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Vampire Weekend, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Tyler, the Creator, and Lizzo round out the top-five of the 21 Best Albums of 2019 (So Far). 

Last year, it was an absolutely filthy, Dirty Computer (Janelle Monáe) that earned top honors on the 21 Best Albums of 2018 (So Far), as well as the final edition of the list, 45 Best Albums of 2018.  Notably, Monáe would earn a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, losing to another high-flying best-of pick, Kacey Musgraves (Golden Hour).  This year, there have been some genuinely great albums released as of yet worth highlighting.  As stated last year, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the top picks make the final edition of the list come December.  Without further ado, here are the 21 best albums of 2019 (so far), with Vampire Weekend (Father of the Bride), Billie Eilish (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Tyler, the Creator (IGOR), and Lizzo (Cuz I Love You) leading the charge.

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[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1.Vampire Weekend” desc=”Father of the Bride” img=”27575″]

1.Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride

Sony Music

Vampire Weekend fans were subjected to a six-year wait for Father of the Bride, the highly-anticipated fourth studio album by the Grammy-winning alternative collective (Modern Vampires of the City, 2013).  Even with the exit of Rostam Batmanglij, Father of the Bride still ends up being accomplished to the nth degree; Ezra Koenig and company deliver a jam-packed affair that never misses the mark and is nothing short of superb. Sure, 18 tracks are a lot to ask of listeners, but the band does a marvelous job of limiting run time under an hour in addition to clever songwriting, intriguing production, and fantastic vocals by Koenig.  As with previous projects by VW, the musicianship is quite noteworthy.

The gems are abundant, starting with “Hold You Now,” featuring Danielle Haim which brilliantly samples Hans Zimmer (“God Yu Tekem Laef Blong Mi” from The Thin Red Line soundtrack). Follow-up “Harmony Hall” exemplifies ear-catching excellence, while “Bambina” is short but incredibly sweet – and that’s just the first three consecutive songs! That leaves out jewels like the soulful single “Unbearably White”, the feel-good “Sunflower” (featuring Steve Lacy), or the lovely “2021” which samples Japanese musician Haruomi Hosono.  Vampire Weekend easily have an argument for the best album of 2019.

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2. Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

Interscope

Honestly, it’s hard to believe that Billie Eilish is only 17-years old.  She’s a prime example that “age ain’t nothin’ but a number” as she ‘knocks it out of the park’ on her major label debut, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?.  Eilish brilliantly establishes her artistic identity and shows a respectable level of versatility throughout. The big takeaway is that When We All Fail Asleep, Where Do We Go? is a rousing success that finds its young artist unafraid to embrace innovative spirit.

Honestly, there are no shortages of highlights including “Bad Guy” which benefits from its infectious groove, catchy chorus, and a fun, if dark, playful style.  “Xanny” cleverly tackles recreational drug use, while her breathy vocal tone and teenage angst make “You Should See Me in a Crown” a surefire delight.  That neglects to mention other gems such as “When the Party is Over”, the oddly satisfying “Bury a Friend”, and the suicidal “Listen Before I Go.” When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? definitely has an argument for the best album of 2019 and should definitely garner Grammy buzz.

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[/nextpage][nextpage title=”3. Ariana Grande” desc=”thank u, next” img=”27093″]

3. Ariana Grande, Thank U, Next

Republic

Grammy-winning pop sensation Ariana Grande just keeps getting better and better – she truly outdoes herself on Thank U, Next.  Vocally, she remains on point, while the material is pretty captivating and fresh throughout.  Thank U, Next is by far her best album, and that’s saying something following the triumphs of Dangerous Woman (2016) and Sweetener (2018).  Furthermore, it is the pop album to beat in 2019; she should be a lock for another Grammy nomination with Thank U, Next.

Filled with hits, Ari gives us a sleek, urban contemporary slow jam with “Imagine”, embracing her role as a younger Mariah Carey.  Later, she picks up the rhythmic intensity on “NASA” where she asserts on the infectious, ‘space-centric’ chorus, “You know I’m a star, I’m a need space / I’m a need space, I’m a, I’m a need space (N-A-S-A).” Of course she’s fierce on former number one hit “7 Rings” as well as “Thank U, Next”, and that doesn’t even account for “needy,” “fake smile,” “ghostin,” or “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” Thank U, Next is another contender for the best album of 2019.

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4. Tyler, the Creator, IGOR

Columbia

Keeping it 100, IGOR definitely wasn’t the album that anybody expected from Grammy-nominated rapper Tyler, the Creator.  Regardless, IGOR easily ends up being a superb, utterly creative addition to his discography, not to mention one of the best albums of 2019.  Maybe what’s most impressive about IGOR, particularly following Flower Boy (2017) is just how much Tyler has grown as a musician and even as a person.  There are no misses whatsoever to be found on the album, with a liberal number of gems.

The crème de la crème is “Earfquake,” which features an ear-catching backdrop, and uncredited appearances by Charlie Wilson and a spot-on verse performed by Playboi Carti.  Later, on Running Out of Time,” he seems to reference his sexuality, opening up much like he did throughout the course of Flower Boy (“So / take your mask off / I need her out of the picture… / Stop lyin’ to yourself / I know the real you”).  He thrives on “A Boy is a Gun,” fueled by the Ponderosa Twins Plus One classic “Bound,” and delivering a memorable line, “Boy, you sweet as sugar, diabetic to the first degree.” That doesn’t even account for the other songs that makes this an album to beat – “I Think,” “New Magic Wand,” and “Are We Still Friends?”

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5. Lizzo, Cuz I Love You

Nice Life / Atlantic

Cuz I Love You marks the third album for Lizzo, though for many, it’s the most visible project (her major-label debut) from the genre-bending Minneapolis rapper, singer, and songwriter. Simply put, Cuz I Love You is a triumphant album. Vocally, she sounds marvelous, while her personality really helps Cuz I Love You ascend to the next level.  In regard to consistency, there are no miscues – every song has replay value.  While she exhibits ample swagger, she also has messages worth hearing advocating for feminism and positive body image.

The gems start with “Cuz I Love You”, a rousing, soulful record surprisingly produced by alternative band X Ambassadors.  Later, X Ambassadors also provide Lizzo a marvelous assist on the slow jam “Jerome” where she tells ‘Jerome,’ “Take your ass home / And come back when you’re grown.” One of the feistiest moments comes by way of “Tempo”, featuring the legendary Missy Elliott.  Here, Lizzo asserts, “I’m a thick bitch, I need tempo.” There’s more awesomeness, including “Like a Girl” and “Juice”.

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6. Bring Me the Horizon, amo

Sony

Cutting straight to the chase, amo is a very different album for English rock band Bring Me the Horizon.  If you are more inclined to open-mindedness, embracing the experimental spirit and willingness of Oli Sykes and company to ‘go against the grain,’ you’ll realize just how awesome and intriguing this “emotional” new album truly is.

In an age where rock music is forced to reinvent itself, Bring Me the Horizon do a damn good job of doing so on amo, which features surefire gems with the likes of promo single “MANTRA”, the aggressive “Wonderful Life”, featuring Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth) and the dynamic blend of rock and hip-hop on “Why you gotta kick me when I’m down?”  That even manages to leave out “Nihilist Blues,” “Sugar honey ice & tea,” and “Mother Tongue.” Stacked LP – arguably top-five.

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7. Beyoncé, Homecoming: The Live Album

Sony

Live albums rarely appear on best-of-the-year lists, at least those appearing on The Musical Hype. Beyoncé earns the rare exception with Homecoming: The Live Album.  Homecoming: The Live Album just isn’t any live album; It is comprised of performances from Beyoncé’s historic performance at Coachella, where she became the first African American woman to headline.  Even without being present at the performance or seeing the visual, Homecoming: The Live Album is quite a treat to say the least.  Beyoncé smartly integrates HBCUs into the mix, including drum lines and step show skits.  This adds more personality, further accentuating the big-time hits from the multi-Grammy-winning R&B artist.  The gems are endless obviously, with “Freedom,” “Formation,” “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” “I Care,” and a trio of Destiny’s Child songs – “Lose My Breath,” “Say My Name,” and “Soldier” – standing out.  Arguably, Homecoming: The Live Album could be top-five.

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8. Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated

Interscope

There’s more to Carly Rae Jepsen than merely being the “Call Me Maybe” girl.  The Canadian pop star is definitely more than a ‘one-trick pony,’ with the evidence asserting itself on her fourth studio album, Dedicated. Dedicated easily ranks among the elite pop albums of 2019.  Dedicated starts off with a bang with “Julien,” in all its groovy, infectious, and playful fashion.  Jepsen continues to ‘do work’ on follow-up “No Drug Like Me” with the chorus continuing to be where Jepsen’s ‘bread is buttered.’ Dedicated also houses gems like “Everything He Needs” (sampling “He Needs Me” from Popeye), the reggae/ska infused “I’ll Be Your Girl,” and the self-love anthem “Party for One”. Sounds like a #winning pop album to me.

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9. Sara Bareilles, Amidst the Chaos

Epic

Sara Bareilles returned with a bang in 2019 with her brilliant sixth studio album, Amidst the Chaos, contrasting her earlier discography.  Contributing to the contrast is the production by multi-Grammy-winning producer T-Bone Burnett, which definitely pays off.  She begins ferociously with “Fire,” with its folksy, indie-pop vibes.  That said, she’s even more potent when it comes to balladry, excelling on follow-up “No Such Thing” and later down the track list, “Saint Honesty.” Gems like the soulful “If I Can’t Have You” and the feminist “Armor” can’t be left out of discussion points, further making Amidst the Chaos a killer pop LP.  Yep, there’s definitely a reason Bareilles has been nominated for seven Grammy awards.  Could Amidst the Chaos earn her more Grammy nominations and perhaps a win? Of course, it could.

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10. Anderson .Paak, Ventura

Aftermath / 12Tone Music

Anderson .Paak didn’t keep fans waiting for too long for his fourth studio album, Ventura.  It arrived only months after Oxnard, quite an artistic achievement in its own right.  Compared to Oxnard, Ventura focuses more on R&B as opposed to hip-hop, even as hip-hop remains part of the script. “Come Home” sets the tone of the album, soulfully commencing, and bringing in André 3000. Paak goes iconic with Smokey Robinson appearing on the superb “Make it Better”.  Even so, arguably it is “King James” that is the crowning achievement of the LP, as Paak sings about the hard work and hustle it takes to succeed, patterned after the one and only Lebron James.  That leaves out other valuable pieces such as “Reachin’ 2 Much,” “Yada Yada,” and “Twilight.”

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11. Cub Sport, Cub Sport

Cub Sport

Australian alt-pop collective Cub Sport (Tim Nelson, Dan Puusaari, Sam Netterfield, and Zoe Davis) deliver a brilliant, socially-relevant album with their third album, Cub Sport. Nelson and company do a magnificent job of highlighting relatable personal issues, with sexuality topping the list. Prime examples where sexuality play a key role include gems like “Come Out” (“Yeah, I came out and I felt fucking free”) and follow-up, “Party Pill” (“I think I’m gonna love you for a long time / Boy, I can’t go a minute without you on my mind”). This is an album, at least in the United States, more people needed to hear. If you’ve ever struggled with sexuality, and coming to terms with it, Cub Sport fantastically captures the process.   Other highlights include “Sometimes,” the ripe falsetto showcase on “Light II,” and the enthusiastic “Summer Lover.”

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[/nextpage][nextpage title=”12. Badflower” desc=”OK, IM SICK” img=”26114″]

12. Badflower, OK, I’M SICK

Big Machine

“I can’t feel my toes, or my fingertips / My chest is pounding so fast I can’t keep up with it / I’m losing it – fuck! I just want to quit it.” That’s the energy that Badflower brings on their debut album, OK, I’M SICK.  If you somehow missed out on them, Badflower is a Los Angeles alternative rock band comprised of Josh Katz (the frontman), Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, and Anthony Sonetti. Throughout the course of this 55-minute affair, Katz and company showcase ample potential, striking gold in many instances, specifically the rousing, excerpted opener, “x ANA x”, a stylization of ‘Xanax.’ Other moments worth mentioning include the suicidal “Ghost”, the addictive “Heroin”, the scathing politically-charged “Die,” and the spot-on millennially-driven “Girlfriend.” All in all, Badflower does a respectable job balancing out the serious, the outlandish, and tortured, youthful angst on OK, I’M SICK.

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13. Hozier, Wasteland, Baby!

Columbia

Grammy-nominated Irish alternative musician Hozier, renowned for his hit “Take Me to Church”, returned with an alluring, well-rounded sophomore album with Wasteland, Baby!. The groundwork was already laid for Wasteland, Baby! with the release of the EP, Nina Cried Power in 2018. Among the many, worthwhile, musical moments from the album are the scintillating, contemporary protest anthem, “Nina Cried Power” featuring the legendary Mavis Staples, the multi-song-name-dropping  “Almost (Sweet Music)”, and the incredibly nuanced balladry of “Movement”.  That doesn’t even account for gems like “No Plan,” “Nobody,” or “Talk.” Then, there are moments like “Be” that find Hozier continuing to incorporate Biblical and religious references like a champ, even skeptically.  For all these reasons, Wasteland, Baby! earns a spot on the Best Albums of 2019.

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14. P!nk, Hurts 2B Human

RCA

Grammy-winning pop musician P!nk showed little signs of ‘losing her edge’ throughout the course of her eighth studio album, Hurts 2B Human.  She’s more potent on Hurts 2B Human compared to her 2017 album, Beautiful Trauma.  While the wheel isn’t reinvented on Hurts 2B Human, and it isn’t the crowning achievement of pop albums in 2019, it’s quite enjoyable and incredibly consistent.  She’s feisty from the onset with single “Hustle” snarling, “So, don’t hustle me / Don’t hustle me / Don’t fuck with me / And don’t hustle me.”

Meanwhile, “Walk Me Home” embraces a blend of pop, rock, singer/songwriter, and some electronic elements.  She’s later assisted by Chris Stapleton on the country-infused pop ballad, “Love Me Anyway.” That still doesn’t take note of the fun Shellback/Max Martin-produced “(Hey Why) Miss You Sometime,” the sleek Wrabel featured “90 Days,” or her duet with Khalid on title track “Hurts 2B Human.” Maybe Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Carly Rae Jepsen (Dedicated), and Sara Bareilles (Amidst the Chaos) get the slight edge, but Hurts 2B Human is a capable offering.

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15. Ben Platt, Sing to Me Instead

Atlantic

Broadway actor, singer, and songwriter Ben Platt ‘shines bright as a beacon’ on his authentic, well-rounded debut album, Sing to Me Instead.  Unfortunately for The Book of Mormon and Dear Evan Hansen standout, not enough folks are talking about this marvelous affair.  The crowning achievement of Sing to Me Instead is his voice. That said, the authenticity and songwriting are also big-time pros for Platt throughout, with no songs being outright misses. Gems include the soulful opener “Bad Habit”, “Ease My Mind” which addresses Platt’s sexuality, and love longevity anthem, “Temporary Love” (“Now your heart is in my hands, I won’t give it up / This is not a temporary love”).  Add triumphs with “Honest Man,” “Share Your Address,” and the tribute to two important men in his life, “In Case You Don’t Live Forever,” and Sing to Me Instead is one of the more underrated pop albums of 2019.

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16. Mike Posner, A Real Good Kid

Island

Mike Posner delivers the best album of his career with his 2019 gem, A Real Good Kid.  Like At Night, Alone., only taking things a step further, Posner is honest about how life has affected him, specifically the death of his father.  This shows most on the likes of the moving “January 11^th, 2017”, or the perceptible confusion and pain of “Drip,” which needs to be added to The Drip is Real on These 11 Songs for sure.  Maybe he is merely misunderstood, but Posner opens himself up like never before, and the results are intriguing and nothing short of stellar.  Other gems include “Song About You” with its funky-pop groove, the singer/songwriter prowess exhibited on “Move On,” “Drip,” “Perfect” & “Stuck in the Middle.”

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17. Maggie Rogers, Heard it in a Past Life

Capitol

Alternative musician Maggie Rogers delivered a captivating effort on her debut album, Heard It in a Past Life. She first gained notoriety as the NYU student who caught Pharrell Williams’ attention for her hit record, “Alaska,” which appears on the LP.  Pros regarding Heard It in a Past Life include strong songwriting, and brilliant, creative use of her voice, even without blowing you away with gospel-tinged, powerhouse pipes. In addition to “Alaska,” gems include the groovy opener “Give a Little,” catchy follow-up “Overnight,” and the sleek, R&B-tinged bop, “Say It.”

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18. James Blake, Assume Form

Polydor

Sigh, one of the hippest musicians in the game is none other than British electronic artist, James Blake. Blake is hip thanks to his unique style of production, not to mention his distinct voice, particularly his sweet falsetto.  In addition to great production and vocal skills, he’s versatile when it comes to genre – he fits just about wherever he needs to.  His own albums tend to be experimental and exemplify innovative spirit. The Mercury Prize-winning electronic standout delivers the goods once more on his marvelous fourth studio album, Assume Form.

James Blake sounds like a champ throughout, with some thoughtful writing and top-notch production work.  The crowning achievement is the ultra-soulful “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow,” which samples the Etta James classic, “I’d Rather Go Blind.” He hits the mark on other cuts as well, including the enigmatic and experimental title track, the Travis Scott/Metro Boomin hip-hop feature “Mile High,” and the love-centric “Are You in Love?”

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19. Gnash, we

:): / Atlantic

Alternative artist Garret Nash, better known as gnash, released a promising full-length debut album with We.  Throughout the course of the record, he’s a combination of chill, emo, mellow, and most of all, affected by the ups and downs of love.  Perhaps the alt/emo/hipster thing grows a bit overindulgent at times (he stays ‘in his feelings’), but more often than not, the LP is a genuine listening pleasure.  Among the gems are “Imagine if” (“Imagine if I had the power to control the voices in my head / And I could tell them all to shut the fuck up”), “T-Shirt” (“You broke my heart and all I got was this t-shirt / T-shirt, this stupid, fucking t-shirt”), and the incredibly prudent and thoughtful “Dear Insecurity”, featuring Australian folk singer Ben Abraham.  For good measure, megahit “I hate u, I love u” is reprised from his 2016 EP, Us.

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[/nextpage][nextpage title=”20. The National” desc=”I Am Easy to Find” img=”27488″]

20. The National, You Had Your Soul with You

4AD

Back in 2017, The National arrived at no. 5 on the 50 Best Albums of 2017 with their Grammy-winning LP, Sleep Well Beast.  Furthermore, Sleep Well Beast was ranked no. 2 on the 16 Best Alternative Albums of 2017, trailing only Father John Misty (Pure Comedy). The National follow-up Sleep Well Best with their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, a respectable and intriguing affair, even if it ultimately runs too long. Interestingly, while the album is a standalone project, there is also a short film of the same title, directed by Mike Mills and starring Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander.

Compared to Sleep Well Beast, I Am Easy to Find isn’t quite as elite, feeling less cohesive, hence just cracking the top-20 on this initial edition of the Best Albums of 2019.  Still, there’s plenty to like and appreciate about the new LP.  Matt Berninger sounds like a champ as always, and he works well collaborating with a number of female vocalists (Gail Ann Dorsey, Mina Tindle, Lisa Hannigan, Kate Stables, and Eve Owens).  The production and overall sound throughout the affair are notable.  Berninger and company strike gold numerous times including opener “You Had Your Soul with You”, “I Am Easy to Find,” “Not in Kansas,” and the first studio recording of the near-decade old “Rylan.”

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21. Chaka Khan, Hello Happiness

Island

Limiting the initial edition of the Best Albums of 2019 to only 21, the 21^st entry on this list was highly debatable.  That said, it’s not every day that an iconic singer like Chaka Khan releases a new album.  There are better, more accomplished albums than Hello Happiness on this particular list, but the brief album is definitely funky as hell.  Furthermore, after a 12-year hiatus, it’s hard to believe that Chaka Khan sounds as fiery as she does on this pop/dance/R&B LP.

“Hello Happiness” kicks things off with ample energy, good vibes, and high-flying vocals. The production is on-point (strings, synths, and keys), incorporating disco, soul, and dance cues.  Chaka continues her flex on the five-minute-long “Like a Lady” asserting, “I have searched so far and wide, can’t seem to find / Got so sick and tired of boys wastin’ my time / And then you took my hand.” She doesn’t stop with that one-two punch, as she’s ferocious on “Too Hot” and on autopilot on perhaps the funkiest joint of the album, “Like Sugar.” The lyrics aren’t the second coming, but those robust Chaka Khan vocals are incredibly special.

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Up Next:

2 Chainz, Rap or Go to the League (Def Jam); AJR, Neotheater (BMG Rights Management); Dean Lewis, A Place We Knew (Universal Music Australia); India.Arie, Worthy (BMG Rights Management); Rob Thomas, Chip Tooth Smile (Atlantic); Solange, When I Get Home (Columbia); Wallows, Nothing Happens (Atlantic)

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[Photo Credits: 4AD, Aftermath / 12Tone Music, Atlantic, Big Machine, Capitol, Columbia, Cub Sport, Epic, Interscope, Island, Polydor, RCA, Republic, Sony]

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