Happiness Begins was an album no one saw coming, reducing the need to best any expectations. The Jonas Brothers grew and matured in their own ways as the band was on hiatus, looked past previous internal bickering and focused on their shared joy in making music. That led to organic, genuine, and radio-ready tracks such as singles "Sucker" and "Only Human", songs that highlighted current relationships, the fear of those relationships ending, and sibling love. Instead of jumping on trends, the album sounded like a natural progression, continuing the trajectory the band was already on when they last released a proper album... over a decade ago.
#9. Madame X by Madonna
Madame X was a polarizing release, but in the end, one of the year's most interesting. The intention of the new music certainly came from the heart, and while the aggressive attitude weighed some of the material down, tracks like "God Control" and "Crave" found a way to shine of their own. The album may not be the most cohesive effort of Madonna’s career, but praise was earned for expanding the definition of pop music. The Spanish influences on "Medellín" and "Bitch I'm Loca" and the focus on social issues for "I Rise" increased the urgency and overall impact. For album number fourteen, what else did you want from an artist who has already done it all?
#8. Truth Over Magnitude by Conchita Wurst
While patiently awaiting a follow-up effort from Conchita, audiences were instead treated to the official Truth Over Magnitude debut from the artist's WURST moniker. Fearless and on the offensive, tracks like "Hit Me" shed dim light on the artist's personal struggles over infectious, club-ready beats. Messages of self-love and resilience carried other album highlights such as "To The Beat" and "See Me Now" to exciting heights. Carrying more of an experimental, electronic sound when compared to previous efforts, the album was an authentic, daring creative re-introduction. WURST makes it clear this is the album they wanted to make, it's also their strongest overall.
#7. Clarity by Kim Petras
In addition to the release of a full-length Halloween-themed project, pop princess Kim Petras somehow found time in 2019 to also release her official debut album Clarity. With hints of synth-pop, bubblegum pop and hip-hop as creative influence, the artist released one of the most compelling and fun pop collections of the year. "Sweet Spot" was a disco-tinged sex anthem. "All I Do Is Cry" was a somber, trap-inspired ballad. Both were led by official lead single "Icy", an R&B-leaning kiss off directed at a former lover. Though the talented young artist weaved through numerous genres, it still all came together as an effective, cohesive proper introduction.
#6. Sunshine Kitty by Tove Lo
It was always going to be a tough order to continuously top preceding efforts, but somehow, Swedish pop artist Tove Lo shared fourth studio album Sunshine Kitty this year, her strongest body of work to date. "Glad He's Gone" was a powerful acoustic-driven lead single that doubled as a charming break-up pep talk for a best friend. "Really don't like u" effectively utilized Kylie Minogue's guest vocals on a vengeful diss toward that former best friend, while tracks like "Sweettalk My Heart", "Mistaken" and "Mateo" were electro-pop highlights in their own right, that cleverly focused attention on Lo's intoxicating vocals and ear for dream-like synths.
#5. Love + Fear by MARINA
Love + Fear was broken in two for good reasons. They were sonically different, touching on separate stages in the artist's personal life. However, the entire project is connected by MARINA's previous inability to clear her mind of insecurity on "Enjoy Your Life", uncertainty on "Life Is Strange", and her longing desire to just be happy on "Orange Trees". The creative journey, narrated by trademark lyrical poetry and sublime vocal performances, allowed the artist to see a light at the end of the tunnel. She emerged with a more mature understanding of what was happening around her. MARINA felt lost, in the music industry and in life. It took an admission that not having her future all planned out was okay to finally see clearly.
#4. Velvet: Side A by Adam Lambert
Velvet: Side A gave listeners a satisfying sampler of work four years in the making, work that provided a genuine representation of an artist that never conforms to the norm. The project stayed true to its name: smooth, elegant, vintage-inspired. Adam Lambert finally sounded as if truly inspired by his personal artistic influences, Prince on "Loverboy", Queen on "Superpower", instead of driven by label desires and current radio trends. While the production and instrumentals overpowered Lambert's trademark powerhouse vocals at times, efforts like "Closer To You" and "Overglow" still made an impression. For those wondering, it's considered a "half album".
#3. Fine Line by Harry Styles
Though Liam Payne might have stumbled in 2019, fellow bandmate Harry Styles excelled in new, imaginative artistic territory. For sophomore album Fine Line, the artist shared self-reflective "Lights Up", a lead single many speculated touched on the artist's sexuality. Soul/pop "Adore You" followed, pairing Styles' incredible vocal talents with classic rock instrumentals. Elsewhere, the album remained whimsical, slick and joyful. "Sunflower, Vol. 6" finds the artist longing for something more with another, "Cherry" languishes in heartache, and Styles hopes that significant other remembers him in a better light on "To Be So Lonely". Ultimately, the strongest post-1D release of the bunch.
#2. Pony by Orville Peck
Pony by masked cowboy Orville Peck is filled to the brim with references to traditional country music and imagery of the genre's more iconic artists and sounds. Peck incorporates the likes of rattlesnake sound effects and nods to Johnny Cash to help tell his own stories of queer love like on "Dead of Night", complete with angst and uncertainty. While many may be skeptical of the mask, tracks about short-lived fame ("Queen of the Rodeo") and resentment towards the traditional ("Turn To Hate") will allow the audience to fully understand its true purpose. Peck hopes his stories will give voice to those forgotten. Masking that voice allows listeners to see themselves behind the fringe. Peck is ultimately singing for them.
#1. portraits by Greyson Chance
If the reason for creating portraits was to satisfy a self-described longing for redemption, Greyson Chance effortlessly accomplished his personal goal with a proper re-introduction to soulful vocal talents and sharp, resonating songwriting skills. Now a young gay man, the artist has already survived his experience of fame at a very young age, rediscovered his passion for music, and lost a love close to his heart. And though Chance says he never wants to sound too dramatic with his songwriting style, he does ease back on tracks like "black on black" and "yours", the new album is bound to receive deserved attention and respect for his unfiltered approach to storytelling like on "stand" and "timekeeper", whether the story has a good or tragic ending. The road to this point in his career may have been bumpy, however, it should be smooth sailing moving ahead. Bring on GC2!
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