new and old music to fall in love with in 2019
Artists in the music industry have been creating some serious “bops” for us in the last year or so and especially as we have started the new year. I even heard a rumor that P!nk is releasing new music sometime in April 2019, so get excited for that. But for right now, what music is there to love?
Ariana Grande
Album: thank u, next
Released: Feb 8, 2019
Ariana really came out of her shell, expressing her emotions in the deepest way possible, through song. We really hear how she is struggling but at the same time working to get through it all. We can all relate to having tough times and hearing her songs makes me want to be more real, especially with my emotions. We shouldn’t have to hide what we feel to make others happy and Ariana hits that home. We all love her single thank u, next a serious “smash” as Ariana sings in the song. However, I would even say that the other songs across the whole album are even better. She shows songwriting at its finest by not caring what others think and writing from her heart, even if it is about being “needy” like in her song needy. My favorite song on the whole album right now is fake smile. Ariana sings about not wanting to smile when she is not happy and I feel like we can all relate to that. There are definitely some days where I find I don’t want to smile and just want to be sad. Life is all about balance and when life is rough it is okay to be sad. Overall, this album plays a lot with new age and modern techniques, from Ariana’s rapping in 7 rings to Ariana playing different forms of audio in the beginning of songs like in NASA, in my head, and bloodline. Go check out her album available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Julia Michaels
Album: Inner Monologue, Pt. 1
Released: Jan 25, 2019
Julia Michaels is “one of pop’s most sought-after songwriters,” writing for artists such as “Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, and Gwen Stefani,” according to Apple Music’s description of her new album, Inner Monologue, Pt.1. This album is short and sweet, covering topics such as anxiety and heartbreak in songs like Anxiety and Into You, on top of peppy beats and rhythms. You almost forget that you are listening to songs with so many sad connotations but when you focus in, the songs just become more powerful. Featuring artists like Selena Gomez and Niall Horan, this album is not one to pass by. Go check out her album available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Imagine Dragons
Album: Origins
Released: Nov 9, 2018
Imagine Dragons are my personal favorite band and I wanted to give them a little shout out. You might know them for songs like Radioactive and Believer. What I love about them is that their style has changed over time since the release of their first album, Night Visions, back in 2012. This shows that as they write new songs, they want to add different meaning to them. They aren’t placing themselves in a box and affecting their creative process. They write what they feel and do it how they feel it should be done. Their most recent album, Origins, is almost a sister album to their last album, Evolve, which released in June 2017. Evolve includes songs like Thunder and Whatever It Takes that speak about never giving up in yourself. On the other hand, Origins talks more about relationships and “real life” problems in songs like Love and Real Life. My favorite song by far in this album that shows real meaning to life now is Love which covers topics like news, racism, and technology overload. It speaks to life now and what we could do to change the future for the better. It is songs like this that inspire me to not be held down by society and continue to try and make a difference in the world. Go check out Imagine Dragons available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Queen
Album: The Platinum Collection (Greatest Hits I, II, & III)
Released: 1984
Ever since the release of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody in Nov. 2018, with Rami Malek highlighting as Freddie Mercury, my love for Queen and all of their music has been restored. Yes, restored, mainly because I didn’t realize that songs that I have been listening to since I was eight years old were in fact Queen songs. Queen is a timeless classic, one I think that may live on forever. Freddie’s vocal range is unmatched to any other male artist and gives the most unique sound to all of Queen’s music. They took risks, especially with Bohemian Rhapsody, a six minute song, which at the time of its original release was unheard of especially for radio. Their risk taking and overall topics in their songs from love to never giving up are like anthems for my heart that just make me want to sing. There is a reason why we still hear their songs today out of any other artists from the 1980s. Their songs are catchy, relatable, and the definition of rock n’ roll. I especially enjoy songs like Bohemian Rhapsody while using headphones because Queen uses different speaker effects so that you hear different things in each ear. It really changes how you hear their music but it also shows how much they cared about their craft. With rhythms, overlays, and buildups like in Don’t Stop Me Now, Seven Seas of Rhye, and We Are the Champions how could one not love Queen. Their music is nothing like that of today with so many risks and such a special sound. Go check out Queen available on Spotify and Apple Music.
The Greatest Showman
Album: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released: Dec 8, 2017
Available on Spotify and Apple Music
Let’s be honest. Everyone already loves this album. I love this album. With upbeat music and powerful lyrics, like in This is Me and The Greatest Show, this album is a never ending favorite. So, if you haven’t listened to the soundtrack yet or even seen the movie The Greatest Showman for that matter, go check them both out now. This movie means so much to me as it shows you to just be yourself, never give up on your dreams, and even if you are broken, you are still full of value and worth. Go check out The Greatest Showman Original Motion Picture Soundtrack available on Spotify and Apple Music.
These are all my top picks for music to fall in love with in 2019. However, there is still so much other music out there to listen to and enjoy. Music is not only a way of simple expression, it is a way to express messages of love, life, and true emotion. I hope you can find the music out there for you and even find your own voice and remember your worth.
Much love and peace
Emily