Best of 2022
My top 12 albums from this year! 12 only because it fits nicely in a 3x4 grid. Here’s a Spotify Playlist with a highlight from each album.
1. Cheat Codes by Danger Mouse & Black Thought
My favourite album from this year. Danger Mouse’s rough soul beats match Black Thought’s voice perfectly. The features are incredible too, with everyone from Russ to Michael Kiwanuka sounding at home. I have a longer review here.
Genre: Hip Hop
Best track: “No Gold Teeth”
2. A Muted Reality by Angles
Some of the best big band jazz since Mingus. Incredibly dynamic, exciting performances, and experimental without losing me. Perfect melodies too, it’s so rare for this kind of jazz to be catchy and memorable.
Genre: Jazz
Best track: “The Hidden Balcony”
3. Aethiopes by Billy Woods & Preservation
One of the darkest hip hop albums in the best way possible. Preservation uses screeches, hums, and samples of anything from gamelan to polish prog to make some of the most interesting beats out there. Woods’ lyrics are on point as always
Genre: Experimental Hip Hop
Best track: “Asylum”
4. Estrela Acesa by Sessa
An intimate, warm listen. The music feels small and meticulous, focusing on Sessa’s hushed voice and delicate guitar playing. Brazilian Popular Music with all-around great production, performances, songwriting, and atmosphere.
Genre: Música Popular Brasileira, Singer-Songwriter
Best track: “Gostar do Mundo”
5. OPUS MAGNUM by MAMMOTH & Silentjay
MAMMOTH instantly became one of my favourite current artists with this album. He had an incredible vision here, and plenty of bravery to make hip hop that sounds this unique. All that being said, he still has the potential to get more raw going forward. At times, hs honesty feels obscured by the extravagence of Silentjay’s production. I will definitely be keeping tabs on MAMMOTH’s future projects.
Genre: Drumless Hip Hop, Post Jazz
Best track: “Eccentrik Lovers”
6. Trees by Avantdale Bowling Club
Instead of the live jazz feel of their first album, Trees is a lot cleaner and modern-sounding. Fortunately, Tom Scott remains one of the best at blending hip hop and jazz. Incredibly thoughtful lyrics, and great performances.
Genre: Hip Hop, Post Jazz
Best track: “Friday Night @ The Liquor Store”
7. SIM SIM SIM by Bala Desejo
Everything great about Brazilian music. Bala Desejo somehow incorporate everything from disco to frevo while maintaining their own sound. Great melodies and grooves. I would be first in line for tickets if they came to my city.
Genre: Disco, Música Popular Brasileira
Best track: “Baile De Máscaras (Recarnaval)”
8. NO THANK YOU by Little Simz
Simz manages to follow up Introvert with something safer and more focused. Inflo is such an incredible producer he can afford to go on autopilot, but fortunately, he brings his best on some of these tracks. Still miles beyond the competition.
Genre: Hip Hop, Neo Soul
Best track: “Broken”
9. Cocodrillo Turbo by Action Bronson
Over-the-top underground hip hop. The incessant crocodile growling could be annoying for some, but Bronson’s energy makes it work. Every track feels distinct in a way that much of modern hip hop doesn’t.
Genre: Alternative Hip Hop
Best track: “Estaciones”
10. Jazz is Dead 15 by Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, & Garrett Saracho
I figured by album 15 this series would have run out of ideas, but JID 15 is easily one of the best. Simple production, but this is the most dynamic and excited Adrian and Ali have sounded so far.
Genre: Latin Jazz Funk
Best track: “73”
11. Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, and Lava by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
This is possibly my favourite KGLW album, with such a consistent, pleasant sound. The whole album feels like an improvised jam, with the band messing with different sounds and feels.
Genre: Jam Band
Best track: “Magma”
12. Mahal by Toro Y Moi
Great for much the same reasons as the King Gizzard album. It doesn’t blow me away, but it is an indie record that incorporates jazz, funk, and experimental influences in a great way.
Genre: Neo Psychedelia
Best track: “Goes By So Fast”