The Best Songs of 2019 — JAMES DONALD FORBES McCANN

Was it a good year for music, or just a good year for me? For almost a decade, contemporary music sounded lifeless. Then, abruptly, there were great songs everywhere. Is this a golden age, or am I just happier?

Everything We Need - Kanye West

Tokyo Drifting - Glass Animals ft. Denzel Curry

Mura Masa - Deal Wiv It

Mixed Personalities - YNW Melly ft. Kanye West

Mr. Melly is facing the death penalty. That fact casts a shadow this otherwise charming song; the woman fobbing him off is, perhaps, desperately trying to get to safety.

Regardless, no amount of ad hominem wretchedness can spoil a lively beat and soaring melody.

Robbery - Juice WRLD

James Blake - Into the Red

There just aren’t enough songs about a woman taking on crippling levels of debt in support of her man. Trust me, I’ve looked! I had been hoping to find enough to make an entire playlist for my wedding.

Red Hearse - Half Love

Unmarried persons without children who no longer love each other passionately should break up immediately. I have said as much to many couples at their dinner parties. It was, perhaps, unsurprising that this track resonated with me so.

Stella Donnelly - Tricks

Easily one of 2019 three best songs to mention Kyle and Jackie O by name.

Aldous Harding - The Barrel

The best music video of the year? Certainly, the best hat.

Hwa Sa - TWIT

It’s a bold move, picking a word you can’t pronounce as the title and chorus of your song.

Alex Cameron - Divorce

What a fine thing to say in an argument: “I’ve got friends in Kansas City with a mother fucking futon couch if that’s how you want to play it.”