Top 50 Songs Of 2019
Well look at that, 2019 is just about over. Here’s 50 songs that I put on repeat a lot this year. Enjoy.
PS – As has been the case for a few years now, there aren’t any Austin-based artists on this particular list. I’ll be running down local tracks on my radio show, 101X Homegrown, later in the month.
50) Huntly – Low Grade Buzz
A relatable and comfortable track from Huntly.
49) Chris Farren – Search 4 Me
Chris Farren may have named his latest album Born Hot, but don’t think that it’s without endearing songs like this one.
48) Generationals – I Turned My Back On The Written Word
I can always count on Generationals to deliver something super catchy.
47) The Coathangers – Bimbo
My favorite number off of The Coathangers’ 2019 release, The Devil You Know.
46) Seratones – Power
Such a big, fun effort from the Seratones.
45) Pendant – Through A Coil
This Pendant track soars.
44) J Mascis – Don’t Do Me Like That (Tom Petty Cover)
It’s possible that J Mascis was born to cover this classic.
43) Yawners – La Escalera
An all Spanish, power pop gem from Yawners.
42) Titus Andronicus – I Blame Society
I’m with you Titus Andronicus, society is to blame.
41) Weakened Friends – What You Like
Weakened Friends only put out one song this year, but they made it count.
40) Fontaines DC – Boys In The Better Land
Fontaines DC have such a cool demeanor.
39) Lisa Prank – Rodeo
Lisa Prank with an infectious effort.
38) Empath – Roses That Cry
I really love how noisy this Empath track is.
37) Soccer Mommy – Lucy
Soccer Mommy is one hell of a songwriter.
36) The Appleseed Cast – Time The Destroyer
The Appleseed Cast go hard on this one.
35) Chain Cult – Shallow Grave
Post punk radness from Chain Cult.
34) Modest Mouse – Poison The Well
Modest Mouse continue to churn out memorable tracks.
33) Illuminati Hotties – I Wanna Keep Yr Dog
I’d let the Illuminati Hotties keep the dog.
32) B Boys – Pressure Inside
A minimalist, smart slice of punk from B Boys.
31) Pip Blom – Daddy Issues
This indie pop tune from Pip Blom has been stuck in my head since January.
30) Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Read My Mind
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever with a jangly pop gem.
29) Faye Webster – Right Side Of My Neck
This Faye Webster track is gorgeous.
28) Death Cab For Cutie – Kids In 99
Death Cab continue to truck along just fine without Chris Walla.
27) Mark Ronson – True Blue (Featuring Angel Olsen)
I wouldn’t have guessed that Mark Ronson and Angel Olsen would be great together, but here we are.
26) Japanese Breakfast – Essentially
This Japanese Breakfast song moves so damn well.
25) Empress Of – When I’m With Him (Featuring Perfume Genius)
An old Empress Of track made over (and made better) with the addition of Perfume Genius.
24) Charli XCX – Cross You Out (Featuring Sky Ferreira)
What an explosive effort from Charli XCX and Sky Ferreira.
23) FKA Twigs – Cellophane
I still find myself knocked back by how mesmerizing FKA Twigs is here.
22) Lala Lala & Why? – Siren 042
I knew this Lala Lala and Why? collab would make the list when I posted it way back at the start of January.
21) Juan Wauters – Letters
Juan Wauters with a bizzaro-Beatles type song.
20) Truth Club – Not An Exit
I’ve always gotten distinct Strokes vibes from this Truth Club gem.
19) Jay Som – Superbike
Another bedroom pop winner from Jay Som.
18) Cherry Glazerr – Wasted Nun
This number from Cherry Glazerr is one of the best alt-rock tracks of 2019.
17) Mikal Cronin – I’ve Got Reason
Mikal Cronin packs a Nirvana-like punch here, and it’s fantastic.
16) Sharon Van Etten – Seventeen
This might be my favorite Sharon Van Etten song.
15) The Raconteurs – Now That You’re Gone
A pure piece of rock n’ roll from The Raconteurs.
14) Fiona Apple – The Whole Of The Moon (Waterboys Cover)
As far as I’m concerned, this track now belongs to Fiona Apple. It isn’t on Spotify, so you’ll have to check it out here.
13) Alex Lahey – Am I Doing It Right?
Hooky and honest, that’s my Alex Lahey.
12) PUP – Kids
I adore how jittery and energetic this PUP tune is.
11) Sleater-Kinney – Can I Go On
The best song off of Sleater-Kinney’s 2019 album, The Center Won’t Hold.
10) Crumb – Fall Down
Psych pop perfection from Crumb.
09) Whitney – Giving Up
So warm, so good. Whitney are a great band.
08) Karen O & Danger Mouse – Perfect Day (Lou Reed Cover)
It’s probably because I’m about to get married, but I’m head over heels in love with this stunning live effort from Karen O and Danger Mouse. Spotify doesn’t have this one, so give it a listen here.
07) Bon Iver – Hey, Ma
A real attention-commanding effort from Bon Iver.
06) Haim – Summer Girl
Haim have never sounded more lovely and confident than they do here.
05) SOAK – Knock Me Off My Feet
Thanks to SOAK for this bouncy and defiant track.
04) Nilufer Yanya – In Your Head
Nilufer Yanya instantly became a favorite of mine because of this song and its big, bold sound.
03) Shura – The Stage
Shura with one of the year’s most sensual, romantic efforts.
02) The National – Rylan
I’m so happy that The National finally decided to give this track an official release (it made its live debut back in 2011). It’s one of their best songs.
01) Mannequin Pussy – Drunk II
It’s loud, it’s kind of sloppy, it’s super hooky and it’s one of the best break up anthems ever. Thanks for providing my favorite song of the year, Mannequin Pussy!
