After the inevitable Best Of lists, we get the albums we’re looking forward to in 2019. Like many Best Of lists, they all seem to echo each other. I get it. We all want the new Sharon Van Etten album. Side note (Seventeen is fucking outrageous. My favorite SVE tune to date).
So with that in mind, here’s my list of 21. Let me clear, I have absolute zero insight as to whether any of these are going to come to fruition. This is just a selfish exercise.
1. Melkbelly – Put simply, there Pitchfork set blew my hair back. Best thing I saw that day and that day included Julien Baker, Big Thief, Lucy Dacus and Courtney Barnett.
2. Mikal Cronin – I know he’s busy with Ty but it has been 4 years since MCIII. I think we need to freshen up his roman numeral skills with MCIV.
3. Strand of Oaks – Tim’s been busy w/ Goshen Electric Co but I think it is high time we get a follow-up to Hard Love. (looks like Tim is leaking hints so we may be in luck).
4. Ratboys – I need some more of this Chicago band’s version of Post-Country. (they just announced SXSW so that is a good sign).
5. Lydia Loveless – Her last new material was 2016’s Real, where she really pushed down some barriers. Please push down some barriers.
6. Diet Cig – it seems about right for a follow-up to 2017’s I Swear I’m Good At This. One of most endearing live shows you’ll see.
7. Ex Hex – Caught a set by these ladies last September in Chicago. And I was reminded that they rock. (mission accomplished as they just announced It’s Real)
8. The Black Pumas – New Austin band that, if you dig Durand Jones and/or Charles Bradley, should be on your radar.
9. Annabelle Chairlegs – Speaking of Austin bands, this psych-rock quartet put on the best set I saw at SXSW 2018. Lead singer, Lindsey Mackin is a force of nature.
10. Mount Moriah – Heather’s solo album was phenomenal. But now, I would like more of Mount Moriah. Jenks Miller is one of the finest guitar players I’ve heard play.
11. Water Liars – A personal favorite of mine. Both Andrew and Justin put out great albums last year.
12. Lady Lamb – Been four years since Aly Spaltro graced us with After. It seems about time.
13. Vagabon – Been two years since Laetitia Tamko burst into my rotation with Infinite Worlds. As I said when that came out, she reminds me of Lady Lamb. Idea: Both release albums and do a co-headline tour.
14. The Yawpers – if for no other reason, the world needs their insane brand of pyschobilly.
15. Promised Land Sound – 2015’s For Use and Delight was a personal favorite of mine. Shades of Big Star and Wilco in there. I would like more please.
16. NE-HI – Another Chicago band that I would like to have more music from to shove in my earholes. These guys are killer live.
17. Margaret Glaspy – Been three years since the excellent Emotions and Math. Saw her last year with Julian Lage and she was fantastic. New album please.
18. Sheer Mag – Two years feels about right for Tina Halladay and crew to unleash their unbridled brand of rock on us again.
19. Blind Pilot – Been three years since And Then Like Lions graced our presence.
20. The Haden Triplets – Been five years since the ladies released their stellar brand of Americana. I would like some more please.
21. The Hold Steady – They’ve been releasing singles since 2014’s Teeth Dreams. I would like a full LP now that Franz is back.
