The conversation around music has never been as expansive and exciting as it was in 2019. Artists weren’t dismantling conventions and boundaries so much as they were completely ignoring them, conjuring vital new sounds in the process. Billie Eilish made us reconsider the definition of pop, and DIY upstart Lil Nas X rode his horse down “Old Town Road” all the way to the top of the charts worldwide. Byron Bay singer Tones and I had never released a song before 2019, but that didn’t stop her from breaking records and winning ARIAs with her debut EP and global hit single “Dance Monkey”. The Australian hip-hop scene has continued to thrive, getting tougher, more diverse and more popular than ever, with standout artists including Onefour, Hp Boyz and Chillinit. Relive all of these moments and movements through this exclusive playlist of our picks for best of the year. Spot your favourites and discover your next obsession—if you hear something you like, add it to your library.