2019 was a monumental year for music, a melting pot of genres and sounds that left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. And who better to navigate this sonic explosion than Pitchfork, the influential music publication known for its discerning taste and insightful reviews? If you're looking to revisit the year's defining tracks or discover hidden gems you missed, you've come to the right place. This post dives deep into the definitive list of the best songs of 2019 Pitchfork, meticulously curated to encapsulate the year's vibrant and diverse musical offerings. From groundbreaking pop anthems to experimental indie darlings, we’ll explore why these songs resonated so deeply with critics and listeners alike, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for music aficionados and a discovery tool for those seeking to expand their playlists. Prepare to rediscover the sounds of 2019, and perhaps unearth a new favorite.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Con Altura |
J Balvin ROSALÍA | 2B+ | |
| 2. Old Town Road |
Billy Ray Cyrus Lil Nas X | 1B+ | |
| 3. bad guy | Billie Eilish | WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? | 1B+ |
| 4. Suge | DaBaby | 354M+ | |
| 5. Caro | Bad Bunny | 328M+ | |
| 6. Motivation | Normani | 193M+ | |
| 7. Cash Shit |
DaBaby Megan Thee Stallion | Fever | 131M+ |
1. Con Altura (J Balvin ft ROSALÍA - 2025)
Sound: Con Altura's infectious blend of Latin trap, flamenco, and reggaeton created a sound uniquely its own, perfectly capturing the vibrant energy of 2019.
Vocals: J Balvin and Rosalía's distinct vocal styles complement each other flawlessly, resulting in a dynamic and unforgettable performance.
Cultural Impact: Its undeniable charisma and instantly recognizable rhythm solidified Con Altura as a global phenomenon, influencing countless tracks and cementing its place in 2019's musical landscape.
2. Old Town Road (Billy Ray Cyrus ft Lil Nas X - 2025)
Genre-bending fusion: Old Town Road masterfully blends country and trap elements, creating a unique sound that defied genre conventions and dominated the charts in 2019.
Viral Phenomenon: Its catchy hook and meme-worthy nature propelled it to unprecedented levels of popularity, becoming a defining song of the year and a significant cultural moment.
Pitchfork Recognition: The track's inclusion in Pitchfork's best songs of 2019 speaks to its critical acclaim and lasting impact on the music landscape.
3. bad guy (Billie Eilish - 2025)
Sound: Billie Eilish's "bad guy" boasts a darkly playful trap beat and unsettlingly distorted bass, perfectly capturing the song's subversive spirit, a sound unlike anything else on the charts in 2019.
Vocals: Eilish's signature breathy vocals deliver the lyrics with a cool detachment that adds to the song's enigmatic allure, a sharp contrast to the bold production.
Cultural Impact: Its unique sound and memorable hook cemented "bad guy" as a defining track of 2019, establishing Eilish's place as a leading force in a new generation of pop.
4. Suge - 2025
Sound: DaBaby's "Suge" boasts a hard-hitting, trap-influenced beat that perfectly encapsulates the raw energy of 2019's hip-hop scene, making it a standout track on Pitchfork's best-of list.
Lyrics: The song's braggadocious lyrics and vivid imagery contribute to its memorable and impactful quality, solidifying its place among the year's most compelling releases.
Cultural Impact: Its catchy hook and undeniable swagger ensured "Suge" transcended the typical hip-hop track, resonating with a broad audience and further cementing DaBaby's rise to fame.
5. Caro - 2025
Sound: Caro's mellow reggaeton beat, punctuated by crisp percussion, creates a laid-back yet captivating soundscape perfectly suited for Pitchfork's discerning ears.
Vocals: Bad Bunny's signature vocal delivery, both smooth and subtly intense, adds a layer of emotional depth that elevates the track beyond typical genre conventions.
Emotional Impact: The song's melancholic yet hopeful undertones resonate deeply, reflecting a reflective mood that's both introspective and universally relatable, making it a memorable addition to 2019's musical landscape.
6. Motivation (Normani - 2025)
Sound: Normani's "Motivation" boasts a crisp, infectious beat that perfectly captures the vibrant energy of 2019's pop landscape, drawing heavily from 90s R&B influences.
Vocals: Normani's powerhouse vocals shine, showcasing both her impressive range and her unique ability to blend power and finesse.
Cultural Impact: The song's choreography and accompanying visuals became instantly iconic, cementing "Motivation" as a defining moment in 2019 pop culture, making its mark within Pitchfork's best-of lists.
7. Cash Shit
Production: The track's hard-hitting 808s and trap beat provide a relentless energy perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of 2019.
Vocal Synergy: DaBaby's signature rapid-fire flow complements Megan Thee Stallion's assertive delivery, creating a dynamic and unforgettable vocal chemistry.
Cultural Impact: "Cash Shit" solidified both artists' positions as dominant forces in the hip-hop landscape, showcasing their individual strengths while creating a powerful collaborative moment.
8. Free Uzi (2019)
Sound: "Free Uzi" boasts a signature Lil Uzi Vert sound, blending trap beats with his distinctive, high-pitched vocals and psychedelic undertones, making it instantly recognizable within his discography and the broader 2019 landscape.
Rhythm: The track's hypnotic, slightly off-kilter rhythm creates an addictive quality, perfectly capturing the frenetic energy that characterized much of Uzi's work at that time and resonated with Pitchfork's audience.
Vocal Performance: Uzi's vocal delivery is both vulnerable and boastful, a duality that exemplifies his artistry and contributed to its placement among Pitchfork's best of 2019.
9. Cellophane - 2025
Haunting Vocals: FKA twigs' ethereal vocals on "Cellophane" are a masterclass in vulnerability, perfectly capturing the song's melancholic beauty and making it a standout track in Pitchfork's best of 2019.
Striking Visuals: The music video, a breathtaking performance piece, amplified the emotional impact, solidifying its place in pop culture's memory.
Innovative Production: The song's innovative blend of R&B, electronic, and experimental soundscapes showcases twigs' unique artistic vision, a key factor in its critical acclaim.
10. Bags (Immunity)
Sound: Clairo's signature mellow, bedroom-pop sound is perfectly showcased in "Bags" creating a relaxed yet captivating atmosphere that's both intimate and expansive, a hallmark of Pitchfork's favored artists in 2019.
Vocals: Her understated yet emotionally resonant vocals deliver a sense of vulnerability and effortless cool, making the lyrics about fleeting romance hit even harder. This understated delivery fits perfectly within the wider trend of 2019's indie-pop landscape.
Lyrical Themes: The relatable lyrics explore the complexities of young love and the bittersweet feeling of a relationship ending, a common but effectively rendered theme in many of Pitchfork's best-of lists from 2019.
11Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman like Me to Have - but I Have It
Lana Del Rey
2019
12Gone
Charli xcx,Christine and the Queens
2019
13Seventeen
Sharon Van Etten
2019
14The greatest
Lana Del Rey
2019
15Hey, Ma
Bon Iver
2019
i,i
16Dirty Laundry
Danny Brown
2019
17Not
Big Thief
2019
18Dawn Chorus
Thom Yorke
2019
19Gretel
Alex G
2019
20All Mirrors
Angel Olsen
2019
21Lark
Angel Olsen
2019
22He
Jai Paul
2019
23Andromeda
Weyes Blood
2019
Titanic Rising
24Drunk II
Mannequin Pussy
2019
25Running
Helado Negro
2019
26Snow Is Falling in Manhattan
Purple Mountains
2019
27Daylight Matters
Cate Le Bon
2019
28Ashes to Ashes
Jenny Hval
2019