Top 50 Best Songs of 2019: Part 2 (24-1)

By: James Southworth

Welcome to part two of my Top 50 Best Songs of 2019. We have many more songs to get through, so I'm not gonna waste any more time talking. Here we go!

24. "No Place Like Home"- Valiant Hearts ft. Johnny Craig and Marina 

This year was apparently a big one for me in discovering new bands with immense talent. Valiant Hearts is yet another one of these bands, with their debut record Odyssey being a record that it would talk most bands at least 3 albums to accomplish. There's so many great tracks on it, but "No Place Like Home" was what really awed me. This song is so accomplished in its musicality, with everyone in the band having tight chemistry. This song feels positively cathartic in many ways, and the lyrics are something else ("Tell the wolves I'm on their side/Roam the earth with me for life"). Featured vocalists Craig and Marina vibe super well with Thomas Bryne's gorgeous vocals. It's a track that really needs to be heard to believe.

23. "Red Pills"- Crown The Empire

It was a hard choice for me between "Red Pills" or "Under The Skin" getting this spot, but the former finally won out for me. There's several reasons why. First of all, this is the best Crown The Empire has sounded since "Rise of the Runaways". Second, CTE shows on this song perhaps the best synthesis of all the different genres they have attempted, from rock to pop to metal. This song combines all those genres very well, and it also helps that Any Leo is giving one of his career best vocals. And that breakdown in the song is to die for. The clever allusions to the Matrix films bring home the theme of trying to avoid the darkest parts of yourselves even in ultimately fruitless ways.

22. "Liquid"- Boston Manor ft. John Floreani

For as much as I loved "Broken Machine" off the band's last album, this is probably my favorite Boston Manor song at this point. It's a mainstream rock track in a lot of ways, but it's also way more innovative that anything else in the mainstream. I think what mainly puts it above other cuts like it is the dark, distinctive atmosphere it has. You can feel a foreboding sense of dread as the song keeps going. Henry Cox and John Floreani are a true match made in heaven, with Floreani's intense, raw vocals colliding with Henry's smoother, accented touches.

21. "Aimless Knight"- Kings Kaleidoscope

This song continues to prove that Kings Kaleidoscope is not only one of the most innovative worship bands out there right now, but also one of the best worship acts to ever exist. Yeah, I said it, and I don't regret saying it. This song does an expert job at feeling like it's paying tribute to classic hymn structure while also appealing to a modern day audience. It sounds like the hip/hop vocals from Chad Gardner shouldn't vibe well with the more classical orchestration backing up the song, but it just works. The way the song transitions between these two styles is delightful to the ears. The chorus is one of the most positively ethereal things I've heard all year. Just a beautiful cut that really does feel like God was working through it.

20. "Strangers"- Sigrid

This is by far one of my favorite pop songs of the year. Sigrid is a simply wonderful vocalist, with her unique voice giving her a real charm. Anytime I hear her sing, I get a smile on my face naturally just because she sounds optimistic.  Her debut album shows an artist that is sure to be innovating in the pop sphere. It's not always the case that the lead single of an album is my favorite cut from it, but this song was just too good. The electronic beat in it is so much fun, and Sigrid's vocal performance is nothing short of stunning. I also can't deny that I like the way the song talks realistically about relationships, how they are nothing like the most idealistic romance movies out there. The song is frank, and almost seems to be satirical, yet also sincere, in discussing an ill-fated relationship. Everything here makes for an immaculate pop cut.

19. "Bow Down"- I Prevail

From the moment the lyrics "Get on your knees and bow down" are uttered by Eric Vanlerberghe, I knew I was in for a real treat. I Prevail goes harder than they ever have on this track, and the results are delightful. The guitar work is throttling and in your face, the screams are pretty brutal for a mainstream metalcore track, the drumming is varied and creative, and the chorus is an absolute ear-worm. A big aspect of this song's high replay value is that chorus which is crafted to not get out of your head for days. I also love the song's subject matter about not selling out just to get fame (which is, unfortunately, a large contradiction to most of the album "TRAUMA"). The breakdown in this song should melt your face off. I haven't seen too many metalheads complaining about this one, so check it out for yourself.

18. "Vibrant"- Time, The Valuator

I was very worried about the fate of Time, The Valuator when I heard the tragic announcement that their stellar lead vocalist Phil Labonte was leaving the band. That seemed like such a quick turnaround, and Phil's vocals were already feeling like an unmistakable trademark on the band's masterful debut album. Then "Vibrant" came out, and all my worries were put to rest. Rafael Andronic is just as good as Labonte, and he seems like a pitch perfect new vocalist for the band's style. The song has all the stuff you loved from the band's debut, while also incorporating some new surprises. I am now very excited to see what the band will bring us in (hopefully) the next year.

17. "Nihilist Blues"- Bring Me The Horizon ft. Grimes

Bring Me The Horizon doing a dark synth-wave track was not something I ever thought I'd experience, but I'm now glad I did. While I found "Amo" to be a perplexing album, "Nihilist Blues" just clicked with me immediately. I respect BMTH immensely for just dedicating to this style and not cutting any corners. All the band members sound surprisingly confident; I appreciate the subtle incorporation of real guitars and drums to make the sound more organic feeling. The dark menace this song has makes it feel like a BMTH song in its own unique way. Grimes was a perfect choice for the featured vocalist, as her mysterious vocals add another level of depth to the track. This song really stuck with me throughout 2019, which is why it ranks so high.

16. "Reanimate"- Disciple

The fact this song didn't rank higher shows how stellar of a year 2019 was for music. This song is one of the most intense cuts Disciple has done in years, perhaps even coming close to their most intense release "Back Again". The heaviness is fitting for the song's subject matter, where Kevin Young goes in the perspective of Jesus, who says he will take on all of humanity's sins so that he can "reanimate innocence". The song portrays this message in a way that isn't cheesy or forced, and Disciple is one of the few bands who does such a good job of making theologically accurate lyrics relevant for the modern times. Kevin's voice is on point in this track, and the breakdown is to die for.  

15. "Close Enough"- Demon Hunter

Demon Hunter came back in a big way with their albums "War" and "Peace", but "Close Enough" was always going to be the song that was the best both albums had to offer. Man, is this song incredible. The guitar work in this song brings to mind 80's metal in a way; the guitar work here is just superb throughout. Ryan Clark is great as ever on vocals; you can tell he's having a really fun time on this song as he gets to show off some of the higher end of his vocal range. This is a rather rare occurrence for him. The chorus of this song is huge and powerful, and the breakdown here is among DH's best to date. This song fits right in with modern Demon Hunter, but also could've easily come out of their earlier albums. That's what makes this song so superb.

14. "Mad World"- Within Temptation

According to Spotify, this was one of my top five played songs of the year, and that does not surprise me. This song is just so... addicting. The combination of electronics and big guitars here works to incredible effect. That chorus is one of Within Temptation's best, especially in its final repetition when Sharon del Adel really shows off her range. With some vocalists, this could come across as obnoxious, but when you've got vocal chops like Sharon, why would you not show off? I also like the incorporation of the male vocals into this song, as it gives the song a unique edge. We are living in a mad world indeed, and Within Temptation are there to at least try and have fun with this fact. Thank goodness for that.

13. "Cross Off"- Mark Morton ft. Chester Bennington

People are still affected by the heartbreaking loss of Chester to this day, so it was a nice catharsis this year to get what is apparently his final recorded vocal performance. And wow, Mark Morton gave us quite a song to remember him by. This is easily one of Chester's most intense and harrowing performances to date, especially as he gets to show off some truly raw and emotional screams. You can feel Chester's sadness in this song; it's honestly tear jerking in a lot of ways. Morton does a great job of letting Chester take center stage, but Morton's talented guitar work shouldn't go unnoticed either. It's some supremely great riffing that really compliments what Bennington brings to the table. This song is perfectly executed, and a sore reminder of why Chester will be missed. 

12. "Bury A Friend"- Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish had a huge year, and deservedly so. I'm glad that she blew up, because she is actually pretty innovative in the pop sphere. There are a lot of pop artists who have tried to be dark and edgy, but Billie actually accomplishes doing this. It's mainly because she puts a satirical edge to her sound and lyrics, and combines that satire with some serious weight as well. It creates a combination that is convincing in every way. Billie's whispered vocals here feel quite unsettling in a cool way, and FINNEAS's dark synth production adds layers to this song. I love how this track could come right out a horror movie, with the usage of sounds like a razor and screams of terror bringing the horror home. The chorus here is oddly catchy, making this a song that will be hard to forget.

11. "Universal Truth"- Opeth

This just barely misses my top 10, but make no mistake: this track is wonderful, and it's a guarantee I will be trying to get into Opeth more in 2020. There's not many artists out there who can make such a multi-faceted song like this. The vocals here are something to behold, and the way the instruments evolve throughout the song is also incredible. This is one you need to witness for yourself.

10. "Echoes of You"- Marianas Trench

A pop album inspired by Edgar Allan Poe? Seems like a weird combination, but Marianas Trench makes it work. "Echoes of You" is pop to its core with some EDM inspirations, especially clear in the chorus. The song also creatively incorporates some classical music inspiration, using strings and a nearly operatic performance Josh Ramsay in the song's conclusion. There's even some gang vocals in part of the song, which clearly shows that all the band members are good singers, especially in creating some wonderful harmonies. This song uses "Tell-Tale Heart" for a pretty unique break-up song. The lyrics here are stellar, some of the best of the year. You can tell Marianas Trench are very literary, as the imagery here is clearly and beautifully constructed. I wasn't expecting this song to rank this high at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. 

9. "Red Summer"- Thornhill

Thornhill left quite the impression on me with their indescribably beautiful and intense debut "The Dark Pool". The song "Red Summer" does a superb job of exploring lead vocalist Jacob Charlston's struggles with depression. The song's dark imagery and symbolism is nothing short of poignant, and Charlston's impassioned vocals only serve to accentuate it even further.  This song is unlike a lot of djent/metalcore tracks I've ever heard. It's a really unique hybrid of both, and even brings in some progressive elements to put this song on another level. This song ended up making me tear up at the end, as it reaches this incredibly emotional climax that is on another level. And then the explosion happens, and it's incredible. Don't miss out on this band.

8. "7empest"- TOOL

TOOL made their much anticipated comeback this year, and what a comeback it was. "Fear Inoculum" is a superb release. Like probably a lot of people, my favorite track from the song is the nearly sixteen-minute long "7empest". It is a tough job to keep a listener engaged for this amount of time, but TOOL is one of the few bands who can do that consistently. This song is pretty intense, and I always love the band's more metal-leaning tracks. Maynard is singing/screaming out lyrical venom, and it's awesome to hear. He has a lot on his mind here, and he isn't afraid to let everyone know it over some unbelievably masterful instrumentation.

7. "Solway Firth"- Slipknot

I think this might be Corey Taylor's most honest song to date about his mental health, which makes it an important listen. This song is "Iowa" levels of intense, with some of the most memorable guitar work I've heard all year long. Corey Taylor goes off in this song about how depression has effected him, and it can be a little tough to hear him say "Wanna see a real smile?/I haven't smiled in years". But the song is thematically important as it breaks down stereotypes surrounding mental health and calls out people who treat him as inhuman just because he has a mental disorder. A song like this is probably needed desperately within the metal community. All the band is firing on all cylinders; this song is easily one of their top 10 best in my opinion. This song proves that Slipknot are still one of the modern metal greats.

6. "The Evening Hate"- RED

RED going independent is the best decision they could've made, and "The Evening Hate" is clear evidence of that. I like that this song is pretty much taking from "Of Beauty and Rage", which is a good thing because that is the band's best album. The song begins with some menacing electronics and then goes into an absolutely crushing guitar riff. Michael Barnes's vocals brought a big grin to my face; as usual, his vocals are able to perfectly transition from gorgeous to crushing. This song might seem minimalist from a lyrical standpoint on first glance, but I would beg for you to study them further. The almost suffocating atmosphere this song has isn't something I see too often in rock tracks. You feel like you're in this apocalyptic world, and it's pretty awesome. Also, strings are back again. All of this makes "The Evening Hate" one of my favorite RED tracks to date.

5.  "Face To Face"- Wolves At The Gate

Wolves At The Gate is one of the few bands that only gets better with each album they release. It will be really tough for them to top "Eclipse"; the whole album is superb and shows the band at the top of their game. "Face To Face" is unlike anything the band has ever made before, really leaning more into a hard rock style. I really think the band nails it, and when screams are incorporated, they only bring the song home that much more. The spoken word segment in this song is also a wonderful choice; it's compelling rather than cheesy. And man, does this song have one of the band's best bridges. The way this song builds to its emotional apex is beautiful. The band still cares about great lyricism, as they discuss in powerful detail how they needed to die to themselves so they can be faithful to God. It's beautifully realized and really brought up powerful emotions in me.

4. "Hypersonic Missiles"- Sam Fender

Sam Fender's "Hypersonic Missiles" has a lot of classic rock sensibilities, but is clearly geared towards the millennial generation, as Fender is a millennial himself. The lyrics here are beyond clever to me. This song frames our modern-day world as a dystopian landscape nearing an apocalyptic end, which is probably more accurate than most of us would like to admit. Fender is cynical and optimistic at the same time. How is this possible? Well, Fender discusses the end of the world with darkly satirical acceptance, but he also talks about this relationship he has with a girl and how he still will love her even in the midst of the world imploding on itself. I love how these two seemingly disparate aspects come together to make a truly unique song. The guitars here are blissful to the ears, and Fender's vocal performance is just astounding. What puts this song over the moon for me is the saxophone that appears; I think a saxophone solo being in a rock song might be my favorite musical occurrence at this point. This song is epic and relatable, dark and optimistic, bleak and hopeful. Pretty much the embodiment of what the year 2019 needed. What a wonderful song.

3. "I've Seen It All"- While She Sleeps

At this point, While She Sleeps has entered my top five favorite bands. There aren't too many artists out there I listen to where I personally believe they have two 5/5 albums. WSS is one of those rare few. Their sound is absolutely addicting to me, so it was hard to choose the best from "So What?". But "I've Seen It All" really does embody everything I love about said album. The way the song works perfectly as both a metalcore song and a rock song is pretty ingenious. I think it has the cross over appeal for both audiences. The song gets you right from the start with those awesome gang vocals that lead into this guitar riff that just blows your face off. It's just incredible how ingenious of guitarists Sean Long and Matt Welsh are. They've created their own riffs so well that you just know when you're listening to a WSS song. Lyrically, this song feels pretty relevant to a politically cynical America. Lawrence Taylor considers that maybe we're all insignificant in the vast scheme of things. And yet, the song doesn't give up hope, saying that maybe we can find happiness in ourselves rather than searching for it in other places. The song is the delightful mix of biting and comforting that While She Sleeps just somehow nails so well.

2. "Garden In The Bones"- Periphery

Periphery evolved their sound to a whole new level with "Garden In The Bones". I've tried to avoid listening to this song too much throughout the year, as I don't want its 'special' factor to wear off of me. There's just something special hear in every moment of this song's nearly six-minute run-time. Probably the most primary is Spencer Stotelo's INCREDIBLE singing. I don't think Stotelo gets enough credit in the metal scene for his singing abilities, and this song undoubtedly proves that. His vocal range in this song never fails to take my breath away. The chorus of this song sees him going to some real emotional heights, paired with some really interesting religious lyrics. The song doesn't necessarily adapt to any particular religion, but rather a sort of universal, religious, theatricality. It seems like something that shouldn't work, but of course Periphery are the type of band to make even the weirdest of concepts work. You've got plenty of classic Periphery flares in the song as well: the djenty guitar riffs, an earth-shattering breakdown, and some really creative progressive elements. The song just takes all these elements and puts them on a new level. In fact, I'm gonna say it now: this is my favorite Periphery song of all time. Bold statement, I know, but I'm sticking with it. Please check this cut out if you haven't.

1. "Sleeptalk"- Dayseeker

From the first time I heard this song I knew it was going to have a place on my list. The more I heard it, the more I knew that it was gonna end up topping my list. Talk about an emotional wrecking ball. This song is heartbreaking in every moment, and yet manages to be criminally catchy in the process. Rory Rodriguez's cleans here have an alternately pop and hard rock styling to them, which makes the song able to effortlessly shift between both styles. The verses of the song definitely have a bit more of a pop vibe to them with the incorporation of electronics and subtle guitar work, and the chorus is appropriately a lot more intense. Lyrically, this is probably one of the best breakup songs I've heard. The song depicts this relationship that was pretty much doomed to fail from the beginning, and yet it continues in toxic fashion. Rory poignantly describes it as a "three year one-night stand". This song has a profound sense of tragedy further highlighted because of how Rory realizes he was significantly to blame for the relationship's inevitable deterioration: "I play the victim, like it's tradition
Now I can see that I should have left you alone...The truth is, I am just a disease". The chorus of the song brings alcoholism into the mix, which only makes the consequences of this relationship feel all the more fully realized. Oh, did I mention the song was catchy? Because it really is. It's beautifully penned, tells a powerful story, all the band members have impeccable chemistry, and raw emotion bleeds out in every moment. What more could you ask for? This is a masterwork of a song, and I could see it making my favorite songs of all time in the future!

Those were my Top 50 Best Songs of 2019. What were some of your favorite songs of the year? Be on the lookout for my next list: The Top 10 Worst Movies of 2019!