| My top 10 albums, 2019 edition |
| 10 |  | Kayo Dot
Plastic House on Base of Sky
Super original and addictive music. Don't know anything else that sounds like this. |
| 9 |  | Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas
Mariner
The vocals on this album are just so fucking cool. My first proper listen of the third track was one of those rare moments where I was completely stunned that this was something that was actually recorded and released. |
| 8 |  | Persefone
Core
Perfection. |
| 7 |  | Ne Obliviscaris
Citadel
There is a 2+ minute long violin solo on the third song. What else needs to be said? |
| 6 |  | Mirrorthrone
Gangrene
Boring people will complain about the production (or the drums). But this album isn't about production. This album is about releasing Vladimir's misanthropic rage and madness onto the world. You have to let yourself go and feel every second of this carefully crafted insanity unravel around you – that is the only proper way to listen to this album.
The lyrics on tracks 1-3 are a substantial part of why this works so well. |
| 5 |  | Between the Buried and Me
Colors
Dense, technical, layered songwriting blends together with soft, emotional passages and a touch of insanity.
Emotion meets complexity, which is kind of a theme of most of this list. |
| 4 |  | Kashiwa Daisuke
Program Music I
Most other artists seem much like ants stumbling around in the shadow of this monster. The songwriting on this album is so far beyond what normal people can do... and the transitions are perfection. |
| 3 |  | Persefone
Spiritual Migration
An uplifting Buddhist message of eternal life delivered with incredible passion. I've loved this ever since my first listen, which isn't true for anything else on this list. The metaphysical claims may not be true, but the philosophy sure inspired a magnificent piece of music. |
| 2 |  | Kashiwa Daisuke
Program Music II
Stunning, deep, and ridiculously beautiful. It's crazy how good this album is. And it keeps rewarding you for paying more attention. |
| 1 |  | Ne Obliviscaris
Portal of I |
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