Top 50 Albums of 2022

23 min readDec 21, 2022

Here it is y’all; one of the highly-anticipated big lists of 2022. That’s right, in this article, I will finally be listing my top 50 albums of the entire year.

I must say, that while I normally speak so much praise of each musical year, and rave on about it surpassing the former. However, I must admit that this musical year has been a lot less intense when it has come to album releases. That being said, I felt that I had a little more time to dig deep into each of the albums I’ve reviewed this year, which has made for an incredibly strong top 50.

The general rule of thumb with these kinds of lists, is that I will only list one project from each artist. Both albums and mixtapes are eligible, as long as they were released this year (with albums like Beach House’s Once Twice Melody, I listened to that last year, which is why it’s not on this list).

Don’t let my rankings of the albums throughout the year set up an expectation for where things will go too much either; many of my opinions have shifted regarding the albums of 2022.

Before I get into the honourable mentions for this list, I wanted to revisit my top albu of last year, as I did in the 2021 list of top albums.

Revisiting my Favourite Album of 2021 — Genesis Owusu — Smiling with No Teeth

Yep, it still stands as a deserved favourite of mine for last year; Smiling with No Teeth is a perfect example of not letting the fact that it is a debut album hold you back from pushing the boat out, and being experimental.

While Genesis Owusu made it pretty clear that the core influences stem from hip-hop, he made sure that there was stylistically something for everyone on here.

With this album setting the bar for what we received in 2022, it was fair to say that it was a challenging task to top such an album. However, I am still more than satisfied with the pure enjoyment I got out of the albums of 2022.

So with that out of the way, I am aware that the music I’ve listened to this year has been pretty extensive as always. Don’t feel disheartened if your favourite pick of the year is on here. after all, this is just me gushing about the albums I personally loved. But to soften the blow sightly, here are some honourable mentions that I felt were deserving of shouting out.

Honourable Mentions

Okay, so with those honourable mentions out of the way, let’s crack into my top 50 albums of 2022.

50 — Stray From the Path — Euthanasia

Starting things off strong already, we have the newest album from Stray From The Path. Following the 2019 album Internal Atomics, which I didn’t like as much as their albums prior, it was great to see that the band can still make some explosive bangers through this awesome record.

49 — Nas — King’s Disease III

While it doesn’t quite match up to the greatness of last year’s King’s Disease II (which earned a place in my top 5 of 2021). I feel that Kings Disease III still holds its own, with a good diversity of gritty and soulful tunes. On top of that, there were plenty of unique elements to be found as well.

48 — Conway The Machine — God Don’t Make Mistakes

Swiftly earning a place in my top 50, God Don’t Make Mistakes felt like an album that I regretted leaving until the very last minute. There’s such a great sense of realness and grit that laces this album, making this an utterly engaging experience, with some amazingly nostalgic production.

47 — Soft Cell — * Happiness Not Included

Judging from the reviews that this album has gotten from others, it may be fair to say that this is a bit of a guilty pleasure; but I don’t care! *Happiness Not Included succeeds in bringing back glimpses of their classic sound, which is definitely something that stands out, even in 2022.

46 — Kid Kapichi — Here’s What You Could Have Won

Following their phenomenal debut album released early last year, Kid Kapich present to us another smashing project. This sophomore release arguably ups the ante when it comes to making things louder and heavier, whilst sprinkling in a few tender moments here and there.

45 — Mykki Blanco — Stay Close To Music

In comparison to Mukki Blanco’s mixtape she released last year, Stay Close to music absolutely blows that record out of the water. it was through this project that I got a much better sense of Mykki’s aesthetic and uniqueness, as there are tonnes of unique and catchy tunes to be found on here.

44 — Parkway Drive — Darker Still

This is another album that hasn’t received as great of a reception from other listeners. and while Ire and Reverence are still more impactful albums, I don’t at all feel that the awesomeness of Parkway Drive’s sound is lost through this album, and there are still many great tracks.

43 — Jean Dawson — CHAOS NOW*

I’m very pleased to see that CHAOS NOW* is clicking with so many other listeners. Standing as my introduction to Jean Dawson, CHAOS NOW* is equal parts explosive and anthemic, instantly carrying a festival-ready presence. Thus, I would love to see this artist live next year.

42 — Beyoncé — RENAISSANCE

I have to give credit to Beyoncé. While recent projects have been overrated at best, RENAISSANCE stands as the exception. There is genuinely a far more engaging sound that the iconic singer is exploring on this album. And as a result, a big chunk of this album made for a summertime essential.

41 — Ocean Grove — Up In The Air Forever

While 2020’s Flip Phone Fantasy reigns supreme as my favourite Ocean Grove album, Up In the Air Forever still holds its own. There is many a dynamic tune to be found on this record, and the explosive energy that the band gift us with through this album overall is remarkable.

40 — Perfume Genius — UGLY SEASON

While I would still say that I preferred what came out of Perfume Genius’ 2020 album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately, it cannot be argued that Ugly Season is the more experimental piece of the two. And while this album also demands more attention from the listener, it still felt very rewarding to do so, as the sounds that this album present are phenomenally artful.

39 — Nilüfer Yanya — PAINLESS

There’s a certain type of musical soundscape that seemed to be quite prevalent in the late 2010’s; one that many alternative artists had championed. But with that sound being harder to come across in 2022, it was great to hear this kind of atmosphere championed once more through Nilüfer Yanya and PAINLESS. It’s no wonder I came to love it so fast.

38 — Black Country, New Road — Ants From Up There

While quite a few other music lists would likely rank this album higher, that isn’t to say that I don’t recognise the beauty this album holds. Ants From Up There not only shows the amazing chemistry that the members of Black Country, New Road share; they also implement that chemistry into a more serene and beautiful soundscape, making for a truly pleasant listen.

37 — The Comet Is Coming — Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam

Whilst I feel that nothing was going to top the sheer psychedelic splendour of The Comet Is Coming’s 2019 album Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery, this 2022 release still stands out with the approach it takes. Things definitely feel more carefully composed and mathematically built on Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam, which is a quality to cherish.

36 — Buddy — Superghetto

Starting with a middle-of-the-road rating of 73% in my original review, it’s fair to say that Superghetto has made its way up the ranks, as the album has grown on me by quite the margin since. I ultimately feel that it was the summer that really helped this album to shine like it should. And looking back on this album, there are plenty of memorable tunes to be found.

35 — Everything Everything — Raw Data Feel

A lot of indie albums have ventured towards adding electronic elements to their sound. But ultimately, I feel that Everything Everything has pushed that sentiment to the next level with Raw Data Feel. The quirky charm that this record blessed us with allowed the project to stand out as an incredibly unique project, in the grand scheme of the musical year of 2022.

34 — Cordae — From A Bird’s Eye View

After listening to the single “Sinister” in the latest part of last year, I knew that Cordae was a very talented hip-hop artist. And with the release of From A Bird’s Eye View, that belief fully came to life. There’s such an enjoyable diversity to this album, that even the bonus cuts were brilliant. This album is undeniably a fantastic project; one that Cordae should be fully proud of.

33 — Blue Lab Beats — Motherland Journey

If there was going to be an album whose sound had me excited for the year to come, It had to be Motherland Journey by Blue Lab Beats. The awesomely vibrant and feel-good aesthetic was certainly expressed well in 2021’s The Sounds of Afrotronica, that sentiment lived on through this album, whilst the duo refined some of the rougher edges of their sound as well.

32 — Father John Misty — Chlöe and the Next 20th Century

Father John Misty has admittedly been the kind of artist I have struggled to get into, but with the stylistic changes that came with Chlöe and the Next 20th Century, I feel that the artist has finally won my admiration. I really love the classical late-night jazz feel of this record, and felt that it certainly helped this album feel like none other released in 2022.

31 — Obongjayar — Some Nights I Dream of Doors

I was over the moon to find that Obongjayar, an artist I have been a fan of since late 2019, had finally released his debut album. On top of that, Some Nights I Dream Of Doors carries a brilliant balance of his unique signature soul sound, with the accessibility needed to get new fans on board. Top that off with an engaging narrative, and you have yourself a splendid debut.

30 — Alfie Templeman — Mellow Moon

While not being quite as unique as Alfie Templeman’s 2021 project Forever Isn’t Long Enough, he more than makes up for it with a more generous amount of vibrant and danceable tunes. As the summer days were rolling in, there couldn’t have been a more perfect time to spin an album like this one, as the joyful vibes come in plentiful amounts. If you’re looking for the perfect pick-me-up album, look no further than here.

29 — Steve Lacy — Gemini Rights

Speaking of summer vibes, I don’t think it gets much more summery than the warm sounds found on Steve Lacy’s Gemini rights. While I had heard little inklings of the artist’s sound through some tracks on Apollo XXI, it was through this album that I got the truest sense of what Steve Lacy was all about. And it was a good thing I did as well, as of I missed out on this album, my musical 2022 would’ve been more lacking in summer bangers.

28 — Tasman Keith — A Colour Undone

It’s fair to say that Tasman Keith’s A Colour Undone is a very swift climber, and rightfully so. I might even go as far to say that Tasman might be the most exciting artist I have discovered this year, and has the talent and creativity to boot. Both of these qualities shine brilliantly on this album, which harnesses a wide range of moods. As a result, it holds a deserved place as one of the most memorable hip-hop projects of 2022.

27 — Pusha T — It’s Almost Dry

A very highly-anticipated album, when one considers that Pusha T’s last album came out in 2018, That anticipation was met with pure brilliance. I think I can speak for everyone when saying that It’s Almost Dry was everything that fans had wanted out of a Pusha T project. It’s sound oozes with coolness, uniqueness, energy and grit. But most importantly, it was well worth the wait, and a massive win for the artist.

26 — JID — The Forever Story

I may have done The Forever Story a bit of an injustice on first listen, as I was still undergoing the recovery stage that followed festival season at the time of the album’s release. However, I see the full splendour of this album as I look back on it now. Very few albums this year have quite matched The Forever Story when it comes to mixing engaging storytelling with masterful flows and immersive production. Really a true masterpiece from JID.

25 — Viagra Boys — Cave World

I’ve been wanting to fully get into Viagra boys for quite some time now. And while their 2021 album Welfare Jazz didn’t quite scratch that itch for me, Cave World most certainly did. Honestly, this album absolutely blows its predecessor out of the water, with some of the most explosive punk sounds I have heard all year. On top of that is a brilliant commentary of the reversion of human intelligence in the modern age.

24 — The Simps — Siblings

With this collaboration of Eyedress and zzzahara being teased ever since the release of “On Fye” back in late 2020, it was marvellous to see said collaboration come to life. I would say that Siblings is a very strong contender for the best lo-fi album of 2022, with its sounds truly hitting the right spot almost every time. Simply put, each track presented its own unique vibe, but all of them shared that indulgent quality.

23 — Foals — Life Is Yours

It might be fair to say that fans were perhaps getting a little bit too used to the sound and aesthetic that foals had presented in recent projects. With that said, it was great to see the Oxfordshire band switch things up a little bit more stylistically. Playing into the electronic side of things (as many indie bands have), Foals found a way to really make this work to their advantage, to create a truly feel-good experience as a result.

22 — The Weeknd — Dawn FM

We got Dawn FM pretty much the instant 2022 came around, and with that, the album has had plenty of time to build up sentiment within listeners such as myself. And while I might not think that Dawn FM is the greatest album The Weeknd has ever made, I will say that it carries some of the best tracks in the artist’s discography, which double-down on the retro aesthetic explored in After Hours (as well as cameos from Jim Carrey, of course).

21 — BROCKHAMPTON — The Family

Doubling down as a love letter and a send-off for the world’s greatest boyband, The Family had me feeling really happy for the band and the separate directions each member is hoping to take, but also left me a little sad to see them go. In short, while member Kevin Abstract took the wheel with this one, The Family is a beautiful reflection of the career that BROCKHAMPTON have had together, and a unforgettable finale.

20 — Brent Faiyaz — WASTELAND

In regards to 2022 albums, WASTELAND by Brent Faiyaz is one of the best examples of an album that I was completely engrossed in. On top of remarkable vocal talents and harmonies, atmospheric production, and tonnes of character throughout the project, the sense of storytelling and narrative that this album has took it to a whole other level. In many ways, it felt like I was listening to an album and watching a movie at the same time, which is a bragging right that no other album of 2022 can boast.

19 — Christeene — MIDNITE FUKK TRAIN

Oh yes; MIDNITE FUKK TRAIN is still the weirdest album I’ve listened to in 2022. and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Christeene puts their insanely out-there aesthetic on full display, through an album that is as musically colourful as it is grotesquely gritty. The instrumentation on this album is really top-shelf, including everything from heavy guitar riffs to vibrant sax tones, to stripped-back piano, all of which meld surprisingly well with Christeene’s unique vocal style.

18 — VUKOVI — NULA

With this album being teased for nearly two years, it was definitely sae to say that I was in the highest anticipation for VUKOVI’s third studio album to arrive. And in the time spent between their last album release and this one, its safe to say that the band have stepped up tremendously when it comes down to their production and songwriting (as if they weren’t incredible before). NULA really feels like a very important step forward for the band, one that I hope reaps the benefits and recognition they deserve.

17 — Curren$y & The Alchemist — Continuance

As far as collaborations with The Alchemist goes, I would admit I was a little more underwhelmed at first listen towards this album, in comparison to projects like Alfredo and Haram. However, I simply couldn’t deny the soulful genius of The Alchemist’s production, as this album continued to grow on me. Curren$y as well holds his own too, giving this album the swagger and feeling of luxury it needed to really pull me in to its soundscape. Yet another dub for The Alchemist’s catalogue.

16 — Lancey Foux — LIFE IN HELL

This album absolutely took me by surprise, given the way that the bar was set by Lancey Foux’s 2021 mixtape FIRST DEGREE. That psychedelic and fantastical atmosphere that got me into Lancey Foux in the first place came back in full force with the release of LIFE IN HELL, paired with a trap vibe very reminiscent to Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red. And with the quality, came quantity, as this album is jam-packed with energetic and vibrant bangers, each of which offered something different for the project.

15 — Freddie Gibbs — $oul $old $eparately

It’s kind of weird to think that this is the first Freddie Gibbs record I’ve listened to that isnt a collaboration with another artist. Nevertheless, Freddie Gibbs not only smashed it in the musical department with $oul $old $eparately, there was also a surprising amount of depth to be found when it came down to the album’s narrative. Freddie tells the story of the pressures that come with fame and success, in a way that is completely engaging. On top of that, it had Gibbs’ signature sound written all over it.

14 — Metronomy — Small World

With the fact that Small World was my first real bit of exposure to Metronomy, I knew little of what I could’ve expected for the record. Even so, I never imagined that it would end up being in my top 15 albums of the year. While the stylistic premise was pretty straight forward (just feel good indie tunes), each one of these tunes hit the mark every single time. On top of that, you had different flavours of indie to dig into, and as someone as eclectic as myself, that is exactly the way I like it.

13 — Kojey Radical — Reason To Smile

At the time of its release, I felt that Kojey Radical’s Reason To Smile was at a point where it could be a easy contender for album of the year. and while it only sits at number 13 now, make no mistake; this album has lost none of its colourful charm. The atmosphere was right for the time of year in which it was released, it has a generous variety of vibrant tunes that bring their own bit of magic to the album, and the narrative is easy for one to get engrossed in. Truly a masterfully artful rap album, and one of 2022’s best.

12 — Little Simz — NO THANK YOU

It’s a Little Simz album; what the hell would you have expected? Despite being the very last album release I listened to this year, NO THANK YOU had no trouble at all making it all the way up this list in a matter of days. While essentially being an extension of her amazing 2021 album, in terms of style and narrative focus, it far from feels like just some B-side album. On the contrary, NO THANK YOU breathes a life of its own, and continues to show that Little Simz is still hitting her stride, without slowing down.

11 — Alvvays — Blue Rev

The best way to describe Alvvays’ 2022 album Blue Rev, is that it is an absolute masterclass of indie music in 2022. This album doesn’t only re-introduce the unique Alvvays signature sound that fans like me have been craving ever since 2017’s Antisocialites, it seemingly develops upon that sound, to create an album that feels more diverse than anything the band has done before, whilst still keeping all of what fan love about Alvvays and their sound. I’m so glad they’re back, as I imagine many others are too.

10 — Benjamin Clementine — And I Have Been

All of these albums in the top 10 stand as champions of a certain musical element. And in the case of Benjamin Clementine’s And I Have Been, the primary one is grandeur. Given Benjamin’s talent as a composer as well as a singer-songwriter, all of those aspects of the artist come together beautifully to create this absolute work of art. It might’ve been a case of me being in the right place at the right time listening to this album, but it is undeniable that it’s sentiment still stands. And even without my personal reasons for liking this album, it is nonetheless a masterpiece.

9 — Shamir — Heterosexuality

Even before this album release, I always saw Shamir as both a promising artist, and an advocate for the queer community. However, with the release of Heterosexuality, we get a much deeper dive into Shamir’s own gender identity, and personal views on everything currently surrounding the queer community. It truly felt like one of the most reflective and personal albums released this year, and I am thrilled that such an album has come from Shamir. But narrative strength aside, Heterosexuality has some truly incredible tunes packed into it as well, and carries just as much diversity.

8 — billy woods — Aethiopes

Every year has seemingly had a rap album that has blown me away with its uniqueness and sense of abstraction. And in the case of 2022, that kind of album would of course be billy wood’s Aethiopes. While the rap artist had released two fantastic albums this year, it is his earlier 2022 release that stands in this very spot. Shedding light on home life struggles, and distrust in high-society, this album still felt engaging, despite the surrealism of the masterful production it holds. Every turn this album took had me excited to see what was to come, as there was never a dull moment to be found.

7 — Bob Vylan — Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life

If their 2021 EP was anything to judge Bob Vylan by, it meant that an album release would only be just as remarkable. And indeed, it was. It would’ve been quite easy for Bob Vylan to fall into the trap of just bring out angry banger after angry banger, with the prospect of the larger space of an album to fill. But despite all that, they managed to diversify and add depth to this album enough to keep things interesting and enjoyable, whilst still having angry bangers aplenty. This album was the best of both worlds, and another reason why you should be listening to this artist, if not already.

6 — Ho99o9 — SKIN

I think that the release of SKIN immortalise my belief that, with every studio album release that Ho99o9 has, they take a massive leap for their style and musical career. this could’ve easily have just been a double-down on the kind of stuff that Ho99o9 has done before. And while there are plenty of tracks on here that do exactly that, it felt like the band had added as much as necessary to transform this album into a stylistically abundant experience, where no two songs are truly the same. Ho99o9 were one of the most exciting bands to discover, and that feeling remains to this very day.

5 — Kendrick Lamar — Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

There have been plenty of album’s this year that I was anticipating highly, but none even come close to this new release from Kendrick Lamar. Hell, forget the year, this has been the most anticipated album for almost half a decade! And while this album has divided the opinions of many, I sit in that house which thinks Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers did not disappoint. While carrying a great diversity of tunes, and seeing the return of Kendrick’s ingenious songwriting, it sheds light on Kendrick’s spiritual journey towards becoming a more satisfied individual, which is great to hear.

4 — Maverick Sabre — Don’t Forget To Look Up

Going back to what I said about each album being the champion of a certain quality, Maverick Sabre’s Don’t Forget To Look Up is in my mind the most atmospheric album of 2022, and is criminally underrated. Many of the soundscapes that are created for this album are astonishingly gorgeous, all while carrying a bewitching soulfulness courtesy of Maverick Sabre and his brilliant vocal talents. Being an album released in the first month of the year, I think that for me personally, this album had the best chance to serve as the soundtrack to my year, which in many ways, it ended up doing.

A Side-Note About My Top 3 Albums

Honestly, it feels like the first year in a while where the number 1 spot genuinely felt tougher than ever. Each of the three albums I am about to go over deserve to be number 1. So just bear that in mind, as I go over each of these absolute masterpieces.

3 — black midi — Hellfire

There have been little to no albums that have reached that fusion of surrealism and beauty quite like Black Midi’s Hellfire has, not only this year, but in the past few! The chemistry that this band has is unparalleled. And while this showed in their 2021 album Cavalcade, that quality shines even more brightly on Hellfire. Some of the things that each member has managed to add to each second of each track had been astonishing to behold. There is just so much depth and artistry on this thing, that I can’t even imagine where to begin. Honestly, what an album, and what a band!

2 — Denzel Curry — Melt My Eyez See Your Future

I was almost certain that Melt My Eyez See your Future by Denzel Curry would take its place as my number 1 favourite album of the year. This album carries every quality one could hope for from a rap album. Personable and engaging bars, amazing production, a perfect balance of energy and soulfulness; this album absolutely has it all. But at the centre of all of it is Denzel Curry, with what is easily my favourite album of his to date. From start to finish, this album was an unforgettable experience to behold, and one that I am sure to remember fondly in years to come.

1 — Backxwash — HIS HAPPINESS SHALL COME FIRST EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SUFFERING

From the moment I listened to this album, I knew. HIS HAPPINESS SHALL COME FIRST EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SUFFERING is as close to a perfect album as we are going to get for a while.

Serving as the final part of Backxwash’s dark and impactful trilogy, this album was by far the most impactful of the bunch, and I could not think of a more perfect way to see this trilogy off. It’s commentary on religion is near as heart-grabbing as the likes of Lingua Ignota. However, that’s far from the only thing that this album has going for it.

While the first album tackles the more religious side of Backxwash’s narrative focus for these three albums, with the second being more about the artist’s own personal struggles with drug abuse and suicidal thoughts, this album somehow manages to bring the two together, in what feels like a mind-blowing eureka moment. The way this album end also sees Backxwash see it out the other side, against all odds, against the stigma that her gender identity creates in the eyes of religion, against the drug abuse and depression.

While being just as dark, impactful, and heart-squeezing as the two albums that came before it, I feel that this third instalment finally adds the sense of resolve needed to make this trilogy, and furthermore this phenomenally talented artist, go down in history.

And there we have it, my top 50 albums of 2022. But fret not; it’s not over just yet. I of course still need to share my favourite 100 tracks of the year as well, so keep your eyes peeled out for that article.

I think that music, and especially albums, are a brillinat way of marking each and every one of our journeys through life. That being said, I would love to know what kind of albums made up your own soundtrack of 2022.