2019 in British Music

The Story of 2019

Dave's 'Psychodrama' was the year's defining British album, a masterpiece that won the Mercury Prize and dominated the Brit Awards. 'Location', 'Streatham' and 'Black' were stunning, but 'Lesley' – a seven-minute spoken word piece about domestic abuse – was the album's emotional peak. Dave was 20 years old and already the most important voice in British music. Stormzy's 'Heavy Is the Head' arrived in December, with 'Vossi Bop', 'Own It' and 'Audacity' confirming his commercial dominance. Lewis Capaldi's 'Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent' was the year's biggest-selling album in Britain, 'Someone You Loved' the biggest single. His self-deprecating social media presence made him a star. Ed Sheeran was still huge. Little Mix were at their peak. Mabel's 'High Expectations' was a confident debut. Slowthai's debut 'Nothing Great About Britain' was a furious, brilliant commentary on modern Britain. The year ended with the Brexit election, the political divisions reflected in a music scene that felt increasingly fragmented.