I am going to venture that the albums I listened to and loved the most in 2019 were both holdovers from last year: Shawn Mendes and A Star is Born. However, 2019 did have it's own sonic delights to offer, even if many of them seemed closer to EP length than LP length.
For Tuxedo, the third time is definitely the charm. With Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One as the brains behind the funktastic magic that is Tuxedo, it's really no surprise that each new album is better than the last, but they've truly exceeded themselves on Tuxedo III with songs like "On a Good One", "If U Want It", "Extra Texture", "You & Me", and "Vibrations." The only bad thing about this album is that it's way too short, so I have to give it at least two spins every time I listen to it.
Lexicon picks up where Echoes (a timeless classic) left off in 2011. Every single track on this album is excellent, but it my tradition to call out highlights, so if you need a taste before committing, check out "Scars", "Ground Running", "Dreaming Big", "Forever". Get your disco lights and your vodka & soda ready because this album is serving up a big mood of drowning your sorrows at the club and dancing through the pain, in the best way possible.
Thomas Rhett has given us another breezy, festive album full of summer vibes and a variety of genres that align more closely with Pop than County. "Look What God Gave Her" and "VHS" are lighthearted, dance-y jams; "Up" and "Almost" offer folksy life advice; "Sand" and "Barefoot" take the listeners straight to the beach. Center Point Road is an easy album to listen to, whether you're in a good mood or need a bit of cheering up.
Amidst The Chaos is packed with a creatively diverse selection of thoughtfully written songs. Taking the album as a whole, I get a lot of Carly Simon and Ben Taylor vibes from the deep, folky lyrics presented over lush orchestrations. The Carly vibes are strongest on "Orpheus", and not just because Carly has a song of that same title, but also because of the lullaby quality of a songstress singing to her muse / lost love. Another standout is "Poetry By Dead Men", which sounds like what would happen if Francis and The Lights had written a song for Waitress the musical. Meanwhile, "If I Can't Have You" has a great 60s girl group / Dusty Springfield feel, "Wicked Love" serves strong Rufus Wainwright vibes, and "Fire" is a passionate, empowering breakup song. It's exciting to connect with an album by a female artist who is only a few years older than me, and to be reminded by that one album of so many musical influences that have shaped my own life.
A beautiful piano instrumental album that evokes cozy firesides, without being explicitly Christmas-y. Winter Stories creates a mellow soundscape for comfy nights on the sofa during long nights in cold weather.
This album is a big mood with even bigger horns and plenty of boogie-woogie piano, bringing to mind a mash-up of Chicago, Todd Rundgren, KC & The Sunshine Band, the Bee Gees, and Elton John circa Honky Chateau and Madman Across The Water. Highlights include "These Are The Days" (those background "Ahhhhhs" are spectacular), "Changes", "Lauren", and "Can't Live Without Your Love". Staying true to the 70s vibe, Changes clocks in at a lean 36 minutes, keeping me wanting more!
What is not to love about an album that includes Weezer's covers of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", "Take on Me", "No Scrubs", and "Billy Jean" – along with five other classic pop hits? There is nothing not to love, and Weezer puts a unique spin on each song that shows just how indelible these hits are.
This is a lovely instrumental album that showcases Jon McLaughlin's prowess as a piano player. The whole album has a wonderful clarity, and it's suitable for either relaxing or focusing. It's only fault is that it's a mere 26 minutes long.
This was an impulse purchase at Target based only on the fact that Lukas Nelson was heavily involved in the music for A Star Is Born, the soundtrack for which probably should have been at number three on my best of 2018 list (instead of at number six) since it has become one of my go-to albums of the past year. My instincts steered me well, as Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) is a delightful album that spans multiple genres. "Bad Case" kicks things off with strong Tom Petty vibes; "Save a Little Heartache" is playfully bluesy; "Stars Made of You" is beautifully dreamy with electro undertones; and "Speak the Truth" combines blues, rock, and gospel into one driving track. In between, there are plenty of wonderful, Blues / Country / Folk / Rock tunes with thoughtful lyrics, much like a certain soundtrack that I happen to love.
I am a total sucker for Jesse Rice's Trop-rock albums, and this latest installment of The Pirate Sessions doesn't disappoint. Like the other Pirate Sessions albums, this one balances up-tempo numbers with contemplative ballads. Highlights include "Next Tradewind", "Boca Ciega", "AmeriCaribbean", "Hammock in Havana", and "Golden Isles". All the songs have wonderful melodies that conjure up sunny beaches, hammocks, palm trees, and frosty drinks. Rice channels the best of Jimmy Buffett and the tropical side of Kenny Chesney, while ensuring his own point of view comes across in each and every song.
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