This was one of the easier lists I've written in the last few years. There were, somewhat surprisingly, more than 20 albums I wanted to highlight here today, but I really whittled it down to the 20 that I feel deserve the most praise, and ones I enjoyed the most. There are lists from site contributors Stan, Jay, and Don (Donzig) this year as well. And, for the curious, here is the recent sets of Top Tracks lists from all of us.
Kenixfan's Top 20 Albums of 2022
20. Time on Earth by Pete Astor
The latest from Pete Astor (The Loft, The Weather Prophets) was full of simple and affecting indie-pop, with tracks like his tribute to the late Pat Fish of The Jazz Butcher being standouts.
19. Eight Freedoms by Zach Barocas New Freedom Sounds
The jazz here is extraordinary and powerful. And why wouldn't it be with these players? J. Robbins and Zach Barocas (Jawbox), Mark Cisneros (Des Demonas, Hammered Hulls), Gordon Withers, and Lenny Young bring their best to this rave-worthy release.
18. Alluvium by C Duncan
I remain stunned at how little press this seems to have received, despite being on a great label. C Duncan's album delivered High Llamas-ish pleasures to this listener. I love this record.
17.Fall In Love Not In Line by Kids On A Crime Spree
It had been a few years but thankfully Kids on a Crime Spree returned in 2022. And in a big way. This whole album was full of fuzzy pop. Every track was a gem for anyone who grew up listening to C86 and all that.
16. Madman in the Rain by Dot Dash
Another band that made a big return in 2022 was Dot Dash. Their latest continues their trend of making superb, smart, and economical indie-pop. And Terry Banks keeps writing a ton of great songs.
15. Full Court Press, the new collab from Wiz Khalifa, Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA, and Girl Talk
This collaboration resulted in one of the most listenable albums of 2022. I was surprised how much I loved this combination of talents!
14. A Bit of Previous by Belle & Sebastian
There were stylistic diversions on the latest from the Scottish legends, but the whole thing worked, with nary a dud on the whole album.
13. Bad Love by Dehd
Does this band keep getting better and better or what? I'm still raving about lots of their latest.
12. Big Time by Angel Olsen
There was a bit of stylistic variety on the latest from Angel Olsen, but the entire record was full of some of the best music being made today. Everything Angel touches is worth hearing, frankly.
11. A Brief Moment in the Sun by Soul-side
These harDCore legends finally returned with perhaps their most supple record yet in 2022. Thank God they're back.
10. Dreaming Kind by The Orchids
Continuing the 2022 trend of bands who we didn't expect to see again, The Orchids offered up their best record to date.
9. Typical Music by Tim Burgess
The new record from the Charlatans frontman was a sprawling collection of stylistic experiments and melodic gems. This is one of the boldest and most rewarding records of 2022.
8. Barbarism by Katie Alice Greer
Full of paranoia pop and electronica, the solo debut album from the Priests frontperson deserved a careful listen in 2022. There's layers of meaning here that I'm still peeling back.
7. Pad by Peel Dream Magazine
On first listen, the latest from Peel Dream Magazine seemed too different from their earlier ones. But after a few more plays, I grew to love this one maybe more than earlier offerings.
6. All of Us Flames by Ezra Furman
Very few records in 2022 hit me on emotional level that the new one from Ezra Furman did. Bold, heartfelt, sweeping, and inspirational rock and roll!
5. When the Wind Forgets Your Name by Built to Spill
Doug Martsch can still do magic. Stan and I both spent the summer playing this new one from Built to Spill, and it's still fresh to these ears.
4. Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl
There was a lot of hype and buzz around the debut from Horsegirl, but thankfully the album deserved every bit of it.
3. Wild Loneliness by Superchunk
I'm a huge Superchunk fan but even I was surprised by how much I loved their latest record. With a bunch of guests, the familiar 'Chunk sound was expanded in warm and fresh ways here in 2022.
2. Careening by Hammered Hulls
I was at their debut gig in 2018, but I was still blown away by how tight and powerful the resulting record turned out to be. This is a monster of a release, and one that very nearly was number one.
1. Back Home by Big Joanie
The new record from Big Joanie got a rave from me, and it's precisely the ways that this trio makes familiar sounds feel new that really impressed this listener. This got a lot of plays in 2022 precisely for that reason.
Stan Cierlitsky's Top 10 Albums Of 2022
1. Things are Great by Band of Horses
2. When The Wind Forgets Your Name by Built to Spill
3. A Light for Attracing Attention by The Smile
4. Skinny Fia by Fontaines D.C.
5. Watch My Moves by Kurt Vile
6. Versions of Modern Performance by Horsegirl
7. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief
8. House by Shout Out Louds
9. Blue Rev by Alvvays
10. The Highest in the Land by The Jazz Butcher
Jay Mukherjee's Top 10 Albums of 2022 (in no order)
1. House by Shout Out Louds
2. Everything was Forever by Sea Power
3. Fall in Love Not in Line by Kids on a Crime Spree
4. Summer at Land's End by The Reds, Pinks & Purples
5. Wish I Could See by Cheap Star
6. Skinny Fia by Fontaines D.C.
7. The Heart is Strange by xPropaganda
8. a hAon by Telefis
9. The Healees by The Healees
10. Dreaming Kind by The Orchids
Donzig's Top 10 Albums of 2022 (in no order)
1. Heart Under by Just Mustard
2. Palomino by First Aid Kit
3. Colder Streams by The Sadies
4. Drift by Pianos Become the Teeth
5. Life and Life Only by The Heavy Heavy
6. Summer at Land's End by The Reds, Pinks & Purples
7. Patina by Tallies
8. Alpenglow by Trampled by Turtles
9. Sides by Lean Year
10. Sun's Signature by Sun's Signature
[Photo of Big Joanie: Ajamu X]