This year marks the first time that some end-of-year favorite albums were enjoyed on streaming platforms only. That probably tells you all you need to know about my old-man embrace of the contemporary listening experience.
Cate Le Bon – Reward
The daffy “it girl” from Wales finally recorded an album with deep emotional resonance, and the effect was as impressive as I could have hoped for.
Helado Negro – This is How You Smile
In the brutal year of 2019, it was very, very hard to resist the easy-listening charms of this 1.5-gen musician.
Waste of Space Orchestra – Syntheosis
This Tampere, Finland supergroup created an album that teases a musical future that, in its finest moments, extreme metal has always promised.
Hand Habits – Placeholder
Lonesome, country-flecked indie rock need never die.
The Dream Syndicate – These Times
I’m stunned that this is the best album these Paisley Underground legends have recorded since 1985.
Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury
The sound of 1970s boogie-rockers exploring 1980s synth-and-gated-drums production values has always intrigued me. Throw in Simpson’s thick drawl and album-length anime video, and I’m in.
Raphael Saadiq – Jimmy Lee
Another fantastic solo album from the former Tony! Toni! Toné! Frontman. (Now reunite Lucy Pearl!)
Big ‡ Brave – A Gaze Among Them
Montreal always holds the flag for dramatic, goth-y rock. This minimalist trio upholds the city’s tradition with a pounding, cavernous sound.
Purple Mountains – Purple Mountains
R.I.P. David Berman.
https://youtu.be/SGCJ_aUHdu4
Steve Gunn – The Unseen In Between
Because I’m a sad dad, right?
Blacks’ Myths – II
Scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. Experimental album of the year.
Blacks’ Myths II by Blacks’ Myths
Kim Gordon – No Home Record
But of course, we should’ve known she’d turn out the best post-Sonic Youth album.
Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
Yeah, I gave in.
Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Far her left-field beginnings, Natalie Mering finally honed her soft-rock aesthetic to perfection.
Oceans of the Moon – Oceans of the Moon
Dude from Six Finger Satellite formed a new group and successfully revived their deathless synth-punk sound.
Unloved – Heartbreak
90s electronica that swipes that Swinging London vibe need never die.
Black Mountain – Destroyer
I miss Amber Webber and Joshua Wells (whose latest album as Lightning Dust was quite worthy), but the reconstituted Black Mountain hardly missed a sinister boogie-rock beat.
BONUS METAL
At age 51, I listened to more metal than ever before. Some world, huh? I’d sound ridiculous if I tried to parse all the sub-genre classifications here.
Blut Aus Nord – Hallucinogen
Dreadnought – Emergence
Gygax – High Fantasy
https://youtu.be/weS2w3nFUu4
High Command – Beyond the Wall of Desolation
Obsequiae – The Palms of Sorrowed Kings
SUNN 0))) – Life Metal
Teitanblood – The Baneful Choir
Toxic Holocaust – Primal Future: 2019
Zaum – Divination