MY top 25 albums of 2019

This year has been exceptional when it comes to album releases with some of the best albums of this decade being released in this year alone. With a few low points here and there i feel the best albums of the year take the spotlight. With this i will be covering my top 25 albums of this year and keep in mind that this is not in no particular order.

25. Shea Butter Baby-Ari Lennox

Actually i discovered her when she had a couple of collaborations on the Revenge of the Dreamers III album. But this album is one of my favorite R&B albums of this year. Ari’s voice is far from being the best on the scene but regardless she has a great voice definitely for the style she uses. The album sometimes gives me a 1990’s R&B esuqe vibe with songs like “Whipped Cream” and “BMO”. The production also just adds spice to the project with the jazzy, R&B, calm, chill inducing instrumentations. A project that can be played anytime because of how calm it can be and Ari’s voice is strong and soft at the same time.

24. Sucker punch-Sigrid

This contemporary pop album is a colorful experience from the machine-honed Scandinavian pop bombast and Sigrid clear but raspy voice. i feel like a good amount of people missed out on this release which is a shame I think it’s pop enough for contemporary listeners while also having that indie feel for those that want something a bit different. All the songs are cohesive but they are different from each other which is great when it comes to replay ability.

23.Outer Peace-Toro Y Moi

Chaz Bear delivers a smartly crafted, comfortably mid-fi album of grooves and melancholy—it’s one of his best albums in years. The electronic production is so slick and smooth making it easy to listen to the album. Every songs has a certain song making it easy to distinguish a song even after the first listen. After his last album “Boo Boo” which was decent but didn’t have much flare or as many interesting tracks as his past projects I was a bit skeptical with what his next direction take him. Let me tell you this is a great project it has a few flaws but even so you wouldn’t be able to call them out if you're just causally listening. With the track “Freelance” being one of my favorite songs from this year it could easily be said that this is one of the best electronic projects released this year.

22.ZUU- Denzel Curry

With Denzel releasing one of the best rap albums of 2018 with the album "TABOO" some were worried that he wouldn't be able to deliver the same amount of talent with his next project. Although this album doesn't have a major concept or defined sound Curry still delivers with his fast, witty, lyrical flows. From songs like "RICKY" which he made because of his brothers passing to songs like "SPEEDBOAT" that put emphasize on Curry's ability to just make bangers that have longevity in his discography.

21. Close it quietly-Frankie cosmos

I've been a fan of Frankie since the release of "Next Thing which was released in 2016. I've also been a big indie head for a long time and i feel deep down Frankie is one of the best modern indie female artist and this albums just solidify that. Everything in this album is just so balanced there's not one track that i dislike and when it first released I remember it being on loop for about 2 months. From the simple but beautiful sounding guitar cords and the outstanding drum patterns. Frankie's voice is also lovely as well with her softer tone helping set the mood the project was going for. The lyrics are also can be very impacting at times if your willing to sit down and actually listen. I can say that i have not seen many people speak about this album and it did not get the attention it should have but nonetheless the project is still a masterpiece.

20. WILLOW-Willow

Her brand of psychedelic soul and blurry dream-pop can be so atmospheric it’s as if it’s trapped in the astral plane. Her self-titled album can be pretty in a tuned-out sort of way, if you let it wash over you like a gentle current of #vibes. With a more mature outlook on her recent projects it makes her music just that much more enjoyable. This album is philosophical in a sense or that was what she was going for and she may not have hit the mark directly I feel with more time her music can be more on point in her career. With very airy production containing guitar, piano and bass. If you never check out the project at least listen to "Like A Bird", "Time Machine", and "Pretty Girlz." Just those tracks will leave you in awe with how much her music has improved.

19. TURN OFF THE LIGHT-Kim Petras

The only album dedicated to Halloween that I listened to this year. Even after the holiday I was blasting this album because of how good the production was and how Kim's voice can send shivers down your back while also sounding so good. The synths, the electronics, and the pure spooky fun you experience from this project just makes it worth anyone's listening. With tracks like "There Will Be Blood" and "Death By Sex" being your electronic pop based ear candy while tracks like "Knives" and "Boo! B*tch!" are pure electronic instrumentals that give a little break from the singing segments which are still almost flawlessly done. If you've been looking for a Halloween based album cause you're playlist has been the same all these years here you go.

18.The Lost Boy-YNB Cordae

People we're waiting for this release as it was Cordae's first independent album and he did not disappoint. He showcased that he can be lyrical but also can make a banger that people can blast. With all the features contributing something instead taking away from the experience. On some tracks Cordae sings and his voice is not top tier but it conveys emotion and adds to the tracks he choices to vocalize on. With this I can see Cordae have longevity in the game as he is one of the more talented younger rappers on the scene right now.

17. An open letter-Nicotine

This is what i call music and poetry being in the same entity and it's to the point that the relatability was at one hundred and it brought me to tears at certain points because it was like she took my words from my mind and put them on paper and put it into a collective body for me to listen to. With three of the tracks being spoken poetry and its filled with emotions, melancholy, and interest. I do not think that there can be that many other projects that have hit me deep in my soul as much as this one album. This is just something everyone should listen to at leas once as it is some of the best food for your ears and soul in my wholeheartedly opinion.

16. Love Deluxe-Meltycanaon

Dreamy as can be and clearer than ever before, this project is a perfect example of the ways in which Melty has grown as a solo act, refining and developing his sound to a point of effortless allure. All throughout Love Deluxe, the budding talent’s deliveries seem to drift alongside the instrumental, defying gravity with an enthralling weightlessness that transcends words. The impassioned lyrics seemingly wash over these deliveries, and adding the cherry on top, the way that Melty switches between flows to match and refresh each instrumental is a simple yet deeply effective touch.

15. Revenge Of The Dreamers-Dreamville

With one of the best intros of this year being on this album from the first 10 seconds i knew this was going to be good. This compilation album gathers artist from the Dreamville label and they created one of the of the best collaborative rap albums of his decade without a doubt. Even having some tracks that incorporate R&B elements such as with the songs "Self Love" and "Got Me" which i think is a great edition to give breaks from the rapping. With some talented artist such as J. Cole, J.I.D, EARTHGANG, and Ari Lennox. I think this was the perfect way for the label to end the decade.

14.Injury Reserve-Injury reserve

This being their best album out of their discography and i think most would agree that the production, flows, and overall composition of this project is just great. The one thing that'll stand out to most it the production cause its so random its like having electronic mixed with boom bap drums and its compliments the style very well let's not forget about the features with half of the songs having features they have to be good right...well let me tell you from Rico Nasty, Freddie Gibbs, JPEGMAFIA, and Aminé you have a great set of people bring different styles and flows to the tabel making it a fun ride. One of my personal favorite rap albums of this year.

13. What Chaos Is Imaginary-Girlpool

From start to end this album is basically a roller-coaster ride of emotions. With this being the first release after Tucker came out as trans so now his voice dropped down to the tanner range helping it to be able to differentiate the two singers and it makes this project feel different sonically but even so they stick true to making a great album. From their first self-titled album until now I've always felt a more emotional touch being added to their music which sets them into their own lane. Being able to implement a sound of nostalgia and melancholy all at the same time. Even the instrumentation gives off this sad vibe sometimes giving off all these emotions which sometimes is hard to describe.

12. Rouge-yuna

Honestly was waiting for Yuna to drop another project and then this surpassed my expectation. I’ve heard everything this woman has released and I can say she is one of my top favorite artist. Here on this project she uses different genres R&B, Pop, Rap and such. Every feature here also helped make the music better which is sometimes rare for any artist. The production is a work of art here and her lyrics are grounded in reality while being very relatable. If i had to say this is probably one of my favorite albums to drop in the R&B scene.

11. Hot Pink-Doja cat

I've been following Doja Cat since the middle of 2015 or what I'd like to call her SoundCloud days. To have her seen her improvement from those days to now is just wild. Doja has versatility on her side with no two tracks sounding the same but when they're all put together you have a great album that objectively sounds good. Its good for contemporary listeners, rap fanatics, and just someone who wants a good project. From great flows to beautiful harmonies to interesting productions it has everything it needs to be a good pop-rap album.

10.When I Get Home- Salonge

With a magical intro with "Things I Imagine" with this almost whimsical instrumental and Salonge's beautiful voice getting us ready for one of the best funky, hip, R&B classic that helped eased us into the end of the decade. This album is filled with banger after banger. Everyone has been talking about this album because of how good it is. Being very airy and easy to listen to because the tracks never drag out with most of the tracks being under four minutes. She definitely shows black excellence to the fullest because the project embodies the word soul perfectly.

9.Loveworm-Beabadoobee

Simple at its finest form. Overdoing it can make some things sound bad or overbearing which is why I’m glad this project stayed simple but good. With her voice vibrating with emotions over sweet mellow production. Lyrics evoking emotions and being really relatable while being simple. She has also released a live version of the album that is smooth with an acoustic guitar playing and it is beautiful. This is a bedroom pop/indie project that is worth every listen.

8.Sunshine Kitty-Tove Lo

Back and better with her normal subject matter but even so she sounds a little more confident in what she sings. From songs about heartbreak, broken promises, and hating on her Ex's girlfriend. The production is crisp and as pop as it can be, being more electronic sounding then ever. Even after vocal surgery you wouldn't even be able to tell because once again she brings her vocals to the front face and they sound flawless. Even having a few features such as Doja cat, Kylie Minogue, and ALMA which all bring a little something to the project respectively.

7.Norman F*ucking Rockwell-Lana Del Rey

This recently-dropped chapter of Lana’s Americana historiography is just as bold, honest, and complicated as its explicit albeit censored title. Having fans hyped up with pre-releases such as “Venice B*tch,” “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have – but I have it,” “Mariners Apartment Complex,” “The greatest,” and the Sublime song “Doin’ Time,” Lana fans’ we’re as ready as ever and the anticipation was bursting with positive vibes. What Norman F*cking Rockwell provides in its entirety is a tense, psychedelic, surf-rock, melancholy, nostalgic inducing atmosphere one which you find yourself trapped in because of how good it feels. This new chapter is the culmination of Lana del Rey’s every falsetto, deep vibration, survival, resilience, and strength. She continues to reach higher and higher with every sequential album proving to fans that her reign on the music industry is still going full fledge.

6.IGOR-Tyler the creator

You knew like I knew this was going to be on this list it hit billboard #1 and with good reason. Not my personal favorite by Tyler but it is GOOD. Over a decade Tyler has been releasing music and he has shown his evolution. With the production just Escalating this project to greater heights and while Tyler has changed his style a little bit he stays with quick and remarkable word-play and maturity through-out his lyrics. The synths in this project are just crazy good madness that pairs up great with Tyler’s voice. This will probably be on a lot of rap list at the end of the year and it is well deserved.

5.Grey Area-Little Simz

I started listening to Little Simz during 2015 and to be able to see her evolve as an artist was just amazing. This being one of my favorite British rappers. The production is so smooth and with her voice is almost magical in a sense with there being jazz and R&B type of production it fits well with the themes and what she raps about. Using drums, piano, and string instruments it honestly just is a big part of why this album is a great listen. The album is basically her figuring out and navigating through-out life and the lyrics express that well.

4.Jinx-crumb

This album is made to make you think...not overthink but to think. This psych-rock band Crumb gives shape to the ambivalence and hypnosis of those lulling spirals, bending indie rock and jazz influences to shape a clear-eyed perspective tinted amber with dirt. Beckoning the listener with dreamy keyboards, twinkling guitar, and a recognizable buzz of stoic anxiety, Jinx rewards with the promise that within the dizzying haze are moments, turns in direction, worth waking up to. It should be a crime to have an album be this calm and soothing...one you can really just listen to and like I said before think.

3.Anger Management-Rico Nasty

This project slap Kenny comes in heavy with the production and Rico’s energy continues to be untouched. Now I’m not saying it’s her best work when talking about the full albums or mixtapes but regardless this year Rico has been gaining clout and rightfully so. Well I’m going to say this quickly female rappers have been rising and Rico is a great representative of this crazy uprising of talented women and I’m here for it all but I’m not gonna talk to much on that cause that’s for another blog. GREAT PROJECT OK NEXT....

2.Uncle Jazz-Men I Trust

If you look in the dictionary and go to the word calming...you’ll find this bands name. I’ve waited for this release for a long time before it came out and when I first listened to it I was in complete aww. The production included all live instrument recordings from the band. Drums, bass, guitar, piano, and vocals from Emma. To this day there is no voice that can soothe and bring me to peace like Emma’s voice. The world could be ending and I wouldn’t give a ish if I could hear her voice while it occurred. Though the album has no set concept or complete idea It’s trying to covey every song says something you just have to be willing to listen. From things such as love, going somewhere new, and just feeling numbness. Every word that is said on this album is used to say or make you feel something and the band does a great good with their writing simple and effective.

1.Atlanta Millionaires Club-Faye Webster

Ok we’re here number 1 this is the only one that’s in the right order this album is the best piece of music I’ve ever heard honestly. I’ve heard approximately over 200 albums this year alone that’s a lot of music but no other project had hit me emotional and sonically the way this has. It hits emotional cords with both the production , songwriting, and Faye’s vocals. It all mashes together perfectly like the masterpiece that it is. The respect I have for this woman because of this project is too great to put down in words. The pure fact that she said this is her sincerest project is also great because you can tell that she didn't make it complex she just sat down and wrote what was on her mind and how/what she was feeling and is shows. The vulnerability is what makes this feel so raw and real. If I could ever do this I would be so proud of my self but that’s probably not going to happen. The simple but great sounding chord progressions, the soft rhythm of the drums, Faye’s voice dripping with every humanly possible emotion. I’ve begged people to listen to this album I’ve never did that before so you know it’s good....no it’s great...no it’s perfect or at least as perfect as it can get when talking about music.

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So this concludes my top 25 albums of this year if you got through this thank you because this took me forever but it was worth it and this makes me so happy for all the new projects that are due next year. Anyway hope you enjoy and let me know if you agree with any of my choices and have a great day.