette.   Pure dancefloor bliss.  Super impressed.  Vancouver shades and Fraser Valley sparkles.

Prince and the Revolution ∞ 1999 Deluxe  :  Stellar reissue of Prince’s 1999.  The 2 discs of extra music produced at the same time is mind blowing.  Purple Music Genius.  Unbelievable.  He is greatly missed.

And I really can’t forget about the following...

Angel Olsen ∞ All Mirrors  :  Intense, important & immediate.

Mavis Staples ∞ We Get By  :  Mavis is 80 years old.  This disc is amazing.  And so is she.  We Get By has helped ME get by.

the Cinematic Orchestra ∞ To Believe  :  I have always loved the Cinematic Orchestra - so happy to get a full release this year.  Always stunning.

Apollo Brown ∞ Sincerely, Detroit :  Up close, free expressions of current Detroit.  Over 50 local Detroit artists contribute to Apollo Brown’s social neighborhood love letter project.

Floating Points ∞ Crush  :  A superb creative-created sonic journey.  It glistens, hiccups and loops as you get crushed.  It’s really beautiful.

[playongivemeexcessofit]

Looking Forward, Looking Back

After several years of forced sabbatical — I was locked out of my previous Tumblr blog— I’m back and raring to go. Thanks to my son for pushing and prodding me to get back to what I love to do — posting about new music that captivates, intrigues and excites me. 

Let’s begin by looking back at my top 50 (or so) albums of 2019. It was another great year of music, especially for female artists, but the music that took my breath away in 2019 was Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ tragic, haunting and unforgettable album, Ghosteen.

Below is my list of top albums from last year, in no particular order except for Ghosteen. 

Top 50 (or so) Albums of 2019

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen

Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dance

FKA Twigs - Magdalene

Clairo - Immunity

William Tyler - Goes West

Kevin Morby - Oh My God

Bill Callahan - Shepard in Sheepskin Vest

Patrick Watson - Wave

King Princess - Cheap Queen 

Sharon van Etten - Remind Me Tomorrow

Florist - Emily Alone

Aldous Harding - Designer

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Vagabond - Vagabond 

Big Thief - Two Hands & U.F.O.F

Dori Freeman - Every Single Star 

Angel Olsen - All Mirrors

Cinematic Orchestra - To Believe

Rex Orange County - Pony

Hiss Golden Messenger - Terms of Surrender

Jay Som - Anak Ko

Jake Xerxes Fussell - Out of Sight

Kishi Bashi - Omoiyari 

Various Artists - Come on up to the House

Anna Meredith - Fibs

Solange - When I Get Home

Julia Jacklin - Crushing

Rhiannon Giddens - There Is No Other

Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising

Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep...

Faye Webster - Atlanta Millionaire's Club

Deliluh - Beneath the Floors

Lizzo - Cuz I Love You

Maren Morris - Girl 

Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell

Lankum - The Livelong Day 

Jenny Lewis - On The Line

Kris Davis - Diatom Ribbons

Burna Boy - African Giant 

Brittany Howard - Jaime 

Nilüfer Yanya - Miss Universe

Yola - Walk Through Fire 

Richard Dawson - 2020

Cate Le Bon - Reward

Sampa the Great - The Return 

Gary Clark Jr. - This Land 

Jamila Woods - Legacy! Legacy! 

Better Oblivion Community Center

slowthai - Nothing Great About Britain

Jessica Pratt - Quiet Signs

Anderson.Paak - Ventura

Ari Lennox - Shea Butter Baby 

Flying Lotus - Flamgara

Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis 

[leebarrettphotography]

Part One: It's my annual indulgence, and boring for most, but here's my favourite albums of 2019. I can't pick a winner, too many good ones this year! 🤘👍💥 #aoty #bestalbums2019 #AbigailWilliams #AmericanFootball #CloudRat #DarkenedNocturneSlaughtercult #JeffRosenstock #Litergy #Microwave #MoonTooth #NinthWave #OtobokeBeaver #PkewPkewPkew #Possessed #Pup #RichardHenshall #Rome #RussianGirlfriends https://ift.tt/2YrDzYl

[tomafila]

CHERRY GLAZERR - stuffed&ready (2019). 💿 El tercer trabajo de los californianos mantiene un buen nivel compositivo y da muestras de la buena salud que hoy día sigue teniendo el indierock norteamericano. #cherryglazerr #stuffedandready #secretlycanadian #daddy #wastednun #juicysocks #clementinecreevy #taborallen #devinobrien #carlosdelagarza #indierock #indie #garagerock #alternativemusic #alternativerock #girlsrock #cassettetapes #cassettes #tapes #cassettecollector #cassettecollection #tapecollection #tapecollector #tapeoftheday #musicontape #cassetteculture #tapeclub #bestmusic #bestalbums2019 #2019music (en Martín de la Jara, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/cassettetapesbox/p/Bw90OagJ5Rl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=59agef7j33na

[frank-rodriguez-madrid]

BEST ALBUMS OF 2019