2019 Favorite Songs (20-11)

Almost to the end of my list:

20. Hatchie - "Stay With Me"

If Robyn, Cocteau Twins, and The Sundays got together and wrote a "crying alone in the club" song, they would probably sound like this excellent track from Aussie singer-songwriter Hatchie.



19. Art School Girlfriend - "Diving"

Dreamy single from Art School Girlfriend that touches on desire and anxiety. I love the way the synths quietly build to a dynamic conclusion.



18. Róisín Murphy - "Incapable"

Hypnotic deep house track from the incomparable Róisín Murphy.



17. HÆLOS - "Empty Skies"

British band HÆLOS builds upon their initial trip-hop sound, making things more dense and organic. "Empty Skies" is a standout track with its drum patterns recalling Massive Attack's masterful song "Unfinished Sympathy." The band brings in their excellent use of harmonies all, of course, anchored by Lotti Benardout’s Valkyrie-like voice.



16. Rhi - "Swagger"

I read a description of London-based singer-songwriter Rhi that seemed fairly apt; that she is the lovechild of James Blake and Lana Del Rey. With dreamy, hazy tracks like "Swagger," you can easily hear it.



15. Lana Del Ray - "The Greatest"

"The Greatest" lives up to its title; being probably Lana Del Rey's best song. It's a haunting meditation on love and loss, and the sad state of the world.



14. The Twilight Sad - "VTr"

On their breathtakingly good new album It Won/t Be Like This All The Time, The Twilight Sad expertly marry their shoegaze beginnings with the thunderous rush of their goth fore bearers The Cure. Honestly, I could put all the songs here as there is not a weak song on the album. Right now though "VTr" keeps popping up in my head. Its propulsive drums, roaring guitars, and synth flourishes are intoxicating.



13. Zayn - "Flight of the Stars"

This year, the former One Direction member released his second solo album, the 27 track opus Icarus Falls. It's a pretty brilliant pop record, showing more maturity and willingness to try new genres and sounds. "Flight of the Stars" is a haunting ballad that focuses on his lush voice and minimal production.



12. Apparat - "OUTLIER (Solomun Remix)"

Solomun takes the pastoral electronica of the original version of Apparat's "OUTLIER" and creates a chilled out, deep house version. The spoken word portion at the end is haunting.



11. Billie Elish - "Bad Guy"

Teenage phenomenon Billie Ellish broke through with this single that for all its energy is strangely restrained. The tension it builds through the use of sonic dynamics is breathtaking.