Albums of 2019
The records from 2019 that made our lists.
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1DesignerAldous Harding
Designer
A spare, idiosyncratic art-folk peak. Singular and acclaimed. A high point.
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2VenturaAnderson .Paak
Ventura
A warm, soulful companion to Oxnard. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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3All MirrorsAngel Olsen
All Mirrors
A dramatic, orchestral art-rock peak of swelling emotion. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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4thank u, nextAriana Grande
thank u, next
A quick, candid R&B-pop record of heartbreak and resilience, effortless and warm. Confident and beloved. A peak of her run.
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5U.F.O.F.Big Thief
U.F.O.F.
A hushed, mysterious indie-folk peak of intimate beauty. Singular and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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6Two HandsBig Thief
Two Hands
A raw, earthy companion to U.F.O.F. of live-band intimacy. Powerful and acclaimed. A standout.
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7When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?Billie Eilish
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
A whispered, bass-heavy bedroom-pop debut that redefined teen pop, dark and intimate. Distinctive and enormous. A generational record.
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8CharliCharli XCX
Charli
A forward-thinking pop record of hyperpop edge and guests. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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9KingfishChristone "Kingfish" Ingram
Kingfish
A dazzling young-gun blues debut of soulful guitar and voice. Vital and acclaimed. A modern blues breakthrough.
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10Case Study 01Daniel Caesar
Case Study 01
A lush, adventurous follow-up to Freudian. Smooth and acclaimed. A creative step.
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11PsychodramaDave
Psychodrama
A cinematic, deeply personal UK rap debut framed as therapy sessions. Powerful and acclaimed. A landmark British record.
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12Hot PinkDoja Cat
Hot Pink
A playful, genre-hopping pop-R&B peak, home to 'Say So'. Fun and big. A breakthrough.
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13MagdaleneFKA twigs
Magdalene
A bold, art-pop peak of heartbreak and reinvention. Adventurous and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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14CrushFloating Points
Crush
A sharp, dancefloor-leaning peak of textured electronics. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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15DogrelFontaines D.C.
Dogrel
A vivid, literate post-punk debut of Dublin energy. Sharp and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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16BandanaFreddie Gibbs & Madlib
Bandana
A dazzling sequel of intricate flows and beat-switching production. Sharp and acclaimed. A modern classic.
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17Fine LineHarry Styles
Fine Line
A warm, retro-leaning pop-rock record that established Styles as a solo force, anchored by 'Watermelon Sugar'. Sunny and assured. His breakthrough.
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18BubbaKAYTRANADA
Bubba
A funky, danceable peak of crisp house and soul. Groovy and Grammy-winning. A high point.
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19Norman Fucking Rockwell!Lana Del Rey
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
A lush, literate Americana-pop peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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20Grey AreaLittle Simz
Grey Area
A sharp, soulful UK-rap breakthrough. Tough and acclaimed. A high point.
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21Cuz I Love YouLizzo
Cuz I Love You
A brassy, joyful pop-soul peak, home to 'Juice'. Bold and huge. A breakthrough.
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22GhosteenNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Ghosteen
An ambient, grief-soaked double album of transcendent sorrow. Beautiful and acclaimed. A late masterpiece.
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23When I Get HomeSolange
When I Get Home
A hazy, experimental art-soul peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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24LoverTaylor Swift
Lover
A bright, romantic pop record of warmth and color. Tuneful and big. A commercial high.
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25Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep MysteryThe Comet Is Coming
Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
A propulsive, cosmic jazz-electronic peak. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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26Fear InoculumTool
Fear Inoculum
A sprawling, hypnotic late peak of long progressive epics. Immersive and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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27Country SquireTyler Childers
Country Squire
A vivid, traditional-leaning peak of Appalachian storytelling. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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28IgorTyler, the Creator
Igor
A bold, genre-blurring break-up record of synths, soul and falsetto, far from his early shock-rap. Inventive and award-winning. His masterpiece.
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29Father of the BrideVampire Weekend
Father of the Bride
A sprawling, sunny double album of eclectic pop craft. Warm and Grammy-winning. A creative peak.
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30Titanic RisingWeyes Blood
Titanic Rising
A gorgeous, orchestral chamber-pop record of climate dread and longing. Lush and acclaimed. A modern folk-pop high point.