Best of 2022
Another year is in the books, and with it, a return to normalcy and a whole batch of fresh new music. Let's get right to it:
"Angelica" - Wet Leg
I'll start here, only because Wet Leg's fantastic debut album first made waves last year. We wrote about debut single "Chaise Longue" in 2021's list. "Angelica" is the Isle of Wight band's fifth (of six) released singles and proves they are more than a novelty act or one-trick pony, although their slacker wit persists in lyrics like "I don't know what I'm even doing here/I was told that their would be free beer".
"Jackie Down the Line" - Fontaines D.C.
Dublin post-punks Fontaines D.C. lay on the gloom in this track, the lead-off single from their third album Skinty Fia. Listen closely to the chorus and if you're at all like me, you may end up singing "Guns of Brixton" by the Clash over it. Especially around the 1:28 mark when the rhythm guitars kick in.
"The Smoke" - The Smile
Some good things came from the COVID lockdown: Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood and Thom Yorke started working together without their bandmates, enlisting drummer Tom Skinner for a one-off project. Skinner's drums get us moving, followed by a mesmerizing Greenwood riff that powers the track. It's not until the minute mark that Yorke's distinctive vocals emerge, the first sign that we're listening to a Radiohead side project.
"Fleez" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I could have gone a few different directions here, because the Yeah Yeah Yeah's fifth studio album Cool it Down was so strong. The anthemic "Spitting off the Edge of the World" featuring Perfume Genius could have been a contender. Instead I opted for "Fleez", inspired by the NYC early 80s dance trio ESG, one of the most oft-sampled bands in hip hop history. (After all, I love tracing musical history across genres and generations.) "Fleez" naturally incorporates ESG's edgy funk with Karen O's snarl and isn't shy about paying tribute to its forebears with lines like "Fleez and me eating nuts in the leaves/That's where we dance to ESG"
"Bad Habit" - Steve Lacy
Another song that wears its influences on its sleeve, and in this case there are so many: 70s R&B, 60s harmonies, indie rock and hip hop, to name just a few. "Bad Habit" was easily the song of summer, with its wistful singalong refrain ("I wish I knew/I wish I knew you wanted me") and guitars and keyboards that sound like a humid, 90 degree day. It was as irresistible as it was genre-defying, becoming the first song ever to top the R&B chart, the Hip-Hop chart, the Rock and Alternative chart and the Hot 100.
"Down" - Hot Chip
London's Hot Chip have been around since 1995, releasing seven studio albums before this year's Freakout/Release. Leadoff single "Down" is a funky piece of synth pop, with flourishes that span 70s guitar rock and R&B and a swirling chorus straight out of the 80s.
"Shotgun" - Soccer Mommy
Soccer Mommy keeps getting better and better. I first took notice of Sophie Allison's music with 2018's "Your Dog". Fast forward four years to this banger: A menacing guitar riff that contrasts with Allison's delicate vocals as the verses build to a triumphant chorus about the feeling of falling - and staying - in love.
"Alpha Zulu" - Phoenix
More than two decades into their musical career, French popsters Phoenix have mastered the art of catchy dance tunes. This one is no different, yet it took me a while to warm to it. (To be honest, it took a while for me to get over the "Woo ha singing hallelujah" of the chorus.) Now I love it for what it is: A glimmering slice of electro-pop best played loud with the windows down.
"Anti-glory" - Horsegirl
Chicago's Horsegirl takes us back to the 90s, with a sound that's equal parts grunge and shoegaze. And just when you're getting comfortable, they stun you with a jarring, angular chorus: "Dance, dance, dance with me" that leaves the listeners with more questions than answers.
"New Beginning" - Automatic
After a quiet start, LA post-punk trio Automatic bust out a driving drumbeat, crazy screeching sound breaks, handclaps, and a slew of other captivating sounds on one of the more unlikely songs to hit satellite radio this year.
"Speeding 72" - Momma
My song of autumn, where weekend after weekend I'd load the bike on the roof of the Subaru, head west, and ride gravel. Leave it to a band from LA to write a song praising the therapeutic benefits of an aimless, endless drive. Throw in the best guitar riff in years and a not-so-subtle reference to Pavement's "Gold Soundz" and I'm hooked.
"New Body Rhumba" - LCD Soundsytem
Someone's been listening to The Fall again! LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy has long been a fan of the Manchester post-punks, and it's quite evident on this track, which loosely resembles "Cruisers Creek", "LA" or other Brix Smith-era Fall with its relentless groove, repetitive lead guitar and keyboard riffs, shout-along backing vocals and overall spirit.
"Betty (Get Money)" - Yung Gravy
The ultimate Rick-roll. I don't seriously mean to nominate this track for musical greatness, but you have to tip your cap to the marketing genius of Rochester, Minnesota's own Matthew Hauri. Besides the obvious homage to Rick Astley, the song is just pure silliness, and the only one I can think of which rhymes Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao with the NBA's Jerry Stackhouse. Oh and it's damn catchy.
"Billie Toppy" - Men I Trust
Montreal's Men I Trust tick all the boxes on their non-album single "Billie Toppy". Motorik drumbeat? Check. Peter Hook-style bass riff as a lead? Yep. Shimmery guitars on the chorus? It's all here.
"New Gold" - Gorillaz featuring Tame Impala and Booty Brown
I'm not gonna lie: I'm a sucker for Gorillaz, but they're never gifted a spot on my best of list. They keep pushing things forward, with creative collaboration and unlikely pairings. This track earns its place for figuring out how to meld the psychedelia of Australia's Tame Impala with the Pharcyde's Bottle Brown into an intoxicating stew. And fans take note: It's Bootie Brown's first collaboration with Gorillaz since 2005's "Dirty Harry".
"I Was Neon" - Julia Jacklin
I spent a fair bit of time at Guitar Center this year, messing around on guitars as my son was taking bass lessons. And it seems every time I was there, this lovely alt country gem was playing, sucking me in with its mysterious chorus "Am I gonna lose myself again?" I had to Shazam my way to track it down, and I think Australian singer-songwriter Jacklin deserves better than that. So here she is.
