Records of the year

Now that we know that the Grammys are rigged, where can you find the best music?  As the former rock critic of the Michigan State News, I offer you my favorite albums of 2019:

1.  FKA Twigs, "MAGDALENE," a blend of R&B and electronics with a dash of medieval church music and hip-hop
2.  Sharon van Etton, "Remind Me Tomorrow," following in the steps of Bruce and Bon Jovi in the Jersey pipeline
3.  Weyes Blood, "Titanic Rising," songs about romance in our digital age
4.  Angel Olsen, "All Mirrors," Asheville's own keeps turning out amazing stuff
5.  Lana del Rey, NFR, I cannot spell out the title for this PG blog
6.  Jamila Woods. "LEGACY! LEGACY!" tributes to artists who inspired Woods including Zora Neale Hurston, Miles Davis and Frida Kahlo
7.  Aldous Harding, "Designer," the best yet from this singer-songwriter from New Zealand
8.  Stef Chura, "Midnight," the next great rocker from the Motor City (but she is originally from the U.P.)
9.  Sleater-Kinney, "The Center Won't Hold," still going strong after 25 years
10.  (tie) Big Thief, "Two Hands" and Thom Yorke, "ANIMA," it would be wrong to leave one out.

The careful reader will note that the performer on all but one of these albums is either a female solo act, a band consisting entirely of women, or a band fronted by a woman.

Honorable mentions (multiple playlist-worthy tracks): Floating Points, Crush;" Black Keys, "Let's Rock;" Jenny Lewis, "On the Line;" Billie Eilish, "WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?"

AND WHY THE ALL CAPS IN SO MANY ALBUM TITLES?

And U.P. stands for Upper Peninsula (of Michigan).