Numerous artists released tracks in 2019, as evidenced by my list of 100 favorite tracks for 2019 in an earlier post. Relatively few artists in that list, however, released EPs or full albums, settling for releasing one or more singles instead. In creating my list of top albums for 2019, I’m considering compilations of five or more tracks released during the year, even if some of the tracks from the compilation were released in an earlier year. Under these conditions, a couple of EPs make it onto my list.
Like those depicted in the image gracing the top of this post, several EPs and full albums released in 2019 had a few cool songs, but the remainder of the album didn’t grab me as much. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? by Billie Eilish was one such album. I love listening to the tracks Bad Guy and Bury a Friend, but rarely play the full album. It’s similar for the full album Lover by Taylor Swift, containing the track You Need to Calm Down, which I adore, but isn’t enough to carry the whole album onto my top five list. It was the same thing for the album Love + Fear from Marina, who used to be Marina & the Diamonds. Who knows why she changed her name, but I also found her style quite different, making it difficult for me to connect with the new album, sadly. I was glad that Lana Del Rey released a new album, but I had a difficult time getting into more than a few tracks on it, too. The new Ringo Starr album got my attention, but I only really jived with four of the ten tracks. So, which 2019 EPs and full albums did impress me as collections? Here are my top five.
5. Solutions – K. Flay
My most played artist in 2019 was K. Flay, but part of the reason for that was my late discovery of her track Blood in the Cut from 2017. I’d heard some of her other music before 2017 and was impressed, but didn’t follow her closely enough afterward. That was remedied in 2019, with her release of the ten-track album, Solutions. Early tracks on the album include Bad Vibes and This Baby Don’t Cry, my two favorites. While those two tracks got most of my play time from the album, I hearted six of the ten tracks on last.fm, which is more tracks than I hearted for nearly every other full album released in 2019, the exceptions being the other full albums making it onto this list.
4. In the Belfry – Batfarm
I am a long-time fan of Alexx Calise, really dig her distinctive voice, and love all her solo albums. Recently she’s been doing more collaborating, such as she did for the single, Rise, with Sensitive Robot, one of my favorite songs of 2019. She has also teamed with Dennis Morehouse, a percussionist who’s performed with a whole slew of bands. Together, Alexx and Dennis formed Batfarm, and this year Batfarm released their first EP, composed of six tracks, all of which I love, in the genre they refer to as darkedelic. If darkness is your thing, check out In the Belfry. You can read more of my thoughts on the EP and the band in my review of In the Belfry by Batfarm on Amazon (not an affiliate link).
3. Fire on Marzz – Benee
Released mid-2019, the EP Fire on Marzz by quirky New Zealand resident Benee consists of six tracks, each of which I enjoy listening to on its own merits. It’s hard to pick a favorite track from the EP, although Soaked received the most play time from me by a small margin. Most of the time when playing any song from this EP, it was because I was playing the full EP. Her style reminds me of early Marina & the Diamonds. Since I miss that style and the new Marina isn’t it anymore, I found myself listening to Benee instead. Don’t get me wrong. Benee isn’t Marina. It’s just there are qualities in Benee’s performances that stimulate the same neurons in my nucleus accumbens the way Marina’s early songs do.
2. People Change – machineheart
My favorite singer to come out of American Idol didn’t even make it into the top 20 when she competed during season five. I love the voice of this singer better than that of Kelly Clarkson, Katharine McPhee, or even Carrie Underwood or Chris Daughtry. I was enchanted with Stevie Scott on first listen. With training in opera, Stevie can belt out rock songs like any seasoned pro. It’s a shame the American Idol audience didn’t give her more of a chance based on her performances prior to the night she was eliminated, when she was sick and unable to do her best.
After American Idol, Stevie tried to go solo. Her releases enthralled me, but didn’t get great traction with the general public. Then she joined the fellows in the group machineheart, and her talents really began to shine. The rock style of the band complements Stevie’s voice like Mountain Dew with Oreos. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. The songs of machineheart are simultaneously jolt and sweetness. After a few early EPs, the band finally released a full album of eleven tracks in 2019, and I was so ready for it. Some of the tracks on the album were released in 2018, but the album was a 2019 release, and I’m proud to place it on my top five list for the year. I was tempted to place it at number one. I consider People Change by machineheart the best alternative rock album of the year.
1. Dedicated – Carly Rae Jepsen
I enjoyed the upbeat pop sound of Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen released back in 2012. I’ve not found her other offerings memorable since then. Perhaps it was the hair. All that changed with her 2019 release of Dedicated. Every one of the fifteen tracks on the album is a joy to listen to and of a quality becoming a single. I played this full album in its entirety during 2019 more than any other full album, which is reason enough for me to move it to the top spot on my list of five favorite albums for the year. If you love pop music and haven’t listened to the full album yet, I encourage you to do so. I consider Dedicated by Carly Rae Jepsen the best pop album of 2019.
That’s It!
I’m looking forward to hearing some great EPs and albums in 2020. I’m especially eager to hear the new album from Grimes, which is slated for release early in the year. Here’s to all the EPs and albums we’ve yet to discover in the year ahead.