2022 is no longer. I have many things to be grateful for this past year. I started a band, recorded my debut album, completed my horticulture course, visited my brother in Portland, spent Christmas and New Years with my family in Missouri, planted a new garden, and consumed so many amazing albums. It was a bumper crop for top notch new music. Below are some of my favorite albums from 2022. The order is arbitrary, I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite from this list.
Big Time by Angel Olsen (Jagjaguwar) June 3 • Listen
“It’s not country, but it’s not not country” -Angel Olsen
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You by Big Thief (4AD) February 11 • Listen
"20-song epic of kaleidoscopic invention, striking beauty, and wigged-out humor, rambling far beyond the bounds of their previous work." -Andy Cush
Warm Chris by Aldous Harding (4AD) March 25 • Listen
This album is crisp and melts in your mouth.
My Boy by Marlon Williams (Dead Oceans) September 9 • Listen
I like to pretend that I’m his boy.
Blue Rev by Alvvays (Polyvinyl/Transgressive) October 7 • Listen
This album only came to my attention days before 2022 was over. It’s a wide open road lit by soft neon glow. If you enjoy it I also recommend Hatchie’s Keepsake (2019)
To Live & Die In Space & Time by Lynn Avery & Cole Pulice (Moon Glyph) February 25 • Listen
It’s electronic experimental jazz. It’s space music. Saxophone sounds good in space.
Natural Brown Prom Queen by Sudan Archives (Stone's Throw Records) September 9 • Listen
Weather Alive by Beth Orton (Partisan) September 26 • Listen
She’s in the room with you and the piano fills all the spaces between.
Wet Leg by Wet Leg (Domino) April 8 • Listen
Venus Is Home by Erny Belle (Flying Nun) February 11 • Listen
A lovely spooky album.
Fever Dream by Tahini Bikini (self-released) September 23 • Listen
My friends and band-mates have made a work of art.
Giant Palm by Naima Bock (Sub Pop) July 1 • Listen
In a faraway oasis basking in the dusty afternoon, under the garden trellis at the archeological dig; the evening birds fluff their feathers, the crowd sip from tall glasses, the band don sandy-colored suits and look into the future. Naima whispers incantations of good fortune. We are happily under the spell. The saxophonist proposes a toast. The chorus of birds begin the sleep of night and we follow.
Sound No Song by Charlie Parr (self-released) July 8 • Listen
A collection of cell phone voice memos from 2017 to 2021
See-Through by Patricia Wolf (Balmat) May 13 • Listen
Truly a beautiful collection. Sweeping through time, swelling through space, demanding you match it's pace, and bookend-ed in birdsong. I only wish it were twice as long.
Painless by Nilufer Yanya (ATO) March 4 • Listen
Heavy in all the right places.
Motomami by Rosalia (Columbia) March 18 • Listen
I love the range of this album. It’s a winner.
I mostly listen to new music - I’m somewhat addicted to it. These releases did not come out in 2022 however they were new to me and worth a listen.
Lux Prima by Karen O & Danger Mouse (BMG) March 15 2019 • Listen
Oh My Darling by Michael Llewellyn (self-released) October 14 2021 • Listen
Miles Calder & The Rumours by Miles Calder & The Rumours (self-released) October 21 2016 • Listen
Nest by Mystery Waitress (Home Alone Music) September 18 2020 • Listen
Vincent Neil Emerson by Vincent Neil Emerson (La Honda Records) July 25 2021 • Listen
What are your favourite releases from 2022? Leave in the comments.