Wednesday, June 19, 2019

My Favorite Albums of 2019...So Far

In full disclosure, 2019 has been a slow musical year for me. There has been some very good music released, but personally there have only been few albums that I've locked onto. Fingers crossed that this trend changes over the second half of the year, but until then, here's my favorites of 2019.

Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride 



This is a fun double album. Double albums are sometimes tricky, but I think Vampire Weekend were able to pull off a very interesting album that is both poppy and reflective. It showcases the "new" sound of the band since the departure of Rostam Batmanglij. However, this is definitely worth your time to check out.

Andrew Bird: My Finest Work Yet



I really like this album. I find Andrew Bird's music to be incredibly interesting. There's this real artistic sense to it, that very few artists have. The combination of modern indie rock and classical create a sound that is unlike most modern music.  And this album may be his finest work yet.

The National: I am Easy to Find



Holy cow! Have the National been on a role as of yet. The follow up to 'Sleep Well Beast' may be their most ambitious record yet. The incorporation of guest vocalists on the album had a wonderful quality to the music. In fact this album, may be my favorite album by The National.

Esperanza Spalding: 12 Little Spells



I feel somewhat guilty putting this album on my 2019 list. It was technically released in late 2018, but it wasn't physically released until May 2019. So I'm one of those weird people who believe that an album isn't officially released until it is released on physical media. Anyways, this album is great. Spalding is exploring the physical sensations of the human body. It's wonderful, and is another fine example of how she is growing into an important voice of modern music.

Rhiannon Giddens: There is No Other



It's difficult for me to put into words how much this album has touched me. I first heard it on a "First Listen" stream from NPR, and I've been hooked ever since. Giddens has an incredible sound. She incorporates American roots, Arabica beats, and Eastern European folk all into this unique sound that demands your attention. I really love it, and I need to further explore her discography. If you are only going to listen to one album from this list, this is the one to listen to. 

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