Now that we are a few months into 2023, it’s time to reflect on the music that defined 2022. The year brought a plethora of exceptional albums that had us feeling every emotion imaginable. Music is arguably one of the most important things to me. It’s something that is a part of my identity. I listen to music whenever possible—it’s the one constant in my life. So, after much deliberation, I present my top 10 albums of 2022. These albums showcased the talent of some of the biggest names in music. Also, they captured the essence of why music is such a crucial part of the human experience.
The Chainsmokers peaked somewhere in the blur of 2016-2019. To no one’s surprise, songs that mention stealing mattresses, rippin’ cigs, and being drunk on the subway resonated with me in my early 20s—better days are behind us. There was something romantic about being an absolute disaster fresh out of school and having no idea what you wanted out of life. I am sure that the disarray of my life made me enjoy music more; it always does. Fast forward a few years—I don’t really hear music the same anymore. There won’t be songs that make me feel the way ‘Paris’ and ‘Closer’ made me feel back in college.
Even though I’m predicting no music I listened to in 2022 will give me the sinking feeling that an alarmingly large amount of songs from the mid to late 2010s do doesn’t mean there aren’t some standout albums. ‘So Far So Good’ is a perfect example. Is this a perfect album? Not even close. That said, there are some absolute gems here.
Why do people enjoy The Chainsmokers? Historically, they’ve collaborated with diverse artists, allowing them to create unique and dynamic songs that appeal to fans of different genres. As a result, they develop hits that get radio play. When songs get radio play, they become a part of the DNA of the time they were popular. Even if you don’t like The Chainsmokers, you are familiar with their music. What ‘So Far So Good’ did is separate itself from what The Chainsmokers have excelled at—creating phenomenal but collaboration-heavy projects. The album allowed the duo to shine without needing to be carried by features. This album helped solidify The Chainsmokers’ place as one of the most successful electronic music acts over the last 10 years.
I’ve been following Grace Shaw since mid-2017 when I stumbled on her track ‘Tokyo Drift’ as I was packing up to head back to my hometown after spending two weeks in Florida on a business trip that ended up being more of a soul-searching retreat. The track quickly became one of the anthems of that summer. Concurrently, Mallrat became an anthem of my 20s. Hailing from Brisbane, there’s something dreamy about Grace Shaw’s airy voice paired with her Australian accent. Shaw shined on ‘In The Sky,’ a five-track EP released in 2018. I consider ‘Texas’ & ‘Better’ to be two perfect examples of great songs and some of the best I've ever heard. I am very cognizant that people’s favorite songs tend to align with their favorite memories—which is true in this case. But, even with that said, Mallrat transcends that narrative.
Mallrat’s songwriting often explores themes of love, relationships, and the struggles of growing up. Rockstar’—the lead single on ‘Butterfly Blue’ was released in 2020. ‘Rockstar’ is quintessential Mallrat—the song highlights her songwriting abilities and mesmerizing voice as she sings about her aspirations in the face of a relationship that’s too far gone. Mallrat’s introspective and honest songwriting is what separates her from a lot of artists today.
Now let’s fast forward a couple years; Shaw has entered her ‘Hot Bitch Era.’ She’s always been known for her individuality. She often expresses her personality through her style and appearance. Still, we’ve watched her evolve into a new version of herself. Interestingly enough, her latest album is titled ‘Butterfly Blue.’ Even though it has been noted for being named that for other reasons, the coincidence makes you wonder if there’s another underlying meaning. One of the highlights—and most catchy tracks—is Shaw’s collaboration with Azealia Banks on’ Surprise Me.’ The juxtaposition of Shaw’s beautiful voice layered with Banks’ raw verse, which includes the line: “I squirted on him like a squid, now he inky faced, he said my pussy tighter than Nicole Kidman’s face.” really captured the transition from the old version of her music that highlighted more innocent themes. Another high-point featured Shaw experiment with her signature angelic sound blended with trap elements on ‘Your Love,’ which samples 90s Memphis rap—call it dream-hop. After listening to Shaw’s latest installment, I can say I enjoy both eras of Mallrat equally.
Charlotte Aitchison has become a beloved icon in the pop music industry for numerous reasons. She’s a groundbreaking artist that completely reinvented pop music. If you’re familiar with hyperpop, Charli XCX played a significant part in its rise to popularity. Charli XCX is known for her experimental sound, catchy hooks, and fashion sense. Her sex-appeal and creative approach to music are what has separated her from the pack. Over the years, Charli XCX has released several critically acclaimed albums, including ‘Sucker’ (2014), ‘Charli’ (2019), and ‘How I’m Feeling Now’ (2020). Arguably her best project, ‘Pop 2’, took her to new peaks. The project is seen by many as the best work of her career to date. The experimentation on Pop 2’ redefined pop music and inspired artists moving forward.
Fast forward to 2022—Charli releases 'Crash.’ Some are saying this is her best work since ‘Pop 2’. Charli’s music has always embraced her outgoing and intoxicating personality—‘Crash’ elevates it to new heights. The album is full of larger-than-life anthems that feel like a modern take on familiar, classic sounds from a different time as her latest take on contemporary pop music rips elements from the music of the 80s.
The most impressive part of ‘Crash’ was that the lead singles were not the album’s highlight. Instead, Charli shines top to bottom on an album that feels like a cohesive work of art. Unfortunately, quality concept albums are somewhat difficult to come across these days. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, but most albums feel more like a mixtape than a well-thought-out, sequenced collection of songs. I was lucky to catch Charli on her ‘Crash’ tour last year—the performance was something I will never forget.
I was introduced to ODESZA while attending college in late 2012. We were nearing the peak of the music-blog era, and I was clicking through various blogs searching for new music from under-the-radar artists. The first track I ever heard from the duo comprised of Harrison Mills (Catacombkid) and Clayton Knight (BeachesBeaches) was ‘How Did I Get Here.’ The day I discovered the song, I listened to it repeatedly for hours. I was amazed by the dreamy sound the duo achieved. Little did I know that song was just a glimpse into how ODESZA would impact my life.
Within the next few years, ODESZA dominated the EDM scene. The duo is primarily known for their atmospheric, intricate production and live performances. It is largely considered a must-experience show for many festival goers. The live performances include stunning visual effects, trance-like light shows, drumlines, and pyrotechnics, creating a euphoric atmosphere for anyone lucky enough to experience the duo in concert. According to many fans, ODESZA’s music transcends the EDM genre. Citing their wide range of features and ability to immerse the listener into an unworldly experience, ODESZA is praised for their ability to evoke a wide range of emotions for anyone experiencing their music.
ODESZA is a heavyweight in the EDM scene for a good reason. Their latest installment, ‘The Last Goodbye,’ showcases what has helped the duo rise to the top over the last decade.’ The Last Goodbye’ may not be up to par with its predecessor, ‘A Moment Apart,’ but it’s a following great act. The album was released the night before I boarded a plane for my bi-yearly trip to Las Vegas—similar to how ‘A Moment Apart’ was released a few weeks before I took a trip to Las Vegas in 2017. Inherently, I associate ODESZA with traveling to the west. I didn’t ask for the connection, but it feels right. When I saw ODESZA live, it was at the Camp Nowhere festival in Dallas in 2019. The duo’s music can’t be grounded; associating it with travel, new undiscovered places, and new beginnings makes sense—it’s all I’ve ever known. Very few songs genuinely give me the feeling ODESZA songs do. ‘The Last Goodbye’ only solidified my opinion that they are one of the most impressive acts of the last decade.
Tate McRae is a rising star in the music industry. She began making waves in the late 2010s with a series of singles, including ‘One Day’ & ‘Teenage Mind’ which garnered enough attention to sign a deal with RCA records. What helps Tate excel in the industry is her honesty and the emotional depth she displays in her music. Her lyrics touch on relatable topics such as self-discovery, heartbreak, and character development. The vulnerability and honesty in her songwriting bring the raw emotion many other artists fail to bring to the table. However, the x-factor is the authenticity she brings into her music. Tate’s raw, unique, and distinctive voice elevates any song to new heights as soon as she begins singing.
On top of being an incredible singer, Tate is also an accomplished dancer. Anyone regularly attending concerts understands how much a seasoned dancer can enhance an on-stage performance. Stacking talent is impressive. Incorporating more layers into your live performances and music videos is even more special. Tate adds depth to her performances by enhancing her vocal abilities with her energetic choreography. Many critics claim Tate makes ‘TikTok music’; I believe that is precisely what a 19-year-old artist should be trying to achieve.
On ‘i used to think i could fly,’ Tate solidifies her place in the music industry. She made it clear that she was not here to be the latest viral sensation but that she was here to stay. There are moments when the songwriting certainly feels slightly juvenile. The lyrics take me back to problems I was dealing with in high school. Tate’s over-emotional themes about heartbreak, jealousy, and teenage friendship are prevalent throughout the project. While not necessarily relatable, you can feel the emotion bleeding from McRae throughout the album. This is especially apparent in the standout ‘she’s all i wanna be.’ On the track, Tate shines by juxtaposing her jealousy of another woman over an upbeat instrumental— transforming it into a hit pop song. Overall, there’s a true sense of honesty and confidence that comes from each and every song on the album. While she may not be as big as other similarly-aged female artists, expect McRae to continue her relevancy in the pop scene for years to come.
Mikaela Mullaney Straus was born into a family with ties to the music industry. Her father was an engineer and producer for big-name bands, including Bon Jovi & Aerosmith. Her upbringing inspired her to pursue a career in music. ‘King Princess’ quickly rose to prevalence with her hit debut single ‘1950’, which was released in early 2018. King Princess promptly became an icon within the LGBTQ+ community due to her eagerness to express her sexual identity and relationships. Her debut EP ‘Make My Bed’ featured the hit singles ‘Talia’ ‘Holy’ & ‘Upper West Side’ and the aforementioned ‘1950’. The EP was critically acclaimed, and Straus was quickly labeled as a promising new artist in the industry.
Her bold and unapologetic approach to the industry has helped elevate King Princess’s music. She constantly makes waves on social media with questionable posts that Instagram removes within minutes due to explicit material. There has always been a place in music for a rebel, and King Princess is embracing her opportunity to be the rebel we need in the 2020s. But with all that said, King Princess isn’t successful due to how she carries herself. She is successful because she has one of music’s most beautiful and pure voices. Mikaela Straus has a voice that is matched by few others. There’s a raw element to her vocal performances that few others could even come close to. I’ve seen her perform; her live performances sound like a recording. She’s purely one of the great artists of our time.
When Straus released ‘Hold On Baby,’ I became obsessed with her music. Suddenly, I was revisiting her entire catalog. I listened to her music, but I never LISTENED to her music. When’ Hold On Baby’ was released, ‘Talia’ was sitting in my top 5 most played songs of all time on my last.fm account (currently #4), but I never realized how great King Princess truly was. She became my most-played artist in 2022—and for good reasons. ‘Hold On Baby’ was another masterpiece added to the impressive catalog of music KP has curated over the years. The album features several memorable songs, including: ‘Change the Locks’ & ‘Too Bad.’ Something about ‘Change the Locks’ feels like a late summer evening. It highlights Straus’s songwriting and vocal range. This is one of the numerous tracks that Straus collaborated on with the musical genius Aaron Dessner (The National) on. Dessner has recently worked with mega-star Taylor Swift on the song ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,’ which is objectively the best song on Swift’s latest album ‘Midnights.’ In addition to working with Swift, he recently executively produced Gracie Abrams’ latest installment, ‘Good Riddance’—which was received with critical acclaim. There is an abundance of quality music out there, but ‘Hold On Baby’ is an album you revisit when you want to hear raw emotion and an exceptional vocal performance from a rising artist.
Flume is one of the most important and influential artists of the last 10 or so years. Flume has been considered a trailblazer in the EDM scene due to his experimental approach to crafting intricate and sometimes even chaotic beats while composing mesmerizing melodies. His signature sound is synonymous with modern dance and electronic music. Flume’s unconventional approach to song structure creates an immersive experience for the listener, significantly contributing to his success. In addition, his unique and captivating sound design is second to none.
Flume has been a staple of my music catalog since I first discovered his music in college. I was immediately drawn to the music because it was unlike anything I had experienced. In 2016, Flume released his award-winning album ‘Skin’ which was chock-full of hits, including ‘Never Be Like You,’ Say It,’ and ‘Smoke & Retribution.’ In addition, he has released many projects outside of the album format between ‘Skin’ and 2022's ‘Palaces,’ where he continued to shine and cement himself in the conversation of the best artist of the last decade.
His ability to make sounds that shouldn’t sound good makes Flume a unique figure in the industry. This was true when he released his self-titled album in 2012 and continues to hold true into 2023. His production style will never become stale because you don’t know what to expect—other than it will not sound like the music you hear on your local hit radio station. As expected, Flume once again shined on Palaces. He delivered another staple in the electronic music scene that will be referenced for years and enjoyed even longer. There’s something timeless about his catalog of music. The songs feel futuristic but also evoke feelings of nostalgia. On ‘I Can’t Tell,’ Flume collaborates with LAUREL, a long-time favorite singer of mine. The duo delivers one of the best songs of 2022—only to be outshined by another song on the album. While ‘I Can’t Tell’ is quintessential Flume, ‘Hollow’ is undeniably the best song on the album. While it may not encapsulate everything that Flume is and has done for music, it is as close to a perfect song as they come. ‘Palaces’ gives the listener a little bit of everything. Is it better than ‘Skin’? It’s hard to say—but the peaks are higher on his latest installment.
ROSALÍA—a Spanish superstar—has been a force in the Latin music scene for years. She has won numerous awards and nominations since she first released her debut album in 2017, titled ‘Los Ángeles.’ Her unique blend of traditional flamenco, pop, and urban music has vaulted her into the conversation about being one of this generation’s most influential and exciting artists. In addition, she is known for her vocal abilities, which showcase her range as a singer. You can feel the emotion and passion in her voice during her performances. Her genre-bending enhances and draws attention to her abilities as a vocalist.
Before hearing ‘MOTOMAMI,’ I didn’t consider myself much of a Latin music fan. I occasionally dabbled, listening to various Latin pop songs whenever I encountered them. I always enjoyed the genre, especially in a bar or club setting or wherever there was a dance floor. ‘MOTOMAMI’ changed everything I knew about music. Suddenly, there was a whole previously-unexplored genre that ROSALÍA’s latest installment introduced me to. I became obsessed with Latin music. Granted, I grew up in a household where my mother constantly spoke Spanish and exposed me to the culture. Still, I had never dove into the musical side of it. The album was a constant for the rest of the year and continues to be one of my go-to projects.
‘MOTOMAMI’ single-handedly introduced me to a whole new world that completely changed how I consume music from the moment I first heard the album. The range of ROSALÍA’s vocal capabilities matches the range of styles you’ll find on the album. Exploring themes of sex, fame, and lost love, there’s little left to be desired on the project—if anything at all. Even if you don’t speak her native tongue, the album deserves its flowers. ROSALÍA’s voice and genre-bending sound are enough to make anyone appreciate the album and consider it as one of the best releases of 2022.
Bad Bunny—the pride of Puerto Rico—has been one of the biggest names in music over the past two years. Blending Latin pop, reggaeton, and trap sounds, he was the most-streamed artist in 2021 and 2022 on Spotify. The sheer genius of ‘UN VERANO SIN TI’ accounts for most of the streams Bad Bunny amassed over the last year. ‘UN VERANO SIN TI,’ which translates to “A Summer Without You,” is the perfect concept album. As the album unfolds, you can hear waves crashing and seagulls in the background, painting a summertime picture in your mind.
As mentioned, I wasn’t consuming much Latin music before 2022. However, ROSALÍA’s ‘MOTOMAMI’ caught my attention and kept me around to experience one of the best gifts music has given me in recent memory. ‘UN VERANO SIN TI’ is a 23-track voyage that follows Bad Bunny through peaks and valleys illustrated by a slew of captivating sounds and signature melodies. The album is split into two parts. The lead is party-centric, followed by the more somber and sober period of reflection and contemplation. Each section of the album is just as enthralling as the other.
There are very few moments on the album where Bad Bunny is being challenged by one of the guests on his album. It’s all too common in the music industry to see a big-name artist release an album only to be outdone by a feature. The album features enhance the experience but aren’t overwhelming. That said, some features take certain songs to new heights. I couldn’t image ‘Ojitos Lindos’ without Bomba Estéreo, who perfectly fits the track’s sound. This album is exceptional and serves as the perfect soundtrack to summer. It will be played for years to come and is already being labeled as an instant classic.
To no surprise, rounding out the list and falling in the #1 spot is Camila Cabello’s ‘Familia.’ Cabello is a Cuban-American singer that rose to fame after being selected to be a part of the group Fifth Harmony. However, it wasn’t until 2016, when Cabello left Fifth Harmony to pursue a solo career, that we got our first glimpse at how special she would be to music. The rest is history.
‘Familia’ was released as I was on my way to Phoenix to spend the week out west. The argument could be made that I associate music with good memories, but that narrative doesn’t hold up here. The first time I listened to Camila Cabello’s latest album, I immediately claimed it would be the best album released in 2022. Camila shines front to back, and it’s as close to perfect as an album can possibly get. Cabello matures between releases, and the project feels more full compared to past works. It’s full of energy, and it’s fun. Even in its saddest moments, it’s still lively.
Camila blends pop and Latin music like they are meant to be together. Along with ‘UN VERANO SIN TI’ & ‘MOTOMAMI,’ ‘Familia’ greatly influenced my newfound appreciation for Latin music. ROSALÍA got my attention, Camila nailed what I’ve always loved about Latin-infused pop, and Bad Bunny drove it home. The three aforementioned albums are almost interchangeable. Each could easily be considered the best album of 2022. The consistency front to back separates ‘Familia’ from the pack. The album feels as complete as they come. Every song feels like a hit single. Camila Cabello delivered the best project of her career. ‘Familia’ undoubtedly deserves the title of the best release of 2022.
