The Best Music of 2019

2019 - a year of big ups, big downs, and a whole lot of "I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE"s. But we made it! Pat on the back for you.

We're one year on from my last 'Best Music of the Year' post, and once again I find it very difficult to pin-point the best musical moments of the last 12 months. My Spotify Wrapped 2019 was both insightful and a bit embarassing - who knew I'd listened to OT Bop for 5 hours? - but many of these songs have made up the playlist to a year that, for the most part, has made me a happy, soppy mess. I always love doing my research for these posts, looking back over a year of huge musical bombshells and remembering tracks from way back in January that had slipped my mind. And today, we take a trip down memory lane to give massive s/os to the musical geniuses that helped make 2019 for me.

BEST ALBUM - NFR by LANA DEL REY 

If you're surprised by this, you're clearly new around here - in which case, hi, my name is Ellie, and I worship the ground Lana del Rey walks on. I've come to the conclusion after many, many, many listens that NFR is probably Lana's most elegant body of work to date. Its poetic and indulgent, its moody and crisp - it's everything I hoped this album would be. Following Lana's classic formula of delivering sweet nostalgia, NFR drips with Americana glamour, but, even more so than ever, is also underlined with distinct, crushing pain, which makes it a very vulnerable yet gritty record. Its the album that has allowed Lana to experiment with her vocals, which are graceful throughout no matter the pitch she reaches. Highlights of the album include Cinnamon Girl, The Greatest and Doin' Time, but all come together as a collection of stunning, pensive, sultry moments - and if any of this has peaked your interest, be sure to check out my ranking of each track, linked here. While it may seem biased of me to crown one of my all-time favourite artists' with best album of the year, the overwhelming relief that this album is not just good but actually pretty darn spectacular, skyrockets this album to number 1. I think everyone will find something to love. All hail Lana.

Honourable mentions: 

• WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish
• thank u, next by Ariana Grande 
• The Balance by Catfish and the Bottlemen 

BEST SINGLE - MILE HIGH by JAMES BLAKE (FEAT. TRAVIS SCOTT & METRO BOOMIN)

'Best single' was probably the most difficult choice to make; I had a bunch of songs listed, and then asked myself, 'which song do I actually enjoy listening to the most?' And then I came to my conclusion. Mile High is just such an interesting listen. Its founded upon James Blake's ethereal, wistful tones, which are met with a certain brashness courtesy of Travis Scott and played around with in production by Metro Boomin. Every element meshes together beautifully, with the hip-hop sensibilities perfectly complementing James Blake's ghostly crooning. The chemistry is fab. The lyrics might not be astounding, and the themes not very hard-hitting at all, but it's such an addictive, sinuous delight, grounded by bass-y production. And the album it features on - Assume Form - is also very much worth a listen. 

Honourable Mentions: 

• Dear Future Self (Hands Up) by Fall Out Boy feat. Wyclef Jean
• People by The 1975 
• Adore You by Harry Styles 

ARTIST DISCOVERY - DERMOT KENNEDY

Surely everybody's summer was soundtracked by the dulcet tones of Dermot Kennedy on his delicate hit Outnumbered. If you haven't delved deeper into his discography, you'll be delighted to know the rest of his tracks are equally as brilliant, all topped with this earthy, gritty vocals. The first song I heard of his was For Island Fires and Family; a luscious guitar ballad paired with delicious harmonies and deep, deep emotion - Kennedy really shows off his vocal range in this one. And while this track is slow and danity for the most part, it still packs a definite punch. Perhaps not as much punch as Moments Passed, however - a bold track marrying balldary with stormy electronic fizz. My favourite, however, is probably Power Over Me. One of his more well-known numbers, its catchy lyrics and more uplifting instrumentals makes it memorable and exciting. Any fans of Passenger, or more recent Mumford & Sons, should be doing nothing for the rest of the day, unless it's checking out Dermot Kennedy.

Honourable Mentions:

• Sam Fender
• Neck Deep 
• Lizzo

BEST LIVE ACT: twenty one pilots 7th MARCH, WEMBLEY ARENA

(Usually at this point I'd speak about my artist of the year, but I think we all know who that is. And if you're still unsure, it's Lana del Rey. Shock.)

I've been lucky enough to go to a fair few amazing gigs this year, and ticked several of my favourite artists off my concert bucket list. But none of them quite matched the spectacle of twenty one pilots at Wembley Arena. The band's fourth LP Trench was my favourite album of 2018, but I'd been a fan of them for many years before its release, so seeing them live was already building up to be something quite special. But many passionate performances, clever little illusions and a couple of tears later, I knew - even with a handful of gigs still yet to come - that this was going to be my favourite of the year. It was just such an incredible gig, filled with a wonderful mix of their varied discography and fantastic interaction with fans. It wasn't just a concert, it was a show, and a 'thank you' to the fans in the most grand sense of the phrase. Everything was so well put together and I left Wembley Arena that night just desperatly wishing I could do it all over again. 

Honourable Mentions: 

• Panic! at the Disco - 28th March, O2 Arena 
• Fleetwood Mac - 16th June, Wembley Stadium 
• Issues, Neck Deep and Don Broco - 9th February, Wembley Arena

3 BEST SONGS FROM THE YEAR 

To clear up any confusion, this portion of the blog post categorises songs that weren't necessarily released separately from an album or as singles - these can be songs that are part of albums, film scores, etc, etc. But, just like last year, it's painful to pick just one. While there were so many great singles released this year, I think a lot of brilliant tracks were also buried deep in albums, and here are my top three (minus any Lana). 

Take What You Want by Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott 

Once again, we have a perfectly-executed genre-mash-up which brings Travis Scott along for the ride. I was never particularly interested in Post Malone before his most recent album was released and this gem was on it. Take What You Want is a fantastic blend of guitar splendour and harsh hip-hop, making for such a unique listen, and no voice or instrument feels out of place. Bringing together rock legend Ozzy Osbourne with two of the most iconic trap artists of the decade was bold move, but definitely paid off. You can bet I'll be listening to more Post Malone after this masterpiece (I also really love Hollywood's Bleeding - that time signature change? Yes. please.). 

in my head by Ariana Grande 

Much like Post Malone, Ariana Grande is an artist I hadn't really paid much attention to before the latest album. thank u, next as an LP is absolutely brilliant, but in my head is by far my favourite track. It stands out as painful pop perfection - a slow-burning hit, which shows off Ariana's incredible vocals to the max. The infectious lyrics will undoubtedly get stuck in your head, and are backed by glistening synth and sizzling bass. While the song is an emotional gut-punch hoisted by a modern beat, it is also delicate and sensitive - and a great one to sing in the shower. 

i love you by Billie Eilish 

How could I go through this list without mentioning Billie Eilish? She has owned this year after all, and WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? was the closest runner-up for 'Best Album.' Amid bouncy pop riots like bad guy and all the good girls go to hell, there's also the fragile i love you; a timid and tender guitar-picked track that serves as perhaps the emotional core of the album. The sublte intrustmentals help Billie's pained vocals shine. Despite it's lack of chart success or radio-readiness, Billie has cited i love you as one of the best songs she has written - and I'd have to agree.

Honourable Mentions: 

• To Be So Lonely by Harry Styles 
• Tempo by Lizzo feat. Missy Elliott
• Sympathy by Vampire Weekend

This decade has provided song after song that have defined and will bring back memories of my teenhood. I'm looking forward to listening to these albums and tracks in years to come and remembering the good old days of caffiene-fulled late night assignment sessions, and gin-fulled late night Oceana sessions. It's undeniable that 2019 has been a showcase of some incredible talent and some fabulous tunes. More of that please, 2020.