PEOPLE Picks the 10 Best Albums of 2019: Ariana Grande, Lizzo, Taylor Swift and More!

PEOPLE editors pick the top albums of 2019

Women — hear them roar! The best music across the board in 2019 came courtesy of phenomenal females.

1. Ariana Grande, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/thank-next-Explicit-Ariana-Grande/dp/B07N31J22R/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ariana+grande+thank+u+next&qid=1576256419&s=dmusic&sr=1-1" title="thank u, next" context="body"]

Ariana Grande, thank u next
Ariana Grande, thank u, next.

Hashtag-worthy breakup lyrics abound as Grande melds pop and R&B.

2. Lizzo, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Cuz-Love-You-Deluxe-Explicit/dp/B07RF386W9/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=lizzo+cuz+i+love+you&qid=1576256440&s=dmusic&sr=1-3" title="Cuz I Love You" context="body"]

Lizzo, Cuz I Love You
Lizzo, Cuz I Love You.

100 percent the year’s breakout queen, Lizzo bends genres and champions self-love.

3. Taylor Swift, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Lover-Taylor-Swift/dp/B07SYHQPPD/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=taylor+swift+lover&qid=1576256463&s=dmusic&sr=1-2" title="Lover" context="body"]

Taylor Swift, Lover
Taylor Swift, Lover.

Swift returns to her songwriter roots with this love letter to romance.

4. Billie Eilish, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/WHEN-ALL-FALL-ASLEEP-WHERE/dp/B07N7PBZGF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SBK0EBNWP8LI&keywords=billie+eilish+when+we+all+fall+asleep+where+do+we+go&qid=1576256490&s=dmusic&sprefix=billie+eilish+when+we+all,digital-music,319&sr=1-1" title="When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" context="body"]

Billie Eilish, When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?

The 17-year-old wunderkind tackles Gen Z growing pains.

5. Lana Del Rey, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Norman-Fucking-Rockwell-Explicit-Lana/dp/B07VLN69TG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=237OTQJNEQ3W3&keywords=lana+del+rey+norman+rockwell&qid=1576256510&s=dmusic&sprefix=lana+del+rey+norman,digital-music,126&sr=1-1" title="Norman F— Rockwell" context="body"]

Lana Del Rey, Norman Fucking Rockwell
Lana Del Rey, Norman F— Rockwell.

Del Rey reevaluates the American dream on a moody pop classic.

6. Beyoncé, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/HOMECOMING-LIVE-ALBUM-Explicit-Beyoncé/dp/B07QLNZWD5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23Y1T75OTMCSI&keywords=beyonce+homecoming+the+live+album&qid=1576256530&s=dmusic&sprefix=beyonce+homecoming,digital-music,124&sr=1-1" title="Homecoming: The Live Album" context="body"]

Beyonce, Homecoming: The Live Album
Beyoncé, Homecoming: The Live Album.

An amped-up amalgam of her majesty’s biggest hits.

7. Maren Morris, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/GIRL-Maren-Morris/dp/B07N98GMHG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=maren+morris+girl&qid=1576256554&s=dmusic&sr=1-1" title="GIRL" context="body"]

Maren Morris Girl album cover
Maren Morris, GIRL.

More like “Woman” — the country star wows with powerhouse vocals.

8. Ari Lennox, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Shea-Butter-Baby-Explicit-Lennox/dp/B07RF9XG87/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ari+lennox+shea+butter+baby&qid=1576256571&s=dmusic&sr=1-1" title="Shea Butter Baby" context="body"]

Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby
Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby.

The R&B star’s debut album is as richly smooth as the title suggests.

9. Carly Rae Jepsen, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Dedicated-Carly-Rae-Jepsen/dp/B07QQW3BVZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=carly+rae+jepsen+dedicated&qid=1576256592&s=dmusic&sr=1-1" title="Dedicated" context="body"]

Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated
Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated.

Moving on from an ex, Jepsen finds solace in solitude with this collection of pure pop.

10. Brittany Howard, [tempo-ecommerce src="https://www.amazon.com/Jaime-Explicit-Brittany-Howard/dp/B07T3HT74Y/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brittany+howard+jaime&qid=1576256609&s=dmusic&sr=1-1" title="Jaime" context="body"]

Brittany Howard, Jaime
Brittany Howard, Jaime.

The Alabama Shakes frontwoman expertly rocks out on her own for the first time.

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