In case you missed them: A recap of 2019 album releases
With 2019 a few days away from being history, here’s a look back at albums released this year, that you might have missed:
• Sharon Van Etten — “Remind Me Tomorrow”
The singer-songwriter’s fifth album, released Jan. 18, garnered mostly “B+” ratings, which equates to a score of 8/10 from critics. Allmusic, an online music database stated that her album “plumbs the depths of contentedness, setting her satisfaction to a sound that’s nominally dark yet strangely comforting and nourishing.” Van etten was recently a guest on Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra’s album, “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This.” She also starred on the Netflix series “The OA” and has made a cameo on “Twin Peaks” (2017).
• Toro y Moi aka Chazz Bear — “Outer Pace”
The sixth album from the American singer, record producer and graphic designer from South Carolina, blends his Synth-Pop, House and R&B influences with FuturePop to give the audience a half-hour of sleek and playful tunes.
• Backstreet Boys — “DNA”
The ninth studio album from the Pop quintet debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, making it the group’s first number one album since 2000’s “Black and Blue.” “DNA” has also been certified the best selling album of 2019, in terms of pure sales (physical and digital).
• Ariana Grande — “Thank U, Next”
The fifth studio album from the American Pop singer was released on Feb. 8 to universal acclaim for songwriting and production, including top rankings among critics’ “Best Album of the Year” polls.
• Hozier — “Wasteland, Baby!”
Although the Irish singer’s second album debuted at number one on the Irish Albums Chart and the U.S.
Billboard 200 on March 1, sonically, “Wasteland, Baby!” recycles many elements from his debut album “Hozier.” As a result, the singer’s voice becomes a lonely highlight on an otherwise dull album.
• Florida Georgia Line — “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country”
Supported by the singles “Simple” and “Talk You Out Of It,” the latest album from the Tennessee act was released Feb. 15 and debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200, giving the duo their fourth U.S. top-five album.
• Solange — “When I Get Home”
The Houston native pays homage to her hometown, as well as the area’s underground Hip-Hop scene on “When I Get Home,” the artist’s star-studded fourth album, released on March 1.
• Mötley Crüe — “The Dirt Soundtrack”
On March 1, the L.A.-native ’80s rockers released “The Dirt Soundtrack,” an album of career spanning hits, including four new tracks to coincide with a Netflix-released film.
• Billie Eilish — “When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
The breakthrough debut album from the 18 year-old Soundcloud artist contains six Billboard top 40 singles and has won her multiple accolades.
• Marvin Gaye — “You’re the Man”
This was originally intended to be a follow-up to the singer’s acclaimed 1972 album “What’s Goin On.” Instead, it was shelved until being released on March
21. Highlights of Gaye’s soulful Funk and smooth personal lyrics include the songs “You’re the Man,” “The World Is Rated X” (alternate mix) and “Try It, You’ll Like It.”