Top Songs of 2019 (#10-#1)

#10. "Started" by Iggy Azalea

   "Fancy" hitmaker Iggy Azalea took aim at naysayers and freeloaders on the deliciously explicit and extravagant "Started", the second taste of sophomore album In My Defense. The unapologetic rap number, produced by Dallas-native J. White Did It, finds the artist rightfully boasting about her success, not giving two f*cks at what others might think of her. Supported by early 00s-styled hip-hop beats, Azalea continues to make claim to her throne, acknowledging the difficult climb up the unfortunately short ladder for female rappers in the industry. However, the struggle has paid off and there is no turning back. "I look good for myself, I got no one to impress, you better ask your GPS, I ain’t the one to address," she spits on the first of two solid verses.

#9. "How Do You Sleep?" by Sam Smith

   "How Do You Sleep?" found Sam Smith wallowing in heartache, but doing their best to pick up the broken pieces and move on. After a few sleepless nights, the artist promises to shed no more tears, instead turning the tables on a presumed cheating lover. After finding damning evidence on their partner's mobile phone, Smith becomes resentful and vindictive, hoping the shame will now keep them up at night. Supported by a 90s-leaning, hypnotic beat, the song is drowned in heavy subject matter of unrequited love and emotion, though smartly chooses to lift spirits with dance-worthy production. Once Smith is done hating himself, he realizes the cheating lover was turning him into a paranoid person he did not recognize. He's better off without them.

#8. "Easier" by Michael Medrano

   We're always our own worst critic. That's the dilemma Michael Medrano faced on "Easier", his first in a successful 2019 streak. As the artist reveals hurdles in his relationship that he must overcome, acknowledging most of the blame falls on his shoulders, the artist wishes the concept of love was not so complicated. The track uses a fragile yet convincing vocal performance and retrospective songwriting to highlight the realization of being the one dragging a relationship to its eventual end. Medrano admits to being a problematic emotional mess, too stubborn and critical, as heavy electronic production encompasses the listener in a wave of dream-like synths. That production aids in a moment of reflection as the artist contemplates whether he's worthy of having someone love him back. He is.

#7. "Hope to Die" by Orville Peck

   Though masked country crooner Orville Peck at times expressed no regrets in not giving lovers a second chance, “Hope To Die” is unfortunately where that relationship regret finally catches up to him. Peck creates a soundscape of beauty and Grand Ole Opry production to long for a day when he still had his lover by his side. His pleas for reconciliation are carried to soaring heights by a dramatic and emotional vocal performance, casting a shadow of despair over the album’s consistent confident tone. “Take me back to the time, I was yours and you were mine, take me back, the words I'd say, I had to whisper, because you liked it that way,” a presumed reference to the closeted status of his departed partner. A thought that adds extra weight to the effort.

#6. "Thief" by Alice Chater

   British pop princess Alice Chater served up the dangerously enchanting and infectious “Thief” as her first 2019 release. Produced by heavyweights Rami and Carl Falk, the tropical-tinged love song finds Chater caught off-guard by an instant attraction to a new significant other. Sneaking in, stealing her heart, the artist is left to wonder if the romance is meant for just one night, or one destined to grow with time. Opening with details of the romantic pursuit, acknowledging the new obsession, the artist ultimately sheds light on a real-life, on-and-off-again relationship. The emotive effort is Chater’s strongest, correcting a recent “anti-pop” trend that mistakenly chooses to diminish and discredit the colorful history of the genre. Instead, Chater made a case that tried-and-true formulas don't fail.

#5. "Really don't like u" by Tove Lo feat. Kylie Minogue

   It was the unexpected pop collaboration we did not deserve, and truthfully, did not appreciate enough this year. On "Really don't like u", Swedish pop rebel Tove Lo raises the stakes for her brand of ambient pop by calling on pop legend Kylie Minogue for help. However, the relationship on the song is not rainbows and kisses. Kylie is the new lover of Tove Lo's former flame. The lyrics detail a feeling of betrayal and dislike, alluding that Lo and Minogue's characters may have once been best friends. It could have been anyone else, why did it have to be her? Critics lauded the electro-pop bop, acknowledging the girl-on-girl hate message and the bad decision we cannot stop ourselves from making. Hearing the artists' blend so harmoniously on a somber affair perfectly summed up a bleak 2019.

#4. "Rain" by Ben Platt

   As Tony Award-winner Ben Platt remains busy navigating the aftermath of a broken relationship, "Rain" details the mixed emotions and hesitation that come with taking a chance and starting anew with another. Reservations are certain to cloud judgment, feelings for a former lover may still be intact, but nothing will change for the better until the brooding mindset is pushed to the back. The singer consoles and warns his potential new partner that the road ahead won't be easy, there's a sense of understanding and support buried within his energetic vocal performance. He can relate to the feelings of sacrifice and betrayal, but promises the same problems will not plague their bond. The track is drenched in a cheerful sense of optimism, that's its overall strength.

#3. "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa

   Dua Lipa started her sophomore album era strong with "Don't Start Now". The song finds the artist effortlessly moving on from a previous relationship. Now that she's free from the chains, enjoying herself with a night out, that past lover conveniently tries to show they actually do care. Too late. Lipa's advice? Just stay away. There appears to be no chance at rekindling the extinguished flame. With disco-inspired production at the forefront, Lipa maintains a carefree, vibrant attitude about the tricky situation at hand. Though she admits to being affected by the breakup, those initial tears have all dried up now. The song could have been an emotional, sappy ballad given the subject matter, Lipa chose to instead release a fearless anthem of recovery and empowerment.

#2. "Loverboy" by Adam Lambert

   A demand for affection and sexual chemistry makes "Loverboy" stand out for good reasons on Velvet: Side A, with its mix of playfulness and stern warnings. While Adam Lambert has his sights set on a potential new suitor, accusing boys from his past of being all the same, he makes it clear that he will not put up with the typical childish games this time around. With his lush falsetto demanding attention, and Tommy English back with his funk guitar, the track garnered Prince comparisons from critics that don't sound too far off to believe. “You wanna get touchy-feely, better not be so greedy, show me that I'm the only one,” he lovingly sings on the uptempo chorus. The effort is heated, it’s straightforward, and once again, thrusts Lambert into thrilling new artistic territory.

#1. "yours" by Greyson Chance

   When Greyson Chance tipped during SXSW 2019 that “yours” would serve as an official single off portraits, the hit potential knew no bounds. While the track may sound crafted for a love interest on the surface, Chance actually sings of time and distance never affecting a relationship as a tribute to his friends back home. Via late night phone conversations while smoking perhaps a bit too much weed, the artist reassures those close friends that he will always return, that the bond will never change, even though a sense of uncertainty creeps into the sincere vocal performance. As one of the most overlooked efforts of the year, Chance certainly proved once and for all, that he is much more than the 11-year-old who once sang a Lady Gaga cover at his middle school talent show. He’s a young man with heart and immense talent.