FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2019

Another year and the end of another decade of great music. Time flies but at least we’ve got a great soundtrack.

As ever 2019 saw some wonderful new music released. There was the return of artists who had been on a hiatus of sorts – Bill Callahan, Crazy Horse and most importantly… David Berman (R.I.P.) who re-emerged with the self-titled Purple Mountains, an incredible record that was easily our favourite release of 2019.

Beyond that there was a mix of some strong Australian releases and the further diversification fo what we consider Americana music. From the primitive guitar stylings of D.C Cross to the impressionistic poetry of Callahan, the cosmic country dreams of Lost Ragas, the glam noir country of Orville Peck and the heartbreaking soul of The Delines – the net was cast wide within the world of country, folk, blues and rock ‘n’ roll and the rewards were sweet.

Full disclosure: As a publicist I worked on PR for the Mark Moldre, Harvey Russell and Bryan Estepa albums

Here are our 50 favourite albums of 2019, with links to reviews and buy/stream:

50. Leo Rondeau – Right On Time
49. Caroline Spence – Mint Condition
48. Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Servants Of The Sun
47. Tyler Childers – Country Squire
46. Harvey Russell – Liquid Damage
45. Nathan Seeckts – The Heart Of The City
44. Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms Of Surrender
43. Midland – Let It Roll
42. Paul Cauthen – Room 41
41. Calexico and Iron & Wine – Years To Burn
40. Robert Ellis – Texas Piano Man
39. David Quinn – Wanderin’ Fool
38. Chris Shiflett – Hard Lessons
37. Joan Shelley – Like The River Loves The Sea
36. Beth Bombara – Evergreen
35. Fallon Cush – Stranger Things Have Happened
34. Spencer Radcliffe – Hot Spring
33. Bryan Estepa – Sometimes I Just Don’t Know
32. Cass McCombs – Tip Of The Sphere
31. North Mississippi Allstars – Up And Rolling
30. William Tyler – Goes West
29. Ryan Bingham – American Love Song
28. Steve Gunn – The Unseen In Between
27. Jeff Tweedy – Warmer
26. Jim Lauderdale – From Another World
25. Charley Crockett – The Valley
24. Bonnie “Prince” Billy – I Made A Place
23. Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury
22. D.C Cross – Ecstatic Racquet
21. Will Johnson – Wire Mountain
20. Rose City Band – Rose City Band
19. Claire Anne Taylor – All The Words
18. Tiny Ruins – Olympic Girls
17. Wilco – Ode To Joy
16. Dan Brodie – Funerária Do Vale
15. Orville Peck – Pony
14. Sean McMahon – You Will Know When You’re There
13. Bruce Springsteen – Western Stars
12. Justin Townes Earle – The Saint Of Lost Causes
11. Lost Ragas – This Is Not A Dream