Most Anticipated Albums in 2019

The following are my top 10 most anticipated albums of 2019 in no particular order:

1. Shadow Works by Kerli
2. TBA by Billie Eilish
3. TBA by Adam Lambert
4. TBA by Rihanna
5. TBA by The Veronicas
6. TBA by Halsey
7. TBA by BANKS
8. Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande
9. TBA by Normani
10. TBA by Sara Bareilles

Shadow Works by Kerli (February 22nd, 2019)
“Shadow Works” will be the Kerli’s second LP and a follow up to her “Utopia” EP. The album is categorized as being Alternative music and the first single ‘Savages’ is already released. This will be Kerli’s first independently released album so fans are waiting with bated breath. Previously released singles ‘Feral Hearts’, ‘Blossom’, and ‘Diamond Hard’ will not be included on the project.

TBA by Billie Eilish (TBA)
Aged 17 years old, Billie Eilish is the youngest artist on this list. The singer/songwriter most often collaborates with her brother, singer/songwriter/producer Finneas O’Connell. Together they crafted the electropop EP “Don’t Smile at Me”, which peaked at 24 on the Billboard 200 and contained the singles ‘Ocean Eyes’, ‘Bellyache’, ‘Watch’, and ‘Idontwannabeyouanymore’. Fans have gotten a taste of the new record through the singles ‘You Should See Me in a Crown’, ‘When the Party’s Over’, and ‘Come Out and Play’.

TBA by Adam Lambert (TBA)
Adam Lambert is slated to release album number four in 2019. Not much is known about the project but Lambert revealed in an interview with Schon that the project has themes of resilience and longing and that it looks to Glam-Rock and Classic Rock as influences. There’s no word yet if the single ‘Two Fux’ (released June of 2017) will be included in the set.

TBA by Rihanna (TBA)
Sources say that Rihanna is gearing up to release album number nine and that it will be heavily influenced by the Dancehall genre. She is reportedly working with a slew of Jamaican producers and songwriters for the project. Rumor has it that the hard-working artist is also hard at work on a Pop-leaning album at the same time.

TBA by The Veronicas (TBA)
The Veronicas are due to release their fourth album in 2019. After the experimentation with different genres on their self-titled release in 2014 it will be interesting to hear what direction they’ve decided to go in sonically. No word yet if singles ‘In My Blood’ (June 2016), ‘On Your Side’ (Oct. 2016), and ‘The Only High’ (June 2017) will make the final tracklist.

TBA by Halsey (TBA)
Not much is known about the artist’s third album. All we know is that ‘Without Me’ is considered her most personal release yet. It also happens to be her highest charting solo song and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Halsey releases another concept album.

TBA by BANKS (TBA)
Work began on her third album in May 2018, according to her official Twitter page. In December of 2018 she posted a picture of an article that was published in Marie Claire Italia that says the artist recorded about 45 songs for the new album and that it will be released in 2019.

Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande (TBA)
After the successful year she’s had with album “Sweetener” you’d think that Grande would slow down but she’s gearing up to release her fifth album. The album is titled after her first single ‘Thank U, Next’, which became the artist’s first number one song. The ‘Thank U, Next’ music video, which referenced the movies Bring It On, 13 Going on 30, Mean Girls, and Legally Blonde broke records on Youtube and Vevo. The forthcoming album is said to contain 13 songs and also includes the single ‘Imagine’.

TBA by Normani (TBA)
After making hits with her former band Fifth Harmony and the success of her collaboration with Khalid (‘Love Lies’), Normani has people excited for her debut solo album. She has released two songs with Calvin Harris ‘Checklist’ and ‘Slowdown’ that are not expected to be on the album. Her song ‘Waves’ which featured 6LACK is expected to be on the album. Rumor has it that the artist is working with Missy Elliott, Kehlani, and Pharrell.

TBA by Sara Bareilles (Spring)
Bareilles is gearing up to release her sixth studio album. It will be the follow-up to “What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress”, which was her interpretation of the songs that she co-wrote for the musical “Waitress”. In October of 2018 she released first single ‘Armor’. The artist plans to release the album via Pledgemusic, which offers a number of incentives for pledging.

So, what albums are you most looking forward to hearing in 2019? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading, and have a happy New Year!

Top 10 Songs of 2018

     For the purpose of this list I didn’t include any songs from my Top 15 favorite albums of 2018. Here are some of my favorite songs of 2018 in no particular order. Following the list will be a Youtube playlist of all ten songs.

1. Without Me by Halsey
2. Fall in Line by Christina Aguilera ft Demi Lovato
3. No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande
4. Never Enough by Loren Alred
5. What I Need by Hayley Kiyoko ft Kehlani
6. Love Lies by Khalid & Normani
7. One Kiss by Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
8. The Middle by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
9. Tongue by MNEK
10. 1999 by Charli XCX ft Troye Sivan

Youtube Playlist

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy listening to these songs. What are your favorite songs from 2018?

Coloured by Priscilla Renea

Topping the list of my favorite albums of 2018 is "Coloured" by Priscilla Renea.

     Priscilla Renea’s sophomore album, Coloured, is a truly special album that comes a decade after her debut. It combines elements of  Country, R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop into a unique and potent blend. In interviews, Renea described the album as a labor of love. She co-wrote every track, produced two tracks and co-produced a third; she also recalls singing the note she wanted the musicians to play. The title “Coloured” is a nod to the fact that it is fairly unheard of to have a black artist make Country music - something that Renea wishes to do her part to change.

     Anyone familiar with Renea’s songwriting resume is unsurprised by the quality of the songcraft. The singer/songwriter spent the ten years between albums writing for industry heavyweights such as Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Miranda Lambert, and many more.

My favorite tracks on the album include the singles ‘Gentle Hands’ and ‘Heavenly’ and ‘Let’s Build a House’, and ‘Family Tree’. ‘Gentle Hands’ is a plea to God to bring her a “big strong man with gentle hands”. She lists other characteristics that she would love him to have such as loving sweet tea and wearing Timberland boots.
   
     ‘Heavenly’ is the most R&B sounding track on the album with Renea’s beautiful soaring vocals backed by a piano and some finger snaps. The track serves as a follow-up to ‘Gentle Hands’ because the singer has found her man and declares “this love is heavenly”.

     ‘Let’s Build a House’ is about partnering with someone through thick and thin using the building of a house as a metaphor. In one of the most clever lines on the album she sings “let’s use the stones that everyone’s thrown. We need a sanctuary of our own. Let’s build a house.”

     ‘Family Tree’ is a very blunt Country/Folk song about Renea’s upbringing. She sings “all my aunties and my uncles too said she’ll be back and pregnant on her own in a month or two.” The song contains skillfully sung runs and shows off the singer’s range.

     "Coloured" is absent from most people's end of 2018 lists but it's definitely worth a listen or two. Let me know what you think of the album and which tracks are your favorite in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Camila by Camila Cabello

At number 2 on my list is "Camila" by Camila Cabello.

“Camila” is the debut solo album by former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello. As the first member to go solo all eyes were on her to see if she has what it takes to be a star in her own right - and she does. In addition to being a solo star Cabello can also add songwriter to her resume as she has co-writing credits on each track on her debut. Stand out tracks include ‘Havana’ which features Young Thug, ‘She Loves Control’, and ‘Into It’.

‘Havana’ is Cabello’s most successful track because of the fun and catchy Latin flair to it. The horns and “ooh na-na” sections really get stuck in your head. The music video is also fun and definitely worth watching.

‘She Loves Control’ is about a take charge kind of woman who gets what she wants. The bridge even claims “But the way she kills you makes you feel alive.”

‘Into It’ is a song about being down for anything with someone that you’re interested in; ‘I mean, if you’re into it, I’m into it.”

Best of luck to Cabello at the 2019 Grammy's where she is nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for 'Havana (Live)' and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Let me know what you think of "Camila". Tell me your favorite tracks in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

Expectations by Bebe Rexha

     At number 3 on my favorite albums of 2018 is Expectations by Bebe Rexha.

     Rexha was right to title her debut LP “Expectations” because after 3 EPs, a slew of guest spots, and the breakout success of ‘Meant to Be’ featuring Florida Georgia Line expectations were sky high. Luckily she delivered and each track showcases the singer/songwriter’s knack for writing hooks. Favorites include ‘Mine’, ‘I’m a Mess’, and  ‘Don’t Get Any Closer’.

     In ‘Mine’, which contains a portion of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ by Coolio featuring L.V.,  Rexha sings “you don’t want love unless it’s mine’ over moody production.

     ‘I’m a Mess’ is an ode to struggling with your mental health that contains a portion of the song “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks. The song has pessimistic lines such as “I’m a mess, I’m a loser I’m a hater, I’m a user. I’m a mess for your love, it ain’t new” and more optimistic lines such as “it’s gonna be a good, good life - that’s what my therapist says.”

      ‘Don’t Get Any Closer’ is about holding back from your loved ones because you don’t want to scare them away.

      My one complaint is that the album isn’t longer. The inclusion of ‘I Got You’ and ‘Meant to Be’ take up space that could have been filled with newer content - after all the former was 1 year and 8 months old at the time “Expectations” was released. Here’s hoping for a re-release with more new material.

     Best of luck to the first time Grammy nominee. Rexha garnered a nod for Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for 'Meant to Be'.

     Let me know what you think of "Expectations". What're your favorite tracks? Thanks for reading!

Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

Coming in at number 4 on my list of my favorite albums of 2018 is Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe.

     “Dirty Computer” is an ambitious album for Monáe: it’s her first album not using her android character Cindi Mayweather, her first album after creating her label collective Wondaland Records, it’s her first album to have an explicit rating, and it’s her first album after coming out. Monáe came out as pansexual in an article with Rolling Stone just before the album dropped.

     The album sees the artist letting loose and being more honest and open about herself as well as being more direct; she’s slightly less worried about being the perfect android and more worried about being relatable and human. It’s a celebration of what makes her unique and it’s meant to uplift others who belong to marginalized groups. Monáe has always been outspoken about respecting the “other” whether that means being LGBT+, black, android, etc. But this is the first time that she’s included herself as part of the LGBT+ community.

     With everything that has changed for this album, many things have remained the same. For one, the album is cohesive and flows well from one song to the next. Two, Monáe is incredibly involved in the creation of her music with writing credits on all but two tracks and producing credits on over half the tracks. Third is Monáe's tendency to mix genres flawlessly. Standout songs include singles ‘Make Me Feel’, ‘Django Jane’, and ‘I Like That’, and ‘Screwed’, which features Zoe Kravitz.

     ‘Make Me Feel’ was a great choice as a first single because it was similar enough to her older songs to not seem like a complete 180 but it was explicit and sexually suggestive. It set the tone for the the album being more liberated and less “proper”. The track has distinct Prince vibes and was definitely influenced by him but unfortunately is not a collaboration with him. Monáe stated that his passing was deeply felt in the making of “Dirty Computer” because she would begin to create and wonder what advice or input her mentor would’ve given her. In the song she declares “it’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender, an emotional sexual bender.”

     ‘Django Jane’ was a great second single because it showed off a different side of Monáe. Whereas ‘Make Me Feel’ is a fun R&B/Funk song ‘Django Jane’ is a no-nonsense Rap/Hip Hop song. We’ve heard Monáe's rapping skills in songs like ‘Q.U.E.E.N.’ but never before has she released a song that has her rapping right through. She boasts “runnin’ out of space in my damn bandwagon” then later tells men “hit the mute button, let the vagina have a monologue”. The artist says the inspiration came from the strength and grace of the Dora Milaje - the female warriors from Black Panther as well as speaking things into existence such as the mentions of Grammy’s and other awards.

      ‘I Like That’ is about being unique and learning to love it. One of the standout lines is “I’m always left of center and that’s right where I belong, I’m the random minor note you hear in major songs”.

     ‘Screwed’ is such a fun song to sing - the lyrics really contrast the delivery. The lyrics are about situations devolving but trying to make the best of it; “I, I, I hear the sirens calling and the bombs are falling in the streets we’re all screwed.” The song has an interesting structure with a spoken word bridge coming in twice and a rapped outro.

     “Dirty Computer” even garnered two Grammy Nominations: one for Album of the Year and one for the music video for the song ‘Pynk’ which features Grimes. Best of luck to Monáe who has been nominated three times for her solo work and another three times for her collaboration with band Fun but hasn’t yet won.

     What did you think of "Dirty Computer"? Have you seen the accompanying "emotion picture"? Watch it here. Let me know in the comments which tracks are your favorite. Thanks for reading!

Robots & Wranglers by Halo Circus

     In 5th place on my list of my favorite albums of 2018 is Robots and Wranglers by Halo Circus.

     “Robots and Wranglers” is the sophomore release by Halo Circus but the first release as a duo. They describe themselves as being influenced by every artist and being an art project rather than a specific genre of music. Their debut album, “Bunny”, was Alternative Rock oriented while this release is more Electronic - lead vocalist Allison Iraheta described it as sounding “as though it was recorded in a spaceship.” What remains the same is the lyricism and social commentary that fans fell in love with. Stand out tracks include 'Narcissist', ‘Oh, Money!’, ‘Contact’, and ‘Commander’.

     'Narcissist' is a track about how social media has made narcissists out of all of us. My favorite line in the song is "I hate you but I want you to love me."

     ‘Oh, Money!’ is a track that tackles consumerism in a tongue in cheek sort of way. The lyrics declare “it’s everything you want and need” and “it brings touch when you have no one.”

     ‘Contact’ claims she would “do anything at all, anything for contact”. Iraheta pleads “I want you to notice me, take your eyes off of the screen.” It makes you think about how technology can bring us together or tear us apart.

     One of the most powerful lines on the album comes from ‘Commander’: ‘will they learn from us that power just corrupts untimely?”

     It’s fun to listen to but it also makes you think if you sit back and really listen to the lyrics.

Thanks for reading my quick review of this album. Take a listen to "Robots and Wranglers" and let me know what you think of it in the comments. Thanks for reading!