Plus, new music from Thom Yorke and Brittany Howard
Chelsea Beck for NPR
Since we’re halfway through 2019, we figured now’s the time to reflect on the music that’s captured our attention this year. Rather than tally votes and compile a ranked list, we decided to ask some of our favorite fellow public radio writers a simple question: What’s your favorite album and song of 2019 so far?
The answers span genres and include huge hits and hidden gems. Our album list ranges from Angélique Kidjo’s tribute to Celia Cruz to Weyes Blood’s richly-textured pop; from Beyonce’s spectacular live album to Caroline Shaw’s reimagining of the language for the classical string quartet. On our list of songs, our colleagues highlighted everything from Billie Elish's whisper-core to Ex Hex's edgy guitar riffs; from a confiding reflection by Bill Callahan to what one writer called "the banger of the year so far."
We’re proud to present songs worth obsessing over and albums that resonate, as chosen by some of the biggest ears in the country. Here’s to hoping you find something to love, too.
Blame it on the juice, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna
New Music
Radiohead's Thom Yorke released his third official solo album, ANIMA, this week. The album’s short companion film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and available on Netflix, feels artful, warm and uncharacteristically revealing. (Plus, it's got some of Yorke’s wildest dance moves yet.)
Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard announced her first-ever solo album, which will be released later this summer. Jaime is named for Howard’s sister, who died of cancer when they were teenagers, and the album's first single is a swirling, punch-drunk, funk rumination on the ways repeated mistakes can hold us back.
This week — just ahead of the Fourth of July — Lucy Dacus released the latest in her ongoing series of songs for holidays. “Forever Half Mast” is a conflicted song about what it means to be an American.
Featuring
Harry and the Potters — a punk-ish duo made up of brothers Paul and Joe DeGeorge — helped pioneer the micro-genre of "wizard rock" in 2002 (we all had to do something to fill the long gap between Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix). Now, much like You-Know-Who (but benevolent), they've returned.
Ever since a 17-year-old Lesley Gore sang “You Don’t Own Me” in 1963, the coolly mutinous song has moved women to reject passive femininity. In a feature for our American Anthem series, the song’s writers say there are layers of resistance in its words.
Songwriter, bandleader and producer Dave Bartholomew died last week at the age of 100. One of the architects of the rock and roll sound, he was best known for his work with Fats Domino, ultimately amassing more than 100 entries on the pop and R&B charts between 1949 and 1963.
Tiny Desk
Shuran Huang/NPR
Betty Who makes summertime pop that’s sunny and celebratory, but she’s also got classical chops as a cellist. In town for a three-night residency at D.C.’s 9:30 Club, Betty realized a teenage dream of hers: to play the Tiny Desk. With studio production stripped away, her intricate melodies and impressive range sparkle.
Incoming
Over the past year, we’ve been sharing the stories behind songs that challenge, unite and celebrate us in our American Anthem series. Next week, just in time for the Fourth of July, we’ll be sharing a playlist of definitive versions of the songs we’ve spotlighted.
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