The 10 Best New Artists of 2019

In alphabetical order…

 

Dijon

Dijon delivered some of the most heart-wrenching and passionate music I’d heard all year. The LA-based musician just shared the teary “CRYBABY :*(” and has recently been collaborating with other artists taking featured spots on tracks by No Rome and Mulherin.

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Easy Life

I was fully on board the Easy Life train last year but now after a whole bunch of festivals and a string of North American tour dates for next year it seems it’s finally time for Easy Life to go worldwide. They’ve already announced an album for next year titled Junk Food and recently shared a lovely track with Arlo Parks.

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Havelock

With only a few songs under his belt Havelock has been quickly making a name for himself. The addictive and catchy feel his music provides has me falling in love with his sound– he’s letting off those “Pheromones.”

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Kate Bollinger

Kate Bollinger is a special one. She may still be in school but her effortless sound has propelled her to the top of many playlists. She released her first music on SoundCloud in 2018 and closed off this year with a string of tour dates supporting Wild Nothing. Her “Talk About It” B-side made our Top 30 Songs of 2019 and her most recent track, “No Other Like You” is just as wonderful.

Check out our interview with Kate Bollinger.

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Mk.gee

After his song “You” was added to Frank Ocean’s Blonded Radio Mk.gee was destined for success. He delivered only one track all year, in December of 2019: “Untitled.” That unnamed track was still wavy enough to get his name on this list and keep me excited about Mk.gee for 2020.

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Ocean Heights

This New Jersey outfit is ready for the big stage. Ocean Heights unique and simply smooth songs are catchy and as repeatable as it gets. In 2019 they shared a string of snazzy tracks including their most recent release, the dreamy and emotional “Call.”

Check out our interview with Ocean Heights.

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okaywill

After signing to Majestic Casual, South Carolina’s okaywill delivered the upbeat and feel-good EP Falling for You. His sound is a fantastic blend of electronic, pop and indie rock and will be sure to put a smile on your face. His most recent track, “10 Years Ago,” is a nostalgic jam and the perfect tune to close out the decade.

Check out our interview with okaywill.

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REI AMI

When I first heard REI AMI I was shocked. Like Billie Eilish on crack REI AMI’s music is an incredible blend of heavy-hitting bass jams and dreamy bedroom pop– all in the same songs. Her most recent track “DICTATOR” found her topping off Spotify playlists and making waves on mainstream sites… Let’s just hope everyone remembers who first introduced her ;).

Check out our introduction to REI AMI.

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Tim Atlas

When you hear that an artist was a former participant on NBC’s The Voice you don’t usually picture Tim Atlas. His unique blend of bedroom pop and love of pastel colors creates a warm and fuzzy vibe that just can’t be beat. He just shared a new project, Together Lonely, including the hit track “Tangerine,” whose video made it on our 10 Best Music Videos of 2019 list.

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Tim Ayre

Australia’s Tim Ayre shared his five-track debut EP this year and each and every song on that project is a gem. Channeling some Kevin Parker vibes he comes through beautifully with his blend of psychedelic pop. His self-titled debut is only a fifteen minute listen and with tracks like “LAXX,” “Not Like It Should Be” and “Nothing,” it’s worth every second.

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Read some of our other Best of The Year lists:

The 30 Best Albums of 2019

The 30 Best Songs of 2019

The 10 Best Music Videos of 2019

The 10 Best Music Videos of 2019

10. A$AP Rocky – “Babushka Boi”

9. Choker – “Lucky”

8. Dominic Fike – “Phone Numbers (feat. Kenny Beats)”

7. Vince Staples – “So What?”

6. Doja Cat – “Tia Tamera (feat. Rico Nasty)”

5. Tyler, The Creator – “EARFQUAKE”

4. Tim Atlas – “Tangerine”

3. Tierra Whack – “Unemployed”

2. Oliver Tree – “Cash Machine”

1. DaBaby – “BOP”

Read some of our other Best of The Year lists:

The 30 Best Albums of 2019

The 30 Best Songs of 2019

The 10 Best New Artists of 2019

The 30 Best Songs of 2019

 

30. Still Woozy – “Lava”

29. Tame Impala – “Patience”

28. REI AMI – “MAKE IT MINE”

27. Blu DeTiger – “Tangerine”

26. Lizzo – “Juice”

25. Dreamville – “Down Bad (feat. JID, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy)”

24. Dominic Fike – “Açai Bowl”

23. DaBaby – “Suge”

22. Clairo – “Bags”

21. Verzache – “Cable”

20. Billie Eilish – “bad guy”

19. Nick Murphy / Chet Faker – “Sanity”

18. Four Tet – “Only Human”

17. Tyler, The Creator – “EARFQUAKE”

16. Tierra Whack – “Only Child”

15. Vampire Weekend – “This Life”

14. Easy Life – “Sunday”

13. Dominic Fike – “Phone Numbers (prod. Kenny Beats)”

12. Kate Bollinger – “Talk About It (B-Side)”

11. Blood Orange – “Dark & Handsome (feat. Toro Y Moi)”

10. Big Thief – “Not”

9. Bon Iver – “Naeem”

8. DaBaby – “BOP”

7. Frank Ocean – “In My Room”

6. YBN Cordae – “RNP (feat. Anderson .Paak)”

5. BAYNK – “Simmer (feat. Hablot Brown)”

4. Choker – “Lucky”

3. James Blake – “I’ll Come Too”

2. 88 Keys – “That’s Life (feat. Mac Miller & Sia)”

1. Jai Paul – “Do You Love Her Now” / “He”

Read some of our other Best of The Year lists:

The 30 Best Albums of 2019

The 10 Best Music Videos of 2019

The 10 Best New Artists of 2019

The 30 Best Albums of 2019

30. Hayden James – Between Us

29. Kanye West – Jesus Is King

28. BROCKHAMPTON – GINGER

27. Dreamville – Revenge Of The Dreamers III

26. Danny Brown – uknowhatimsayin¿

25. Angel Olsen – All Mirrors

24. Solange – When I Get Home

23. Golden Vessel – SLOWSHINE

22. Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY!

21. Nick Murphy / Chet Faker – Run Fast Sleep Naked

20. Young Thug – So Much Fun

19. Berhana – HAN

18. Goldwash – Flat Earth Surf Club

17. Kaytranada – BUBBA

16. YBN Cordae – The Lost Boy

15. Flume – Hi, This Is Flume

14. FKA Twigs – MAGDALENE

13. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana

12. Jordan Rakei – Origin

11. Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride

10. Clairo – Immunity

Clairo delivered a stunning debut album that fully proved this “Pretty Girl” is a beautiful and experienced songwriter.

9. DaBaby – KIRK / Baby On Baby

DaBaby won 2019. With two albums dropping over the course of the year and ten chart-topping singles, we all “needed some shit with some BOP in it.”

8. Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell

No summer is complete without a little Lana, and in 2019 Lana closed out the summer with her best record to date.

7. Purple Mountains – Purple Mountains

RIP to David Berman.

6. Toro Y Moi – Outer Peace

Toro Y Moi showed us why he’s still the king of keeping it cool.

5. Billie Eilish – WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

Billie Eilish became the world’s biggest sensation over the course of a single year. Her debut album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? proved that she’s the perfect pop star for the next generation. With catchy tracks like “bad guy,” samples of The Office on “my strange addiction” and an overall depressed atmosphere, it’s the perfect album for any teen in 2019.

4. Big Thief – U.F.O.F. / Two Hands

Big Thief managed to somehow own every year-end list that came out over the past month, and rightfully so. Delivering two albums this year, October’s Two Hands and my personal favorite, May’s U.F.O.F., the El Paso indie group provided some of the absolute best tracks of the year. The two albums provide quite different vibes, with U.F.O.F.  containing more summer vibes as opposed to Two Hands chilly feels. Together, it’s a masterpiece.

3. Bon Iver – i,i

Bon Iver returned this year with an album that was truly comprised of all the best parts of Justin Vernon’s last three projects. Even on his most collaborative album to date, Vernon’s voice remains at the forefront . Deathly quiet at times and filled with heavy-hitting sounds at others, the album holds all the punch that you come to expect from a Bon Iver record. Vernon picks out some of the best aspects of his music and mixes them all together here. Combining warm guitars and electronic dissonance all at once, Bon Iver’s i,i is the culmination of a career.

2. Tyler, The Creator – IGOR

There has never been another rapper who wrote, arranged, and produced their own chart-topping album. On IGOR, Tyler, The Creator made an album for himself, and he was pretty blatant about that. He gave out instructions to listeners as to how he wanted them to experience IGOR and completely redefined his public persona to match that of his album’s character and subsequent live show. A lot of people were shocked at the release of IGOR. He announced it just two weeks before its release date and wore a blonde wig throughout much of the album’s cryptic promotional videos. While Tyler’s last album, 2016’s Flower Boy, surprised many fans with its themes, subject matter, and overall musical tone, IGOR seemed poised to be a continuation of the “Flower Boy Tyler.” Instead, his latest album turned out to be a culmination of all of Tyler’s previous work, including the albums that got him banned from multiple countries and have people online questioning why he has not yet been cancelled. In Tyler’s words: “It kinda all lead up to this.”

1. James Blake – Assume Form

James Blake’s music has always had a bit of a bitter taste to it. His 2016 album, The Colour In Anything, was a dimly lit, chilling listen. But that was all back when he hadn’t found love. If you’ve heard a breakup album before, 2019’s Assume Form is the exact opposite. On Assume Form we witness a clear change in form for Blake, who accredits the sudden burst of color in his music, as well as individual aspects of the album itself, to his partner Jameela Jamil. Some of the haunting sounds remain, but there’s an overall warmth that accompanies the tracks here. An “in love” Blake seems to be singing as if he’s floating above himself looking in. He takes newfound risks, both musically, with 808-heavy tracks like the Travis Scott and Metro Boomin-assisted “Mile High,” and lyrically, allowing the listener to fully pull back the curtains, evacuating his emotions on a grand stage. In doing so, Blake manages to expand ROSALÍA’s reach to the world with the compelling “Barefoot In The Park” and clears a path for André 3000 to take the stage on “Where’s The Catch?” as he delivers a sprawling verse that mimics his Blonde appearance. Still, Blake remains the confessional centerpiece on an album that is very much about him but applies to us all.

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Read some of our other Best of The Year lists:

The 30 Best Songs of 2019

The 10 Best New Artists of 2019

The 10 Best Music Videos of 2019

 

 

 

Kanye West Shares Christmas Album “Jesus Is Born” From His Sunday Service Chour

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yes, Kanye really just released his album when he said he would.

Executive produced by Kanye West, Jesus Is Born is the new album from his Sunday Service Choir and the followup to October’s Jesus Is King. Unlike Jesus Is King, which experienced several delays before release, Kanye delivered Jesus Is Born when he said he would, on Christmas Day.

The album features some standout tracks like the choir’s cut of The Life of Pablo tracks “Ultralight Beam,” “Father Stretch” and “Follow Me – Faith,” which interpolates Kanye’s “Fade.”

You can find “Father Stretch” from Kanye’s Sunday Service Choir’s Jesus Is Born on our Tasty! Jams playlists.

RELATED: Denzel Curry Just Sampled Kanye’s ‘Sunday Service’ On New Song & It’s Insane

https://t.co/S6LFIK5KDv pic.twitter.com/siQxZHOXSs

— ye (@kanyewest) December 25, 2019

RELATED: Ranking The 5 Albums From Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Summer: DAYTONA, Ye, Kids See Ghosts, Nasir, K.T.S.E.

Tyler, The Creator Shares Two New Songs “Best Interest” & “Group B”

Tyler’s first new music since IGOR.

Today Tyler, The Creator shared two new songs, “Best Interest” and “Group B.” Tyler also shared a video for “Best Interest,” which he described as being “a song that I never got to fully finish from IGOR sessions.” He adds: “Didnt want it to sit on a hard drive. Filmed with no music, with hopes that it would sync up, a success!.”

The two “throwaway” tracks mark the first new music for Tyler since 2019’s IGOR, Tyler’s sixth album and his first to go #1 on the Billboard charts. This isn’t the first time Tyler has surprise shared songs that didn’t make the cut. Last year he uploaded songs like “OKRA,” “ZIPLOC,” “BRONCO” and “PEACH FUZZ” without any warning, so maybe this means we can expect more to come in 2020.

RELATED: Drake Got Booed Offstage At Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw

RELATED: Tyler, The Creator Shares Series of Cryptic Videos Teasing New Music

James Blake’s New Music Video For “I’ll Come Too” Features A Penguin Dance Party

A real life version of Happy Feet.

Last week James Blake shared the new music video for “I’ll Come Too” off of his 2019 album Assume Form. The entire video is footage courtesy of BBC Earth, edited together in a beautiful way by Matt Meech, as we follow a love story between some wildlife that includes a bit of an interspecies dance party.

The video’s editor, Matt Meech, spoke a bit about the project:

It was an honor to be invited onto the “I’ll Come Too” project. James was keen to make a music video that involved animals in some way. Once I heard the beautiful track, I knew I had to be a part of it. I started my career editing music videos, twenty years ago, and music has always been a big part of my storytelling technique.

I remembered some footage that we didn’t use on Planet Earth II that I thought might be useful. Both birds look quirky, elegant and beautiful, the Albatrosses have an unusual mating dance, which the penguins watch from afar and the mysterious backdrop of the Snares island, off the coast of Southern New Zealand, is a truly unique landscape.

Previously this year, James Blake was featured on Bon Iver’s i,i and shared his own album Assume Form and a few bonus tracks.

Young Thug Drops Deluxe Version Of “So Much Fun”

With new songs featuring Travis Scott and Gunna.

Young Thug is ending the decade with a little more fun. On Friday, Thugger released the deluxe version of his 2019 album So Much Fun. This version features a red album cover as opposed to the green one that graced the original (Christmas nod maybe?). With five new songs added to the top of the album the deluxe version clocks in at just under an hour and twenty minutes. “Diamonds” featuring Gunna and “Hop Off A Jet” with Travis Scott open the project on a high note and Scott also lends his vocal talents to a remix of the Gunna-featuring “Hot.” You can find “Hop Off A Jet” from Young Thug and Travis Scott on our Tasty! Jams playlists.

RELATED: Young Thug Joins J. Cole & Travis Scott For Surprise New Song “The London”

Okaywill Takes Us Back On Nostalgic New Song “10 Years Ago”

Okaywill delivers on this nostalgic new jam.

“10 Years Ago” shows off a new sound for Okaywill. The dreamy and melodic sounds you’re used to from the South Carolina producer still remain but the track features the heaviest drop we’ve ever seen from the up-and-comer. Like a beautiful blend between Louis The Child and Matt & Kim, “10 Years Ago” will have you stuck in your memories while the track is stuck on repeat.

Okaywill never fails to make magic with his music, his Falling For You EP is just a straight up great time and he’s come through big time over the past few months with singles like “Starfinder” and “Feeling Is Right.” Check out our interview if you want to learn a little more about the South Carolina producer and you can find “10 Years Ago” from Okaywill on our Tasty! Jams playlists.

Still Woozy Is Winning Hearts In The New Music Video For “Habit”

Still Woozy shares music video for “Habit” from his Lately EP.

It’s always a good day when Still Woozy decides to make an appearance. Today we’ve got the new music video for “Habit” off of Still Woozy’s Lately EP from earlier this year. Still Woozy also seems to have upped his video game quite a bit, directed by Shawheen Keyani, production-wise the video is a big step up from Woozy’s other visuals like “Lava” and “Goodie Bag.” The video takes place during a very unhinged round of a dating show called “The Love Trap” where three contestants vie for the attention of one lovely lady. You can watch the video above and find more Still Woozy on our Tasty! Jams playlists.

RELATED: Still Woozy Shares The Vibes With ODIE On “Lucy”

RELATED: Still Woozy Shares “Ipanema” With Omar Apollo & Elujay Ahead Of EP Release

Lil Uzi Vert Is Dancing Into The New Year With “Futsal Shuffle 2020”

Lil Uzi Vert’s third “return” to rap in the past year.

Lil Uzi Vert may just be rap’s most evasive specimen. If you don’t believe me just ask Nardwuar, who receives a huge shoutout in Lil Uzi’s newest release “Futsal Shuffle 2020,” ending the whole song with a sample of Nardwaur’s famous “Doot Doola Doot Doo.” Opening the song, on the other hand, with a sample of Tyler, The Creator telling his Camp Flog Gnaw crowd to “sing this shit” the song quickly jumps in and erupts into a melodic and synth-filled dance anthem. With it’s anime album cover and happy-go-lucky feel, the song seems like it’s made for the masses and a definite step in a new direction for Lil Uzi, who previously this year only released “Free Uzi” and “Sanguine Paradise” with “That’s A Rack.” You can find “Futsal Shuffle 2020” from Lil Uzi Vert on our Tasty! Jams playlists.

Chance The Rapper Cancels Entire 2020 Tour

After postponing the tour until next year it has now officially been cancelled.

It’s crazy what one bad album can do. Earlier this year I wrote a lengthy, scathing review of Chance The Rapper‘s The Big Day, his bloated and messy “debut” studio album. Now, after rescheduling and postponing all the way into next year, and on the heels of a Black Friday 2-for-1 ticket sale, Chance The Rapper has announced via Instagram the cancellation of his entire 2020 tour. “The Big Tour” was supposed to be Chance’s victory lap on an otherwise successful year but that just was not the case. The Big Day, while critically was welcomed, has quickly been regarded by rap fans as one of the worst albums of the year. While Chance claims that the cancellation, like the original postponement, is due to his desire to spend more time with his family, it is clearly because of a serious lack of ticket sales. You can read Chance’s full post below”

“I know it sucks and it’s been a lot of back and forth with reschedules and rerouting, but it’s for the best. I’m gonna take this time to be with family, make some new music and develop my best show to date. I’m deeply sorry to anyone with a ticket who has supported me this past decade by coming to a show and rocking out with me and I feel even worse for anyone who was planning on making this their first Chance concert.”

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A post shared by Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper)

Free Nationals Drop Self-Titled Debut Album

Anderson .Paak’s backing band is now so much more.

With an absolutely jaw-dropping amount of features and collaborators, the Free Nationals have some pretty cool friends. The band, who’s known for supporting Anderson .Paak during his live shows, just dropped their debut album, Free Nationals. Including the previously released “Beauty & Essex,” “On Sight,” and “Time” as well as eleven other new jams. With features from .Paak, Daniel Casear, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, JID, Kadhja Bonet, Syd, Benny Sings, Mac Miller, Kali Uchis, T.I. and many more, each song holds a very different feel. You can find “Gidget” from Free Nationals and Anderson .Paak on our Tasty! Jams playlists.