Top Ten Albums of 2022

It’s that time of year again, so here’s my top ten albums of 2022. As always, curious to hear where you agree or disagree, or what I’ve missed this year. Rating everything on a scale of 10 possible Denalis this time.

Phil’s 2022 Top 10 albums

1)      “angel in realtime.” – Gang of Youths. This album broke my heart and rebuilt it over and over. It’s a beautiful mediation on loss, grief, parents, and purpose, and the opening track (“You in Everything”) is on my no-random-shuffle list lest it come on when I’m working or driving or can’t stop to listen and tear up. I’m sure y’all are tired of hearing me rave about this album, but it’s truly an exceptional piece of art, and my life is better for knowing it. 27.5 out of a possible 10 Denalis.

2)      “Midnights” – Taylor Swift. It’s super weird to me that Taylor Swift makes my list again, but this is a great album. “Anti-hero” is the track everyone raves about, but honestly I think “Maroon” is the strongest song on the album. Not nearly as good as “Folklore,” but then very few albums are (the first album above notwithstanding). 10/10 Denalis.

3)      “Black Radio III” – Robert Glasper. Continued beauty and funk from the jazz pianist-cum-hip hop producer. “Shine” is a standout track; it’s on my chill, wind-down playlist. [also, if you have a chance to see Glasper live, take it.] 10/10 Denalis.

4)      “Palaces” – Flume. I really liked Flume’s 2014 “Skin”, and I’ve enjoyed a number of random tracks he’s produced since then (particularly when working with Vera Blue”), but this is simultaneously bizarre and incredibly well planned. “Go” is the standout for me, particularly if you have speakers or headphones with good mid-bass (and the music video is … so weird. But also charming). “Sirens” is also great; Flume is really good at mixing ethereal voices with technology and synths and producing mesmerizing results. Also his live performances with Toro Y Moi are hilarious. 10/10 Denalis.

5)      “Dance Fever” – Florence + the Machine. Classic Florence. “Choreomania” is the single, and doesn’t disappoint. Weirdly, I really fell in love with “The Bomb” which doesn’t feel nearly as Florence-y as the rest of the album. 9/10 Denalis.

6)      “Caprisongs” – FKA Twigs. A thoroughly interesting mix of bubblegum pop and thoughtful lyrics. “tears in the club” is the standout (and The Weeknd’s best work of 2022, IMO), but “ride the dragon” and “honda” are great opening tracks and the album feels really cohesive. 9/10 Denalis.

7)      “SOS” – Sza. This dropped two weeks ago and I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as I want to, but it pretty quickly landed on my frequently-played list. “I Hate U” was a great single before the album dropped, and it’s interesting to me where it ended up on the album (pretty late). “Control” was one of my favorite albums of 2017 and this holds up. 9/10 Denalis.

8)      “World Wide Pop” – Superorganism. This is my favorite pure pop album of the year. It’s so damned weird but I really dig it. I mean, who else samples NPR’s Bob Boilen into a pop song?  The whole album is great, but “It’s Raining” has brain-wormed me for almost six months now (and the video is a lesson in modern music video design).  9/10 Denalis.

9)      “No Rules Sandy” – Sylvan Esso. I’m a huge Sylvan Esso fan and their self-titled album is on my top-ten all-time list. This is an interesting and enjoyable departure, but not quite up to “Free Love” or “Sylvan Esso.” My standout track is “Echo Party.’ 8/10 Denalis.

10   “All for Nothing” – Lauv. Bubble gum pop at its best. Lauv always makes enjoyable music that is perfect for uplifting background music. The title track is good, but for my money “Summer Nights” is the standout. 8/10 Denalis.

Honorable mentions. 

These are all albums that suffered due to getting added into my Apple Music library rather than Tidal/Roon, so they didn’t get as much play as they probably should have. I’ve rectified that and I look forward to hearing them more in 2023.

1)      “Motomami” – Rosalia

2)      “Surrender” – Maggie Rogers

3)      “Hideous Bastard” – Oliver Sim

Best EPs of 2022:

1)      “immolation tape” – Gang of Youths. Three live versions of great tracks from “angel in realtime.”, plus a new (and weirdly uplifting track) that I commend to you attention: “a shot in the arm” is lovely and worth a listen. 10/10 Denalis, would really love a full-length live album (and to see them live).

2)      “graves” – Purity Ring. Purity Ring is one of my favorite bands, and they’ll always make my lists. 7/10 Denalis, would really like another full album.

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