erikb

My best songs of 2019. The top 3-5 songs are probably in right order but it quickly becomes more a collection of great tracks and less in any specific order.

1. Savannah Cristina Rebound
   A slow beat on repeat, about a relationship lost to another woman and how to bounce back.
2. Lolo Zouai High hights to low lows
   A new refreshing sound from this French-Algerian singer-songwriter, perhaps it's the mix of the Amercan and European roots coming through, bittersweet dreamy pop and r&b with vocals in two languages, been on heavy rotation at home, also check out the track Chevy Impala.
3. Moss Kena Nothing breaks like a heart (live acoustic)
   A cover of the Mark Ronson/Miley Cyrus song and imho far better than the original, the new Sam Smith?
4. Maverick Sabre w/Chronixx Her grace
   A potent voice, modern british soul, absolutely heart-breaking story of abuse and unseen tears, gets me every time.
5. Apparat Caronte
   Love the voice of Sasha Ring in this beautiful orchestral piece, this is the modern electronic club sound of Berlin (at least for me), also check out the track Dawan.
6. Tove Lo w/Kylie Minogue Really don't like you
   Tove is Sweden's main pop star now, the A-game collaboration with Kylie shows, catchy electro pop.
7. Zedd & Kehlani Good thing
   Celebrating self-love, "I have everything I need", a song embracing the single life, you need no one else to live your life.
8. Iman Omari Turmoil
   Soul mixed with hiphop, a good vibe, silk for you ears.
9. SiR w/Kadhja Bonet New sky
   One of the year's best albums, full of solid vocals, love the visuals for this mellow track.
10. H.E.R. Be on my way
    Relationship status: it is complicated.
11. Jhene Aiko Triggered (freestyle)
    A storyteller, most tracks are like small concept scripts for a short film.
12. James Blake w/Moses Sumney Tell them
    A big track that should be on all "best of" lists (but isn't), Sumney's voice suits the quirky production perfectly.
13. Summer Walker w/Drake Girls need love
    
14. Grimes Violence
    Always very artistic but this one is slightly more accessible, I like one of the video comments: Billie Ellish - I am the new futuristic wave! Grimes - hold my long sword.
15. Babé Sila Maire
    It's all about the voice
16. Shawn Mendez & Camila Cabello Senorita
    A pop song goes a long way, seems lightweight but is a bit grown up, like Cabello's line "You say we are just friends, but friends don't know the way you taste".
17. DRAM w/H.E.R. & WATT The lay down
    More bedroom stuff, a big production and nice vocals
18. Lil Nas X w/Billy Ray Cyrus Old town road
    "Old Town Road by Lil Nas X does not currently merit inclusion on Billboard's country charts. When determining genres, a few factors are examined, but first and foremost is a musical composition. While Old Town Road incorporates references to country and cowboy imagery, it does not embrace enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version."
19. Niia Face
    I like her more and more, there is something dark about the sound that I find interesting
20. Pomplamoose w/Ali Spagnola, Malinda, Jon Cozart Beautiful people
    They had so many excellent covers this year (original by Ed Sheeran).
21. Lizzo Juice
    Big personality, bit hit. I like the confidence.
22. Sampa the great Final form
    The track of the year, according to Gilles Peterson. Obviously a big track, big production and one to play a long time.
23. Mabel OK (Anxiety anthem)
    A strong portfolio of songs, impressive
24. James Blake w/Travis Scott Mile high
    Fun to see how popular Blake is with hiphop artists
25. David Guetta w/Raye Stay
    I'm weak for this kind of club tracks
26. Apparat Heroist
    The dark electronica, the sound of Berlin
27. The Weeknd Heartless
    What used to be an endless and real hangover is now more of a show (I'm guessing), maybe it's sad but I like he's back to this kind of songs about drugs and the low life.
28. Billie Elish Bad guy
    Duh.
29. Ariana Grande 7 rings
    Look good, feel good. Or is it maybe about recalibrating life and redefining success (that is, not being in love anymore).
30. Mary J Blige w/NAS Thriving
    So powerful performance
31. Chinah Give me life
    Electronica from Denmark