I often emphasize from year to year, when it comes to songs outside Indonesia or Japan, my taste is really mainstream. Even so, compiling the 10 songs that I enjoyed the most from 2019 turned out to be not that easy, because I had to choose this or that, need to listen again and again. Finally, be the 10 songs below: some are certainly liked by many others, some are somewhat under-the-radar but I really like it. Enjoy.
My Top 10 International Songs of 2019
10. "bad guy" - Billie Eilish
I put it here because this song is like in my ears and unwilling to come out. It is said to be a strange song, indeed, the sister is considered to be "singing" or not. However, the composition of this song is indeed very, very interesting. The atmosphere is dark and the lyrics are restless but at the same time funny and can make bopping. I promise this will be the only weirdo on my list.
9. "Don't Start Now" - Two Lipa
Heading to the second album, Dua Lipa can not be separated from dance music, it does not mean to be just a repeat. The prospective anthem of the children of this party is not just a booming beat, but what is emphasized is the bass passage which adds to the groovy impression.
8. "Sunflower" - Post Malone & Swae Lee
Again the season of blurring the boundaries between pop-rock-hiphop, this song then slipped to the top position and often played on radio. Glance is more focused on the lyrics, music and song structure is also simple (2 verses and 2 choruses without repeated), but the accuracy of the selection of music that is chill but still makes little nods is the reason this song is in the ranks of my comfort song this year.
7. "Hard Place" - H.E.R.
If on the radio here H.E.R. really know through "Best Part", but only through "Hard Place" I'm really interested in the music it offers. The music of this song is more inclined to traditional R&B without the sound of a machine, which tells the narrative of a dilemma in a loving relationship. My favorite part is the acoustic guitar element that I don't often get from R&B songs, and it seems to be a hallmark of H.E.R's music.
6. "Bounce Back" - Little Mix
From what might be arguably the coolest UK girl band on all lines (vocal-dance-song) at the moment, launching yet another jejogedan song. What makes it rather different is that this time the song is given a touch of soul and hiphop - and adapted part of the song "Back to Life" (1989) of Soul II Soul. But the important thing is, through this song whose main purpose is indeed for this agile movement, it still provides a large space for the harmony of the four vowels.
5. "I Will Be Stronger" - Celine Dion
In terms of vocals, a Celine Dion will always be in the elite ranks, it's just possible in terms of song material, the strongest period has been accumulated in the 1990s. Even so, I salute that Mrs. Celine is not afraid to continue to record songs of various colors and styles, so that the versatility is increasingly becoming. Among the compositions of songs on his latest album, Courage, my attention is most focused on the song "I Will Be Stronger", a ballad that is dominated by piano and organ, with a style reminiscent of British artists. With the lyrics that are arranged neatly, this song also fulfills its function in showing the vocal range of Mrs. Celine who is still very keen.
4. "Juice" - Lizzo
Indeed, at a glance Lizzo is like just grumbling in his songs, because his style is constantly singing and rapping, and maybe that's what makes his music easily recognizable. Even so, in this song Lizzo shows he also has vocal abilities and actually has a fun side. Accompanying the lyrics about self-confidence is the musical style of ajojing which is influenced by funk and disco, which makes a bright mood cheerful every time you listen.
3. "Talk" - Khalid
Honestly, at first I wasn't too interested in Khalid's singing style because of "Young Dumb & Broke" which tends to be lazy. Fortunately the vocal color that was actually cool was utilized more properly in this relaxed electro-R & B song - produced by the Disclosure duo with EDM. What I also like is that even with the theme of romance, the lyrics are not too cheesy, still suitable for the mas who just turned 21.
2. "Mankind" - Jamie Cullum
For me, this song is the most representative of Cullum's latest album, which leads to urban-R&B by staying jazz-based. This song is also refreshing and reminds anyone who hears how talented this mas is. The composition of topnotch music, slick tones, beautiful and authentic lyrics, and vocal style that is fun and very legit, all presented in the song that also has a touch of this soul.
1. "Someone You Loved" - Lewis Capaldi
My Indonesian ears strikes again, so easily magnetized with this emotional melancholy ballad song. It is clear that this song is a matter of loss, but the simplicity of the packaging - dominated only by the piano accompanying the sincere Capaldi vocals - actually reinforces the pain implied in this song. Every time I resound, I can't sing along and try to match the emotional level displayed by Capaldi here. Even though maybe the one who made the song is not as simple as that, but what I can catch is that more than the tone and lyrics, Capaldi is able to convey the 'taste' in this song, without having to have ornamental ornaments here and there. Classic