Music taste is inherently personal, so everyone is entitled to their own opinion… Unless its something the team at FIB says is bad, so here are our top 5 songs of 2019 ranked.
Mary Ali
CORNELIA STREET – TAYLOR SWIFT
If I could make all these choices Taylor Swift songs, I would. This song has that heartbreakingly soft touch that harks back to her country days, and its lyrics “I get mystified by how this city screams your name” takes me back to her masterpiece Treacherous from her Red album
Jason Nash
WATERMELON SUGAR – HARRY STYLES
Former One Direction singer Harry Styles comes back in 2019 with an upcoming second album, Fine Line. Single ‘Watermelon Sugar’ adds on to his previous club dance single ‘Lights Up’. Unlike ‘Lights Up’ displaying mystifying promiscuous and sultry sounds. ‘Watermelon Suger’ is more upbeat and pop driven. It is a departure and step forward from his soft rock ballad debut album.
Sami Tauber
RNP – YBN CORDAE (FEAT. ANDERSON .PAAK)
A surprise hit, but totally feel good! A funky groove. Completely underrated, yet satisfying to see Cordae’s talent recognised with the recent Grammy nominations. It’s no surprise that the record is so good, especially considering J. Cole produced the track. YBN Cordae is certainly one of the most exciting rappers on the rise.
Vishaal Narsey
BEWARE OF THE DOGS – STELLA DONNELLY
Australia’s own, Stella Donnelly, delivered on her track, Beware of the Dogs. With a slow buildup and complimentary vocals, Donnelly put on for the land of the Down Under.
Samantha Aishia
ROXANNE – ARIZONA ZERVAS
Zervas serves up some serious summer, cool-guy vibes in ROXANNE. I can’t seem to get this track out of my head.
Andrew Toledano
BY MYSELF – FIDLAR
The Canadian outfit return with a cracker of a track about getting so depressed over a break up that you end up day drinking alone until your friends tell you to seek ‘ professional help’, but this isn’t any slow, drab tune about heartbreak, push the beat up over a funky bass and chanted backings that will leave you dancing around your bedroom.
Mary Ali
FRIENDS DON’T – MADDIE + TAE
Ever since I was sixteen, songs about unrequited love, or music about friends who fall for each other seem to resonate with me. This country song is super sweet and if you get the chance, check out their other songs! They opened for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty tour, and have been making a name for themselves!
Jason Nash
HARMONY HALL – VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Having not listened to Vampire Weekend since their album Contra (don’t hate me) I can only admit what have I missed all these years from this band. Ezra Koenig doesn’t disappoint with his trademark vocals which haven’t faltered one bit. The song’s subject matter steps into deep existentialist territory, having a dig about himself or ‘the musician’s fate’ “I don’t wanna live like this, but I don’t wanna die.” Vampire Weekend reach a pinnacle point of maturity questioning life and death.
Sami Tauber
WEEBLE WOBBLE – ELIMINATE
A certified banger pumped out by DJs all around the world. This is sure to get the dance floor moving with the fresh bouncy bass sound design. “Weeble Wobble” is part of Eliminate’s second EP “Dead Sea.” The syncopated bass sound design coupled with the chopped vocals creates an interesting combination. It’s refreshing to see minimal dance music maximised to it’s full sonic advantage.
Vishaal Narsey
HOT – YOUNG THUG (FEAT. GUNNA)
Quickly becoming a sensation online, Hot is bound to be in everyone’s end of year music wrap ups. With a flawless feature from Gunna and even tapping Travis Scott for the remix, Young Thug will be on loop as we approach summer.
Samantha Aishia
ANTICLIMAX – MAE MULLER
If you’ve just gotten over a breakup and need a good FU song to your ex, give this one a listen.
Andrew Toledano
SUGAR – BROCKHAMPTON
The huge harmonies of this release gives an unexplainable depth that is rarely heard, seamlessly moving between hip hop and Soul. Pulling on the heartstrings, with hand percussion and gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar, I had me constantly pumping the volume and hitting repeat.
Mary Ali
CHASIN’ ME – CAROLINE JONES
It seems I have a slight obsession with small country acts whose songs don’t get the recognition they deserve. This is the kind of song that could used for a first dance at a wedding or could easily be the anthem of anyone who is falling in love.
Jason Nash
OUTSIDE OF THIS TOWN – CHRISTONE ‘KINGFISH’ INGRAM
With his debut simply titled Kingfish that was released earlier this year, this young American 20 year old is making Blues audiences’ mouths drop. A prodigy on the guitar, Kingfish teams up with blues legend Buddy Guy on ‘Out Of This Town’. What is important about the song is how it brings back old school American blues to a new modern audience.
Sami Tauber
TOKYO DRIFTING – GLASS ANIMALS (FEAT. DENZEL CURRY)
The coolest sonic flex. I am totally immersed. Cool arrangement, unique energy. Perfect 808. Denzel’s voice with Glass Animals is the perfect sonic synchronicity. The opening detuned synths/vocals with the thumping kick imminently grabs my attention. Dave’s smoky voice contrasts perfectly with the wonky beat. It creates a vibe of the room flipping, Inception style. The additional brass horn section is a nice surprise, followed by the re-introduction of the relentless beat and Denzel’s snappy rapid-fire verse.
Vishaal Narsey
TONIGHT – SUMMER WALKER
While there has been some controversy regarding the 23-year-old’s live shows, there is no denying her ability. The release of her EP Clear brought forward the outstanding track that is Wasted. Her writing begun to shine through this EP and Wasted is the perfect blend between acoustics, vocals and lyrics. Walker has followed up her EP, with her album, Over It, and features some of the best R&B tracks I’ve heard since SZA’s ctrl.
Samantha Aishia
BE HONEST – JORJA SMITH (FEAT. BURNA BOY)
Jorja Smith is your go-to-girl for feel-good, toe-tapping hits that you just can’t seem to get out of your head and this song is no exception.
Andrew Toledano
FACE TO FACE – REX ORANGE COUNTY
From Rex Orange County’s 2019 release, Face to Face is sweet, delicate and relatable. Gorgeous harmonies open the song that transitions into an acapella narrative accompanied by piano. Rex plays with pacing as his voice constantly rushes ahead of the melody, moving into him screaming across the recording booth, only to be interrupted by a funky walking drum beat, a majestic accompaniment to a Summer afternoon.
Mary Ali
EASY – CAMILA CABELLO
Camila Cabello has made it very clear that she is very-much-in-love with her boyfriend Shawn Mendes, and if this song is a testament to their relationship, then they really are the envy of every girls’ dream of ending up with him. Its message about unconditional love was really powerful and coupled with her sensationally sweet voice, the song easily made it into my top five.
Jason Nash
SHINE A LITTLE LIGHT – THE BLACK KEYS
The Black Keys never disappoint, the duo’s ‘Shine A Little Light’ has all the ingredients of a classic rock belter ticked down, the guitar riffs, the drums, cool driven lyrics, and an overall overdrive gusto to make mouths drool.
Sami Tauber
SKYWALKING – MATHAME
Totally enveloped in this synth techno religious banger. A slow burner for sure, but worth every beat. The Afterlife label artists offer dance music of epic proportions with glissando synths and spacious arrangements, creating an uplifting, euphoric vibe. A sonic journey through the realm of consciousness. Pure musical art.
Vishaal Narsey
A LOT ON MY MIND – PLAYBOI CARTI
While it never really had an official release, A lot on my mind was one of my favourite tracks of 2019. Opting for a slower flow, the track is great for any time of the day because when do we never have a lot on our mind.
Samantha Aishia
ALL FOR US – LABRINTH & ZENDAYA
This track is a musical masterpiece. Also, Zendaya. That’s all I really have to say.
Andrew Toledano
WHERE’S THE CATCH? – JAMES BLAKE (FEAT. ANDRÉ 3000)
The haunting collaboration between electronic and ballad, mixed with a stunning verse by Andre 3000 brings the chilling banger to a genre flaying experience. Echoed voices of little girls, plucking of a banjo, and distorted vocals all make an appearance with Blakes usual angelic voice traded for a gruff back of throat scream that ties the song into something incredibly uniquely multifaceted.
Mary Ali
THE MAN – TAYLOR SWIFT
Whilst this song is yet to be released as a single, the lyrics “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I would get there quicker if I was a man” are the thoughts in every girl’s mind. It questions the double standards of the music industry and society in general.
Jason Nash
BORDERLINE – TAME IMPALA
In Tame Impala’s new song ‘Boderline’, listeners would think it is Kevin Parker lamenting on the musical journey Tame Impala has given him and his band members. It is a long way from their origins as a Beatles’esque psychedelic rock band to an alternative dancy pysch-pop outfit when they had unleashed Currents in 2015. ‘Borderline’ showcases signature Tame Impala, lead electric piano, pan flutes, and a dark impression about what Los Angeles is to the narrator—the land of fame-sex-drugs-pain-pleasure-and-doubt. The Tame Impala sound creates that eeriness where you feel a bit lost in the bubble of soft rock and, perhaps, remain dazed and confused.
Sami Tauber
FLAME DEVOURER – ALON MOR
It’s rare for me to come across innovative sound design and music that I have never heard before, but Alon Mor 100% took the musical crown with his genre-bending, orchestral thrilling soundscapes! In my humble opinion, the next Hans Zimmer, meets John Williams, meets trippy Lewis Carroll artistry. Taking a deep dive into this discography, one can only admire a goldmine of musical treasures with the release of his latest album, “Lands Of Delight.” If I was to classify his sonic landscape, it would be a fusion of neuro, electronic, classical, orchestral and glitch.
Vishaal Narsey
NO BAD ENERGY – NAS
Since it’s release, I haven’t gone a day without listening to this track. The vocal sample and drums are perfect for the New York Legend to reflect on his life and hip-hop culture. Calling out the younger acts for lying through their art, Nas had to remind us why he’s on the Mount Rushmore of hip-hop.
Samantha Aishia
MY STRANGE ADDICTION – BILLIE EILISH
Maybe it’s because of the soundbites from The Office, or because of the super satisfying ASMR vibes the song gives out- either way, this song is a jam.
Andrew Toledano
SANCTUARY – JOJI
I need more ‘sad boy’ music in my life, sure old school Post Malone is good, but Joji is out here making plays. Electrifying keys, static bass and the versatility of Joji’s voice has had me enamored since my first listen. I think it’s the vulnerability that this song evokes that’s made me listen to it so many times, it may not be a club banger but god damn its gorgeous.
Want to hear any of our picks? Check them out in the official FIB playlist below:
So what did you think of our picks, let us know in the comments below! If you disagree with our picks tell us your Top 5 of 2019!