Other years, I say more about music, or the albums themselves, but this year has been busy and I have not made time to even think about this. Suffice it to say that I started this year with Anthony Kiedis’s autobiography, and ended it with Flea’s. Music is always present, and I’m excited for what the next decade will bring – including the RHCP reunion with guitarist, John Frusciante.

In line with other years, and to end the decade with the same tradition, the following list compiles 10 albums that have stood out for me in the year —no matter the release date—and are listed in the order I encountered these. I am not ranking the albums. 

Rosalía – El Mal Querer (2018)

Various Artists – One Month Study Project Vol. 1 (2019)

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication (1999)

LSD – Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present… LSD (2019)

Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour (2018)

Lizzo – Cuz I Love You (2019)

DJ Koze – Knock Knock (2018)

Mateo Kingman – Astro (2019)

Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010)

Lana Del Rey – Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019)

Other albums that almost made the list and deserve the mention:

• James Blake – Assume Form (2019)
• Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city (2012)
• Kendrick Lamar – DAMN. (2017)
• NoMBe – They Might’ve Even Loved Me (2018)
• Rawayana – Trippy Caribbean (2016)
• Taylor Swift – “Lover” (2019)
• Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes (2018)
• Kanye West – JESUS IS KING (2019)

Links to playlists I made this year:

#summersgonedointime

another word for rage

mmxix

This year I took an unexpected trip to the Holy Land (Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel), and one of the trip’s leaders said: At the beginning of this year, did you imagine you’d be here? None of us had. That’s the funny thing about years, decades, and lifetimes – there are so many surprises waiting in the wings.

Peace, love and music always. Happy New Year and decade!