Many great songs unfortunately didn't make the cut on my year-end list. Here are 10 songs that I enjoyed this year that I think are definitely worth listening to.
2019 has been a great year for music. Music to cry to, music that's been captivating, music that's a fantastic digest from all the turmoil and damage that the world has been in this year. All in all, there's been so many bold and powerful statements in music. I'm here to discuss all of my favorite musical moments of 2019 now that the year has finally come to close and 2020 has finally begun. Unfortunately, there are several songs that I loved this year that didn't make the final cut of the top 50 list. Here are my thoughts on these songs that I still think are definitely worth your attention. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
Cassius
"Calliope"
When music get released around a tragic death of the artist itself, it always changes the listener's focus. You simply can't help it. "Calliope" is one of these examples. The tragic accidental death of famed producer (and half of Cassius) Philippe Zdar occurred the same week as their release of their new album, Dreems. Talk about bad timing. It definitely changed my interpretation of the new songs, even though "Calliope" was released prior. Arguably off of their best album in years, "Calliope" is a chilling, immersive house track that gets more and more infectious as it progresses and morphs. Its loud synth jabs and bass surely will melt your brain (for the better), making it a proper send off to one of music's most influential minds.
Chicano Batman
"Corazón De Roca"
A happy surprise for me, I never really got into Chicano Batman until this single appeared on my lap earlier this Spring. "Corzaón De Roca" is blissful psychedelic latin pop that will keep you smiling upon repeated listens. Plucky vintage keys, horns, and a swinging lead vocal delivery from Eduardo Arenas envelope the song in a way that's both sunny and breezy. Here's to hoping a new album will have more of these carefree vibes.
Danny Brown
"Dirty Laundry"
After releasing one of the wildest and darkest releases yet, Atrocity Exhibition, I was always curious as to where Danny Brown will take us next. "Dirty Laundry" naturally has the experimental and quirky production from Q-Tip, but an unexpectedly funnier and brighter tone this time around. It also has some of his most notable bars, like "put your life on the line, hang them up to dry" and "swims towards the current, system try to drown me." The single is a very vibrant introduction to his latest record.
The Highwomen
"The Chain"
One of the most bold and refreshing new groups this year, The Highwomen released a Fleetwood Mac cover of "The Chain" for the film The Kitchen. Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires all shine on the track. The group really put their own spin on this classic. Its expansive, intense instrumental performances and vocal harmonies from the women are strong, powerful, and moving. Surprisingly, "The Chain" is nowhere to be found on their new debut album, but that certainly doesn't take anything away from this excellent cover.
Jenny Hval
"Ashes to Ashes"
"Ashes to Ashes" might be Jenny Hval's most pop-centric and catchiest single to date. Off of her latest album, The Practice of Love, Hval is getting more and more inspired by synth pop and dream pop than ever before. A great crossover to hopefully gain some new fans, "Ashes to Ashes" has Hval's gorgeously dimensional vocals as expected over a glossy, dreamy synth/new wave instrumental. It takes the listener straight to this heaven-like state.
Karen O & Danger Mouse
"Turn the Light"
The unlikely collaboration of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' frontwoman Karen O and versatile producer Danger Mouse becomes even more unlikely with "Turn the Light." Different than any other song on Lux Prima, Karen O sings with quite a bit of twang over a polished, glossy instrumental. The two were definitely listening to Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour (its influence is uncanny). "Turn the Light" is a lovely highlight that stands out for the better.
M. Ward
"Migration of Souls"
"Migration of Souls," the brand new single from indie folk veteran M. Ward, is a sharp introduction to his upcoming new record Migration Stories. The single sets the listener in a meditative quiet space with M. Ward's hushed voice under a gorgeous instrumental of soft horns and guitar tones. It's a stunner. This is a very late addition to this list (it was released a few days before I am writing this), but I thought it deserved to be on here. Seemingly any new music of Ward's is exceptional and worth noting.
Mountain Brews
"Mountain Brews"
American painter, internet radio personality, musician. That's the internet's description of Dirty Projectors' Dave Longstreth's brother, aka Jake Longstreth. "Musician" comes across as Jake Longstreth's new project, under the Mountain Brews monicker. Is it a solo thing? Is it a band? Is it a one-off semi-parody of classic rock? It's truly a mystery, really, but the title track of his new 4-song EP purely resonates the relaxed, sunny, and carefree 70's rock aesthetic. "Mountain Brews" kicks off the project gleefully with some jammy guitar twangs and a sweetly catchy chorus that would've fit nicely on a top 40 radio station during the Summer of 1975 in between the Eagles and the Byrds. Rock on.
Ra Ra Riot
"Flowers"
Very youthful, unabashed pop for Ra Ra Riot goes hand in hand on "Flowers." Off of a very uneven and rocky album, "Flowers" is one of the very few flashes of greatness in songwriting and production from their recent output. Saying that the group's peak of their career is long gone after album after album, there are always moments like "Flowers" that remind us how great of a vocalist Wes Miles is and how tightly knit the band members can be.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
"Echoes"
The instrumental guitar-driven duo share their own uniqueness and definitely tried new sounds and challenges with their latest album, Mettavolution. They sound as bold and fresh as ever on "Echoes," the 19-minute long Pink Floyd cover. "Echoes" is less of a single song and more of a full experience. It's immersive, full of twists and turns, new surprises after each listen.
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