There was so much good music in 2022 that I had to include a couple extra songs and albums on my site for your pleasure. Here's 10 more songs and 5 more albums I loved from 2022.
Alvvays
"Pharmacist"
The first hint that Alvvays had a winning record cooking was “Pharmacist”. It’s got layers and layers of noisy goodness, but the clarity of Molly Rankin’s lyrics puts it a step up. She sings of returning to your past and experiencing the pains of change, and the fuzzy instrumental almost serves to shield you from those pains. It’s the first of many great tracks Alvvays served up in 2022.
Carly Rae Jepsen
"Western Wind"
Part of me wishes the direction “Western Wind” takes would’ve made up the entirety of The Loneliest Time. It’s much more Laurel Canyon-y than any song Carly’s made previously, a breezy affair perfect for driving along the PCL. She’s still got an ear for great pop music, but this detour to the West Coast is an exciting development.
Caroline Polachek
"Sunset"
The musical palette of Caroline’s forthcoming record is quite varied, and she dips her toe into flamenco on “Sunset”. The fiery guitars and windy vocals keep the song brisk as Caroline sinks back into the sunset of a lover she just can’t kick. For her first foray into flamenco, she kills it.
Cobra Man
"Cool, Nice."
Ever get fed up with vapid responses to your detailed thoughts? Cobra Man made just the song for you. “Cool, Nice.” is a fuck you to people who don’t pay attention, lambasting the fakeness so many people throw around these days. The easy to learn lyrics and infectious rhythm will get stuck in your head for days.
Ghost
"Call Me Little Sunshine"
One of the many things Ghost is great at is making songs that slowly build to an epic climax, and the first taste of IMPERA is a fine example of that. “Call Me Little Sunshine” alludes to occult legend Aleister Crowley, invoking images of dark figures and more as Papa Emeritus IV beckons us. Throw in the most metal instrumental of the new record and you’ve got a winner.
Gorillaz
"New Gold" (ft. Tame Impala & Bootie Brown)
The prospect of a Gorillaz collab with Tame Impala was teased as early as May of 2020, and now that it’s here, the excitement was clearly warranted. The two alternative legends are a match made in heaven, with Kevin Parker’s croons fitting in perfectly over a shifty pop beat. Bootie Brown jumps in for good fun too.
Holiday Sidewinder
"Why"
Paying respect to her pop music forebears, Holiday does Carly Simon justice on her cover of “Why”. It’s just as bouncy and full of attitude as the original, but Holiday-y enough to stand alone.
Magdalena Bay
"All You Do"
Everything that came from the Mercurial World sessions is gold it seems. “All You Do” may not have made it onto the main record, but most pop artists would kill to make a song this sublime and cool.
The Night Flight Orchestra
"Black Stars And Diamonds"
You won’t know how much you need The Night Flight Orchestra in your life until you discover them. They make loving tributes to 80’s hair metal, and “Black Stars And Diamonds” is their latest winner. You’ll headbang to this like you had a head full of hairspray.
The Weeknd
"Here We Go... Again" (ft. Tyler, the Creator)
As quickly as The Weeknd can cry about a lost lover, he can cheat on them in a heartbeat. “Here We Go… Again” is a flex of what he does best, with Beach Boys-like vocal harmonies and Tyler, the Creator to add the glory. His worlds are increasingly toxic and increasingly amazing at the same time.
Daphni
Cherry
A mixture of songs Dan Snaith made while longing to return to clubs while under lockdown and songs he made as the clubs were starting to reopen. No matter when they were made, they all slap, and the smooth transitions in between tracks makes Cherry a nonstop party.
Dehd
Blue Skies
Blue Skies is another winning effort from Dehd in the style of their past records. The trio keeps things straightforward, with nothing more than punchy drums, catchy guitars and Emily Kempf’s husky voice carrying these brisk tracks. It’s almost too casual how good Dehd is at this style of music.
King Gizzard & the
Lizard Wizard
Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava
It was another prolific year for the band with the best name in the biz, and among their output was this album with a name almost as lengthy as their band name. The songs are equally as lengthy, allowing the band to jam to the best of their abilities about everything in the album title. It’s good stuff to put on and vibe out to.
Nova Twins
Supernova
Turning music into their catharsis allowed this breakout duo to create one of the most fiery albums of 2022. They blend genres like industrial, rap rock, and more seamlessly as they shred their haters and establish their badassery at full throttle.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
Endless Rooms
One of 2020’s breakout bands returns with a rock record that’s more nuanced but no less exhilarating. The group explores new tempos and stylings within their jangle rock lane, and the results make for a fun listen.