Top 100 Tracks of 2022

Here we arrive, at what is equally the most fun and most gruelling article I have to do all year. That’s right, it’s time to talk about tracks!

While this year has seen a less intense release of music than previous years, regarding things like albums and EPs, I don’t truly think the same can be said for singles. on the contrary, 2022 has been just as strong in that regard as any year before it.

There’s been enough great tunes across all kinds of genres for me to easily make a top 100 (and not so easily sort them into placement). The ground rules are essentially that, if it’s affiliated with anything release this year, it’s eligible. only one track per project as well.

If you would rather just listen to my top 100 tracks, you can find the playlist at the very bottom of this article. If you don’t want to scroll that much, however, it can be found on Spotify (feel free to give me a follow on there).

But if you’re here to see my ranking and explanation for all of these singles, I won’t keep you waiting any longer; let’s dive right in to my top 100 tracks of the entire musical year.

100 — MIKE — nuthin i can do is wrng

With the psychedelic soulfulness that always make for a great MIKE track, “nuthin i can do is wrng” easily earned its place as my favourite of 2022.

99 — slowthai — i know nothing

While we didn’t get an album from slowthai this year, the dark reflection that this track presents is enough to keep fans incredibly hyped.

98 — YL, Starker & Zoomo — Gilbert Arenas

Nothing less than just pure abstract rap goodness. Whilst being a shorter track, these three manage to make a full-fledged experience out of it.

97 — SZA — Seek & Destroy

The third track from SZA’s (still fresh) 2022 album, I think that “Seek & Destroy” arguably had the most character, energy, and catchiness.

96 — Joji — Feeling Like The End

While it seems like a cardinal sin not to put “Glimpse of Us” on here, I just really liked the more lo-fi atmosphere that this short and sweet track gave.

95 — FKA twigs — minds of men

While the CAPRISONGS mixtape did have a slippery grip on my memory, the warm atmosphere of this track stayed with me throughout 2022.

94 — Years & Years — Immaculate

I would say that Night Call was a somewhat underrated album which was full of vibrant bops; with “Immaculate” being amongst the most unique.

93 — KAYTRANADA & Anderson .Paak — Twin Flame

KAYTRANADA and Anderson .Paak are a match made in heaven, as shown by the indulgence and energy that “Twin Flame” is loaded with.

92 — Rina Sawayama — To Be Alive

The ultimate track to close off Rina Sawayama’s newest album, “To be Alive” sums up the personal triumph of said album perfectly.

91 — Black Country, New Road — Good Will Hunting

I feel that it was through this track, that Black Country, New Road’s seamless chemistry gleamed most brilliantly. A masterful track.

90 — Bakar — Reclaim!

With uplifting lyrics, and an energy that was equal parts warm, friendly, and nostalgic, “Reclaim!” felt like an essential fo my spring soundtrack.

89 — BENEE — Doesn’t Matter

Of all the tracks to come out of BENEE’s 2022 EP, “Doesn’t Matter” felt like the most engaging for sure, and it has a gorgeous atmosphere to boot.

88 — Buddy — Ain’t Fair

On an album that really grew on me this year, “Aint Fair” was the greatest example as to why that was. Really reminded me of his debut material.

87 — Red Hot Chili Peppers — Poster Child

While the 2022 catalogue of RHCP was a little bit quantity over quality, Poster Child reintroduced me to their immaculately funky side.

86 — jimbo — Odin

“Odin” is my favourite track to date from the versatile talent that is Jay Swingler (a.k.a jimbo). It’s gritty, dark, and insanely enjoyable.

85 — Phoebe Green — Lucky Me

The sole reason why I even reviewed Phoebe Green’s 2022 album to begin with, “Lucky Me” brings both the energy and the dark electronic vibes.

84 — Bring Me The Horizon — sTraNgeRs

I feel that Bring Me The Horizon absolutely mastered the fusion of heavy and melodic through this brilliant banger. It was a blast to behold live too.

83 — Kal Marks — The Future

When it came to new rock discoveries in 2022, Kal Marks was one of the most memorable. The atmospheric feel of “The Future” is a big reason why.

82 — Soft Cell — Nostalgia Machine

While this track may serve as a guilty pleasure of mine, I still stand by the fact that “Nostalgia Machine” is as catchy and nostalgic as they come.

81 — Kokoroko — Dide O

Of all of the great and summery tracks to come out of Kokoroko’s Could We Be More, “Dide O” certainly felt like one of the most soothing and gorgeous.

80 — Lynks — Perfect Human Specimen

When you pair Lynks’ witty and engaging lyrics with an amazingly danceable beat, and glorious saxophone, you have this absolute bop.

79 — Yves Tumor — God Is a Circle

The more gritty avenue that Yves Tumor took with this 2022 single was very intriguing, and has me very excited to see what it could lead to in 2023.

78 — Rammstein — Zick Zack

With a comedic commentary on the pursuit of beauty, and a killer instrumental, “Zick Zack” feels like a true Rammstein classic.

77 — Sick Joy — sadisfaction

Undoubtedly one of Sick Joy’s best tracks to listen to live, and one that carries that classic grunge energy, this track is one of Sick Joy’s finest.

76 — The Game, Pusha T & 2 Chainz — No Man Falls

While the rest of The Game’s 2022 album kind of feel into the dirt, “No Man Falls” remained a soulful and masterfully-made diamond in the rough.

75 — Greentea Peng — Look To Him

I faintly remember this track arriving in the late summer, shortly before the release of Greentea Peng’s 2022 mixtape. With this, I just remember thinking about how much of an amazing summer vibe it was. I mean, this artist is definitely a champion at that kind of thing, and it shows here.

74 — Eyedress, N8NOFACE & Slimesito — I DON’T DIAL 911

While the more vibrant and atmospheric tunes that Eyedress put out are always a treat, there’s many a positive thing to say about the more dark and gritty tracks. With the release of Eyedress’ 2022 album, this track stood out of the crowd for that very reason, as well as of course having insane energy.

73 — Nas — Serious Interlude

I think that the primary reason this track ended up being my favourite on King’s Disease III, had to come down to its production. While, ofcourse, Nas’ flows are super engaging, the colourful synth-heavy soulfulness really puts this track in league with some of the best tracks of King’s Disease II.

72 — DOMi & JD BECK, Anderson .Paak, Busta Rhymes & Snoop Dogg — PiLOT

Talk about a killer summer vibe! While the debut album from DOMi & JD BECK didn’t blow me away as much as I hoped, this track certainly did. Along with the super indulgent and sleepy atmosphere, comes a list of features that a listener like myself could only dream of before.

71 — Rex Orange County — WORTH IT

The moment on this track where the beats pairs itself with the gorgeous wind instrumentation, was a moment that had me so incredibly hopeful for the remainder of the year ahead. “WORTH IT” is a remarkable blend of classical and modern, and is a downright beautiful tune.

70 — YUNGBLUD — The Emperor

It’s a shame that this track didn’t end up making an appearance on YUNGBLUD’s 2022 album, as “The Emperor” is the clear winner for his best track of there year. With thanks to it’s explosively gritty rock sound, and reminiscence of his older tunes, it might be easy for one to realise why.

69 — Stand Atlantic — molotov [OK]

While I had enjoyed Stand Atlantic in the past, they admittedly weren’t a band I was following too heavily. That was until they brought out one of the most explosive rock tracks of the entire year with “molotov [OK]”. I really loved how the fast-paced energy implodes towards the very end.

68 — Stone Hand — Possessive Thoughts

I was so stoked for new Stone Hand material, that I hopped onto the music video for “Possessive Thoughts” the evening it came out. And fair to say, it did not disappoint at all. While the earlier part of the track was put together brilliantly, it was of course the breakdown that fully had me on board.

67 — Nilüfer Yanya — chase me

While my run through of Nilüfer Yanya’s album was fairly brief and last-minute, there was something about this track in particular that really stuck with me. I think it may have had something to do with that “less is more” approach, or just the energy it had, but it won me over easily either way.

66 — JPEGMAFIA — HAZARD DUTY PAY!

I was so happy to see that this track had finally arrived in streamable form, especially after discovering that the track existed a year back (but only on YouTube, at the time). I honestly think that this track surpasses even the stuff that Peggy had released last year, which is really saying a lot.

65 — Perfume Genius — Photograph

Perfume Genius’ album Ugly Season was undoubtedly an artful piece to say the very least. And when it comes to tracks, I feel that “Photograph” shows that level of artistry perfectly. On top of that, it feels super sinister, but also beautiful. It is definitely the type of track to give you goosebumps.

64 — Jean Dawson — 0-HEROES*

While Jean Dawsons CHAOS NOW* was an anthemic album through and through, I feel that “0 HEROES*” stands as the cream of the crop when it comes down to the many bangers found on there. The heavy-hitting nature it has makes it feel like a track that would be fantastic to listen to live.

63 — Sudan Archives — ChevyS10

This year has definitely given rise to many great melodic yet danceable tracks to come out of RnB and Pop albums. And while Sudan Archives isn’t even the only one to do this on this list (more on that later), the combination of srinkled strings and indulgent production are top-notch.

62 — Fantastic Negrito — Trudoo

I honestly don’t think we’ve have a track from Fantastic Negrito which is quite as energetic as this one in years. On top of that, “Trudoo” sounds incredibly unique in comparison to other tracks this year. With some killer guitar work, and engaging vocals, this track came out an absolute banger.

61 — PinkPanthress & Sam Gellaitry — Picture in my mind

There’s so much to be said about how fun and summery this track feels (but for the sake of this list, I’ll keep it short and sweet). I really loved the nostalgic feel of the danceable production this track brings, and feel that both PinkPanthress and Sam Gellaitry make for a great collaboration.

60 — Obongjayar — Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me for a Fool)

I definitely feel that I appreciated this track a whole lot more after seeing Obongjayar live at All Points East; it simply carries such a soulful and summer-like feel. As well as that, Obongjayar’s vocals are super nice as well. Pair that with an accessible element, and you have an awesome bop.

59 — Kid Kapichi — 5 Days On (2 Days Off)

Giving their commentary on the negative effects of the 9 to 5 workstyle, kid Kapichi create this awesome banger, which is utterly engaging from beginning to end. Seeing this live at Reading Festival was a real treat to behold too. Without a doubt, an instant Kid Kapichi classic.

58 — Conway the Machine, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne — Tear Gas

There were a lot of tracks on Conway The Machine’s 2022 album that sounded like they had what it took to quickly climb there way up this list. But with some killer features, a nostalgically soulful production, and engaging lyrics, “Tear Gas” was the rightful choice for my number 58 spot.

57 — Parkway Drive — From the Heart of the Darkness

The closer for Parkway Drive’s 2022 album Darker Still, “From the Heart of the Darkness” fills the role of the band’s customary slow but heavy anthem perfectly. But not only that, it’s as epic as they come, and carries that awe-inspiring feel which made previous albums such fantastic projects.

56 — Charli XCX — Twice

From one closing track to another, we now move on to the one that concluded Charli XCX’s CRASH. While not as great of an album as the one mentioned in the previous spot, this track has an amazingly pleasant and uplifting feel, paired with equally uplifting lyrics. A sweet finish indeed.

55 — Lil Nas X & YoungBoy Never Broke Again — Late To Da Party (F*CK BET)

Lil Nas X’s callout directed at the BET Awards is full of just as much character as one could hope from the iconic artist. With the help of YoungBoy Never Broke Again, “Late To Da Party” also carries an infectious trap feel. But most importantly, it’s remarkably fun and super catchy.

54 — Freddie Gibbs & Rick Ross — Lobster Omelette

Of all the tracks to be found on Freddie Gibbs’ 2022 album, I would say that “Lobster Omelette” felt most reminiscent of my favourite kinds of Freddie tracks (the super-indulgent and glamourous kind). We are also reminded once more that having Rick Ross as a feature is never a bad idea.

53 — Tasman Keith — SHARKS

While I knew that Tasman Keith was going to stand out as a unique and ingenious artist the moment I discovered him, It was still a pleasant surprise to listen to the incredibly gritty, hard-hitting, and rock-heavy feel of the beat behind “SHARKS”, which is far from its only good quality.

52 — Kansado & Orestes Gomez — Tukumtak

While the vast majority of tracks on this list typically required some kind of prior knowledge about the artist, “Tukumtak” deservedly claims a spot on this list simply by the virtue of being an insanely feel-good track. It is without a doubt my favourite song to have discovered via playlist alone.

51 — Earl Sweatshirt — Fire in the Hole

While the Earl Sweatshirt album that came out early this year was a little underwhelming, I am glad to say that the same cannot be said about its final track. “Fire in the Hole” is a quintessential Earl Sweatshirt tune, jam-packed with all of the elements that make him such a beloved artist.

50 — Vein.fm — The Killing Womb

The fifty prior tracks were merely a warm-up; these final 50 are where things start to get really juicy. What better way to kick said top 50 off with the insanely heavy and hard-hitting banger that marked the return of Vein.fm? The super aggressive tones of “The Killing Womb” set the band’s new album cycle into motion in hype-inducing fashion. One can also clearly tell that the overall quality of their music had tremendously grown.

49 — Stray From The Path & Jesse Barnett — Bread & Roses

Upon listening to Stray From The Path’s 2022 album Euthanasia, it was obviously great to see the band hit their stride once more, bringing a good handful of bangers to the table in the process. However, the track that really stood out for me wound up being “Bread & Roses”, thanks to more melodic tones, courtesy of Jesse Barnett. Supporting this, we have some bewitchingly dark and atmospheric instrumentation from the band too.

48 — Everything Everything — HEX

It’s fun. It’s weird. It’s “HEX”. Everything Everything turned out to be one of the best surprises of 2022, thanks to their most recent album; probably one of the best example of indie bands going the electronic route this year. And when it came to picking a track from siad album that represented that quality best, and then remembering the sheer eccentricity, energy and surrealism of the track you see before you, the choice was pretty easy.

47 — The Simps — Berry Bowl Evil boss Level

The resulting piece in Eyedress and Zzzahara’s collaboration made for one of the most vibe-filled albums of 2022. And when reflecting upon that quality in the album, and choosing a track that reflected this best, I felt that “Berry bowl Evil Boss Level” had to be my pick. I recall this track bringing me the most excitement for the summer that was still ahead at the time, and as the year went on, it stuck with me as the one I remembered most.

46 — Father John Misty — Only a Fool

The 2022 album from Fathe John Misty wound up being such a pleasnat surprise of an album that a favourite track of mine from it seemed to change almost every day. However, as the year comes to a close, I feel that “Only A Fool” felt like a very strong choice. Especially in the midst of the Christmas season, I really came to enjoy and respect the whimsically classic nature of this track, and furthermore, the album it lies within.

45 — Mykki Blanco — Pink Diamond Bezel

With the release of Mykki Blanco’s 2022 project, it’s fair to say that it blew her 2021 mixtape out of the water. This can be greatly accredited to how much more unique this album sounded, and also how much it chiseled out a signature aesthetic. When it came to tracks, I feel that “Pink Diamond Bezel” represents Mykki’s uniqueness best. And on top of that, it is a downright bop, loaded with charisma, funk, and artistry.

44 — Talkslow & Ophelia Stone — Caramel

As Talkslow slowly but surely began to get back into the swing of blessing us with their vibrant electro rock-pop bops (honestly, people can allegedly expect a full-fledged return, and many new tunes in 2023), this early 2022 release makes for a promising teaser for things to come. As the trio turned duo vouch for a fantastic Disclosure-esque instrumental approach going forward, Ophelia Stone’s vocals fill in the rest to make this a true tune.

43 — Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes & Jamie T — The Drugs

With all of the cringey anti-drug campaigns that have been plaguing TV screens since the 1980’s, who would’ve thought that Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes would make their own anti-drug message so freaking badass? Enlisting the help of Jamie T this time around, this new track, simply titled “The Drugs” is two minutes of explosive punk energy. Both The Rattlesnakes and Jamie T bring so much character to this amazing tune.

42 — Arctic Monkeys — I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am

I must admit; my hopes weren’t exactly sky-high for the release of the latest album by Arctic Monkeys. However, it should be said that it did come with its little handful of pleasant surprises, none other as prevalent as “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am. The second track on said album, it presents an interesting musical direction for the band to take, and feels both true to their new aesthetic, and engaging at the same time. More like this please.

41 — The Comet Is Coming — LUCID DREAMER

While the general consensus regarding the general public of listener’s feelings on this album and its tracks, fewer people would’ve put “LUCID DREAMER” above some of the other trcaks found on The Comet Is Coming’s latest album. However, I personally feel that this track best represents the more atmospheric qualities that the electronic jazz trio possess, and made for a sound that I found easy to get completely lost in.

40 — Jungle — GOOD TIMES

Following Jungle’s 2021 album, that essentially served as my proper introduction to the band, it was brilliant to see them release a few extra tracks in 2022, especially “GOOD TIMES”. Being the former of a twin-track release, “GOOD TIMES” absolutely champions what makes Jungle’s musical material such enjoyable listens every time, It is nothing short of just pure musical goodness. As the title suggests, this listen was a good time indeed.

39 — Little Simz — X

Little Simz’s surprise end-of-year album drop took no time at all to climb its way up the ranks. After all, this is Little Simz we’re talking about here; one of the most exciting UK rap artists alive. And out of all of the tracks on here, I felt that “X” was certainly one of the biggest carriers of Simz’s amazing lyricisms, and unrivaled sense of engagement. On top of that, the instrumental behind this track mirrors the tracks message perfectly.

38 — Architects — when we were young

Looking back on the newest Architects album, I’m still not too sure where I stand with it, though I admit it has grown on me slightly since it release. One thing that remains certainly clear, however, is that this track absolutely slaps! This track is arguably one of the most reminiscent of Architects’ mid 2010’s material (the stuff released at time of me discovering them) in years. To listen to this track live would certainly be a tick in the bucket list.

37 — Algiers, billy woods & Backxwash — Bite Back

If the fact that this track sees the return of Algiers wasn’t enough to instantly have me on-board, “Bite Back” also enlists the help of some phenomenal features such as billy woods and Backxwash. The track itself is just as amazing as I expected it to be. With it’s insane sense of progression, dark atmosphere, and multiple phases to keep things fresh and exciting, “Bite Back” has me super excited for what Algiers might bring in 2023.

36 — Steve Lacy & Fousheé — Sunshine

While “Bad Habit” seems to be the most generally liked of the tracks to come out of Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights (and deservedly so), I would still say that “Sunshine” stands as my personal favourite. This track simply has the most vibrant summer energy by a long way. The second half of this track especially has a super retro and nostalgic vibe that really stuck with me. Fair to say, listening back to this track feels like reliving Summer again.

35 — Beyoncé — VIRGO’S GROOVE

I was pleasantly surprised by how well-made Beyoncé’s newest album actually was. And with the track “VIRGO’S GROOVE”, the danceability and vibrance of the album collides splendidly with the singer’s well-known musical talents. Clocking in at over 6 minutes, this track had plenty of breathing room to pack in as much musical goodness as possible. And my god; those vocals are 10/10. One of my favorite Beyoncé tracks in years.

34 — Curren$y & The Alchemist — Kool & The Gang

While there were quite a few strong contenders for this list found on Curren$y & The Alchemist’s Continuance (to the point where this was another album where my favourite track from it was changing by the day) the closing track of this album wound up coming out on top. It was such an atmospheric conclusion to an already atmospheric album. On top of that, it gave listeners one final taste of this awesome collaboration of artists.

33 — Foals — Looking High

When it came to an uplifting spring/summer vibe, very few tracks matched the likes of Foals’ “Looking High”. While the album that this track was teasing ended up being a well-rounded, uplifting, and feel-good project in its own right, this track still feels like the cream of the crop, in that regard. Released in what I recall being the middle of spring, this vibrant, warm, and energetic tune had me well and truly hyped for the summer of 2022.

32 — billy woods — Smith + Cross

The awesome vocal harmonies and guitar work that make part of the production for “smith + cross” mark it as a fantastic closer for billy wood’s earlier 2022 album Aethiopes, and album full with intriguing and extremely unique abstract production. While there are still hints of eccentricity to be found on this last track, I really appreciated the more grounded approach that this final track took, as it tied everything together marvellously.

31 — Saba, Black Thought & Eryn Allen Kane — Few Good Things

We have yet another closing track (I’m starting to see a trend here). But this time, it is for Saba and his 2022 album of the same name. It truly feels like this track was premeditated to be the most important moment of the album, as not only does the thing clock in at over 7 minutes, but it ties together the narrative of the album itself in such a perfect way, that I feel that this track pretty much represents the album as a whole.

30 — Seeva & Kaisha — Suburbia

One of the teaser tracks for Seeva’s 2022 EP Afterthoughts, “Suburbia” is one of the most gorgeous tracks the artist has ever brought out (which is saying a lot, to be honest). But on top of all the heavenly harmonies this tracks brings, we also have an engaging rhythm, and of course a feature appearance from the equally talented Kaisha. The icing on this cake is the anthemic and sing-along feel that this versatile ad amazing track has.

29 — Kojey Radical — Pusher Man: BWI

Kojey Radical’s Reason to Smile was undoubtedly an album with an impactful presence, as well as a generous batch of amazing tracks. That being said, it was tricky to pick a favourite. After looking back on the album, however, I realised that the impactfulness was reflected best in “Pusher Man: BWI”. This track essentially has two phases, each of which push the narrative of inteligence being a great asset, but also a big target.

28 — Metronomy — Loneliness on the run

Metronomy’s Small World is a masterful album, and that can mostly be attributed to how great it’s tracks are. But the one that really felt like love at first listen was indeed “Loneliness on the run”. Along with a drum beat that just oozes grounded and cool, pairing this with the vocal style gave the track an almost classic Gorillaz feel. There was a really sobering feeling that came with this tune, and thus it had my full attention.

27 — Lancey Foux & KAYTRANADA — LIES WILL SET YOU FREE

The second track on this list to feature the instrumental magnificence of KAYTRANADA, “LIES WILL SET YOU FREE” sees the producer collaborating with the UK equivaent of Playboi Carti; Lancey Foux. On what was indeed one of the most pleasantly surprising albums of 2022, in the form of Lancey’s LIFE IN HELL, this track came out on top as the best balance of explosive energy and fantastical atmosphere.

26 — ToyQueens — DROPDEADCANDY

ToyQueens absolutely brought the heat this year when it came to track releases, making it a very hard choice indeed to pick a favourite. And while many other came close to being on here, “DROPDEADCANDY” still remains supreme in my mind. the energetic, gritty, and dynamic American-rock feel of this absolute anthem grew on me with each subsequent listen, to the point where it’s always a treat to hear it appear on a shuffled playlist.

25 — Blue Lab Beats & Poppy Daniels — Gotta Go Fast

While the 2022 album from Blue Lab Beats did included some amazing tracks that were released in 2021, such as “Sensual Loving” and “Blow You Away (Delilah)” (that would be still eligible for this list). I felt that “Gotta Go Fast” best represents my year as a whole. This proves to be the case, not only because of its release very early into the year, but it’s a fantastic representation of how hectic, fast-paced and exhilarating my year has been. Blue Lab Beats go above and beyond to make this tune as vibrant and feel-good as possible, bringing along all the jazzy goodness you’s expect.

24 — Opus Kink — St. Paul of the Tarantulas

As the summer was fading away, Opus Kink’s track “St Paul of the Tarantulas” was the perfect tune I needed to settle in better to the Autumnal season. This track has such a gritty and sinister aura, made real with it’s wide selection of instrumentation. Not only that, this track is one of the best examples of how the EP it resides in perfectly captures that retro post-punk feel that bands like The Clash championed. If your elders are ever moaning about music not sounding the same nowadays, get them to listen to this track. I promise it would be a great way to shut them up.

23 — Bob Vylan — Health Is Wealth

Following the phenomenal EP that Bob Vylan had released last year, 2022 proved to be an even bigger year for the modern pubk artist. And while this year’s album release still brought that angry, energetic heat, some nice twists and turns were introduced here and there. There’s no better example than “Health Is Wealth”, motivating listeners not though raw aggression, but a feel good and stripped-back instrumental, and engaging lyrics that highlight the importance of looking after yourself and your body for the sake of survival. The optimism of his track was a real treat to behold.

22 — Alvvays — After The Earthquake

The 2022 Alvvays album known as Blue Rev is one of those album that is more impactful when listened to from start to finish, I feel. However, “After The Earthquake” was definitely one of the many tunes on there that really had me reminiscing about those days in which the band was bringing out previous material. in other words, this track is as nostalgic and atmospheric as hell. To go on top of that is a fast-paced energy, and insane amounts of musical warmth, making it feel like a track that I wish I listened to in the summer. Come the summer of 2023, I’ll surely be spinning this.

21 — Brent Faiyaz — ANGEL

The narrative behind Brent Faiyaz’s 2022 album WASTELAND was one that I was utterly engrossed in. I’ve touched upon this before, I know, but it genuinely feels like the kind of story you’d expect from a Hollywood movie. Following a heart-gripping interlude, “ANGEL” serves as the gorgeous final track of the album, and the narrative’s climax. While tying the narrative together, listeners are treated to a beautiful mix of sunths, strings, and Brent’s amazing vocal harmonies. I honestly couldn’t even dream up a better way to conclude this album, but Brent Faiyaz made it look easy.

20 — Viagra Boys — Return To Monke

Not only does this track’s title pay homage to good old meme culture, this closing track (yes, another one) for Viagra Boys’ amazing 2022 album Cave World brings a super dynamic and unique punk energy, whilst also pushing the narrative of the reversion of human intelligence in the modern era as much as they could in one final effort. The band manage to pack in as much into the near 6 and a half minutes this tracks lasts for, and every second feels like a treat for the ears. I really love the little spoken word piece at the end of this track too. The whole thing just feels super creative.

19 — Ocean Grove — BUSTIN

If one is looking for and explosive, dynamic, loud, and vibrant pubk-rock sound, look no further than the Australian band Ocean Grove. While their 2022 album was brilliant inits own right, “BUSTIN” might just be my favourite track the band had made. It’s anthemic feel throughout, that colourful, hype inducing intro, and that guitar riff; my god, that guitar riff. It’s colourfully edgy and explosively cool; an alternative summer tune for heavy music fans of all ages. And obviously, given the time in which the album this track is on released, this was of course a prime summer tune.

18 — Alfie Templeman — Broken

While Alfie Templemans 2022 album Mellow Moon was still an album that carried through the vibrant indie-rock vibes plentifully, I would admit that the albu did feel a little more accessible and compromising than some of the young artist’s previous project. The track titled “Broken” however, compromised absolutely nothing, and carried all the elements of what made projects like Forever Isn’t Long Enough, for instance, such a phenomenal listen. On top of that, “Broken” still seemed to bring many new fans on board, as I it perfectly balanced accessibility with uniqueness.

17 — Weyes Blood — Grapevine

It goes without saying, this track is utterly gorgeous; one of the most gorgeous of the entire year, in fact. There were countless moments on “Grapevine” that gave me goosebumps. And while I was a little late to the party when it came down to discovering the track, it became a swift favourite of mine. There’s a stripped-back element to the instrumentation found on grapevine, as well as a somewhat western feel, that helped set it apart from the tracks on the Incredible 2019 album Titanic Rising. Nevertheless, this track remains just as memorable, and just as beautiful.

16 — Benjamin Clementine — Residue

Setting this into motion on the 2022 album from Benjamin Clementine, titled And I Have Been, “Residue” puts the artists talents, not only as a singer-songwriter, but also as a composer, on full display. The use of strings in the second verse and chorus especially made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, with just how much grandeur it possessed sonically. There’s just so much raw emotion to be found in Benjamin’s vocal performance as well, pairing it with truly poetic lyrics. This certainly contributed to the sheer level of impact that this masterpiece brought.

15 — JID, 21 Savage & Baby Tate — Surround Sound

JID’s 2022 album The Forever Story is an ingenious piece of hip-hop artwork, reminiscent of projects we would expect from Kendrick Lamar, for example. And while that album introduced listeners to many new amazing tunes, I still feel that its teaser track “Surround Sound” still reigns supreme. JID absolutely killed everything contributing to this track, from the insanely energetic beat, to his choice of features artists, to his own lyrical contributions. Pairing that with an awesome beat-switch, and insane amounts of character, this track was one of 2022’s most iconic rap songs.

14 — Christeene — BEAUCOUP MOROCCO

You know a track is amazing when it essentially foretells how special an album is going to be. This was especially the case with Christeene’s release of “BEAUCOUP MOROCCO” in the lead-up to their 2022 album MIDNITE FUKK TRAIN. this track absolutely shattered all pre-made conceptions I had about the kind of musical approach Christeene would go for on the album (which I predicted to be gritty danceable electronic), “BEAUCOUP MOROCCO” instead brings us one of the most badass punk-rock instrumentals of the year, with some amazing use of sax for good measure.

13 — Shamir — Caught Up

Heterosexuality, the 2022 album by Shamir, was packed with super-engaging, and artfully reflective lyrics. But with the hopeful and whimsical instrumental, and amazing lyrical performance behind the teaser track “Caught Up”, how could I say no to this track being my choice for this list? It certainly stands as one of those tracks that had me feeling hopeful for the rest of the year, thanks to the time I discovered it, and of course the sonic qualities. And sometimes, that’s all a track will need to build up that level of sentiment to make a track like “Caught Up” an absolute staple for 2022.

12 — Ho99o9 — …SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

Throughout the years, H09909 has brought fans countless tracks that really bring the explosive energy and raw agression. But in the case of “…SPEAK OF THE DEVIL” the band really take an interesting direction with these qualities. That aforementioned aggression is channeled enough to fuse it brilliantly with the more melodic elements of this song, allowing it to really feel like a unique standout in Ho99o9’s extensive discography. Packing subtle insanity into the atmospheric framework of this song was a really smart move from the band, and made the track all the more impactful.

11 — BROCKHAMPTON — The Ending

I’ve gone on before about how much I love BROCKHAMPTON’s The Family, as a homage to the boy bands musical career, and their true farewell album (though they did release another on the very same day). But in terms of tracks that represent a glorious farewell, “The Ending” really did do it best in my opinion. While a pretty short-lived track, it nonetheless manages to pack a super-soulful instrumental, and heartfelt lyrics to the one-and-only kevin abstrack. It really did have all the qualities of a bittersweet musical farewell (aside from not actually being the last track on the album).

10 — Gorillaz & Thundercat — Cracker Island

After having to go over a few hurdles in what I like to call “the slow-starting Gorillaz revival of the late 2010’s” the virtual band finally managed to find their feet once more, to revamp their sound for a modern audience whilst still being as engaging as ever. This idea only seems to have strengthened in 2022, as shown by the exciting teasers for the band’s 2023 album Cracker Island. Most notable of these teasers is the one of the same name. Featuring a killer performance from Thundercat, and a brilliantly vibrant and funky instrumental, things are certainly looking promising for 2023.

9 — Pusha T — Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes

Seeing this track live certainly helped it climb its way further up the ranks of this list “Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes” was always my favourite track to come out of Pusha T’s 2022 album It’s Almost Dry. There’s no doubt in my mind that King Push is absolutely in his element when rapping over beats as energetic as the one found on this very track. His vocal style really adds a level of coolness to this otherwise fiery beat. Both the engagingly bouncy rhythm, and infectious sampling pair together perfectly with Pusha T’s wordplay, making this track both super fun and insanely badass.

8 — Backxwash — MUKAZI

This is the last closing track on this list, I promise. But it needs to be said that “MUKAZI” is not only the most perfect conclusion to the album it’s on imaginable, but the entire trilogy of dark and impactful albums that Backxwash has been releasing since 2020. In my book, any final track that adds a level of resolve to the project is an automatically great tune. But when you reflect upon all of the dark narrative material that Backxwash has explored in this trilogy, it was a truly impactful moment to hear the artist rapping about making it out the other side.

7 — Cordae, Roddy Rich & Ant Clemons — Gifted

The reason why Cordae decided to only make “Gifted” a bonus track on his 2022 album still eluded me to this very day. While almost all of the non-bonus material absolutely banged, this track was certainly a cut above the rest. Given the positive energy brought by Cordae’s lyrics, highlighting the tried-and-tested narrative of “making it, and being able to enjoy the good life”, it blessed me with a really positive outlook towards the year ahead. Given that this was a January release as well, that strengthened the sentiment all-the more. This was indeed a great gift from 2022.

6 — Liam Gallagher — Everything’s Electric

With every album cycle that Liam Gallagher’s solo career has seen, there’s always that tone rack that really brings forward a badass rock energy, and it always seems to be the very first teaser. The case is no different with “Everythings Electric teasing Liam’s third solo album. While the album itself left a little to be desired, this track was utterly perfect! It strays further from relying on the Oasis formula, and yet this still stands as a rock anthem that is as cool as they come. Liam’s signature stage presence feels fully apparent, to the point where no other artist could pull this off.

5 — Denzel Curry & Robert Glaspar — Melt Session #1

Denzel Curry’s 2022 album Melt My Eyez See Your Future is one of 2022’s finest, in my opinion. Tonnes of tracks on here felt like the absolute cream of the crop when reflecting upon Denzel’s discography, which was already pretty amazing anyway. However, the very first track on the album really did feel the most impactful. Denzel pours his heart out, and sets the tone for this album being his most human and down-to-earth project to date. Pairing that with the gorgeous piano notes that contribute to this tracks production, and you have a track that reflects why the album is so great.

4 — Maverick Sabre — Get By

Maverick Sabre’s 2022 album Don’t Forget to Look Up is undoubtedly one of the most soulful albums that the musical year of 2022 ever brought us. Given that it was a January release as well, it stands as another case of being a sentimental project that I look back on with fondness. And by that merit alone, “Get By” ended up being the best track to represent this. Both the phenomenal vocal harmonies, and gorgeous guitar licks made this track purely unforgettable, and filled me with hope towards the year to come. While being just shy of the top 3, it is nevertheless a masterpiece.

3 — black midi — Welcome To Hell

While black midi’s 2021 album was certainly unique enough to make it an easy pick for last year’s lists, the teaser track for their 2022 album blew my mind on a whole other level. “Welcome To Hell” is as colourful as it is dark, and puts the bands brilliant chemistry on full display. But above all else, it is a track unlike any other released this year. while adding twists and turns aplenty, “Welcome To Hell” never lost its grip for a single second. It is masterfully composed, and a tune that will likely stand the test of time. I never knew that a track can possess as many good qualities as this one.

2 — Kendrick Lamar — The Heart Part 5

With each album cycle from Kendrick Lamar, it is pretty much tradition at this point to release another instalment of “The Heart” series shortly before. But given how long we have waited for a new Kendrick release, I don’t think I have ever feel so much hype in 2022 as I did towards this song. Feeling almost like some kind of superhero theme in its instrumentation, “The Heart Part 5” carries with it lyrics that are the very peak of poetic artistry (even by Kendrick standards). And how can we ever forget that iconic music video that came with this track? It is simply stupendous!

1 — The Weeknd — Sacrifice

It had to be this track; it absolutely had to be.

I don’t think I have ever before listened to a track as many times as I did for “Sacrifice” without getting over-familiar and fed-up with it. But somehow, someway, this track managed to achieve the impossible, and still have me super excited each and every time it comes on. In other words, “Sacrifice” might not only be the catchiest track of the entire year, but perhaps could even remain so for the entire decade!

That insanely funky guitar riff that blessed the production of this song is one of the most addictive sounds I’ve ever heard. Pairing that with one of the most charismatic and personality-filled vocal performances we’ve ever heard from The Weeknd, and you have a track that automatically became number 1.

Whole there have admittedly been albums from The Weeknd that I have preferred to Dawn FM, the album that this track resides in, I wholeheartedly feel that “Sacrifice” is possibly going to be the best song that this artist will ever create. Catchy doesn’t even to begin to scratch the surface when it comes to how downright addictive this track sounds.

My goodness; that was a truly long list. If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for trudging through it.

Please find my playlist for these tracks below, and find out for yourself just how brilliant these tracks are.