Howdy, Sig here – last year was a good one for new music. It seems that almost every music publication releases an end of year list. I’m undecided if they are a good or bad thing, perhaps they are just a thing – regardless I always enjoy getting them in my inbox. I too have compiled a list of my favourite albums of 2022.
In next month’s newsletter I’ll be sharing a demo we’ve been working on in the studio. Also an exciting announcement about our debut single.
This year I’m actively seeking alternative ways of discovering new music with an emphasis on small independents and local acts. In 2022 my main sources of new music were Pitchfork, Stereogum, Bandcamp, Uproxx, Amaya Lim’s Record Store substack, Ted Gioia’s Honest Broker substack, and toward the end of the year; Song Chest Radio. Much better than the years before when my only source of new music was Spotify.
Soooo what are the taste-makers favorite albums of 2022? I made a spreadsheet (fun!) to tally which album appeared most on 21 different publications’ end of year list for 2022. My data comes from my favourite publications and the first page of google results for ‘best albums 2022’. The results are heavily weighted toward pop, indie/alt rock, and hip-hop. The data isn’t perfect and who knows if these publication really are “taste-makers” – more likely to be the Spotify algorithm. However, I enjoyed putting this together and discovered some great new music myself in the process (and!?! Brockhampton apparently released an album in 2022?! Missed that one).
The Difference
Out of the 16 albums I chose as top of 2022 exactly half do not appear in the taste-makers ‘top lists’. Marlon, Beth, Lynn & Cole, Erny, Tahini, Naima, Charlie, & Patricia. The taste-makers and I only half agree. I’m offended that Marlon William’s My Boy does not appear on any of the end of year lists I reviewed.
The Results
In fifth place with 6 votes is a three way tie between Wet Leg’s Wet Leg, Alvvay’s Blue Rev, and Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti. Blue Rev is a must listen - very happy to see it receiving so many positive reviews.
In fourth place with 7 votes is Sudan Archive’s Natural Brown Prom Queen. A killer album from the wildly talented multi-instrumentalist.
Coming in third place with 8 votes is Big Thief’s Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You. I didn’t rate my end of year list but this album would likely be in the top 3.
Second place takes a jump up to 11 votes with Rosalia’s Motomami. Apple Music gives you 7 more tracks with Motomami+ um yes please!
drumroll…
Coming in first place with 13 votes is Beyoncé’s Renaissance. No surprise here. It’s a fucking fabulous album.
I recommend all these albums even though they didn’t all make it on my end of year list. How do you discover new music?
Sig