The best albums of 2022

A list of the music that soundtracked my year

It’s holiday season at The Rectangle!

Last time, we looked at the gadgets that helped me through 2022. And today? It’s all about music.

So, get prepared. Here, in alphabetical order, are my favourite albums from 2022:

Alex G — God Save the Animals

People often compare Phoebe Bridgers to Elliott Smith, but if anyone is carrying on Smith’s spirit, it’s Alex G.

His latest release is brimming with beautifully arranged, intricate folk pop songs. Easily one of the most effortlessly talented artists working today.

Alvvays — Blue Rev

A masterful indie pop album from a band at the top of their game.

Considering the quality of Alvvays’ previous two albums, I was concerned about what their plan with Blue Rev was. Were they gonna do the same sort of thing again? Or try and experiment? And could they do that while retaining their melodic heart?

Well, Alvvays did experiment — and arguably made their best album along the way.

While the band have hardly turned into an Ornette Coleman tribute act, they have expanded their sonic palette, pushing their sound in new directions, while remaining true to their core.

I’ve had Blue Rev on repeat since it dropped and keep finding new things to love about it.

Anna Erhard — Campsite

You know when you hear a song and immediately say, “this is, unequivocally, My Kinda Shit?”

Well, that’s what happened when I came across Anna Erhard’s song, ‘Campsite.’

I was happy to discover shortly afterwards that her album of the same name was equally as good.

Her lo-fi, electronic-tinged indie pop is addictive and unique; driven partly by the fact she’s one of the sharpest (and funniest) lyricists working today.

Beach Bunny — Emotional Creature

Straight-up, heart-wrenching, fun-time pop punk.

C Duncan — Alluvium

C Duncan is one of the most underappreciated musicians operating today. Over the course of three albums, the Scottish singer has pumped out intricate, sophisticated, and lowkey chamber pop.

Alluvium — his fourth LP — is another bold step forward in his never-ending quest to craft the most sublime synth music imaginable.

The album is lushly orchestrated, ethereal but with a thumping heart, all anchored by C Duncan’s celestial voice.

I continue to be in awe of the man.

Grace Ives — Janky Star

Clocking in around 28 minutes, Grace Ives’ Janky Star is a pocket-sized pop album that overflows with ideas.

She packs her songs with a dizzying array of sounds, pulling from house music, college rock, and trip-hop. Janky Star is catchy, endlessly relistenable, and one of the albums of the year.

Momma — Household Name

Household Name is a 90s indie rock nostalgia fest. Taking inspiration from artists like Pavement, The Breeders, and Liz Phair, Momma conjure up a modern take on what’s now a classic genre.

Luckily for everyone though, Household Name isn’t a pastiche. Quite the opposite.

The music is fantastic, the singers Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman playing off each other beautifully to create the sort of rock that’ll make you want to dig out your best torn denim.

Open Mike Eagle — A Tape Called Component System With The Auto Reverse

Open Mike Eagle is a treasure. Over eight albums, the idiosyncratic rapper has carved out a niche all his own, creating nerdy, reflective, and witty music.

Many of Open Mike Eagle’s albums have concepts running throughout them, and A Tape Called Component System With The Auto Reverse is no exception.

A sort of tribute to old school stereos and mixtapes, A Tape Called… finds Open Mike Eagle exploring nostalgia and the current state of his life through the lens of old technology.

Sorry — Anywhere But Here

Sorry simply don’t sound like anyone else. Their combination of rock, electronic music, and classic pop conjures a specific sort of urban milieu, a modern approach to guitar music that’s simultaneously deeply emotional and detached.

They also sound cool as fuck.

Widowspeak — The Jacket

This is Widowspeak’s sixth album, and it’s been a joy to watch them evolve from Mazzy Star-lite into a group making glorious, understated dream pop all of their own.

Stripped back and melodic, The Jacket worms it way into your head, the songs swirling together in a romantic haze. Ideal music for late night journeys.

Or any other time.

Honourable mentions!

Man, putting together this list was tough. Too tough, really.

I’ve spent a lot of time with the music listed above, but the problem is there’s a gamut of releases from 2022 that I like a lot, but either didn’t quite make the cut or I haven’t devoted enough time to.

With that in mind, here’s a list of other terrific albums from this year:

• Billy Woods — Aethiopes

• Chat Pile — God’s Country

• Earl Sweatshirt — Sick!

• Horsegirl — Versions Of Modern Performance

• Jockstrap — I Love You Jennifer B

• Kilo Kish — AMERICAN GURL

• Lowertown — I Love To Lie

• Mavi — Laughing So Hard It Hurts

• Naima Bock — Giant Palm

• Porridge Radio — Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky

• R.A.P. Ferreira — 5 to the Eye with Stars

• ROSALÍA — MOTOMAMI

• Soccer Mommy — Sometimes, Forever

• Soul Glo — Diaspora Problems

• VEPS — Oslo Park

• Weyes Blood — And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow

Do you have any favorite albums from 2022 that weren’t listed? That I may like? Then shove them in the comments, pal.