Look alive, people! The 2020 Grammy nominations have officially been announced, and that means we've got another year of music in the bag. 2019 was a doozy on many fronts (politics, fashun, Game of Thrones), but MUSIC carried us and motivated us and helped us blow off steam, from beginning to end. Here, we've created a definitive list of the best new music: 19 tracks that got us through 2019 (so far!).
1. "Motivation" by Normani
All hail Normani for delivering us the throwback dance anthem we didn't even know we needed. It's literally impossible not to groove when this song comes on—in the club, in the car, in the Gap dressing room (no comment)—and we can't wait to see how the former Fifth Harmony member's solo career unfolds.
2. "Mile High" by James Black feat. Travis Scott & Metro Boomin
This collab didn't make much sense in theory, but the execution single-handedly proved that we should all be taking more cross-genre risks. James' otherworldly and Travis' auto-tuned vocals are woven together seamlessly, and the overall effect is meditative, sexy, and gloomy all at once.
3. "Lover" by Taylor Swift
Lover or hate her (ha...), it would be sinful to discredit Taylor's continued impact on music and pop culture. We're so here for this return-to-romance record—and all the accompanying cheesiness—because at the end of the day, we've all got to give Taylor props for being herself relentlessly.
4. "Juicy" Doja Cat feat. Tyga
The world can ALWAYS use more good getting-ready songs. This flirty track strikes the perfect balance of sass and sweetness—add it to your pump-up/go-girl playlist and unleash the bubblegum bad b*tch within.
5. "Playing Games" by Summer Walker feat. Bryson Tiller
In October, R&B newcomer Summer Walker came in HOT with her debut album, Over It. The feature list is insane, frankly—Jhene Aiko, Drake, Usher, among others—but start with this track: It’ll make you feel all of the things, even on its own.
6. "All For Us" by Labrinth and Zendaya
Euphoria is the best THING of 2019, so it's no surprise that it has introduced us to some of the best music of the year too. Yeah, the finale left us on about two million cliff-hangers, but this new Zendaya single is so good that it was all worth it in the end.
7. "How Do You Sleep" by Sam Smith
This new Sam Smith song is so catchy, it will probably be stuck in your head until 2029. He truly proved that he can turn a sad song into a full-on dance bop, and we will never be able to repay him for his services.
8. "Señorita" by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
Summer 2019 is the summer of Shamila, and it's all thanks to this hot lil song.
9. "Tempo" by Lizzo feat. Missy Elliott
Lizzo's new album, Cuz I Love You, has finally dropped and it does NOT disappoint. "Tempo (feat. Missy Elliott)" is undoubtedly the song you should play anytime you catch yourself slipping into a bad mood. It will cure you.
10. "Boy With Luv" by BTS feat. Halsey
BTS' collaboration with Halsey, "Boy With Luv," is already breaking tons of streaming and YouTube records. It's insanely catchy and the perfect gateway to K-pop if you haven't explored the genre yet.
11. "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X
2019 is the year of the yeehaw, and "Old Town Road" is proof. Nobody can really figure out what genre it is, but that doesn't really matter because it's viral as hell and we all love it.
12. "Power Is Power" by SZA, The Weeknd, Travis Scott
Yes, Game of Thrones ended that way, but at least it gave us this song! Seriously...I will sacrifice Jon Snow for a SZA, The Weekend, and Travis Scott collab every single day.
13. "The Bones" by Maren Morris
"The Bones" is one of the cutest, but still realistic, love songs of the year. Maren's voice will make you want to just roll down the windows and listen to this tune on repeat.
14. "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish
If you're sleeping on 17-year-old Billie Eilish, 2019 is the year you need to wake up. Seriously, she's likely about to be the soundtrack to every creepy movie you see from here on out. "Bad Guy" is the perfect song to get you started.
15. "Sucker" by the Jonas Brothers
No matter what happens this year...2019 will always be remembered as the time the Jonas Brothers reunited and blessed us with new music. Oh, and...those outfits.
16. "All Day and Night" by Jax Jones, Martin Solveig, and Madison Beer
Hi, meet your 2019 pre-game pump-up song. Seriously, this bop has the power to get you out of bed and into an Uber even when you're the closest to canceling plans you've ever been.
17. "Last Hurrah" by Bebe Rexha
If "All Day and Night" is your pre-game song, let "Last Hurrah" be your Sunday Scaries anthem. "Farewell, tequila" indeed, Bebe.
18. "Baila Baila Baila" by Ozuna
Ozuna, the reggaeton star who made "Taki Taki" with Cardi B and Selena Gomez so damn catchy, has done it again with his newest song, "Baila Baila Baila." You can probably expect to hear dance your butt off to this song everywhere you go from here on out.
19. "No Place" by Backstreet Boys
BACKSTREET'S BACK...alright? "No Place" is certainly a departure from the boy-band bangers you grew up on, but you didn't write "Brian 4ever" on all your notebooks as a kid to give up on them in 2019. This song almost has a country vibe and will probably play at every wedding you attend this year.
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
