Best Albums of 2019
In this digital age of streaming singles, these artists rose to the occasion and helped keep the lost art form of the *album* alive. |
| 11 |  | A Winged Victory for the Sullen
The Undivided Five
Neo-classical beauty that will help pass the time until the next Stars of the Lid double album (whenever that may be). |
| 10 |  | American Football
American Football (LP3)
"Comfortably Numb" is one of the coolest covers ever made. A strong return to form from the indie rock stalwarts. |
| 9 |  | Jenny Hval
The Practice of Love
Mysterious, lovely singing and innovative compositional brushstrokes blend together nicely on this fine record. |
| 8 |  | Tool
Fear Inoculum
It's not the best Tool album. Get over those unrealistic expectations. It's damn enjoyable. The title track represents a triumphant return, "Pneuma" couldn't be more vintage Tool, and "Culling Voices" sounds unlike anything they've ever made - in a good way. |
| 7 |  | Madeon
Good Faith
This talented young electronic artist displays a healthy combination of rich audio production and wise musical restraint. |
| 6 |  | Wilderun
Veil of Imagination
Dense but thought-provoking and original, this melodic metal outfit infuses gorgeous sonic structures, interest chord progressions, and vast choral arrangements into a black metal skeleton. |
| 5 |  | (Sandy) Alex G
House Of Sugar
Lovely, heartfelt guitar tunes artfully woven together by the master stroke of a genius songwriter. |
| 4 |  | Bibio
Ribbons
Bibio's most acoustic-centered is also his most tender, honest, and well-written. It's one of those records you can play cover-to-cover without missing a beat. Standouts like "Watch the Flies" are soul-crushingly gorgeous. |
| 3 |  | Borknagar
True North
An incredibly diverse and innovative collection of compositions by a band seemingly destined for the forefront of next decade's black metal scene. |
| 2 |  | Strawberry Girls
Tasmanian Glow
Constant excitement, energy, and poppy fun disguised as math rock. One of the brightest and most glorious sounding records in a long time. The occasional addition of vocals - particularly on "Angel Dust" - makes for one of the coolest and most unique timbres you'll hear this year. |
| 1 |  | CHON
CHON
An underrated, underappreciated, before-its-time instrumental rock masterpiece - this record is made for headphone listening, layered over and over with lyricism not only through virtuous performances, but also crafty songwriting highlighting the entire band, and a mind-boggling display of pedal skills that sometimes feel like a new musical language. CHON have perfected their subgenre in a way that no other group can, and despite shoddy reviews from many, this is their most well-rounded effort to date. |
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