Best Music Of 2019 A collection of lists, essays and features on the best recordings of 2019.
Best Music Of 2019
Billie Eilish performing in Austin, Texas in October. Eilish, who will turn 18 in December, broke through in 2019 with songs that embody the demons of her time, but with confidence and a healing sense of humor. Gary Miller/Getty Images hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: Lana Del Rey, Lizzo, Carly Rae Jepsen, FKA Twigs, The National, Brittany Howard Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Big Thief released two of Bob Boilen's favorite albums in 2019: U.F.O.F. and Two Hands. Michael Buishas hide caption
Jamila Woods' 2019 album LEGACY! LEGACY! was made up of songs that draw inspiration from earlier artists. Her songs were among many this year that sent NPR Music's critic Ann Powers seeking out historical partners. Bradley Murray/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Diatom Ribbons, by Kris Davis (center) was selected as the No. 1 jazz album of 2019 in a poll of 140 critics. Davis' album includes contributions from a wide range of musicians, including Terri Lyne Carrington (left) and Val Jeanty (right). Caroline Mardok/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
For her album Diatom Ribbons, pianist Kris Davis assembled a group of musicians who, taken together, represent just about everything happening at the edges of jazz right now. (Pictured, from left to right: Trevor Dunn, Val Jeanty, Terri Lyne Carrington, Davis, Tony Malaby, JD Allen and Esperanza Spalding) Mimi Chakarova/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: Fire-Toolz, Maria W Horn, Rakta, Haunt Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Cecilia Bartoli (left) and Adrianne Lenker of the band Big Thief (right) Cecilia Bartoli (courtesy Decca Classics), Adrianne Lenker (Matt Cowan/Getty Images) hide caption
The Braided Janes Jose Romero/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque were a musical highlight of 2019. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Brittany Howard made NPR Music's No.1 album of 2019 with Jaime. She's on our playlist of best songs of the year, too. Brantley Guttierez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
The band Black Pumas was recently nominated for a Grammy for best new artist, thanks in part to the support of Austin's KUTX and LA's KCRW public radio stations. Lyza Renee/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Houston Kendrick Samantha Gordon/Courtesy of the artist hide caption