{"id":546,"date":"2020-02-07T11:33:07","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T11:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ebow.ie\/extras\/umusic\/backend\/?post_type=features&#038;p=546"},"modified":"2021-03-08T14:11:23","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T14:11:23","slug":"top-albums-of-2019","status":"publish","type":"music-features","link":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/music-features\/top-albums-of-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Albums of 2019"},"author":2,"template":"","tags":[],"category_post":[15],"acf":{"intro_copy":"2019 has been an amazing year for music. Amid devastating breakups, long-awaited reunions, and a dearth of new sounds in between, there are plenty of artists who should be celebrating their successes this year. Take a look at some of UMusic Ireland\u2019s top picks for 2019!","smudge":false,"section_news":[{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2>1. Lewis Capaldi &#8211; Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent<\/h2>\n<p>One of the top breakout artists of 2019, Lewis Capaldi has come to be known as a man of contrasts. On social media and in interviews, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Scotland is brash, sarcastic, and self-deprecating. His music, however, is soulful and raw, and, as\u00a0<i>The Guardian<\/i>\u00a0holds, sounds as if he\u2019s \u201csinging every dolorous ballad as if wrapped in a duvet on the sofa.\u201d\u00a0<i>Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish<\/i>\u00a0<i>Extent<\/i>, Capaldi\u2019s first full-length album, peaked at Number One in Ireland and the UK and quickly became the fastest-selling album of the year.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"QwtRXG1QpR4","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to The Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/DivinelyUninspiredResWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Billie Eilish &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recorded in her brother\u2019s bedroom studio in Los Angeles, California, Billie Eilish\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> took the airwaves and charts by storm when it was released in March. It debuted at the top of the US and UK charts and was widely praised for its intelligent subject matter, vocal prowess, and poignant songwriting. The album took home plenty of accolades as well, including Apple Music\u2019s Album of the Year Award with Grammy nominations pending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"DyDfgMOUjCI","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/WHENWEFALLASLEEPWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Ariana Grande &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thank u, next<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Released just a few months after her highly-anticipated <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweetener<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Ariana Grande\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank U, Next<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> came in the midst of a tumultuous time for the American popstar. Embroiled in personal tragedies and breakups, Grande recorded the 12-track album in just two months, which produced immediate hits like \u201cThank U, Next\u201d (song), \u201c7 Rings,\u201d and \u201cBreak Up With Your Girlfriend, I\u2019m Bored.\u201d The album takes a pop, r&amp;b, and trap note, with influences of hip hop in the rhythm and beat, and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"gl1aHhXnN1k","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/ThankUNextAlbumWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Sam Fender &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypersonic Missiles<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winner of the 2019 Brit Choice Awards\u2013an award which honoured artists like Adele and Sam Smith in years past\u2013Sam Fender has recently taken the British music scene by storm. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypersonic Missiles<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is Fender\u2019s debut album and has spoken to listeners from all walks of life, drawing comparisons to a variety of rock greats like Jeff Buckley, Bruce Springsteen, and The Killers. It debuted at the top of the UK album charts in September and already has sold over 100,000 units.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"CDsFKOrLWhU","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/HypersonicMissilesPWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Westlife &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spectrum<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who would have thought that we\u2019d see another Westlife album topping charts in 2019? In late 2018, the Irish foursome announced a long-awaited reunion and dropped their first album since 2019 in November. In the month since its release, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spectrum<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has won the title of Ireland\u2019s fastest-selling album of the year, enchanting fans old and new with a sound that feels both novel and nostalgic.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"mgiH0_h8p-U","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/spectrum","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Dermot Kennedy &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without Fear<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since dropping in early October of this year, Dermot Kennedy\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without Fear<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has topped charts in Ireland and the UK and peaked in the top 20 in several other countries. The Rathcoole-born 28-year-old has become known for his raw, powerful sound and has been gathering international attention and acclaim for several years. He\u2019s played at SxSW and Coachella in the US, and has toured Europe and Australia to sold-out audiences, becoming an instant hit among all who listen to his sound.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"A48hOToMuRE","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/WithoutFearAlbumWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Picture This &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MDRN LV<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MDRN LV<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the second full-length album from Picture This, and it takes on a much different feel to its 2017 predecessor. After its release in February of 2019, it topped Irish charts, enchanting Picture This fans with a new taste. Of the differences, band member Ryan Hennessey said,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLyrically, it\u2019s still very conversational and colloquial. But I\u2019ve grown up a lot since the first album. The first album was me \u2013 18-20 years old, living in Athy, all the relationships and friendships back there \u2013 whereas now, I\u2019ve been all over the world, I\u2019ve experienced crazy things and met incredible people, so I\u2019ve changed. That\u2019s what this is about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"zEqxZ-Ie5SQ","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the ALbum Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/MDRNLVAlbumWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Hozier &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wasteland, Baby!<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wasteland, Baby!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Is the second full-length studio album from Wicklow-born Hozier and came after a highly-acclaimed EP in late 2018. It debuted at the top of the US and Ireland album charts and is Hozier\u2019s first Number One album in the US. Critics showered the 14-track album in positive reviews, praising it for its blend of haunting vocals, tasteful instrumentals, and powerful subject matter.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"j2YgDua2gpk","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/WastelandBabyWE","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Lana del Rey &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Norman Fucking Rockwell<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Released in August of this year, Norman Fucking Rockwell is Lana del Rey\u2019s sixth studio album of her career and the most critically-acclaimed one yet. The music and lyrics nod to several classic rock greats from the 1970s, including Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, and the Eagles. \u201cThe album is sultry and soporific,\u201d wrote Alexandra Pollard of The Independent, \u201csitting somewhere between the minimalist trip-hop of Del Rey\u2019s early days, and the scuzzy desert rock she has toyed with over the years.&#8221; It debuted at number three on Billboard 200 and is a contender for two Grammy Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"wPt0dGg4BKA","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to the Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/NormanFRockwellFP","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"},{"acf_fc_layout":"copy","copy":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Taylor Swift &#8211; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lover<\/span><\/i><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In collaboration with artists like the Dixie Chicks and Brendan Urie from Panic! At the Disco, Taylor Swift released her highly-anticipated Lover in August. Swift\u2019s seventh studio album is a pop, pop-rock, electropop and synth-pop record that contains influences of country, dream pop, bubblegum pop, funk, pop-punk, R&amp;B, and indie pop, a fusion of styles and genres that convey maturity and honesty. Her &#8220;frequently dazzling&#8221; melodies, and the &#8220;loved-up lyrics are ultimately quite touching,&#8221; and has racked up Grammy nomination as well.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"video","video_platform":"youtube","video":"-BjZmE2gtdo","facebook_video":"","video_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta","copy":"Listen to The Album Now","link":"https:\/\/umi.lnk.to\/lover","cta_copy_color":"#ffffff","alignment":"center"}],"block_type":"video-content","headline":"","display_tag":false,"related":false,"tag_color":"","meta_description":"Looking at the Top Ten albums of 2019, from Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, and so many more! It's been an amazing year for music!","social_share_image":false,"thumbnail_size":"height-2","image_thumbnail":{"ID":283,"id":283,"title":"Sam-Fedner","filename":"Sam-Fedner-.jpg","filesize":24347,"url":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","link":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/music-features\/win-tickets-to-a-sam-fender-secret-event\/sam-fedner\/","alt":"","author":"2","description":"","caption":"","name":"sam-fedner","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":282,"date":"2019-11-27 17:17:11","modified":"2019-11-27 17:17:11","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":660,"height":371,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner--150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner--300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","medium_large-width":525,"medium_large-height":295,"large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","large-width":525,"large-height":295,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","1536x1536-width":660,"1536x1536-height":371,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","2048x2048-width":660,"2048x2048-height":371,"twentyseventeen-featured-image":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner-.jpg","twentyseventeen-featured-image-width":660,"twentyseventeen-featured-image-height":371,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-Fedner--100x100.jpg","twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-width":100,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-height":100}},"mobile_image":{"ID":400,"id":400,"title":"Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke","filename":"Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke.jpg","filesize":2246959,"url":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke.jpg","link":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/artist-news\/hozier-nina-cried-power-ep\/hozier-2-photo-by-edward-cooke\/","alt":"","author":"2","description":"","caption":"","name":"hozier-2-photo-by-edward-cooke","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":399,"date":"2019-11-28 20:30:11","modified":"2019-11-28 20:30:11","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":4320,"height":5499,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-768x978.jpg","medium_large-width":525,"medium_large-height":669,"large":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-804x1024.jpg","large-width":525,"large-height":669,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke.jpg","1536x1536-width":1207,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke.jpg","2048x2048-width":1609,"2048x2048-height":2048,"twentyseventeen-featured-image":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-2000x1200.jpg","twentyseventeen-featured-image-width":2000,"twentyseventeen-featured-image-height":1200,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Hozier-2-photo-by-Edward-Cooke-100x100.jpg","twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-width":100,"twentyseventeen-thumbnail-avatar-height":100}},"video_id":"DyDfgMOUjCI"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/music-features\/546"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/music-features"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/music-features"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=546"},{"taxonomy":"category_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umusic.ie\/backend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_post?post=546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}