Momentous comebacks from well-known stars stood side by side with promising debuts from upcoming artists this year. If you’re hoping to catch up on some of the best music of 2022, here’s a list (in no particular order) of 11 albums to make sure you check out.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar
Pulitzer-Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar’s fifth studio album is yet another example of his masterful artistry, this time with newfound maturity and wisdom. Lamar’s flow is always intense, both in aggressive moments and subtly emotional ones. Many of Lamar’s previous works have focused on others’ stories and communal issues, but on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar focuses on himself, describing how he has been personally impacted by dark aspects of the culture that surrounds him. He narrates experiences of pain—including domestic abuse, ‘daddy issues,’ and generational trauma—with the arresting, intricate penmanship and undeniable intensity that defines his discography. Simultaneously, he undergoes personal growth within the album, exemplified on the final track “Mirror” as he repeats “I choose me,” a final decision he deserves.
MOTOMAMI by ROSALÍA
Spanish singer ROSALÍA is one of today’s most forward-thinking pop artists. Her eclectic third album is full of twists and turns—never repetitive but always intriguing. The project opens with one of its best tracks, “SAOKO,” an addictive, industrial reggaeton song with constant sonic switch-ups. The smooth R&B “CANDY” and The Weeknd collaboration “LA FAMA” follow, both featuring catchy hooks and calmer production. “HENTAI” is another highlight, juxtaposing a beautiful piano ballad with jarringly explicit lyrics. The production on MOTOMAMI is both minimalist and over-the-top, relying solely on percussion or dark synths at some points and bursting with genre-bending surprises at others. ROSALÍA’s unique, flamenco-trained voice commands attention over any instrument, whether she’s rapping as a mean girl on “BIZCOCHITO” or emotionally belting on “G3 N15.” And the project’s thematic variety is just as diverse as its range of production styles, contributing to an engaging concept of duality by contrasting intense, aggressive sounds with emotional, muted balladry.
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief
Despite its 80 minute runtime, Big Thief’s new album always feels like it ends too soon. The project holds onto a sense of escapism, even while being grounded in reality, seeming to freeze time during its duration. Diverse instrumentation is skillfully and crisply executed by the band members, emitting warmth through acoustic instruments and peaceful soundscapes. Stories are told with profound detail and imagery, assisted by comparisons to nature and purposeful repetition. If you listen to just one song from this album, make it “Simulation Swarm,” an immediately memorable indie-folk track that shows off lead singer Adrianne Lenker’s vivid writing style as she recounts trauma and longs to find peace. With a mix of tranquil folk songs and rock-infused tracks, this project remains overwhelmingly serene throughout its entirety.
RENAISSANCE by Beyoncé
Seven albums into her solo career, Beyoncé’s innovation and talent is the best it’s ever been. On RENAISSANCE, she takes on dance music, a first for her. She combines elements of disco, R&B, hip-hop, ballroom, and house, honoring and celebrating Black and queer culture as she turns the listener’s environment into a club. Black and queer producers are the most important part of this project, constructing consistently top-tier production that is both retro and fresh. And, as the cherry on top, each song flows into the next with brilliant transitions that make the entire project feel like a DJ set—the transition from “CUFF IT” to “ENERGY” is thrilling even after hearing it hundreds of times. It seems unnecessary to even mention the phenomenal vocals, as this is BEYONCÉ we’re talking about, so of course her distinctive tone, flawless runs, tight harmonies, and untouchable confidence make the album stand out. With RENAISSANCE, Beyoncé has created something timely yet timeless.
Midnights by Taylor Swift
After two folk-inspired albums, Taylor Swift returns to pure pop on Midnights, and she does not disappoint. Her storytelling abilities and impeccable songwriting skills are on full display as she vividly writes about insecurities, revenge, and romantic relationships both toxic and healthy. Swift and producer Jack Antonoff lean into their pop sensibilities to create some of the most fun tracks of the year, most notably “Karma.” Even while embracing mainstream pop, the album is rarely overly generic, and features occasional moments of subtle experimentation on contemplative highlights like “Midnight Rain” and “Labyrinth.” In addition to the 13-song tracklist, Swift released seven bonus tracks on the deluxe Midnights (3am Edition), including the clever “The Great War,” emotional highlight “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” and mesmerizing conclusion “Dear Reader.” Midnights was the best-selling album of 2022, and deservedly so.
And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow by Weyes Blood
Weyes Blood’s take on baroque pop is cinematic and ethereal, drawing heavy inspiration from ‘70s artists like Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. Soft pianos and lush orchestration allow Blood’s warm vocals to take up space richly while remaining weightless and delicate. On the opening track, “It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody,” Blood sings about loneliness—at first on an individual level but then about the greater human experience—as subdued percussion and chamber harmonies grow into dazzling grandeur. On “God Turn Me Into a Flower,” the album’s ethereal, hymn-like centerpiece, Blood employs a church organ, sparse synths, and nature sounds to create a melancholic soundscape. The album’s gracefulness and beauty is consistent, with entrancing instrumental moments sprinkled between the more significant vocal-driven songs. With a vocal melody or without, Blood finds light in darkness, solace in shared loneliness, and originality in a nostalgic genre.
The Forever Story by JID
Heavy bass, punchy hooks, and aggressive beats bring fiery energy to JID’s The Forever Story. JID’s tight flow is fast and playful. Behind his playfulness, though, his lyricism is stronger than ever before, with narratives of romance, brotherhood, and confidence told through fun wordplay. With a great list of features (Kenny Mason, 21 Savage, Ari Lennox, and more), catchy refrains, and charismatic flow, hip-hop is done right on this album.
Are You Happy Now? by Jensen McRae
Jensen McRae’s debut album feels simple, but has an underlying sense of complexity rarely seen on a first release. McRae has a devastating belt, a beautiful falsetto, and a stunning lower register, allowing her to convey intense emotion through her vocals. A variety of influences are recognizable on this project, including Phoebe Bridgers-esque metaphors on “Adam’s Ribs,” Sara Bareilles pep on “Good Legs,” pinpoint lyricism reminiscent of Lucy Dacus on “Machines,” and SZA-style angst on “White Boy.” Her melodies are memorable, but never in-your-face or forcefully catchy, and the often-acoustic production is consistently intriguing. McRae’s most impressive skill, though, is her writing. Her storytelling is well-crafted, relatable, and authentic. Her attention to detail and sheer talent is evident throughout this entire project.
Ivory by Omar Apollo
Omar Apollo blew up this year after his song “Evergreen” went viral on TikTok. His album Ivory proves that he has much more to offer than a single social media moment. Apollo demonstrates his versatility throughout his debut LP, going from euphoric indie-pop on “Talk” to the pure R&B “Invincible” with Daniel Caesar, mixing synth pop on “Go Away” with campfire guitar on “Petrified,” singing the traditional flamenco “En El Olvido” right before the erotic pop-rap “Tamagotchi,” and combining the Frank Ocean-reminiscent “Evergreen” with the Prince-inspired closer “Mr. Neighbor.” Even with this sonic variety, the record is tied together through overarching themes of intimacy, love, and passion.
Preacher's Daughter by Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain’s unnerving debut album fuses elements of dream pop, Americana, slowcore, and gothic rock, creating a dark, frisson-inducing atmosphere. Even more chilling than the production, however, is the concept album’s full-fledged narrative, which begins with Southern small-town life, the American dream, and young love, and ends with abuse, intergenerational trauma, and cannibalism. Heavy reverb allows Cain’s vocals to soar on tracks like “American Teenager,” and vocal filters add to the album’s disturbing nature, especially on “Ptolemaea,” a frighteningly discordant moment in the album’s narrative. This project contains some of the most haunting music of the year, but never surrenders musical beauty.
SOS by SZA
SZA’s long-awaited sophomore album opens with “SOS,” a punchy and compelling introduction that sets the stage for the wide variety of music that follows, including sugary-sweet pop songs, a pop-punk banger, and vulnerable ballads. As always, SZA’s lyricism is striking with its sincerity and relatability, best exhibited on “Special” as SZA reflects on how changing herself to become ‘normal’ caused her to lose what made her unique. Strong guest artists add to the album’s excitement, including an unexpected but successful collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers and a Travis Scott feature that once again proves how well they work together. SZA’s talent is on full display throughout SOS, a collection of 23 worthwhile tracks.
