Let’s just state the obvious: we need music now more than ever. When news headlines and our own struggles only add to the stresses of life, music never fails to be that one source of comfort and hope.
2019 was a trying year; not just for us here at TDL but for you as well. We’ve been thinking about our end of year list for quite some time now, and although there were a lot of albums that came out this year that we loved, only five really struck a chord with us. These albums stuck by us when we thought we couldn’t endure much more. They helped us realize that we are not alone and that there is so much more to be discovered if you care to look deep enough.
We want to thank every one of you for sticking by us this year, for defending us, for checking in when things got crazy (or quiet.) Your support means the world and there is not a day that goes by that we don’t appreciate you. These are the top 5 albums that made our 2019 sweet.
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5. Panic Division – Touch
Released: June 14, 2019
Panic Division came into our lives this year and it was love at first listen. A euphoric blend of The 1975 meets The New Division, Touch is everything indie-pop fans needed this year. Fueling our desire for road trips and night drives, Panic Division articulately paints a neon-soaked eighties existence while carving out a theme of triumph and the self-awareness one needs to overcome their inner struggles.
Key Tracks: “Touch” | “Mother, Father”| “Still In Motion”
4. La Bouquet – Sad People Dancing
Released: April 26, 2019
It was a long time coming for La Bouquet’s debut, Sad People Dancing, and boy was it worth the wait. Delving into the strains of depression, anxiety, and ‘pure heartbreak,’ singer Bryan Sammis takes listeners on a journey through his mind set to a glorious soundtrack of 80’s & 90’s-inspired guitars, sax, and synth; a humbling reminder that pain is universal and dancing in the midst of the chaos is beautiful.
Key Tracks: “Sad People Dancing” | “Pure Heartbreak” | “Loser Baby”
3. Taylor Swift – Lover
Released: August 23, 2019
The new reigning queen of pop, Taylor Swift, unleashed her seventh studio album, Lover, this summer and needless to say, the entire world is smitten. 2019 was the year Taylor broke her silence on political issues in a very Swift-like, poignant manner while delivering her signature swoon-worthy love songs that has listeners everywhere planning early hypothetical weddings. With a neon, candy-coated aesthetic, the Lover era just might be a new Swiftie favorite for years to come.
Key Tracks: “Lover” | “The Man” | “Afterglow”
2. Maggie Rogers – Heard It In A Past Life
Released: January 18, 2019
Maggie Rogers is one of those artists you fall in love with right away. The singer’s stunning debut, Heard It In A Past Life, saw an early 2019 release – just in time for her to take over the world (and our hearts) this year. Delving into pain of many colors, Rogers paints us a portrait of all of her past lives while carving out a path for her future. We all need those special artists who can manage to interpret all of the things we can never put into words into a song, and Rogers is one of them.
Key Tracks: “Give A Little” | “Burning”| “Fallingwater”
1. flor – ley lines
Released: September 6, 2019
If you’re an avid TDL reader, there was probably no doubt in your mind that flor would be on this list. 2019 saw the release of the indie-pop band’s sophomore release, ley lines, and it did not disappoint. Waves of indie bliss take over immediately, delving into the pains of our everyday struggles. If anything, ley lines, helps the listener to turn their pain into purpose, giving all of that overwhelming grey matter a new, bigger meaning with ways to cope and revel in the light coming up ahead.
Key Tracks: “slow motion” | “as you were” | “dancing around”
Honorable Mentions
Lostboycrow – Santa Fe
Bad Suns – Mystic Truth
Wallows – Nothing Happens
Jade Bird – Jade Bird
The Maine – You Are OK
Ashley Tisdale – Symptoms
Camila Cabello – Romance
Wall of Trophies – Semaphore
Banks – III
Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell
Me Not You – Already Gone
All Hail The Silence – †
