Top 5 Songs Of 2019 (So Far)

Well Insighters here we are, one month away from reaching the second half of 2019! And with half the musical year almost completely rolled-out, I thought it’d be fun to use this #FiveOnFriday post to reflect on my favorites thus far.

So today’s countdown will consist solely of the songs from 2019 which I consider to be sonically superior, lyrically enthralling, and downright catchy.

And albeit off to a sloven start, 2019 has still managed to produce some rather captivating bodies of work. There’s substance, there’s flash, and there’s artistry lining these top 5 picks. Personally, I see them all as real contenders for my Year End Countdown, where I’ll be ranking my Top 15 songs of 2019 over the span of 3 posts.

But for today, we’re focusing on these 5 quality tracks. Undoubtedly, each of these songs have grown a special place in the black abyss of nothingness I call my heart. And so, all opinions for this countdown are solely my own. Thus, if your favorite didn’t make the cut for me, at least it made your own perosnal Top 5.

Bearing in mind my personal, musical biases, let’s get this countdown started! Insighters, I present to you the Top 5 Songs Of 2019 (So Far).

NUMBER-FIVE [5]

Sharon Van Etten – Seventeen

Now, I will admit that I did not know of Sharon Van Ettan’s existence prior to hearing this song (I know, shame on me). Notwithstanding, I’ve been meaning to really delve deeper into her discography as time presses on. This track alone compels me enough to want to do so with its hauntingly beautiful and striking composition.

‘Seventeen’ finds Sharon reflecting on her adolescent years in New York City, finding herself and experiencing life as it happens so abruptly. Throughout the track, she’s reaching out to her lost 17-year-old self, yearning to ensure her that she will (in time) blossom into a wholesome human-being.

And let me just put it out there and say that I love the way she pines on the bridge. “You’ll crumble it up just to see/ Afraid that you’ll be just like me”. There’s power and agony coursing the veins of her vocals, further highlighted by a smoky, eerie production. It’s one of those moments you either really detest or fall madly in love with. And happily so, I chose the latter.

All in all, this track sets the stage for reminiscence while providing a joyed sense of hope regarding your future, despite currently feeling lost at any given “Downtown hotspot”.

NUMBER-FOUR [4]

Wallows – What You Like

Song-after-song, the band Wallows is increasingly becoming one of my favorite musical acts. And with this stellar cut from their recently-released, debut album ‘Nothing Happens’, who can really blame me? Like much of the album, ‘What You Like’ offers old-school flavors while still giving consumers a contemporary feel.

The lyrics are simple yet resonating, making for an easy listen the first go-round. Furthermore, they convey a sense of regret the persona is feeling over losing a lover he took for granted and never actually listened to. It’s kind of a classic case of “give me another chance and I swear I’ll treat you right this time”.

Hence the swooning chorus, “Go ahead, tell me now, what you like/ Maybe this time I’ll listen”. But what I found extremely engaging about this part were the swelling synthesizers that literally pull you into the magic of this song. Plus, the kickass guitar rifts, bass lines, and steady drums work harmoniously throughout the track’s brevity.

Altogether, this song offers a simply mellow feel; but it’s certainly interesting enough to keep you coming back for more listens. And it’s one of my personal faves of 2019!

NUMBER-THREE [3]

Lizzo – Juice

2019 for me has definitely been the year for discovering incredible artists. Equally, it’s been an incredible year for Singer, Rapper, and Flutist Lizzo. And it all started here with the personality-charged, swag-oozing ‘Juice’. For starters, this track has a very vintage sound to it. In fact, the opening for whatever reason reminds me of the opening to ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ by Cyndi Lauper.

However, the first few lines take me out of this comparison as I begin to better understand the self-empowering intentions of the song, “Mirror, mirror on the wall/ Don’t say it ’cause I know I’m cute (Ooh, baby)”. Suddenly, you find yourself bobbing to morr of the braggadocios lyrics that follow.

Luckily, the disco-like flavors of the song showcase the lyrics in a palatable light. My favorite part sounds off on the pre-chorus, “If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine (Yeah, I’m goals)/ I was born like this, don’t even gotta try (Now you know). I just found it so relatable, like why try and dim someone else’s light when we all can win? (*Kanye shrug*)

Overall, ‘Juice’ provides a feel-good sensation from start to finish; it’s a confident-booster and anthem of self-love. Furthermore, it introduced me to the musical stylings of Lizzo.

NUMBER-TWO [2]

Sigrid – Don’t Feel Like Crying

Being my favorite genre, I was really yearning for some great Pop music this year. Hence, I sent up some prayers to the universe, and the Pop gods answered with this cut from Norwegian Singer-Songwriter, Sigrid. ‘Don’t Feel Like Crying’ popped-up in my YouTube recommendations and it was love at first listen.

Admittingly, this was the first thing I’ve ever heard from Sigrid and this track was enough to convince me to listen and review her debut album ‘Sucker Punch’. (Which by the way, is seriously impressive for a debut). The dancy, euphoric sonics of the track sharply contrast the morbidity lining the lyrics.

Sigird is saying no to crying over a love too soon a tragedy; she’s placing her emotions on hold and dancing herself numb. “At least tonight, no, I don’t feel like crying”, she muses beautifully as her vocals elevate the song to another level of remarkableness.

And I absolutely adore her opting to talk during the post chorus – “It hasn’t hit me yet (Ooh)/ And I know if I go home I’m gonna get upset, yeah”. Now realizing her emotions can only be repressed for so long, she anticipates the imminent breakdown. Something I find so painfully relatable. Conclusively, this song is an excellent, cathartic listen with ton of replay value. So by all means, enjoy dancing and not crying.

**HONORABLE MENTIONS**

• Tame Impala – Patience
• Billie Eilish – When The Party’s Over
• J Cole – Middle Child
• Lil Nas X – Old Town Road ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
• Lauren Jauregi – More Than That

*NUMBER-ONE [1]

Solange – Almeda ft. The Game & Playboi Carti

Once again, I will be upfront and say that I am one those individuals who did not necessarily take a liking to Solange’s recent release ‘When I Get Home’. It was my first time fully listening to a Solange project and it left me feeling more so tired than impressed. However, some tracks from said body of work still managed to grow on me.

And personally, I feel ‘Almeda’ is hands-down the best the album had to offer. I literally melt into the melody and sonic landscape of this track with each listen. It’s ambient, light, ethereal, and filling. It’s pretty much musical manna for the soul.

Taking time to reflect on Black pride, Solange lists throughout the track features and landmarks exclusively indigenous to the Black race. She crows softly, “Brown leaves, brown keys/ Brown creepers, brown face/ Black skin, black braids/ Black waves, black days/ Black baes, black things/ These are black-owned things”. Soon enough, her words become a chant, an encantation that radiates empowerment, joy, knowledge, and heritage.

The Dream’s blissful vocal contributions paid off, adding to serene vibes of the track. Likewise, Playboi Carti’s verses got my head bobbing and played well into the song’s experimental mannerisms – “All black coupe (Holup, yeah)/ Now I want you (Holup, yeah)”. Ultimately, even after all that Florida Water, this remains one of the best songs of 2019 so far!

Did you enjoy today’s countdown? Which songs are in your Top 5 for 2019? Let me know in the comment section below.

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