By: James Southworth
This is probably the most ambitious post I've ever done on this site. I wanted to end 2019 off with a bang by doing a huge slew of lists. You've already seen some, but this is the one that took the longest. Here's part one of my personal Top 50 Best Songs of 2019!
50. "Patient"- Palisades
This song technically came out last year, but it was very late December. Like most critics, I am counting this song for 2019. Palisades impress with this cut, which may well be their best song to date. The emotional gravitas here is stunning, with Lou Miceli's raw vocal performance cutting deep.
49. "Heaven, We're Already Here"- The Maine
The Maine's new album wasn't as strong as some of their previous releases, but this song is really incredible. It goes for this big, epic sound and absolutely nails it. The usage of strings along with electronics was an inspired choice, and the guitar and drum work slams in at all the right times. The lyrics are incredibly easy to sing along to as well.
48. "Break Me Down"- Sleeping With Sirens
A Sleeping With Sirens song in my top 50 best list? Yeah, that's not something I would've expected either, but this track is legitimately great. Kellin Quinn actually lets his voice sound natural rather than super squeaky clean like on the band's past three albums. The song manages to be convincingly inspirational, and even includes an actual breakdown. If SWS continues to go in this direction, I may actually get on board with them.
47. "Lost Between"- Thousand Below ft. Marcus Bridge
Thousand Below's sophomore effort "Gone In Your Wake" was a decidedly more mellow and laid back effort compared to "The Love You Let To Close", and that turned out to not be a bad thing. This song is a powerful and compelling cut, especially elevated by Marcus Bridge's (of the band Northlane) wonderful guest vocals. I love when James DeBerg and Bridge's vocals come together, creating something truly beautiful. The song's subject of a deep wound left by a loved one comes across as legitimately heartbreaking.
46. "Arabesque"- Coldplay
Coldplay's new album was overall a bit of a disappointment for me, but "Arabesque" could legitimately become one of my favorite Coldplay songs of all time. I love how the band just embraces experimentation here, and to great effect. The big band effect this song has is intriguing, and the incorporation of a saxophone solo was nothing short of an inspired choice. The song has a lot on its mind in Chris Martin discussing how important it is for us to realize we need to care for disenfranchised minorities because we share the same blood. Powerful stuff.
45. "Nothing Breaks Like A Heart"- Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
Like I mentioned in my Top 10 Hit Songs of 2019, this song was definitely going to make an appearance in my favorite songs of the year, and here it is. Mark Ronson does better than almost anyone at making a song that works as a pop cut and a country cut. That is due to his masterful production as well as Miley Cyrus's incredibly dedicated vocal performance. The song is brutally honest about how though other things might hurt, a wound left by a deep relationship will always hurt the most. The song's low-key yet upbeat vibe is fitting for a track with this subject matter.
44. "Hallucinations"- PVRIS
PVRIS mostly abandon their rock elements and swing completely for an electronic/pop sound on this song, and they absolutely nail it. Lynn Gunn sounds more confident than ever in the vocal department, and the production values on this song are immaculate. The song still has the signature feelings of what a PVRIS song should sound like, but it's updated in a good way. The beat of this song will get your head nodding, and the chorus won't be leaving my head anytime soon.
43. "Watch What Happens Next"- Waterparks
This song is more clever than I initially gave it credit for. It utilizes the sound Waterparks was known for on "Double Dare" while also commenting on the fact that rock fan bases are not open minded at all to bands trying out new sounds. Awsten Knight's delivery is snarky and obnoxious, which is just the right thing that this song needed. Even the looping guitar riff sounds swaggering in its own way in the song, which is only a good thing. The chorus is one of the most catchy I've heard all year, and the lyrics are pretty memorable. Even if the rest of "FANDOM" is a bit of a mess, I can't deny how much I love this song.
42. "Ghost Like You"- Captives
Captives is one of the most promising new bands I've listened to this year. Their sound sort of hearkens back to an older era of metalcore/hardcore, definitely reminding me of classic Underoath in a lot of ways. I appreciate that their sound also does have some things that fit with the modern era as well, and the lyrical content here is really good for a new band. I really can't wait to hear what this band will have to offer on a full album.
41. "The Everlasting"- Volbeat
Volbeat isn't typically known for making epic-feeling tracks, but that is exactly what "The Everlasting" feels like. The whole band sound right at home on a track like this, and I even like this style significantly better than the style of rockabilly they usually do. The guitar work in this song is superb, and as always, Michael Poulsen is a very distinct vocalist.
40. "The Search"- NF
This... this is the type of song I've been wanting from NF for quite some time now. This track finds NF showing off his flow in a stream of consciousness format that he hasn't really done since "Mansion". It feels like classic Nate, which is awesome. The production is superb as well, with the plucking strings and booming electronics making you know for sure that you're listening to an NF track. I particularly love the part of the song where NF starts spitting out raps in super fast succession. Lyrically and technically, this song is one of Nate's best.
39. "Solstice"- Starset
"Don't let me let the dark take over" is the consistent plea of Dustin Bates on what is easily the best song from "Divisions". This one doesn't seem to be the most consistent favorite for Starset fans, but to me this song is an excellent pop evolution of Starset's sound while still also incorporating their rock roots (unlike several tracks from the new album). The combination of synths and guitars is inspired here, and Dustin has a great vocal performance. Also, the outro to this song is wonderful.
38. "Now That I Found You"- Carly Rae Jepson
If you only judge Carly Rae Jepson by her big hit "Call Me Maybe" (like I did for far too long), you're doing it wrong. Carly has some legitimate pop bangers out there, and her new album "Dedicated" is full of them. "Now That I Found You" is the best off that album, with a bouncy electronic beat and some genuinely sweet lyrics about finding a legitimate love. Carly's optimistic vocal performance on this cut never fails to put a smile on my face, and the chorus is one that shows her talent at writing a great hook.
37. "Forever Falling"- Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge's new album is, as usual, full of great rocking tracks that don't just feel like they're pandering to the radio. "Forever Falling" feels like a more intense form of Alter Bridge that I haven't really gotten to hear from them since "AB III". The song starts off subtle, but then absolutely explodes with some of Mark Tremonti's best guitar riffs- and vocals- to date. Myles Kennedy is also on fire in the vocal department, unleashing intensity in every moment. If you want pure, hard rock bliss, you'll get it in droves here.
36. "Take What You Want"- Post Malone ft. Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott
Post Malone has real potential to be a front runner in bridging the gap between pop and rock crowds at this point in his career. He already subtly showed some of his love for rock on his previous album but it comes through a lot clearer in the more pop/rock album "Hollywood's Bleeding". "Take What You Want" is the most rock Post has ever sounded, and this team-up with Ozzy and Travis works well. The song effortlessly shifts between each artist's signature style, making a melting pot of genres that I think almost any type of music fan would be able to enjoy. Quite the rare achievement.
35. "Shaped By Fire"- As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying's album didn't stick with me as much as I hoped it would (it is admittedly by the numbers, though really well-done, metalcore). However, the title track still holds up immensely. It's probably due to that absolutely superb chorus sung by Phil Sgrosso. I also find Tim Lambesis's screams to be particularly effective in this cut. The breakdown in this song is just signature AILD, and will bring about a sense of nostalgia to anyone who's missed out on this band's brand of metalcore.
34. "Prodigal Soul"- Switchfoot
Switchfoot always seems to know how to deliver an emotional ballad that can appeal to both Christian and secular audiences. This song certainly does that, with its deeply emotional story sure to resonate with all types of people. Jon Foreman's voice is beautiful in this song, especially in the song's climactic moments where he really gets to show off his range. This song might be simple in subject matter and structure, but its understated thematic power is what makes it work.
33. "Promise Me"- Badflower
The existential and tragic dread of getting older, and also watching your significant other slowly passing on, is nailed in a pitch perfect way on this song by Badflower. I know that Josh Katz's vocals are an acquired taste, but I think that most people should at least be able to connect lyrically with what he's saying. This song seems like it should come from a more experienced band, so it's impressive to see it coming from a fresh group. The song has a knack for nailing dynamics, being contemplative when it's fitting, and being explosive at just the right moments. I can't wait to see what Badflower brings to the table on future releases.
32. "Might Be Right"- White Reaper
Not much to say about this song, except that it's an alternative rock jam that sounds like it came right out the 90's. The nostalgia here is overwhelming, and White Reaper are a clearly very talented group. Check this one out for yourself; I promise you don't want to miss out.
31. "Am I Brave?"- Citizens
Citizens has always had a knack for making songs in the vein of the worship genre without them feeling cliched or forced, and "Am I Brave?" is no different. This song feels more personal than it does congregational, and I usually prefer that in worship centric songs. The song is very dynamic musically, starting out with electronics, but then starting to show off full band instruments later on down the line. The song has a real sense of weight with lead vocalist Zach Bolen asking himself if he's brave enough to acknowledge the dark parts of himself and actually change. This is the type of song that DESERVES play on Christian radio.
30. "Awful Ever After"- Hot Milk
Here's yet another new artist that is filled with undeniable talent. Don't let the band's odd name deter you: Hot Milk is a group that deserves to be watched. I think this band does the whole "two lead vocalists trading off" thing way better than a lot of other bands. Jim Shaw and Han Mee are both distinct vocalists that bring their own interesting flavors of singing to this song. It really works, and makes for a pop/punk song that gets your head banging effortlessly.
29. "4D"- Northlane
Northlane's album "Alien" is a decidedly unsettling release, and "4D" is an effective example of that. Marcus Bridge's screams on this song are piercing and brutal, and his clean vocals sound better than they ever have. This song is quite harrowing in its discussion of how a broken home has viscerally effected Bridge, which we can see in the simplistic but heart-wrenching lyrics "I have nothing, no silver lining/Just the guilt of surviving". Northlane continues to impress more and more with each new album they release, and this song is just on another level from them in every way.
28. "Another Mess"- Speech Patterns
I don't want to reveal too much about this song, because it's really an experience you need to have for yourself. Safe to say, though, this song sparked some emotions in me that not many tracks have the ability to do on first listen. I just need a full album from Speech Patterns as soon as possible, please.
27. "Black Light"- My Epic
Raw anger wells up on My Epic's "Black Light". This band is typically more indie and ethereal in sound (which is why I like them), but their venture into harder rock territory on this cut proves that they can do hard rock in a very interesting way. This doesn't sound like your typical hard rock cut, and you'll understand what I mean once you listen to this song. Truly masterful content from this band.
26. "Andromeda"- Weyes Blood
Art Pop and Country coming together on one song sounds like it shouldn't work in the slightest. But Weyes Blood just makes it happen to delightful effect. The key thing that makes this song work is its distinct atmosphere. It just feels like you're in this ambient, oceanic world, and it's a really cool feeling. Natalie's wistful vocals bring the emotion of this song home, especially as Natalie tells herself that she needs to be accepting of love when it is right in front of her.
25. "RICKY"- Denzel Curry
Denzel Curry just knows, better than some of his bigger contemporaries, how to deliver a certified rap banger. The beat here is absolutely flawless, and Curry is as confident as ever in his effortless and clever rhyme schemes. You can tell he's having a good time here, and because of that, you the listener can also have a great time. I like that besides the catchiness, the song has deeper stuff going on here in Curry showing love and appreciation for his dad who brought him to this point in his life. That makes the song even more earned in its upbeat nature.
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