2022 Top Albums
What a year. For me, 2022 was a year all about rediscovering and falling back in love with my own musical taste. Taking the time to be curious about new and old artists. I spent a lot of time exploring record bins, chatting with people about their favorite artists. Questioning myself and others about their favorites helped ground myself into my own taste. Below is a reflection of the music that I found to be great and maybe some new to you!
SZA – SOS
SZA takes her claim as an essential part in the greats of R&B, bringing fresh new writing and a sound melding genres with revenge ballads, bad bitch beats and a confident softness she tapped into on this album. I prefer the first half of the album, which has a similar vibe to Ctrl, but overall such a great album that was worth the wait.
Fred Again.. Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
Fred Again.. is a new artist for me, and what I love about him is his sheer creativity to create new life out of small tidbits of sound and creating something totally new. What won me over though was his live performance. I saw him at Terminal 5 in New York and it was my first true exposure to most of his music. This set was hype, fun, and made you want to dance your ass off. He is a new master in training that brings a lightness to the genre of electronic/house music that is unpretentious and inviting.
Sault – 11
The UK collective is such a fresh breath of air. Listening to this album is like a deep exhale after holding your breath all day, putting your feet in front of the fireplace on a cold night, or reflective walk in nature on a beautiful spring day. This album puts you in a state of flow and overall such a positive, uplifting listening experince that feeds the soul.
Danger Mouse & Black Thought – Cheat Codes
This album is a modern classic mix of new and old with features like MF DOOM, Joey Bada$$, and Conway the Machine. Black Thought taps his masterful street poetry mixed with prolific production of Danger Mouse that blends old school hip-hop, rock, rap and everything in between. A few favorite tracks include “No Gold Teeth”, “Because”, and “Saltwater”. This album is all about steady rhymes, classic beats and smoothness that touts the mastery of its mixers. As a whole this albums doesn’t miss.
Viagra Boys – Cave World
The Viagra Boys dove headfirst into their sound, and this album is a refined columniation of all their past album. A meld of punk, jazz, rock and electronic thrown in the mix. These are some bad dudes who know how to make music and gives no fucks whether you like it or not. They don’t aim to please, they aim to get their music out like a sophisticated word vomit that they spit in your face, and you thank them after. One of the music unique, badass sounding bands out there.
Steve Lacy – Gemini Rights
I love that Steve Lacy has been getting the recognition that he deserves. He’s really hit the mainstream with this album. It exemplifies his witty writing, soulful voice, prolific harmonies, and production style that sets him apart from the other musicians topping the charts.
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
This album is the most vulnerable we've seen Kendrick yet. He raps about what he knows, his journey through this world of the music industry and his mental health journey. It's a journey so many young people are resonating with, to discover and uncover truths buried within themselves. This album is such a beautiful story of how he is coming to terms with his demons and turning it into beautiful poetry.
The Black Lips – Apocalypse Love
This album is classic California surf rock with twists and turns, hilarious storytelling, and beautiful modern love ballads. I wasn’t crazy about their last album, but this new album blew me away with each song. Overall, a very fun, classic Black Lips listening experience of going back to their roots and elevating it to the next level.
Greentea Peng – GREENZONE 108
Greentea Peng is one of those artists who nails it every time. She has this effortlessness to her that is intoxicating and draws you in to listen. This album is groovy, funky, and a soulful self-journey through the ether of sound.
Thee Sacred Souls – Thee Sacred Souls
This band has quickly become a new favorite. Starting the album with ‘Can I Call You Rose?”, a dreamy, hypnotizing love song that shows off the band’s skill of sweet, slow soul music. The album as a whole is fresh take on classic soul music. What elevates this from other soul musicians right now is that they take their time. Take their time with the lyrics, the riffs, and the pacing of the album as a whole. An affirmation of self-love and love you show to others. What a beautiful album and message that begs you to sing along and tugs at the heart strings and beg you to sing along.