Hey, guys! Wow, I cannot believe this year is already almost over. That is absolutely insane to me. The year has flown by like a witch on a broomstick (come on; I say it every year. You had to know it was coming), and I am both excited and terrified for the next one. But this year was actually a really fantastic year for music. I listened to so many good songs, albums and new artists, almost too much to compile, honestly, so these are just at the very top of my list for the year. Let’s just go ahead and get into it!

8: Head Above Water by Avril Lavigne

This is a song that was released by Avril Lavigne that is talking about how she almost died due to Lyme disease. You can hear the pain in her voice when she is singing, and it was absolutely incredible. I Love this song, and I think it is so powerful, and I connected it to my experiences going through depression, so I just think its so good and so beautiful!

7: Sober by Demi Lovato

This song is so heartbreakingly honest, and I hate that there was a reason she had to write it. If you somehow are not aware, Demi broke her sobriety and actually overdosed and was in the hospital and rehab, and she confesses to this in this song. You can hear the pain and guilt in her voice, especially in the live performance of it that she did prior to her overdose, and I just hate that she had to go through this again. But she is strong and powerful and she can do it. I always have loved Demi for her authenticity, and this song is the perfect example of that.

6: Camila by Camila Cabello

This entire album was so good! I actually was not a fan of Camila Cabello prior to this album; I just had heard her sing here and there, but I actually really enjoyed this album. I think its emotional, fun, and it is definitely indicative of her Cuban background in the style of music produced, and I just really liked it. My favorite song on the album is In the Dark currently, but it changes all of the time!

5: Pray for the Wicked by Panic! At the Disco

This should be no surprise because I freaking love Brendan Urie, and this album is no different. I love his voice, I love him, and this was a freaking good time, okay? If you haven’t listened to any of his music yet, I honestly don’t know what you are doing with your life, but you need to make that happen because his music is amazing. My favorite song is Dying in LA, and I just love that song and this album so much!

4: Singular: Act I by Sabrina Carpenter

This album is definitely Sabrina’s best album to date. It is so mature compared to her past two albums, and I absolutely love it. I know people have been getting their panties in a wad because there are sexual innuendos in her music on this album, but honestly, they need to get off their high Disney horse and realize this girl is growing up, and she is a grown-ass woman who can do whatever the hell she wants. And the songs on this album are so freaking good, too, so suck on that, Karen. My favorite is Sue Me because it is a bad bitch anthem, and I freaking love it.

3: Expectations by Bebe Rexha

This album was actually a surprise for me. I was definitely a fan of her voice, but her songs were usually hit or miss with me, and I loved pretty much every single song on this album. She really showcases her amazing vocal ability, and damn. She is freaking amazing. You guys should not be sleeping on this girl because she is so damn talented. I think her vocal ability is sick, and I cannot wait to hear what else she has in store! My favorite song on the album is definitely Knees.

2: LM5 by Little Mix

This album was absolutely freaking fantastic. This was a lot different in terms of lyrical content to a lot of their other music, and I was living for it. This album is all about female empowerment, feminism, body positivity and embracing your own insecurities, and I just freaking loved it. I loved every single song on the album, and I think that if they don’t get nominated for something, there is something very wrong because it is so fantastic. It is so hard to pick a favorite song off of the album, but I think I have to go with Joan of Arc because it is so good!

1: Expectations by Hayley Kiyoko

I am sure that no one is surprised by this because this was my most anticipated album release of the entire year, and it was definitely not a disappointment. I got to see Hayley Kiyoko in concert this year as well, which was really exciting, and this album is just perfection. It tells a story, and I absolutely love that. It’s gay, it’s sexy and fun and cute and heartbreaking all at the same time, and I absolutely am in freaking love with this album. I did do a full album breakdown if you want to check that out, but I am so happy with this album. It is so damn hard to pick a favorite song, but I think I might have to go with What I Need because yes.

And there you have it! That was my Top 8 Favorite Musical Releases of this year. What is one of your favorite albums, songs or artists that you were really digging this year? Comment down below! I would love to know. And that is going to be it for this post today. Thank you all so much for reading this, I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you next time!