THE BEST MUSIC FROM 2022
2022 has been one of the best years of music we’ve seen in quite some time. EP’s, Albums and Songs of great musical feats came to us this year. Here’s who we think did it the best coming from our staff.
Jake Weed
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
1. Voices in my Head - Falling In Reverse
I won’t lie, Falling In Reverse is one of my favorite artists, but every one of Falling In Reverse’s singles have been a banger ever since they started focusing on singles in 2018. Every single has topped the charts for consecutive weeks following its release. As much as I would like to see another full release, or at least an EP release by them, I think they will be only releasing singles for the long haul.
2. Arsonists - Ethan Bortnick
My good friend showed me this song and it has stayed with me ever since. Between the sad lull of the verses and hard hitting chorus this song is a real punch in the gut. Between its painfully accurate lyrics and oversaturated low end it really gives you a feeling of heartbreak and loss.
3. This Is Why - Paramore
Paramore coming back with this funky tune has got me really excited to see what they’ve got coming on the full release in February of next year. This will be their first release since “After Laughter” in 2017. Being 5 years since their last release, and Haley Williams having released solo music in between, I am curious to see what direction Paramore will be taking. Also the bass line in this track is just superb.
Ash Hausarauth
Ants From Up There – Black Country, New Road (LP)
This album was the first that I had ever heard from Black Country, New Road. Not only is the album impressive as only their sophomore album together, but the fanfare of instrumentation, poetic lyricism and vocals, plus the sheer creativity and cohesiveness of the project all make it stand out as the top of the releases from this year.
2. man – quinnie (Single)
quinnie’s music and success are a testament to the powers of social media—specifically, TikTok. But the power of sheer emotion heard in man, along with the intense artistry quinine demonstrates in this track isn’t something that is seen often and shouldn’t be overshadowed by those who question the legitimacy of artists who gain an audience from social media.
3. Self Help – Future Teens (LP)
If I had to pick a soundtrack to my life right now, it would be this new album from Future Teens. The themes are so resonant and there is something incredibly comforting about the way this album sounds. Beyond the emotional draw this album conjured up in me, it is a genuinely authentic and representative pop punk sound that encompasses this era of music so well.
Chris Frawley
Best album: Cave World, by Viagara Boys
Oh, Cave World. I’ll be damned if this isn’t the best album I’ve heard in years. Viagra Boys have unquestionably been one of the most unique and colorful voices in the post-punk scene since their 2018 debut album, Street Worms, and have continued to innovate their sound ever since. I’ve followed their jazz-infused sonic odyssey through absurdism since then and have never been disappointed.
However, Cave World is truly a step up from their previous work. This album brings some of their funniest, most outlandish, and existentially compelling songs to date, with incredibly memorable tracks thrown in. “Punk Rock Loser” is an instant classic rock groove, “Ain’t No Thief” is hilarious, and “The Cognitive Trade-Off Hypothesis” is a moment of honest contemplation. But really, there aren’t any bad tracks to be found. Even the interludes are brilliantly liquid and mind-bending.
Cave World contemplates the arbitrary, violent, and often apathetic tendencies of the modern world. Viagra Boys reflects on itself, reveling in its thinly-veiled disgust of the nonsensical society they inhabit and the braindead individuals that clutter it. However, they’re also painfully self-aware well of their own mental health and dependence issues. It all centers around the repeated theme of regression and the desire to return to a primitive state, but with the bitter conclusion that even if we were to throw everything away, we wouldn’t be able to discard our ways; it’s just ingrained into our DNA.
What else can I say? It’s just good. Damn, damn good.
Best EP: Weatherglow, by Asian Glow and Weatherday
Following Weatherday’s phenomenal debut LP, Come In, I was expecting great things from them for their next project. What I wasn’t expecting was a fully collaborative EP with Seoul-based artist, Asian Glow.
However, the result speaks for itself. The one issue I had with Come In was that while the tracks at the beginning and towards the end were absolutely spot-on, some of the middle tracks were lacking in polish and consistency. By contrast, Weatherglow has that consistent and refined sound, but doesn’t sacrifice its lo-fi charm.
This project is beautifully creative, immediately captivating, and undeniably intimate. Weatherday is proving their versatility and willingness to improve their craft on this EP, and I’m here for it.
Best song: “Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 5,” by Camping In Alaska
This song hits a chord with me that’s hard to describe. I guess it really comes down to the old mantra: less is more. Even though it’s an acoustic demo, this track has an enormous prescence. Both the guitar and the vocals on this are beautifully somber, and the lyrics are absolutely piercing. The chorus in particular is superbly haunting, one of the best I’ve heard in recent memory.
It’s rare that a song has an impact on me like this one has. It absolutely deserves all the accolades in the world, and I can’t wait for Camping In Alaska’s full-length release.
Sam Koone
Squint - Wash Away.
An incredibly hard hitting EP that comes in at just under 8 minutes. Whirling, whooshing guitar riffs come together with hardcore breakdowns to create four tracks worth headbanging to.
Old Coke - Sorted
Chicago shoegaze-punk band Old Coke combines washed out riffs with bone-crushing drum beats to make tracks that feel like they swallow you whole.
Smidley - Here comes the Devil
Conor Murphy, frontman of Foxing, delivers a somber, moody sophomore LP that combines a range of influences from indie to folk to emo.
ANORAK! - S/T
Tokyo-based emo outfit ANORAK! brings forth an album that pays homage to classic twinkle emo while still advancing the genre. Overdrive-soaked riffs meld with catchy vocal melodies throughout.
Noelle Janasiewicz
No Momentum - Parting Shot
Pool Kids - Self Titled
Wet Leg - Self Titled
