My Most Anticipated 2019 Albums: All They Cracked Up to Be?

Back in January, I wrote a post called 'Albums I'm Really Really Looking Forward To in 2019' (linked here if you're out of the loop). We now find ourselves in May - some of the albums have already dropped, transforming my bedroom into Oceana and making me cry fat, splodgy tears in equal measure. Some, however, have merely trickled onto the scene and left little impact on me. Some haven't come out yet and are turning me crazy with anticipation (yes, I'm talking to you Lana del Rey. Drop the damn album). But today, we're gonna have a chit chat about the albums I mentioned at the start of the year and see how they fared in my rankings, starting from my least favourite to one that is now one of my favourite albums of all time. 

vampire weekend - father of the bride 

Coming in at last place is Vampire Weekend's fourth album Father of the Bride. Released only 10 days ago, the album is the most recent on this list. I've listened to it a few times, and it's nice - but that's the only way I can really describe it. None of the songs particularly stand out to me, and there is no song that could rival the catchy refrains of the likes of A Punk or Diane Young. It's also an incredibly long album boasting 18 songs, and with many sounding similar to each other, it can get quite tedious. That being said, I do like the summery vibe of this album, with little reggae hints here and there. I can imagine listening to this one on a beach soaking up the sun. So while it isn't the album I was perhaps waiting six years for, it's certainly not bad. 

The Best Songs: This Life, Sympathy 

sundara karma - ulifilas' alphabet 

When single Illusions dropped in October last year, I wasn't holding out much hope for the album - despite their debut being one of my favourites. And still listening to it now, I don't like it. At all. However, the following album - Ulfilas' Alphabet - definitely has some redeeming features. I do still think they are trying too hard to sound like a modern-day Bowie, or lead singer Oscar Pollock is anyway, and their sound has changed quite dramatically from album one to album two. Ulfilas' Alphabet has some retro 80s-esque tones to it, especially through the bass, adding a poppier edge to their sound. It's just not a sound that's really for me. With all that negativity out of the way, there are still hints of their former self - Higher States is reminiscent of Explore with its energetic synths and punchy chorus, Rainbow Body has that excited fervour rooted in the guitars similar to Loveblood, while the soft Sweet Intentions could loosely be tied to Happy Family in the way it builds into something more prestigious, again with the bass being the the highlight of the song. It's a shame my favourite songs are the ones that are a reminder of what once was, but those songs are definitely goodens. 

The Best Songs: Higher States, Sweet Intentions, Rainbow Body, A Song For My Future Self

catfish and the bottlemen - the balance 

While I appreciate Sundara Karma's experimentation in changing their sound somewhat, Catfish are a prime example of why sometimes it's best to stick to what you know. The Balance is another killer album. Longshot and 2all gave me the impression that perhaps it was going to be a bit happier, perhaps dipping their toe into pop - and while these two songs are more radio-ready in that sense, I was wrong. The Balance is more reminiscent of their debut The Balcony, with more iconic, grungy tunes and definite album highlights. I understand that some could get bored of them churning out albums with songs that could fit on either of their other two releases, but it's just a sound I will probably always love. That being said, this album does include some songs rooted in Britpop atmosphere - namely Conversation, very Oasis-y. I was left a tad disappointed by the lack of album highlights on The Ride, but The Balance makes up for that in bucket loads. 

The Best Songs: Sidetrack, Encore, Basically, Mission 

nina nesbitt - the sun will come out, the seasons will change 

I already knew I was going to adore this album before it came out. How could you not love an album that has Loyal To Me, Best You Had and The Moments I'm Missing all in one place? Aside from the singles, the album has some other stellar moments; the chorus of Chloe rips into you, the ghostly chorus of Sacred will stay with you long after hearing it, and the Destiny's Child-like Love Letter leaves you feeling like a strong independent woman. What I love about Nina and her songwriting is that she pours her heart out into every lyric. This whole album is an emotional roller coaster, with highs like Somebody Special, to soul-crushing lows like Is It Really Me You're Missing. It's also great to hear her addressing things other than love - to me, the whole message of the album is emotional growth and the path to reaching contentment, and that could be through love, but also career or friendships. It's a powerhouse of an album sung through Nina's wispy vocals, and one that has stuck with me since my first listen. 

The Best Songs: Sacred, Is It Really Me Your Missing, Chloe, The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change 

billie eilish - when we all fall asleep, where do we go?

What a shock that this has made it to the top of my list! It's not like I've obsessed over Billie for about a year. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? was everything I hoped it would be and more. I am just in awe of how a 17-year-old has released an album of such gravitas, that is so fun and bouncy and experimental at some points, but so utterly heartbreaking at others. Take the song xanny for example - it has a clever smokey atmosphere that worms its way throughout the song, reaching a climax at the fuzzy and electronic chorus, to be concluded by a soul-crushing, fragmented verse recorded a few days after the passing of her friend. The emotion is so raw in it. Yet, following that is you should see me in a crown - the most musically-powerful on the record, with its insane bass drop, not to mention the strong character Billie plays in this song. It's such a contrast from xanny. This album always keeps you guessing. Whilst I love the up-beat moments on the album (bad guy, my strange addiction, all the good girls go to hell), it's the tender, more simplistic songs that have had a profound impact on me. i love you and listen before i go and so hard-hitting and had me curled up in a ball sobbing upon first listen. This album is such a mixed bag, with each song an amazing example of this massive talent Billie has. Every listen makes me love it even more.

The Best Songs: bad guy, when the party's over, my strange addiction, ilomilo, listen before i go, i love you

So that's the lowdown on a good number of the albums I was very much looking forward to this year. There's still no news on the fifth instalment of Lana del Rey's stunning discography (drop the damn album), nor any more McFly rumours, yet The 1975 have released the name of their next album - Notes On A Conditional Form'. I'm beyond excited for that. 

In other news, there have been albums that have dropped I didn't expect to enjoy as much I did. Ariana Grande's thank u, next is incredible, and the For The Throne (Music Inspired by The HBO Series Game of Thrones) compilation album is really good, despite never watching an episode in my life. And while I know Lemonade by Beyonce is old news, it only dropped on Spotify recently, and I've been living for it. 

Also, Lana - drop the damn album.