Last Minute Reviews Week— 2022 Edition
It’s that time of year again, where all my hours of being a hermit and typing away about the album releases of 2022 reaches its climax; it is time for my end of year lists week to commence for 2022, serving as a send-off for the musical year.
But of course, it is also time for be to begin said week by reflecting on the fact that even I slip up sometimes when it comes to grabbing hold of awesome album releases, and you may be one to be disappointed by the fact that I hadn’t reviewed an album you really liked.
Thus, as tradition demands, this article will cover seven final albums (and one surprise pick) that have been released in 2022 for me to give long-overdue and quickfire reviews for. I tend to cover seven albums (one per day), before diving into the big end-of-year lists. So without further ado, let’s strap in, and go over the seven albums that I have chosen for Last Minute Reviews Week.
Monday Pick: Tasman Keith — A Colour Undone
Alternative | Hip-Hop | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Australian rap artist Tasman Keith was someone that I discovered this year through the single “CHEQUE”. And the reason I wound up discovering it, and furthermore, becoming such a swift fan of the single, had a lot to do with the fact that Genesis Owusu (the mastermind behind my favourite album of last year, Smiling with No Teeth) made a feature appearance. Nevertheless, that track certainly held merits of its own, as well as Tasman Keith’s presence as a very talented rapper.
My discovery of the album that said track features on, happened to be pure happenstance, and a recent one of that. What I initially thought to be a December release, it turns out that the fact that A Colour Undone came out in early July, somehow slipped right under my nose. But given the engaging bars and the awesome production from “CHEQUE”, I knew that this was an absolute must for my Last Minute Reviews week of 2022.
My excitement towards listening to the full album certainly wasn’t stumped in the slightest. A Colour Undone displays stellar quality throughout, from the unique, vibrant, and atmospheric production, to Tasman’s gritty and engaging vocals and lyrics. I would even go as far to say that Tasman Keith’s music combines elements of Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and the aforementioned Genesis Owusu (in other words, a killer combo). And this album serves as an absolute champion of those qualities. This is definitely one that I feel relieved not to have missed out on.
Favourite Tracks: WATCH UR STEP | SHARKS | CHEQUE | TREAD LIGHT
AWAL Recordings
Tuesday Pick: Stand Atlantic — f.e.a.r
Alternative | Pop-Punk | Metal | Rock
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
From one Australian artist to another, we now move on to Stand Atlantic, with their new album f.e.a.r (or “f*ck everything and run” if you wanted to take the abbreviation out).
Unlike the previous album, this was actually an album that I did skim over upon its release. But for one reason or another, I wound up just being too busy to properly sit down and give this one a proper listen. I did actually enjoy their previous album, 2020’s Pink Elephant, and by the sound of their teaser track for this new album, titled “molotov [OK]”, I was definitely excited for the moment where I could free up some time to give the full album a good spin. And this is one of the many reasons why I enjoy doing Last Album Reviews Week so much; it gives me another chance to go over albums I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten round to listening to.
But either way, time for me to get into the actual music, which is marvellous, to say the least. The pop-punk genre isn’t exactly my biggest forte. However, Stand Atlantic really finds ways of making it work for someone like myself. This did feel aparrent on Pink Elephant. However, it is even more so on f.e.a.r. This album is absolutely bursting with both energy and character, making for an incredibly enjoyable listen, and my favourite Stand Atlantic album to grace the band’s discography.
Favourite Tracks: doomsday | dumb | cabin fever | molotov [OK]
Hopeless Records
Wednesday Pick: YL, Starker & Zoomo — RRR: The Album
Alternative | Hip-Hop | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Some of you might remember the review I wrote for Nizar13 and their album Just More (if not, you can view it here); This record from YL, Starker, and Zoomo, titled RRR: The Album, was actually recommended by them. That being said, I thought I would give this one a shot, and I was very impressed with what I heard.
For starters, the production on this is super nice, courtesy of Zoomo’s masterful production. It carries a brilliant blend of soulfulness and minimalism to create a very engaging project in all respects. The chemistry that these three artists share is amazing as well, and feels akin to the many great rap group we got in the 90’s. Both YL and Starker have very different vocal styles. and as a result, they add their own flavours to this album, resulting in a musically vibrant experience, full of unique tracks from start to finish. I can definitely seen why these two have been recognised by the likes of Eyedress.
In short, RRR: The Album serves as a masterful collaboration between three highly creative minds. I am left feeling very glad that I managed to sit down and listen to these three at work (albeit last minute).
Favourite Tracks: Gilbert Arenas | Sweet | New Day | Iceberg
RRR Music Group
Thursday Pick: Nilüfer Yanya — PAINLESS
Alternative | Indie | R&B
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
This is actually the first pick I’ve covered in this article, that I decided to review after researching what albums of 2022 the general public of music listeners had seemingly really enjoyed. And with the way that this sophomore album from Nilüfer Yanya sounded, I’m not surprised that this album was so popular.
Atmospherically, I feel that PAINLESS is the closest thing to come to par with the likes of Blood Orange’s 2018 album Negro Swan, even surpassing subsequent Blood orange projects. That being said, if you liked that album, I feel that you should definitely enjoy this one.
I found myself falling deep into the soundscapes that lace this album. And my best way of describing it, is that it has that reverberating effect that only amplifies the dreamy atmosphere of the album, whilst the guitar-work adds a nice little hit of urban grit to the whole thing. It really feels like a unique album in the atmosphere department, especially when you stak it up against the vast majority of other albums we’ve heard this year. And on top of that, it certainly stands as one of the most nostalgic albums of the musical year of 2022.
Favourite Tracks: L/R | stabilise | chase me | the mystic
ATO Records | [PIAS]
Friday Pick: Sudan Archives — Natural Brown Prom Queen
Alternative | R&B
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Much like my Friday pick, Sudan Archives’ Natural Brown Prom Queen was another album that I decided to pop on here due to the widespread praise the album had received.
This album served as my first bit of exposure to the stage name of Ohio-based singer, songwriter, and violinist Brittney Parks. I would say it carries some similarities to Renaissance, the album that Beyoncé had dropped this year. But due to the other musical talents of Sudan Archives, it allowed Natural Brown Prom Queen to carry a few more unique elements.
I also really loved the way that Sudan Archives had taken the tried-and-tested narrative of feeling beautiful in your own skin, and embracing one’s own natural beauty. Furthermore, it felt like Brittney had tonnes of fun putting this record together, and writing the tracks that come with it. And as a result, that sense of enjoyment definitely rubs off on listeners.
Favourite Tracks: Homemaker | Ciara | Chevy S10 | TDLY (Homegrown Land)
Stones Throw Records
Saturday Pick: Everything Everything — Raw Data Feel
Electronic | Indie
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
In recent years, the biggest trend with indie bands has been to go down the electronic route. We’ve seen this developed upon in 2022 with the likes of Foals’ Life Is Yours, and Two Door Cinema Club’s Keep On Smiling. However, no other band has pushed this fusion of indie and electronic to the level that Everything Everything had done this year with their album Raw Data Feel.
Everything Everything have been a band that I have only dabbled the tiniest bit into. However, each of their albums have received rave reviews, with Raw Data Feel faring no different.
As a result of really tapping in to that electronic sound, whilst keeping the more recognisable aspects of their signature sound, Raw Data Feel is an album that is unlike any other I’ve heard this year, whilst still being grounded, catchy, and accessible for electronic fans and indie fans alike. It’s an undeniably fun musical experience, and one that likely no one is to forget anytime soon.
Favourite Tracks: Pizza Boy | Leviathan | Cut UP! | HEX
Infinity Industries LLP | AWAL Recordings
Sunday Pick: Conway the Machine — God Don’t Make Mistakes
Hip-Hop | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
In regards to the new album that Conway the Machine dropped this year, it fared a similar situation to Stand Atlantic’s f.e.a.r, in the sense that I was aware that the album was out. But with the business of life getting in the way of things a little too often, I eventually had to sit on this one until now.
I definitely enjoyed the rap artist’s 2020 album, titled From King To A GOD, and arguably enjoy that album even more now. But there’s something about God Don’t Make Mistakes that feels markedly more memorable.
For starters, this album has a remarkably nostalgic feel, making God Don’t Make Mistakes feel like an album that would sit more comfortably in the mid 90’s. On top of that, it sees Conway being as real as he possibly can through utterly engaging bars. And looking back on it now, it feels like an album I should have reviewed the instant it arrived.
Favourite Tracks: Tear Gas | Guilty | Chanel Pearls | God Don’t Make Mistakes
Shady Records | Interscope Records
Surprise Pick: Little Simz — NO THANK YOU
Alternative | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Compared to the other albums I’ve covered in this article, this brand new surprise drop from Little Simz is a unique case. Having arrived as I was close to completing this article, I knew that I could not leave this album untouched. After all, Simz is responsible for one of my favourite albums of last year, in the form of Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
Speaking of that album, NO THANK YOU bounces off of that 2021 record very well when it comes down to the musical aesthetic, and arguably even the narrative as well. However, this certainly feels nothing like a simple B-sides record. On the contrary, NO THANK YOU well and truly breathes a life of its own.
To elaborate on this narrative, Little Simz dives even deeper into the reflection of how she is dealing with her rapidly-growing fame, whilst shedding light on themes of mental health, the struggles of daily life, and the freedom that comes with saying the three words that the album’s title presents.
This is another incredible musical project from Simz, and it took no time at all to stick in my mind as one of the many highlights of this musical 2022.
Favourite Tracks: Angel | Gorilla | X | Broken
Forever Living Originals | AWAL Recordings
And that finally concludes all of the albums I have to review for 2022. But I’m far from done for the year. After all, we have the rest of list week to smash through, so stay tuned for much more to come.
