As the friend who always claims aux in the car, constantly finding new music is a must.
I’ve spent most of 2022 trying to find new music to enjoy and have been frequently searching for recently dropped singles and albums. As I’m reflecting on the year, I find myself asking which albums were a hit and which ones were a miss?
It was hard to pick, but I’m proud to say that I have successfully compiled my top five albums of 2022. There’s something addictive about these five picks and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
These albums shaped my year. Here they are:
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Coming in at number five, “
Song to give you an energized angst:
Favorite song: WHY?
4. “Emails I Can’t Send” – Sabrina Carpenter
I can’t emphasize enough how great this album is. Following a slew of negative media attention in 2021, Carpenter bounced back with a very well-rounded album. Carpenter opens up in emotional tunes like “because i liked a boy,” and titular track “emails i can’t send,” while maintaining her catchy pop sound in songs such as “Fast Times” and “Nonsense.” This album has a little bit of it all and is definitely one of the best pop albums I’ve heard in a while.
Best song for your hot girl walk: Nonsense
Favorite song: Read your Mind
3. “Harry’s House” – Harry Styles
I’ll be honest -when I first heard “As It Was,” I was a bit underwhelmed. I’m a “Harry Styles” girl through and through, so I was hoping to hear more of that sound in Styles’ first single on his third album. However, when he performed “Late Night Talking,”at Coachella, I knew I judged the album too soon. “Harry Styles” is still my favorite album, but “Harry’s House,” is truly a fantastic collection of songs. The album is filled with upbeat and funky songs that I’ll never get tired of, like “Daydreaming,” and “Satellite.” But it also has songs that make me bawl my eyes out – ie. “Matilda.” This album really does it all.
Underrated bop: Grapejuice
Favorite song: Daylight
2. five seconds flat – Lizzy McAlpine
This one is for all the sad-girl-autumn-Phoebe-Bridgers lovers. If you’re in need of songs to cry to, this album is for you. McAlpine bears her soul in this sophomore album and I can’t get enough. “Ceilings,” is a stab in the heart in the absolute best way possible, and “doomsday,” is definitely one of my favorite breakup hits this year. McAlpine expertly expresses feelings of sadness, yearning and anger in her album. She makes it relatable, which is why her album is so addicting. She’s angry and frustrated about her past relationship in “firearm,” but self-aware of her own faults in “an ego thing.” McAlpine covers it all in this remarkable work.
When you’re upset, but in an angry way: firearm
Favorite song: ceilings
Before I continue to my favorite album of the year, I want to take a moment to recognize a few albums that didn’t make the list, but are still worthy of a listen.
Here are my honorable mentions:
- “Banish the Banshee” – Isaac Dunbar
- “Wet Leg” – Wet Leg
- “Midnights” – Taylor Swift
- “From 2 to 3” – Peach Pit
- “DECIDE” – Djo
And now, for my favorite album of 2022…
1. “Ivory (Marfil)” – Omar Apollo
If Omar Apollo has 1 million fans, I am one of them. If Omar Apollo has one fan, it is me. If Omar Apollo has no fans, I am gone.
In all seriousness, I really am a huge fan of Apollo’s work and have been for a few years. I love his album “Stereo” and saw him on tour when he was performing his album “Friends”. His newest album “Ivory (Marfil)” is everything I could ask for in an album and more. It’s raw. You can hear the pain and longing in every lyric of each ballad he writes. “Petrified” and “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All)” not only makes my heart ache for him, but they also express a familiar pain that many can relate with. “Ivory (Marfil)” isn’t just gut-wrenching slow songs. It also boasts catchy, upbeat sounds in “Talk,” “Endlessly,” and “Tamagotchi.” Overall, this album is easily my favorite of the year, and I strongly recommend that everyone gives it a listen.
Song that will be stuck in your head for days: Invincible (feat. Daniel Caesar)
Favorite song: Petrified. Seriously, please listen to this.
2022 was overflowing with amazing new releases – seriously, what a great year for music. Amongst all of the music dropped, these five albums stuck with me the most. I hope you can feel a similar sense of appreciation for these as I do.