The 25 Best Songs Of 2019
This list was made by writers, editors and producers at NPR Music operating under two rules: Songs had to be released during 2019 and no lead artist was allowed to appear on both this list and our list of the 25 Best Albums of 2019. You can find the rest of our picks for the best music of 2019 here.
25.
Sech feat. Darell
"Otro Trago"
This year, Sech led mainstream reggaeton's return to its Afro-Panamanian roots. While the English-language media is still catching up to Bad Bunny and J Balvin, the 26-year-old rapper from Río Abajo and his song of the summer "Otro Trago" have racked up 398 million views on YouTube and 31 straight weeks on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. After this decade's long whitewashing of reggaeton within the Latin industry, "Otro Trago" is built like an old reggaeton romantico on Sech's liquid voice (proven by live sessions) and a simple, vindicating chorus. Though the July remix with giants like Ozuna, Anuel A, and Nicky Jam also blew up, it has yet to surpass the original by a long shot, proof positive that Sech succeeds on his own merit and urbano built on authenticity still reigns. —Stefanie Fernández
24.
Che Apalache
"The Dreamer"
Joe Troop, the leader of Che Apalache, is a North Carolina native and a bluegrass musician whose wanderlust led him to Argentina, where he formed the band with three banjo players. The resulting bilingual bluegrass is a reminder that the American south and its musical traditions has always been in dialogue with Latin and South American immigrants. It feels like a tidy narrative. But "The Dreamer" from the band's debut album — produced by Bela Fleck — is so moving and relevant and flat out useful for the times we live in that it upends any preconceptions about what bluegrass can contain. It's a heart wrenching story of an immigrant family, separated and fearful. Its narrative is grand, inspired by the story of a real DACA recipient-turned-activist woven together with allusions to the biblical Moses, and ultimately challenges us all to face what these family separations mean: "Is there room for love beneath the sun after all is said and done?" —Lauren Onkey
23.
DaBaby
"Suge"
You have to start with the video: DaBaby the mailman stomping down thebassline. Pooh was a fool for this one.
