#1: Ruk’u Yaya / J Burd / Baby Carrot Records / January 4, 2019
Ruk’u Yaya might as well be the family crest for the Callanan family. Jason Callanan, the primary songwriter and producer for J Burd, took influence from his family to create the band’s third album. Jason’s backing band is comprised of his two brothers, Joey and Nick, the cover art was painted by his great grandmother, the album is dedicated to his grandfather, who was referred to as Ruk’u Yaya (wise old one), and the lyrics for “If I’m Dead” were penned by his aunt.
Songs like “Dilly Dally (Summertime)” and “This Time” showcase the sunny side of Callanan’s life with lyrics about taking drags, drinking wine, and skipping class. Other tracks like “Is It Wrong” and “Wait” displays his more introspective and sentimental moments. The opening track, “Roman’s Soul” is a beautiful concoction. It takes J Burd’s distinctive sound of pitch-shifted vocals and twangy guitar and puts a psychedelic cowboy twist on it. Most of the songs on the album follow the same pattern of genre-bending while still being easily identifiable as J Burd tracks. With each release, Callanan has become a better songwriter and Ruk’u Yaya is his most mature work yet.
#2: Raw Honey / Drugdealer / Mexican Summer / April 19, 2019
Drugdealer is the monicker for Los Angeles based musician, Michael Collins. He has been a major influencer in the indie scene since he released his first album, The End Of Comedy in 2016.
After three years he delivered again with Raw Honey. On this album, Collins utilizes a supportive cast of friends, most notably Weyes Blood, to create a fuller sound with more complex arrangements than his previous record. This is most prevalent on the track “Fools”, which is Collin’s most elaborate work to date featuring two guitars, bass, saxophone, keyboard, drums, and a beautiful array of background vocals. Together Collins and company produce a sound that is reminiscent of the Beach Boys and the Beatles but still sounds state-of-the-art.
#3: Icebreaker / Cowgirl Clue / Vada Vada / May 4, 2019
A part of the Vada Vada Collective, consisting of The Garden, Enjoy, and Puzzle, Cowgirl Clue emerged on the scene in 2016 with a cassette titled Limelight released on Burger Records. Since then she released a string of singles leading to the drop of Icebreaker earlier this year.
On this record Cowgirl Clue meshes her fairy-like aesthetic with her experience as a disc jockey to create a new wave of bubblegum pop. Clue’s infectious beats and synth rhythms are nearly impossible to not let loose to. Lyrics about sipping on Capri Sun and hanging out at the mall only add to the playfulness of her craft.
#4: Nachferatu / Nacho Picasso / SRFSCHL / April 5, 2019
With titles like “I Wanna Die 2’ and “Critics” it seems like Nacho Picasso was going through it this year. Nacho is completely transparent throughout the record, rapping about his struggles with depression and battling sobriety. Despite the dark themes of the tracks, Nacho’s lyrics are peppered with clever pop culture references. On “Mary K” he compares himself to rapper Kanye West because he is “married to the K like f***ing Kanye.”
Nacho’s smokey voice and unique delivery coupled with the haunting production of S.A.T is a deadly combo. Per usual, Nacho is unafraid to rap about his love for women. Nachferatu features some of Nacho’s nastiest sexual innuendos to date.
#5: You Don’t See Me / Boyo / Park The Van / December 7, 2019
Boyo is doing what he does best, making songs in his bedroom that are irresistibly catchy and make you want to dance and cry. Wash, rinse, and repeat four times and you have You Don’t See Me. The recipe isn’t hard and Boyo has it figured out.
#6: Duster / Duster / Muddguts / December 13, 2019
After a quiet nineteen years since their last album, Duster released a self-titled album this year. Picking up right where they left off, Duster feels right at home in their mixture of noise rock, slowcore, and indie to create a dreamy aura: a landscape full of fuzz, echoes, swishes, and other spacey noises. This album is perfect for astronauts and stoners alike.
#7: Heaven Surrounds You / Surf Curse / Danger Collective Records / September 13, 2019
This is the least Surf Curse sounding Surf Curse record, which is a good thing. The truth is that Surf Curse has been a one-trick pony for a while now, but this release was a step in the right direction.
On previous Surf Curse albums, Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck sang about goth babes and the beach. For Heaven Surrounds You, they drew lyrical inspiration from some of their favorite movies, for example, “Disco” was inspired by the 1998 film, The Last Days Of Disco. Also, they finally got a bassist. It’s a move few expected the boys to make. I can’t deny that it gives them a fuller sound. The album has a cinematic vibe with milder tempos and heavier incorporation of synths and strings than in previous records.
Surf Curse reminds me of that one friend who you used to party with in college but then he had a kid and everything changed. He does yoga now, is vegan, and he kicked drinking. You might miss the crazy antics of your old friend, but deep down inside you know that if he continued that reckless lifestyle that he would’ve burned out. Plus this whole new side of your friend is interesting, you never knew Tyler was into poetry…
#8: Our Perception / High Sunn / Spirit Goth Records / January 4, 2019
High Sunn dropped three albums this year, two EP’s, and a bunch of singles. This insane work ethic is not uncommon for Justin Cheromiah, the man behind High Sunn. Since 2014 he’s been a prolific songwriter using DIY home recording methods to create indie rock, emo rap, and shoegaze.
Our Perception is the cutest album of the year and I’m not just saying that because of the “uwu” inducing cover! All ten tracks on the album cover the subject of love. Whether it be happy love or the ever-dreaded tough love, Cheromiah shows genuine emotions throughout the album and he holds nothing back.
#9: Turkey Dinner / Pinky Pinky / Innovative Leisure / June 14, 2019
After releasing two electric EPs, garage rockers Pinky Pinky slowed it down, chilled out, and went with the flow on Turkey Dinner. No matter what Pinky Pinky does vocalist and drummer Anastasia Sanchez is able to showcase her angelic voice, so I’m fine with the change of pace. Highlights of the album include “Mr. Sunday” and “Floorboards”.
#10: I Can Fool Anyone In This Town / Liily / Flush Records / March 8, 2019
Liily is kick ass. They burst into the scene in 2018 with the song “Toro”, a song that blends punk energy with alternative rock tones. On I Can Fool Anybody In This Town, Liily keeps the intensity with pounding drum beats, crisp guitar licks, and vocalist Dylan Nash’s electrifying choruses.
The only exception is on the track “Sepulveda Basin”, where Liily tones it down a notch. I still think it’s pretty kick ass though.
