The Top 20 Best Albums of 2019

By: James Southworth

List week continues with my next to last ranking! 2019 has been an exceptionally great year for music. So much great content was released this year, and it was an especially fruitful year for me discovering new artists. It was pretty hard to make this list, but I finally feel like I'm satisfied with it. Here are my Top 20 Albums of 2019!

20. Carly Rae Jepson- "Dedicated"

Carly Rae Jepson has a hugely dedicated fan base, but in my opinion is criminally overlooked by the mainstream for the most part. "Run Away With Me" is probably my favorite pop song of the decade; I mean you just can't go wrong with that saxophone at the beginning of the song. Jepson makes pop songs that are incredibly accessible and catchy, while also being a cut above what a lot of her contemporaries do. "Dedicated" is proof of that. This album is a sweet, optimistic love album which shows Carly not only loving others, but also putting confidence in herself. I like how positive and straight up fun the album is. It may not quite match up to the masterful "Emotion", but that would be hard to do in even the best of scenarios. I've come back to this release fairly frequently throughout the year; it's definitely worth a shot for anyone who hasn't heard it.

Favorite Tracks: "Now That I Found You", "The Sound", "No Drug Like Me"

19. Kings Kaleidoscope- "Zeal"

I don't quite agree with the incredibly high rating I gave this album when I first reviewed it, but I still think that Kings Kaleidoscope continue to be a significant step ahead of most Christian worship acts working today. This album works on a slightly more simple concept than "Beyond Control"- that concept being finding happiness or pure joy. While that may sound simplistic on initial glance, the album actually shows how hard it can be to find a true sense of joy. For KK, joy does not mean just being happy all the time. The band are frank in acknowledging hardships on the album several times, and how those can keep us from connection with God. Lead vocalist Chad Garnder is frank about how he personally has had a hard time finding joy in our world's current state, which is why he and the band felt this album was more important than ever. There are so many creative and beautiful cuts on here, from the genre-shifting "Aimless Knight" to the surprisingly rocking cut "Naked Feet & Holy Fire". I am glad this band continues to get recognition, as they could shift the worship landscape as we know it. I hope that gets a chance to actually happen.

Favorite Tracks: "Aimless Knight", "Naked Feet & Holy Fire", "Breathing Infinity"

18. Weyes Blood- "Titanic Rising"

I've listened to this album many times now, and still feel that I have not entirely gotten the full depths of all the deep symbolism this release has to offer. As a pop record, this album boasts a lot of great baroque tendencies, which I really enjoy. Weyes is not afraid to try the pop genre in a lot of different contexts. My favorite track "Andromeda" is a clear example of that, with its effective combining of country and pop. It's so rare these two genres actually work together, but Weyes dedicates to both of them without diluting either genre. I'm also a big fan of the epic "Movies", where Weyes gets to show off the full extent of her vocal prowess. There really isn't a whole lot to complain about with this release; it's more than worth diving into.

Favorite Tracks: "Andromeda", "Movies", "Picture Me Better"

17. Sigrid- "Sucker Punch" 

Sigrid was one of my most proud discoveries of 2019. I mean wow, talk about a young, budding pop artist with a huge dose of talent. Almost every track on here is a straight up banger in one way or the other. "Strangers" is a straight up fun break up song, while also finding Sigrid being very honest about how she knows this relationship isn't going to work out despite how much both parties want it to. Her vocals are some of the most recognizable and stand out I've heard in the pop sphere. Her accent provides her vocals with an indescribably unique cadence that you would just have to hear for yourself. There are several songs here that show Sigrid is mature beyond her years, such as the refreshing break up song "Don't Feel Like Crying" or the uncomfortably raw "In Vain". Some songs here don't even need to be super deep but still feel compelling in their own way, like the orchestral "Sight of You". This album really stayed with me throughout the year.

Favorite Songs: "Strangers", "Don't Feel Like Crying", "Sucker Punch"

16. Crown the Empire- "Sudden Sky"

I was a little nervous about the fate of Crown the Empire upon the departure of their unclean vocalist. Typically when an announcement like this is made, either the band will soon break up or they will adapt a much more radio-friendly approach. While the latter is true of "Sudden Sky", I wouldn't say that the songs here are generic radio fodder either. There are several songs on here that have already been radio rock hits, but are creative. CTE give definitive proof that radio rock can still be good when it's done right. It's not like the band has entirely lost their metalcore edge either, as clearly evidenced on the gut punch "Sequence" or the delightful breakdown that appears in "Red Pills". I've always felt that CTE has been better at rock than metalcore, and Andy Leo shows that confidence in his vocals. Instrumentally, this album is quite good, with some pretty memorable guitar riffs appearing in "20/20" and "What I Am". This album benefits significantly from its thematic arc of discovering humanity in a technology driven world. Andy seems to speak in the perspective of an A.I., which makes this concept have an interesting edge. There's so many great moments here; check this one out!

Favorite Tracks: "Red Pills", "Under The Skin", "20/20"

15. Northlane- "Alien"

This has got to be one of the most unsettling albums I've heard all year. In "Alien", Northlane created a dark and foreboding landscape that is truly hard to forget from the moment "Details Matter" thrashes into your ears. I love how well this album balances between metalcore and nu-metal. Northlane is able to bring back the latter genre without it sounding cringe-worthy or outdated. Just look at my favorite track on the album, "4-D", for clear evidence of this. The usage of heavy synths and electronics along with the thrashing guitars and drum work makes for a sound that can be relentless in many moments. But Northlane also know when to take a step back and just let the album breathe, with cuts like the gorgeous "Freefall" and "Jinn" being clear indicators of this fact. Through and through, this is one of the most engaging metalcore releases of the year. I am so glad that a band like Northlane isn't afraid to innovate a couple albums into their career. They're setting themselves to be one of the most exciting metalcore bands out there right now.

Favorite Tracks: "4-D", "Jinn", "Paradigm"

14. Disciple- "Love Letter Kill Shot"

The fact this album didn't rank higher on my list shows the high pedigree of music that was released this year. After sitting with the album for a while, I do still feel that this is one of Disciple's top five albums to date. It's amazing that this far into their career, the band is willing to take risks. Kevin Young has never been the type to paint himself into a corner, which is why I have so much respect for him. He knows how to make an album where the signature Disciple sound is still there, but there are some new twists. "Reanimate" is one of the most delightful songs of year, as it hearkens back to older Disciple in a way that brought a huge grin to my face. "Wake Up" is one of those Disciple songs that I think will be easily sung along to in a live setting. "Panic Room" proves easily that Kevin Young and Andrew Schwab are a vocal match made in heaven. There is just great moment after great moment here, with some of Disciple's most bold lyrics to date. They are not afraid of the message they deliver, which is why they continue to be my favorite band even now.

Favorite Tracks: "Reanimate", "Wake Up", "Panic Room"

13. Demon Hunter- "War"

Demon Hunter made big moves this year by releasing a double album, which proved to be a good thing rather than a bad one. "War" was definitely the better of the two for me. I'll admit, I'm mainly biased to it because a lot of it feels like a throwback to "The Triptych"-era Demon Hunter. While that album is not my favorite of the band's, the wave of nostalgia I got from hearing this sound again was irresistible. I appreciate that the band also incorporates some of their modern-day tendencies, although they make their new sound sound far more interesting here than on "Outlive". "Close Enough" is definitely one of the band's best songs to date. I love that both guitarists get the opportunity to absolutely shred on this song, and Ryan Clark is clearly having a ball in this cut. "The Negative" is clearly the band embracing their inner Slipknot, and to great effect. "Grey Matter" has a theme I may not entirely agree with, but I appreciate that the band dedicate to talking about it. Plus, that chorus is sinfully catchy. I am so glad that Demon Hunter was able to prove on this release that they aren't close to losing their metalcore edge yet.

Favorite Tracks: "Close Enough", "Lesser Gods", "Grey Matter"

12. Billie Eilish- "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?"

Many people have been very quick to call this artist over-hyped, and some have even stated she is an industry plant. I just can't agree on either front. Billie Eilish is one of the most exciting artists to hit the pop scene in a long time. Let me tell you why. She brings some sounds to the mainstream that I feel have not really been embraced much. I love the creativity in her sound and lyrics, as she embraces a dark, horror-movie like aesthetic. It goes beyond aesthetic though, because she really dedicates to delivering this sound, along with her excellent producer/brother FINNEAS. You all probably are familiar with the album. Song after song on this album bleeds memorability. "Bad Guy" is one of the most oddly catchy songs of the year, "When The Party's Over" never fails to impress me with its unfiltered emotions, and "Bury A Friend" is one of the best pop songs of the year. If this is what Eilish is able to do on her debut, consider me hyped up for what she will do next.

Favorite Tracks: "Bury A Friend", "I Love You", "My Strange Addiction"

11. Opeth- "In cauda venenum"

I still feel even now that words could not adequately describe how great this album is. It pained me that this album didn't quite make the top ten. It still deserves heaps of praise, though. I'm so glad that I discovered this band this year, and I know I've only touched the surface of this band's material. At the band's absolute best, they're able to make a song like "Universal Truth", which has so many unpredictable shifts occur in it. I love that the whole album was able to keep me on my toes; on first listen I had no clue what I was going to get from track to track. For this band, that's only a good thing, and parts about this release still continue to surprise me when I come back to out. Check out this band if you haven't, even if you aren't a prog-rock fan. You won't be disappointed.

Favorite Tracks: "Universal Truth", "All Things Will Pass", "Dignity"

10. Thornhill- "The Dark Pool"

Wow, this band is wonderful. Every time I return to this release, I am in awe that this is only the band's debut release. Most artists take about three or four albums before they can make something of this quality. This album is so creative in the musical department, combining djent, electronics, and rock into a sound that wholly belongs to Thornhill. This album really goes into the depths of depression, and brings the listener into that journey in a pretty raw way. The album from start to finish really feels like a powerful conceptual and emotional arc. "Views From The Sun" establishes the album perfectly, and is a great way to hook the listener in, especially with that irresistible breakdown. "Red Summer" is one of my favorite songs of the year, and never fails to make me tear up a little bit in that beautiful vocal climax of the track. "Where We Go When We Die" is an unspeakably impactful closer that haunts the listener long after it's over. This album is a necessary listen in my opinion. Please, do yourself a favor and give this one a try.

Favorite Tracks: "Red Summer", "Where We Go When We Die", "Views From The Sun"

9. Marianas Trench- "Phantoms"

This is yet another discovery I made this year, and man this band is great. I can see why they're so critically acclaimed. Josh Ramsay is a wonderful vocalist, having a range that is almost comparable to the likes of Freddy Mercury and Michael Jackson. I know it's a pretty bold statement to compare him to people like that, but just hear his vocals for yourself and you'll see what I mean. "Phantoms" is a very interesting pop album, being a dark ode to a breakup while still managing to have fun with it. Just look at the explosive closing track "The Killing Kind" for evidence of how ballistic this album can get. There are so many songs here that are just pure pop bliss, like that unbelievably catchy opening track "Only The Lonely Survive" or the haunting "Your Ghost". And then there's the song "Echoes of You", which so dedicates to its Gothic intensity that I think you'd be hard pressed to not join the band for the ride. This may not match the band's opus "Astoria", but "Phantoms" is quite good in its own right.

Favorite Tracks: "Echoes of You", "The Killing Kind", "Your Ghost"

8. TOOL- "Fear Inoculum"

I am probably not the best person to be talking about TOOL at this point since I'm just getting into them, so I'll keep this short. I think you'd have to be pretty close-minded to not call this a talented band, as it's clear in almost every waking moment that all of these band members are just ace at their craft. I don't typically enjoy more instrumental-emphasis albums, as they tend to not be engaging. That's not the case with this album. Heck my favorite song is probably the one with the most instrumental segments, "7empest". The song screams pure, unbridled intensity, with Maynard James Keenan sounding angry for all the right reasons. This one has already become a fan favorite, and why shouldn't it? I also have grown immensely on the track "Pneuma", which has some of the best guitar riffs the album has to offer. The cut "Descending" sends some odd chills up my spine, especially for the almost off-kilter performances from Maynard that more reminds me of A Perfect Circle. There's a lot of great stuff going on in this album, and I really hope "7empest" wins that Grammy.

Favorite Tracks: "7empest", "Culling Voices", "Pneuma"

7. Within Temptation- "Resist"

Sometimes, an album will make my list for the pure reason that it is a fun release to listen to. That is almost solely the reason for the new Within Temptation album making this list. Maybe it's also because I've been waiting with bated breath for their new album for quite a while now. While this release doesn't quite match up to classic WT releases like "The Silent Force" or "The Unforgiving", it's still a legitimately good evolution of their sound. The band opt for a more arena rock, electronic-infused sound on this release, and for the most part it works greatly to their benefit. As with the band's last release, there's a healthy dose of featured vocalists here as well. I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying Jacoby Shaddix's vocals on lead single "The Reckoning". Anders Friden provides a healthy dose of intensity to "Raise Your Banner", which is the most classic-sounding WT track on the album. I've listened to "Mad World" more times than I care to admit, but can you blame me when it's just so fun? I think this album's awesome and more than deserving of a placement on my year-end list.

Favorite Tracks: "Mad World", "Raise Your Banner", "Mercy Mirror"

6. Sam Fender- "Hypersonic Missiles"

Sam Fender has absolutely blown up in Britain, and it seems like he's finally starting to gain traction in America. I had the absolute delight of my YouTube Recommended feed giving me his lead single "Hypersonic Missiles". When I first heard this song, my jaw dropped with just how good it was. You can read my "Top 50 Songs of 2019: Part 2" post for more extended thoughts on it. As a whole, this album is pure, excellent rock. There aren't really any songs I dislike here, and the good ones on here are absolutely masterful. "You're Not The Only One" boasts some of the most interest lyrics I've heard all year, and man does the saxophone just vibe well with that song. "The Borders" is a real tear-jerker as Sam beautifully tells this story of an estranged and toxic childhood friendship. "Dead Boys" is a chillingly honest song about the all-too-real epidemic of male suicides, and "Will We Talk?" finds a surprising amount of intimacy in the uncertainty of a one-night stand. Fender is on the road to becoming a wonderful artist, and I simply can't wait to see what he does next.

Favorite Tracks: "Hypersonic Missiles", "You're Not The Only One", "The Borders"

5. Slipknot- "We Are Not Your Kind"

It has been rumored that this could be Slipknot's last album, and if that turns out to be the case, then they went out on quite the high note. While "Vol 3: The Subliminal Verses" is still my favorite album of theirs, this one could take the spot in the coming years. Guitarist Jim Root said how the band wanted to make something that felt like a front to back album "experience", and we definitely got that here. Even for the tracks that don't impress me as much on this release, I still don't feel like skipping them because they are so essential to the identity of this album. Slipknot have always been risk-takers, and they made some of their boldest moves yet on this album. "Solway Firth" is "Iowa" levels of heavy, and is perhaps one of the band's best songs as Corey delves into his depression in heart wrenching fashion. "Nero Forte" has quickly become a fan favorite, and it's easy to see why with it's punchy guitar riffs and the wonderful chorus. I love "Spiders" for its haunted house vibe, and "Orphans" and "Critical Darling" are two of the band's most creative songs ever. There's so much to love here, and this album cements Slipknot as one of my favorite bands of all time.

Favorite Tracks: "Solway Firth", "Nero Forte", "Critical Darling"

4. Periphery- "Hail Stan"

I'm gonna go ahead and say it: I think that this is Periphery's best album to date. It's the band at their most unabashedly creative, making some of the craziest musical choices they've ever done. It's crazy how an EDM infused track like "Crash" can work on the same album that has the metalcore frenzy of "Chvrch Burner". Periphery just makes it work, and that's because all the band has such impeccable chemistry on this album. The band also don't take themselves too seriously, as evidenced on "Reptile", an insane 16-minute track with lyrics that feel like they would be from a cheesy comic book. And it works, because Periphery embraces the satirical potential. When the serious moments do come on this album, they also work because of the feeling of raw sincerity, such as the gorgeous closer "Satellites". The ethereal heights that "Garden in the Bones" reaches makes it, in my opinion, the band's best song ever, as well as one of the best songs of the year. You'd be hard pressed to not find something to enjoy on this release.

Favorite Tracks: "Garden in the Bones", "Sentient Glow", "Satellites"

3. Dayseeker- "Sleeptalk"

This is easily the most emotional journey I had with an album all year. It's rare to hear albums that go into the depths of dark emotions with such powerfully penned lyricism. Dayseeker knows how to traverse these depths in a way that won't traumatize the listener, but will also get said listener emotional every time they hear it. From the first time I heard "Drunk", I had a feeling I was in for something special, and I was right. I love this album for just how well it nails so many fraught topics without ever feeling like it exploits them. "The Color Black" is an angry meditation at abuse, with lead singer Rory Rodriguez throwing all sorts of deserved anger towards the abuser, while also talking frankly about how abuse affects the victims. "Starving To Be Empty" heart wrenchingly paints how an eating disorder is an extension of a deep emotional pain. The lyrics on this cut are simple yet powerful. The title track remains to be my favorite song of the year, as Rory puts himself tragically in the blame for this relationship should've ended long ago, but is still going on. He poignantly refers to it as a "three-year one night stand". The song has so many incredible moments; hear it for yourself, and then go listen to the album. To put it simply, this release is incredible.

Favorite Tracks: "Sleeptalk", "The Color Black", "Starving To Be Empty"

2. Wolves at the Gate- "Eclipse"

Wolves at the Gate is one of those incredibly rare bands who have only gotten better with each album they have released. For as much as I enjoyed "Types and Shadows" (it made my Top 10 Albums of 2017 list), I like "Eclipse" even more. The band's theologically accurate lyrics are somehow even better written. I think the reason why is that the lyrics on this album are written in such a way where both secular and Christian audiences can connect to it. I feel as though the band's previous albums were more written for just a Christian audience in mind, but "Eclipse" definitely wants to connect to secular audiences as well. This is evidenced by a big thematic arc of the album being collective brokenness. The title track has the band personally talking about how their sins kept them disconnected from God and others for a long time. "Face to Face" is one of the band's most raw tracks about dying to self. "The Sea is Between" is such a beautifully human track about the connection between God and man. I have a hard time identifying many critiques about this album; it's absolutely masterful, and I wish more Christian releases pushed boundaries like this one does.

Favorite Tracks: "Face to Face", "A Voice in the Violence", "The Sea is Between"

1. While She Sleeps- "So What?"

The competition between this one and WATG's album was much closer than I predicted it to be, but at the end of the day, While She Sleeps's "So What?" won the day for my favorite album of 2019. There are very few bands out there who, for me, have released two 5/5 albums. WSS is one of them, and because of that, they have made their way into one of my top five favorite bands of all time. "So What?" has everything I love about the band, in addition to some interesting changes. I mean, lead single "Anti-Social" has a rap section in it, and the band just makes it work. I can tell that all the band members have an appreciation for different types of music, which is what makes their sound so unique in the metalcore landscape. They can do different things, but don't sound like they're selling out because they still keep their energy intact. Just look at "I've Seen It All", and you'll see what I mean. From front to back, this album works because of how many cool musical choices it makes, such as the cool guitar riff in the title track or the absolute epic proportions that "Gates of Paradise" reaches. Thematically, the album is pitch perfect, as the band transitions from cynical about the possibility for unity to optimistic about our collective futures when we see what unites us. The band is important in the musical landscape for the reason that they have a message of unity on their mind while also being honest about the mess that our world can be. It makes them feel accessible and powerful in a way many bands don't. I promise you, you don't want to miss out on this release.

Favorite Tracks: "I've Seen It All", "Gates of Paradise", "So What?"

Those are my Top 20 Albums of 2019! What are yours? This is my last post of 2019, so I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. I'm not sure what the state of this site will be like next year, as I've been considering once again doing YouTube reviews, but I am not confident in that yet. There will still be one more list: The Top 15 Movies of 2019. That won't be out until January because there are a couple more movies I want to watch before making it official. See you all very soon!