THE TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
Around this time, publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork put out their "Top Albums of 2022" lists. It's usually the same predictable recommendations.
But as someone who's listened to well over 1,000 new releases this year, I feel very qualified to share what I believe is the *real* top 10 -- recommendations that are neither based on major label PR nor hype.
I've personally bought every one of these albums.
What albums are on my list? Stay tuned to find out 🧵
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
# 10. Lady Wray - Piece of Me
If you were following R&B in the 90s, you'll be surprised to find out that Lady Wray used to go by Nicole. Now as Lady Wray, she's made the best soul music of the year. This woman is the Queen. Songs like "Come On In" make you feel like you're in a revival tent meeting. "Storms" is so devastating, find me a better closer on any album. Lady Wray does things with her voice that few others can pull off. What a statement!
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#9. Cate Le Bon - Pompeii
If David Byrne had a love child with Kate Bush, surely it would be Cate Le Bon. This is art pop par excellence. Cate has a gift for bass grooves that crawl, slink, and slide into your noggin. She's not afraid to get gymnastic with her vocals. Songs like "French Boys" are so catchy, you'll have a hard time getting them out of your head. The cherry on top? Her incredible mastery of dynamics. https://catelebon.bandcamp.com/album/pompeii
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#8. Jeanines - Don't Wait For a Sign
Every song on this album is quick, clocking at under 2 minutes. Jeanines are minimal never wasting a note. Imagine if Wire sang about loneliness from a feminine perspective but did it more catchy. That's Jeanines. This is a master class on spare but effective melodies. A song like "Gotta Go" is 57 seconds, but that's all it needs. Jeanines are proof that simple can be good. https://jeanines.bandcamp.com/album/dont-wait-for-a-sign
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#7. No Swoon - Take Your Time
How can something so cute and pretty also sound desolating and destructive? No Swoon delivers the audio equivalent of cupcakes and dynamite. Tasha Abbott sounds syrupy sweet -- and this very same woman overwhelms you with distorted, reverb-drenched guitar. The track "Nothing" is a case in point, she literally asks you, "Isn't it pretty" -- then unloads monster power chords. https://thenothingsongrecords.bandcamp.com/album/take-your-time
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#6. Vicky Farewell - Sweet Company
Vicky Farewell makes beautiful sunshine love songs powered by synths. She does this with a smile! I have no doubt that many babies will be conceived while parents-to-be listen to this album. Apart from her soft whispery vocals, Vicky brings delicious keyboard mastery that will make you want to dance. Once you hear "H.W.", you'll want to know if a better slow jam exists. https://vickyfarewell.bandcamp.com/album/sweet-company
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#5. The Thousand Order - S/T
Of all the genres making a comeback, I never put electro on my list. The Thousand Order put their own spin on it, going for "evil electro" -- this is dance music for The Borg. It's precise, exacting -- and will corrupt you. What makes this work so well is big booty bass and robotic sensibilities. A song like "Megabitten" indeed has bite! https://internationalchrome.bandcamp.com/album/the-thousand-order
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#4. Bobby Oroza - Get On The Otherside
This album is full of smooth falsetto vocals and reverb-drenched guitar. It conjures a place -- probably Finland, because that's where Bobby is from -- that is lonely and isolating. And yet, there's a kind of freedom, a peace. Bobby has a kind of charm. To be exact, he's a vocal snake charmer. And he delivers this with attention and care. "Sweet Agony" is a case in point. https://bobbyoroza.bandcamp.com/album/get-on-the-otherside
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#3. Nwando Ebizie - The Swan
I guarantee that you've never heard anything like The Swan. It is funky and punky. But above all: Afrofuturistic. This album feels sci-fi. It's a vision of the future from someone who likes to colour outside the lines. Nwando Ebizie expresses raw power, raw emotion. What makes this album so satisfying is that it offer leftfield experimentation with storytelling. https://nwandoebizie.bandcamp.com/album/the-swan
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
#2 Ultraflex - Infinite Wellness
A self-aware album of disco treats, made by two women who want to shake their booty -- even as the rest of the world is in no mood to dance. How voracious is Ultraflex's desire for close-and-sweaty dancing? Listen to their song "Ultrasex" and you'll know! I have no doubt that each of these women have a disco ball in each of their bedrooms -- we're better for it! https://ultraflexband.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-wellness-album
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2022
1. Sobs - Air Guitar
If Weezer made a superband with the Cardigans, they'd be Sobs. They deliver twee dream pop with sing-a-long melodies. The name of the album is apt: you will want to play air guitar. And when your arms get tired, you'll want to flick open your lighters and wave them sky high. East Asia has a lot of great dream pop, and Sobs is amongst the best. "Friday Night" is a case in point. https://sobs.bandcamp.com/album/air-guitar
Because someone asked, these are the physical formats of each album that I bought:
10. Lady Wray - Piece of Me: Vinyl
9. Cate Le Bon - Pompeii: Cassette
8. Jeanines - Don't Wait For a Sign: Vinyl
7. No Swoon - Take Your Time: Cassette
6. Vicky Farewell - Sweet Company: Vinyl
5. The Thousand Order - S/T: Cassette
4. Bobby Oroza - Get On The Otherside: Vinyl
3. Nwando Ebizie - The Swan: Cassette
2. Ultraflex - Infinite Wellness: Cassette
1. Sobs - Air Guitar: Cassette
Spare thoughts:
2022 was a very good year for the following genres:
* Jazz
* Rock
* Soul
* R&B
* Dance
Sadly, there weren't as many good hip hop and country albums this year as in 2021.
Finally, unlike what many will tell you, there's nothing wrong with new music. It's just that the bulk of it is unheard.
I hope I've encouraged you to check out some artists you've never heard yet!
@atomicpoet What were your top jazz albums?
@jcdl There were so many great jazz albums. In my opinion, this one was the best:
https://tumimogorosi.bandcamp.com/album/group-theory-black-music
@atomicpoet @jcdl Thank you for sharing your selections. I would be very interested in your toop ten jazz picks, should you ever feel the desire to share.
@atomicpoet @hbw@qoto.org looking forward to it
@hbw @jcdl Will take me a long time to compile such a list. I'll have to reserve that for another night.