My Top Five Albums of 2022 (and what's still to come)

Why this year in music could be one of the best in a long time

Of all the industries that took a hit due to the pandemic, entertainment has been one of the most striking to me. People stopped going to the movies, artist tours were cancelled left and right, most music festivals took a two-year hiatus, and the difficulty of getting in a room with people threw off creative rhythms all around. Seemingly the least-affected entertainment option was television, as at-home entertainment thrived with everyone stuck at home and bored.

While the lack of quality new content was felt everywhere, the most glaring discrepancy by far was music. Not only was it more difficult to record material, but because the live show is so intertwined with album rollouts, projects were put on hold until artists were sure they could tour behind them. Of course, some artists trudged along regardless, finding creative solutions. Notably, Dua Lipa had massive success with Future Nostalgia, which included a virtual "tour" of sorts. Travis Scott and Marshmello even put on shows within the Fortnite virtual world. Numerous other artists went along with album releases and live-streamed concerts.

These were without a doubt admirable efforts, but there is simply no replacing the real concert/festival experience. Now, 2+ years from COVID-19's takeover, it seems that we're finally managing to get a hold on living with it. Obviously, it's far from over, and seems likely that it could become a seasonal issue. But life is going on, and it seems highly unlikely that this massive industry is going to allow an outbreak to cut into their revenue streams, for better or worse.

Artists feel confident that they can continue with the traditional album lifecycle, and as a result, I think we're in for a fantastic year of music. I mean, it's already started. We're three months into the year—just a quarter of the way through—and we have been blessed with some tremendous musical achievements. And as anyone familiar with music knows, summer is when the content really starts flowing. As I'll get into later, we already have exciting releases confirmed for artists like Arcade Fire, Flume, Florence + The Machine, Joey Bada$$, and Odesza.

But let's talk about the material that's already been released. While there haven't been any blockbuster releases from someone like, oh I don't know, Kendrick Lamar, numerous established artists and up-and-comers have put out excellent projects. Here are four of my favorites (plus a few more shoutouts). I'll also give a preview of what else I'm excited for this year.

5. Saba: Few Good Things (7/10)

I first discovered Chicago rapper Saba on Chance the Rapper's 2016 track "Angels", which remains a consistent favorite. And while Saba's hook on "Angels" is catchy and energetic, it really only scratches the surface of his talent. Each of his albums, including Few Good Things, has delivered. My personal favorite is still Care for Me, which displays some of his best storytelling and delves deep into his psyche and mental health struggles.

While Few Good Things certainly isn't as introspective, that doesn't mean Saba falls into the trap of saying a whole lot of nothing. For instance, on "One Way of Every N***a With a Budget", Saba flows over a smooth, tender beat about being the only one who's attained success while his close friends and family are still struggling to fight their way out. Another personal favorite is the title track "Few Good Things", which features Black Thought and some of the best production on the entire album.

Few good things is a realization of self after a search for exterior fulfillment. It is the satisfaction and completeness you gain simply living a life that is your own. Few is a small number, but few is not lonely —Saba

Favorite Tracks: Few Good Things, One Way or Every N***a With a Budget, Fearmonger, Still

4. FKA Twigs: CAPRISONGS (8/10)

Yes, this project is technically a "mixtape", but I threw it on here anyway because it has all the hallmarks of a well-made album, while still being as grimy and intimate as a mixtape would be. While it's certainly more straightforward and pop-centric than her previous projects, FKA twigs doesn't sacrifice the ethereal lush production that had made her such a trailblazer. It also has a bunch of dialogue bits that give the mixtape a bit more thematic coherency and continuity than it would have otherwise.

There's just banger after banger on CAPRISONGS. "Oh My Love" is one of her catchiest songs to date; it gets stuck in my head for days at a time. FKA twigs also pulls a bunch of diverse features into the project, from The Weeknd to shygirl to Jorja Smith, and they all work tremendously in their respective songs.

3. Denzel Curry: Melt My Eyez See Your Future (8/10)

If you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick a hip hop artist that's going to blow up in the next 5 years, I would tell you Denzel Curry. Not only are each of his projects inventive and impeccably produced, but in my opinion he's only getting better.

Melt My Eyez See Your Future is Denzel's most introspective and self-aware yet. Time will tell how it stacks up to TA13OO (my current favorite), but I've had this album on repeat since it dropped. Curry enlists the help of Robert Glasper, Thundercat, JID, T-Pain, and a slew of others to create a smooth fusion of jazz, soul, and even trap that feels cohesive but has enough variety to hold your attention throughout.

I hope Denzel gets his due from this one; he deserves all of it.

Favorite Tracks: Melt Session #1, Troubles, The Ills, Walkin', Ain't No Way, Zatoichi

2. The Weeknd: Dawn FM (8/10)

The Weeknd is growing into one of the biggest and most successful artists of our generation. And while success doesn't always translate into quality, I've been absolutely thrilled with his creative evolution. He's taken his signature R&B sound—which was good in its own sense—and incorporated elements of synth-based 80s pop, hip hop, and electronic. Nothing against his old work, but this is way more up my alley. Also, my college sophomore roommate blasted Trilogy nonstop for what seemed like an entire year (iykyk), so I tired of it long ago.

While Dawn FM isn't as single-driven as 2020's After Hours, I think it is actually a more complete and cinematic album. It really draws you into a world and experience, where After Hours felt a bit more disjointed. The album version of "Take My Breath" is stunning; merging deep french house sounds with glimmery synth-looped melodies. I think it's his best song, but that may just be the Daft Punk fanboy in me talking.

Favorite tracks: Take My Breath, Less Than Zero, Here We Go...Again, Out of Time, Gasoline, Sacrifice

1. Beach House: Once Twice Melody (9/10)

Beach House is one of those 2000s-2010s indie bands that has achieved the miraculous: stayed relevant. Not only have they stayed relevant, but they have truly continued to pump out quality album after quality album since 2006. I don't care who you are, continuing to grow, expand on your sound, and reinvent yourself for that long is damn impressive.

I've had somewhat of a renaissance with Beach House's music over the past couple years. They really excel at creating these beautiful soundscapes that just float into your ears and transport you to a place of peace and contentment. The way they layer serious and sometimes intense themes over these atmospheric and dreamy melodies is really genius to me.

Once Twice Melody is sprawling and ambitious, running 18 tracks and 84 minutes. The group employed a clever rollout to absorb the shock of such a long album by releasing it in four "chapters". I'll be honest: I've only listened to the double LP in its entirety once. I will usually pick and choose different chapters to absorb in a single sitting. That's not to say it's "too long"; I can never have too much Beach House. Plus, this gives me more material to go back and dive into, which extends its life.

Anyways, if you're a fan of Beach House, you'll probably love this album. If not... maybe give them a chance. And if you still don't like them, well then you're beyond help.

Favorite tracks: Superstar, Another Go Around, Over and Over, Runaway, New Romance, Finale

Honorable Mentions:

Bob Moses: The Silence In Between
EARTHGANG: GHETTO GODS
Alt-J: The Dream
Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Charli XCX: CRASH

Upcoming Releases

Tier 1

Vince Staples: Ramona Park Broke My Heart (April 8)
Wet Leg: Wet Leg (April 8)
The Head and the Heart: Every Shade of Blue (April 29)
Arcade Fire: WE (May 6)
Florence + The Machine (May 13)
Flume: Palaces (May 20)
Odesza: The Last Goodbye (July 22)
Maggie Rogers: Surrender (July 29)

Tier 2

BANKS: Serpentina (April 8)
Father John Misty: Chloë and the Next 20th Century (April 8)
Jack White – Fear of the Dawn (April 8)
Syd: Broken Hearts Club (April 8)
Kurt Vile: (watch my moves) (April 15)
redveil: learn 2 swim (April 20)
Let’s Eat Grandma: Two Ribbons (April 29)
Toro y Moi: MAHAL (April 29)
Alison Wonderland: Loner (May 6)
AWOLNATION: My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me (May 6)
The Black Keys: Dropout Boogie (May 13)
Post Animal: Love Gibberish (May 13)
Tank and the Bangas: Red Balloon (May 13)
Alfie Templeton: Mellow Moon (May 27)
George Ezra: Gold Rush Kid (June 10)
Perfume Genius: Ugly Season (June 17)
Soccer Mommy: Sometimes, Forever (June 24)
Caamp: Lavender Days (June 24)
Superorganism: World Wide Pop (July 15)
Jack White: Entering Heaven Alive (July 22)
Pusha T: TBA
Joey Bada$$: TBA
Freddie Gibbs: TBA

Unconfirmed but very possible (LET ME DREAM)

Kendrick Lamar
Vampire Weekend
Broken Bells
LCD Soundsystem
Frank Ocean
Bon Iver

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