Honorable Mentions
Weyes Blood- And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow
Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul- Topical Dancer
Angel Olsen- Big Time
Sharon Van Etten- We've Been Going About This All Wrong
Jenny Hval- Classic Objects
Top Fifteen
15. The Beths- Expert in a Dying Field (Indie Rock/Power Pop)
This New Zealand quartet write amazing hooks driven by punchy guitars and sublime harmonies. Power pop might have had its heyday in the late '70s, but The Beths prove they make it better than anyone else these days (experts in a dying field, indeed).
14. The Smile- A Light For Attracting Attention (Art Rock/Post-Punk)
No one is quite sure why Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed a very Radiohead-esque side project rather than releasing these songs as a proper Radiohead album. Nonetheless, it was exciting to hear long-lost Yorke compositions like "Skirting on the Service" and "Open the Floodgates" find a home. Though the songs lack the transcendent quality of their main band, A Light For Attracting Attention is a satisfying listen; and it is fun to see Yorke and Greenwood taking inspiration from their post-punk roots with songs like "We Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings."
13. Alvvays- Blue Rev (Indie pop/Shoegaze)
This band has proven for years that they know their way around a good melody, and Blue Rev finds them surrounding each earworm with shoegaze fuzz. The result is their best album yet.
12. Aldous Harding- Warm Chris (Singer-Songwriter/Psychedelic Pop)
A delightfully weird album from this New Zealand singer-songwriter (no surprise this is a strange one, given a) her prior output and b) it is called Warm Chris). Harding's songwriting is whimsical without being overly cute, and few artists can use a multitude of different singing voices as she does.
11. Wild Pink- ILYSM (Indie Rock)
Brooklyn's Wild Pink have quietly been doing their thing for awhile now, churning out satisfying if unremarkable Americana-adjacent indie rock. Frontman John Ross was diagnosed with cancer in the midst of writing and recording ILYSM, and the resulting album is warm rather than despairing—with a focus on gratitude and connection. The band surrounds themselves with a myriad of friends and collaborators—including Julien Baker, Yasmin Williams, J Mascis (on the supremely catchy "See You Better Now"), and Ryley Walker (who rips a killer solo on "Simple Glyphs"). This is the kind of uplifting, inspirational music that modern day U2 could only dream of making.
10. Kendrick Lamar- Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (Hip-Hop)
Kendrick's last album topped this list back in 2017, and though Mr. Morale has a few befuddling moments, its highs more than justify its inclusion this year. "Mother I Sober" (featuring Beth Gibbons of Portishead) is one of his best ever songs in my book, and "Father Time" is similarly stunning. Though not a masterpiece, Mr. Morale further bolsters the resume of one of music's greatest talents.
9. JID- The Forever Story (Hip-Hop)
The relative lack of buzz around this one was confusing, as I found it to be a really impressive listen (maybe people were judging JID for collaborating with Imagine Dragons on mainstream hit "Enemy" which...does not effectively showcase his talents). A Southern Rap epic, The Forever Story is ambitious and immersive without being overlong. Check out his awesome Tiny Desk if you need further convincing.
8. Beyoncé- Renaissance (Pop/House/R&B)
Beyoncé made a house music album! But you probably already knew that since we are talking about Beyoncé here. Renaissance is a great listen, however. The energy never lets up throughout all sixteen tracks, making it ideal for your next workout or dance party.
7. Sudan Archives- Natural Brown Prom Queen (Alternative R&B)
A vibrant sophomore album from singer-violinist Brittney Parks. Lots of great grooves on this one. "Selfish Soul" will replace "Come On Eileen" as your go-to violin-featuring dance song.
6. Little Simz- NO THANK YOU (Hip-Hop)
After topping this list with last year's incredible Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, Simz surprise-released a worthy follow-up in the waning weeks of 2022. Again featuring exquisite production from Sault's Inflo, NO THANK YOU, further establishes Simz as being in a class of her own. She shows a more playful side on songs like "Gorilla," while retaining the ability to wow with lyrically dense songs such as "Angel."
1. Big Thief- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (Indie Rock/Folk Rock)
15. The Beths- Expert in a Dying Field (Indie Rock/Power Pop)
This New Zealand quartet write amazing hooks driven by punchy guitars and sublime harmonies. Power pop might have had its heyday in the late '70s, but The Beths prove they make it better than anyone else these days (experts in a dying field, indeed).
14. The Smile- A Light For Attracting Attention (Art Rock/Post-Punk)
No one is quite sure why Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood formed a very Radiohead-esque side project rather than releasing these songs as a proper Radiohead album. Nonetheless, it was exciting to hear long-lost Yorke compositions like "Skirting on the Service" and "Open the Floodgates" find a home. Though the songs lack the transcendent quality of their main band, A Light For Attracting Attention is a satisfying listen; and it is fun to see Yorke and Greenwood taking inspiration from their post-punk roots with songs like "We Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings."
13. Alvvays- Blue Rev (Indie pop/Shoegaze)
This band has proven for years that they know their way around a good melody, and Blue Rev finds them surrounding each earworm with shoegaze fuzz. The result is their best album yet.
12. Aldous Harding- Warm Chris (Singer-Songwriter/Psychedelic Pop)
A delightfully weird album from this New Zealand singer-songwriter (no surprise this is a strange one, given a) her prior output and b) it is called Warm Chris). Harding's songwriting is whimsical without being overly cute, and few artists can use a multitude of different singing voices as she does.
11. Wild Pink- ILYSM (Indie Rock)
Brooklyn's Wild Pink have quietly been doing their thing for awhile now, churning out satisfying if unremarkable Americana-adjacent indie rock. Frontman John Ross was diagnosed with cancer in the midst of writing and recording ILYSM, and the resulting album is warm rather than despairing—with a focus on gratitude and connection. The band surrounds themselves with a myriad of friends and collaborators—including Julien Baker, Yasmin Williams, J Mascis (on the supremely catchy "See You Better Now"), and Ryley Walker (who rips a killer solo on "Simple Glyphs"). This is the kind of uplifting, inspirational music that modern day U2 could only dream of making.
10. Kendrick Lamar- Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (Hip-Hop)
Kendrick's last album topped this list back in 2017, and though Mr. Morale has a few befuddling moments, its highs more than justify its inclusion this year. "Mother I Sober" (featuring Beth Gibbons of Portishead) is one of his best ever songs in my book, and "Father Time" is similarly stunning. Though not a masterpiece, Mr. Morale further bolsters the resume of one of music's greatest talents.
9. JID- The Forever Story (Hip-Hop)
The relative lack of buzz around this one was confusing, as I found it to be a really impressive listen (maybe people were judging JID for collaborating with Imagine Dragons on mainstream hit "Enemy" which...does not effectively showcase his talents). A Southern Rap epic, The Forever Story is ambitious and immersive without being overlong. Check out his awesome Tiny Desk if you need further convincing.
8. Beyoncé- Renaissance (Pop/House/R&B)
Beyoncé made a house music album! But you probably already knew that since we are talking about Beyoncé here. Renaissance is a great listen, however. The energy never lets up throughout all sixteen tracks, making it ideal for your next workout or dance party.
7. Sudan Archives- Natural Brown Prom Queen (Alternative R&B)
A vibrant sophomore album from singer-violinist Brittney Parks. Lots of great grooves on this one. "Selfish Soul" will replace "Come On Eileen" as your go-to violin-featuring dance song.
6. Little Simz- NO THANK YOU (Hip-Hop)
After topping this list with last year's incredible Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, Simz surprise-released a worthy follow-up in the waning weeks of 2022. Again featuring exquisite production from Sault's Inflo, NO THANK YOU, further establishes Simz as being in a class of her own. She shows a more playful side on songs like "Gorilla," while retaining the ability to wow with lyrically dense songs such as "Angel."
5. MJ Lenderman- Boat Songs (Indie Rock/Lo-Fi)
Asheville's MJ Lenderman created a truly special album. Filled with amusing references to '90s sports icons and clearly indebted to blog namesake Jason Molina on songs like "Tastes Just Like It Costs," Boat Songs was basically engineered for my enjoyment. But rock music fans of any generation should dig this charming record.
4. Alex G- God Save the Animals (Indie Rock)
Alex G is easily one of the most compelling indie rock figures of the past decade plus, and God Save the Animals includes some of his best-ever songwriting. "Runner" and "Miracles" both absolutely blow me away and are among my very favorite songs of the year. The album's more experimental songs might not be for everyone, but weird tunes like "Blessing" really work for me.
3. Billy Woods- Aethiopes (Hip-Hop)
If you like rap and have never listened to Billy Woods, I strongly suggest you change that. Dude has been on an incredible run the last several years, with Aethiopes representing his best work. The album contains wildly creative production, with jazzy samples perfectly complementing Woods' incredible lyrical flow. Woods released a second album (Church) in the back half of the year that is also well worth your time.
2. Black Country, New Road- Ants From Up There (Art Rock/Chamber Pop)
A somewhat polarizing album- you are probably going to either really like it or dislike it; not a lot of middle ground here. I am obviously in the former camp—I thought BCNR took a big step forward from the Klezmer-rock of their debut. Earnest lyrics, sweeping choruses, and frequent orchestral touches created by a seven-member-band will make you feel like it is 2005 again. Primary vocalist/lyricist Isaac Wood left the band four days before the album's release (citing mental health struggles), which added a dose of melancholy to each listen. It is a bummer to know I am unlikely to ever hear these wonderful songs live. The band has declared they will soldier on, and I will be fascinated to see where they go from here (hey, Pink Floyd also lost their frontman after two albums and they turned out alright).
1. Big Thief- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (Indie Rock/Folk Rock)
This one is already a classic to my ears. Like any good double album, the 20 songs showcase an impressive range of sounds. From beautiful folk, moody rockers, a rootsy song about potatoes, and even a jammy tune that sounds kinda like Dave Matthews Band (in a good way, to be clear)—the album contains an embarrassment of riches. I feel like I have known these songs my whole life, and I imagine I will be listening to them for the rest of mine. Big Thief have firmly cemented themselves as my favorite band of the last half-decade.
Best of 2022 Playlist
Here are 66 of my favorite songs I heard this year. Play it in order to justify the inordinate amount of time I spent sequencing it, or just listen on shuffle if you like chaos. Hope this helps you find something new you might have missed!
