BEST OF 2022 – ALBUMS: I listened to literally so much music this year, which is a huge part of why I’ve been too overwhelmed to really put out content. BUT – I’m regaining focus, and think it’s better late than never to go back and call attention to some of the albums that defined my year. We’ve got an anthology with unreleased song demos, a few solo debuts, four artists I’ve seen perform live, and even a release I stumbled upon just by clicking on its eye-catching album artwork. I feel like if you know me, this list makes perfect sense and is absolutely not-surprising lol. But hopefully for new viewers, this provides a glimpse into my personal taste!
In no particular order, here they are! Enjoy, and feel free to comment at the end and share with me some of your favorites – what albums got you through the year or defined your summer?
Dawn FM – The Weeknd (released January 7, 2022)
The TLDR: Following the immense success of 2020’s After Hours, we were blessed with another concept album from The Weeknd, and this man didn’t get out of character (again) for a majority of the era. And that’s not in a bad way, either. His commitment to the story-telling on his projects is admirable and the payoff is always a win. Sonic elements range from 80’s new wave to disco and fun, and the record opens with an eerie radio host monologue from actor and comedian Jim Carrey. After several push-backs due to Covid, The Weeknd brought Dawn FM to life with his latest 2022 tour (which I was able to attend at Soldier Field)!
Must Hear: “Sacrifice”, “How Do I Make You Love Me?”, “Is There Someone Else?”
Jack In The Box – J-Hope (released July 15, 2022)
The TLDR: If I could choose every track as the best song on this debut EP I would, considering this masterpiece is only 21 minutes long! But, J-Hope manages to weave his story and inner thoughts throughout 8 songs (and 2 interludes). His lyricism and delivery have always been his strong points, but with his extensive background and expertise in street dance – he put the auditory focus on the foundation of hip-hop when structuring the EP’s sound. Those who grew up listening to the good shit in the 90’s will immediately recognize the Ol’ Dirty Bastard “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” sample when it pops up in one of my favorite track. I literally jumped out of my skin when I heard it! Another concert experience that enhanced the album, as he performed it for the first time ever here at Chicago’s Lollapalooza. Jealous?
Must Hear: “What if…”, “= (Equal Sign)”, “Arson”
Indigo – RM (released December 2, 2022)
The TLDR: Long-awaited and incredibly hyped solo debut from RM, released almost out of nowhere with no heads up or lengthy promotional period (thus shaking the fandom to the core). Not to mention the list of collaborators included the likes of Anderson .Paak, Honne, Paul Blanco, and Erykah Badu. ERYKAH BADU! Meant to be played start to finish, Indigo spans so many different genres, while revealing a peek into RM’s internal highs and lows of being in the constant spotlight (and being in the biggest band in the world – BTS). Be careful, though: you may find yourself happily dancing one moment – and then staring blankly into the mirror while watching yourself cry in the next. Love love love this record and it’s no surprise that RM continues to receive high praise for his way with words.
Must Hear: “Closer”, “Hectic”, “Yun”
Heroes & Villains – Metro Boomin
The TLDR: This album reminds me of that one last really good (pre-Covid) summer in 2018, when Metro Boomin’s debut album Not All Heroes Wear Capes was released. It makes me think about getting ready to go out, and operating spontaneously without any hesitation. I always like Metro Boomin production (maybe it’s an Atlanta thing), but I really like when he continues to highlight the same collective of key artists on these releases – each feature really complements the music so well. We’ve got Don Toliver, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Young Thug, and even John Legend opening up the record to kick things off. If you’re getting ready to have a night in (or out), this is perfect. 15 tracks – no skips – and there’s even an alternative version that includes all of the instrumentals.
Must Hear: “Too Many Nights”, “Raindrops (Insane)”, “Around Me”
Demon Time – Mura Masa (released September 16, 2022)
The TLDR: I have been a casual listener of Mura Masa since his 2017 self-titled debut. I even got to see him for free during the Red Bull Sound Select series that used to be in and out of venues here. They’d showcase up-and-coming, buzz-worthy artists, and that’s exactly how I got sucked in. I can’t really put my finger on a genre for the 26 year-old producer, as he’s also a multi-instrumentalist (which adds a unique element to his live stages). From the time I heard “Love$ick”” with ASAP Rocky to “1 Night” with Charli XCX, I knew his range was something that interested me and the latest record Demon Time is no different. Showcasing collaborations with Shygirl, Channel Tres, and Lil Uzi Vert – I think that lineup speaks for itself.
Must Hear: “blessing me”, “tonto”, “e-motions”
HONORABLE MENTIONS that MUST be acknowledged:
Still Blue – Gemini (released December 13, 2022) – A rare find about 2 weeks ago, during my typical Thursday late-night sweep of all the new, upcoming Friday releases. I legitimately clicked on it just because of the album cover, and had zero context about who I was listening to. To be honest, I’ll let you have that same experience as myself and keep the anonymity. I think that really allowed me to have the most impactful first impression. Must hear: “Love Is Banned”, “Bad”, “Do Me Right”.
Proof – BTS (released June 10, 2022) – There’s not enough hours in the day, days in the week, or weeks in the year for me to run through this release, as it’s an anthology containing BTS’s most notable title tracks and b-sides. The 3-disc record spans the group’s (nearly) decade-long career, and the discography also includes exclusive demos of some of their most legendary hits. It’s impressive that they have enough content to already be able to highlight their career in this way, and for anyone interested in diving into BTS for the first time, Proof is like a guided tour to give you the run down from 2013 to present. And hey – we got the addictive “Run BTS” choreography from this, so I can only be grateful! Must hear: “Blood Sweat & Tears”, “Dimple”, “Run BTS”
That’ll do it! Those were the albums that I played non-stop upon release, and I hope that music was able to help you get through another…interesting year of maneuvering through our new normal. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year! 💜 💜