37. Boy Scouts

37. Boy Scouts - Free Company

Taylor Vick is Boy Scouts. Based out of Oakland, she's produced out of her bedroom for over a decade utilizing many instruments. She just signed to Anti Records and recorded this album in a shipping container converted to a studio.



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38. Dawn Richard

38. Dawn Richard - new breed

Dawn Richard has been in many projects and prior to the release of this album, completed a trilogy of solo album releases. What I like about this particular album is the heavy electronica influence while incorporating elements of r&b and rap. It tells a story of her growing up in New Orleans, it's a powerful statement.



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39. Black Pumas

39. Black Pumas - Black Pumas

An excellent addition to the year, Austin based Black Pumas eponymous debut album hits that soul/funk vibe this list needed. Comprised of Adrian Quesada, guitarist of Grupo Fantasma, and Eric Burton, found by busking his way through Central Texas. The duo put forth an aesthetic reminiscent of old town funk and underground rap. They won a Grammy for best new artist this year.



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40. Stella Donnelly

40. Stella Donnelly - Beware Of The Dogs

Stella is a Welsh-Australian and this is her debut album. She studied music at West Australia Academy of Music and has been acclaimed by critics. It's a pop masterpiece of soured relationships.



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41. Che Apalache

41. Che Apalache - Rearrange My Heart

Che Aplalache is two Americans and two Argentines makin South American Bluegrass music. The Latin influence on a traditional genre like bluegrass is amazing. Their songs speak to the populations of the South and they hope to mend fences with their music of inclusion.



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42. Velvet Negroni

42. Velvet Negroni - Neon Brown

How could I not like this album, the second I saw the name, I had to listen to it. A blend of R&B, funk, jazz and pop, Velvet Negroni is Jeremy Nutzman. After a drug fueled first couple albums, this one he sobered up for and it's reflected in his lyrics.



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43. Aldous Harding

43. Aldous Harding - Designer

This artist was born and bred in New Zealand. Her actual name is Hannah Sian Topp and she was discovered busking on a street corner by another musician. This is her third album and it is magical, I've actually been enjoying her catalog.



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44. Mikel

44. Mikel - Zelda and Chill

This album and several like it are produced by Game Chops. This is a lo fi hip hop remix of songs throughout the Zelda video game series by Nintendo. Relaxing and meditative, this album got lots of spins over the last twelve. He also just released a Poke and Chill album as well, if you're into it.



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45. Hand Habits

45. Hand Habits - placeholder

Hand Habits is Meg Duffy. They played with War on Drugs, Weyes Blood and for Kevin Morby's live band. This is their beautifully dark solo effort and was recorded at Justin Vernon's Wisconsin studio. Duffy is non-binary and uses the pronoun they/them.



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46. Juliana Hatfield

46. Juliana Hatfield - Weird

Juliana Hatfield has been extremely prolific over the last year plus. She's put out a covers album of Olivia-Newton John (which made the Top 50 last year here), released this album and just issued a Police covers album (which you should totally check out). She's a fantastic artist and I love her aesthetic.



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47. Marika Hackman

47. Marika Hackman - Any Human Friend

This 27 year old Londoner is already into her third and easily best album to date. Growing up learning music since the age of four, she is both an artistic and musical genius. Her dark, melancholy lyrics set the tone for this beautiful pop/folk record.



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48. The Strumbellas

48. The Strumbellas - Rattlesnake

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, this is a motley crew of musicians who cover about every genre of music imaginable. Quirky and fun, their fourth album does not disappoint.



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49. Steve Gunn

49. Steve Gunn - The Unseen In Between

A former member of Kurt Vile and the Violators, Steve Gunn currently resides in Brooklyn. This new solo effort from him is genius and I am remiss that I have not listened to him before.



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50. Cass McCombs

50. Cass McCombs - Tip Of The Sphere

No intro this year, off to a late start, but here we go with The Top 50 Albums of 2019! Cass McCombs is a native Californian and this is his 9th album. I saw him open for Andrew Bird a few years ago and fell in love with his intense lyrics. While this album has a long opener, settle in for the ride and definitely check out the video below.



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2018 Top 50 Recap

Here's a nice and easy linkable list in case you missed any of the Top 50 for 2018. There's a Spotify playlist at the bottom of the post with my favorite song from each album. Hope you enjoyed the list. Let me know your favorites for the year in the comments below. Follow the playlist, follow the blog. See you in November.



1. Phosphorescent - C'est La Vie
2. Damien Jurado - The Horizon Just Laughed
3. Middle Kids - Lost Friends
4. Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy
5. Mt. Joy - Mt. Joy
7. Ben Howard - Noonday Dream
8. Acid Dad - Acid Dad
9. Lo Moon - Lo Moon
Bahamas - Earthtones
11. Juliana Hatfield - Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John
12. Soccer Mommy - Clean
13. Horse Feathers - Appreciation
14. Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar
15. Francis And The Lights - Just For Us
16. Glen Hansard - Between Two Shores
17. Rascal Martinez - Far From Home
18. Wild Child - Expectations
19. Prince - Piano And A Microphone 1983
20. Laura Veirs - The Lookout
21. Hookworms - Microshift
22. The Dead Tongues - Unsung Passage
23. Remember Sports - Slow Buzz
24. Leon Bridges - Good Thing
25. Superorganism - Superorganism
26. King Tuff - The Other
27. John Prine - The Tree Of Forgiveness
28. Roo Panes - Quiet Man
29. Neko Case - Hell-On
30. Shopping - The Official Body
31. ISLAND - Feels Like Air
32. Agar Agar - The Dog And The Future
33. Frankie Cosmos - Vessel
34. Lucy Dacus - Historian
35. Dead Horses - My Mother The Moon
36. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Hotel Base And Casino
37. Hop Along - Bark Your Head Off, Dog
38. Typhoon - Offerings
39. Ezra Furman - Transangelic Exodus
40. Ought - Room Inside The World
41. tUnE-yArDs - I can feel you creep into my private life
42. Parquet Courts - Wide Awake!
43. The Wombats - Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life
44. Now, Now - Saved
45. Kurt Vile - Bottle It In
46. Eddie Berman - Surrounded By The Sound: Ten Covers By Eddie Berman
48. Cat Power - Wanderer
49. Fantastic Negrito - Please Don't Be Dead
50. Sure Sure - Sure Sure