There are many things you could say about 2022. One of them, I would argue, is that a lot of great music has been released. I’m not sure how much of what came out this year is a direct result of bands not being able to tour properly during 2020 and for a chunk of 2021. What I do know is that the year has been a good one for good new music. I was going to write (and full disclosure, I did start writing before deleting) about albums that have not been for me this year. I decided to dispense with it though because there is enough negativity out there. I decided to keep this a positive space today. Much like with the end of year list I write about gigs, I’ll start with a few honourable mentions then do a list of albums I’ve very much enjoyed this year. I will say before I even start the list that there were a whole bunch that could take the “coveted” spot as my number 1 album of the year. The order of this list should also be considered as the order at the time of writing. It might still be the same in 3 months' time, but I took another look at my 2021 list (which I didn’t post on my blog) and realised I would change the order of some of those albums.
In terms of EPs, I listened to a fair few EPs this year, and there were a small number that I thought were head and shoulders above the rest. These were:
6. El Moono - Temple Corrupted
Chronologically, this is the first EP on this little list that I heard this year and straight away I was on board. It hasn’t stayed with me throughout the whole year, but I gave it another listen recently and it served as a reminder why I took to it straight away. A really decent EP that at one point I thought would definitely be in the number one spot. As it happens, it is 6th out of 6, but this list is the EPs that were my favourites of the year.
5. Speed - Gang Called Speed
13 minutes of gnarly hardcore, what is there not to like about this? Well, probably a fair bit if you don’t like hardcore, but still. This is great. This EP doesn’t fuck about, and I like that about it.
4. Sugar Horse - Waterloo Teeth
This 4 track EP has a lot of special guests on it. It isn’t something you tend to see in the world of heavy music, so I think it is pretty cool to see Sugar Horse invite a whole bunch of their pals (I assume they are pals) to play on their EP. Sugar Horse had a great album out last year, and this EP is continuing that run of good form.
3. Irist - Gloria
Irist were one of the first bands announced for Damnation Festival 2022 I think (I could look this up, but laziness prevents me from doing so). It was them being announced for this festival that made me check out their 2020 album, which is very good. That was my go to until not long before the festival I saw that this had been released. It is also very good.
2. Heriot - Profound Morality
Heriot’s debut EP is abrasive in the best possible way. This was an EP that came with a lot of hype in certain circles and it without doubt delivered. I was supposed to see them open for Zeal & Ardor in November but sadly they had to pull out of that gig. I am looking forward to a time when I’ll get to see some of this material live, now having listened to and very much enjoyed the EP.
1. Currls - Hello, My Name Is
I only listened to Currls in the first place because of a different band! I went to see Spielbergs earlier this year, who were due to be supported by Congratulations and Weekend Punks. Sadly Weekend Punks had to pull out, so it was just Spielbergs and Congratulations. I really liked Congratulations and saw they were due to play Portsmouth, again with Weekend Punks but this time both were supporting Currls. I thought I’d best give Currls a listen if I was going to buy a ticket to their show and I really liked what I heard. The EP was an extension of this and I was hooked straight away. Seeing it performed live certainly cemented that view.
Now that the EP’s have been listed - these are my favourite albums of 2022:
Honourable Mentions:
Korn - Requiem. Korn albums tend to be overly long at times. This one clocks in at just under 35 minutes and doesn’t overstay its welcome at all. It is a very tight album and in 2022, there is little more you could ask from Korn I reckon!
Comeback Kid - Heavy Steps. This was the second new release I listened to this year, and the first that I really liked (sorry Billy Talent). Never really listened to much Comeback Kid before this album, but I heard it get a good review on a podcast I listen to, so gave it a chance and am pleased I did.
PUP - The Unraveling of PUPTheBand. This album is not in my top 20 because they misspelt unravelling. Maybe this spelling is the North American English spelling? Truthfully, that had no bearing on it not being in the top 20. I really enjoyed this album.
Ghost - Impera. I really like Ghost, and this album has some great songs on it. I don’t love all of it though, and that is why it is an honourable mention. I definitely do want to see them live again though, and regret not having done so earlier this year.
Jack Francis - Jack Francis. This album came to my notice because Jack was announced to be the support act for Beans On Toast when he comes to Southampton later this year, and Jay said the album was one of his favourites from 2022 (maybe his favourite? I can’t quite remember). Anyway, thought I’d give it a listen and yeah, it is very good.
The Antichrist Imperium - Volume III: Satan In His Original Glory. I don’t listen to much black metal these days, particularly black metal from a band I’ve never heard of. However, the name of the band and album caught my attention so I gave it a go. I thought it would be top 20 material after the first listen…but then I didn’t go back to it for ages. When I did, I still liked it but not as much as the albums that made the list.
Cancer Bats - Psychic Jailbreak. This is a perfectly solid Cancer Bats album, one that I have enjoyed whenever I’ve listened to it, or indeed heard any of it live (I’ve seen Cancer Bats live twice this year and both sets had songs from the album as a part of it).
Gregor Barnett - Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave. There were songs here which I wondered if they could have been full fleshed Menzingers songs. Regardless of that though, this album is more than a bit good.
Beachheads - Beachheads II. I heard a review of this album which was very positive, and decided to give it a go. I didn’t know what to expect of a power-pop album from members of Kvelertak (who themselves are very much not power-pop!) but it is a really good album. I enjoyed it a lot.
Machine Head - Of Kingdom and Crown. Very much a return to form from Machine Head after Catharsis for me. I have a recollection of a bunch of these songs released and then being grouped together by Spotify last year - there is no record of this on Spotify now though so I may be mistaken. The singles released for this album are the stand out songs and there are a number here I’d like to hear live. I didn’t really buy into the concept of the album, I just thought it was a good album.
Slipknot - The End, So Far. I really enjoyed this album, but outside of a few songs (probably the ones that’ll be played live when they tour), I haven’t really gone back to it. I thought for a little while it would have made a better EP - on reflection I think that is harsh as there isn’t that much filler on the album. It is another solid Slipknot album.
Pixies - Doggerel. This sounds like old school Pixies and I am here for it. I’m going to see them on the Doggerel tour and I would be okay hearing a good chunk of this album live.
Clutch - Sunrise on Slaughter Beach. For me, this album is about as good if not slightly better than The Book of Bad Decisions, their last album. One thing which might make it better is the fact the album is just over 30 minutes long. I’m a big fan of bands releasing shorter, more punchy records - Clutch have done just this very thing.
I’ve overdone it with the honourable mentions, haven’t I? Let's leave that there (as I could add more and instead head straight to the top 20.
20. Avantasia - A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society
Avantasia used to be one of my favourite bands, and I’m still fond of them. I could not get into their last album despite my trying. My first impression of this album was that it was fine and nothing more. Every time I’ve listened to it since, I’ve liked it more. I think it will continue to grow on me, which I’m okay with. I saw them on their last London show on the back of the album I didn’t get into (it was an honourable mention, probably because the set was heavy on that new album and I didn’t care for that). Were a London date to materialise and be heavy from this album? I’d be happier with that, I think.
19. Helpless - Caged In Gold
18. The Losing Score - Learn To Let This Go
Weezer have released 3 EPs so far this year (you’ll note I haven’t mentioned any of them above…). I mention Weezer as the first time I listened to this album, I thought if Weezer had released it, it would be classed as one of their decent later albums (their two last year were good for different reasons). I really liked this from The Losing Score, and would also very much like to see some of it live.
17. Rolo Tomassi - Where Myth Becomes Memory
16. KT Tunstall - NUT
I very much like the music of KT Tunstall, and have done for some time. If memory serves, this is a third in a trilogy of albums (KIN, WAX & NUT). This is just over half an hour and is filled with some very good KT Tunstall songs. I don’t have a whole lot to say, I just really enjoyed it.
15. Jamie Lenman - The Atheist
This I think is the latest entry into the list (well, as I type this, it is). A very recent release by Jamie Lenman, and there is a lot to love about this album. I think it is possible, were I to review this list again and listen to all the albums more this might be higher, as I’ve not listened to it that often and I have immediately taken to it.
14. Rina Sawayama - Hold The Girl
Rina Sawayama is an artist whose name I knew (I am guessing from being a listener to the Riot Act podcast when that was still a thing) but not one who I had ever listened to until Hold The Girl came out. I am glad this changed as this album is very good. I like how varied it is - there are parts of it that reminded me of Halsey’s album from 2021 ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’ - and now I think about, I think a Rina Sawayama album produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross would be outstanding. That is a hypothetical though, focusing on the here and now - Hold The Girl is great.
13. Drug Church - Hygiene
Hygiene was one of the albums I went back to frequently throughout the year (it being 26 minutes helped with that). I came to this album after looking at the line up for Outbreak Festival, and feeling very sad I couldn’t go (adulting eh, what's it like?!) Anyway, Drug Church were on it and they also announced a UK run around the time which had a date at the Joiners - listening to the album made the gig a must. After seeing a chunk of it live, I like it even more now.
12. Martha - Please Don’t Take Me Back
I genuinely don’t remember how I discovered this album (racking my brain, I think it was a thread on a music festival forum talking about releases of 2022). I’m glad it did though as I really like it. Hope Gets Harder is my favourite song from the album but there is a lot to like here. The vibes I got from this album were a mix of heartland rock, pop punk and alternative rock - the reference points for me were Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem (though I confess this is from my memory of them, it's been a while since I’ve listened) and The Cranberries.
11. Dropkick Murphys - This Machine Still Kills Fascists
10. Soul Glo - Diaspora Problems
This was one of those albums that I had no idea about until I heard a review of it. The review was glowing, so I had to give the album a listen and find out for myself. I found out quickly and here we are, it is in the top 10. The only disappointing thing that comes from discovering this album is that I was unable to see them on the album tour in London earlier this year. Hopefully there will be another chance - I can imagine Soul Glo at the Joiners for example being incredible.
9. Venom Prison - Erebos
Venom Prison to me is one of those bands that seem to just keep getting better with each main release. This was a release that I was hyped for and it did not let me down. It strikes me as being a very expansive album whilst still retaining what makes them great. There was some discourse before the album came out about this, but if memory serves framed in such a way to suggest people may not like it as much - assuming my memory hasn’t let me down there, I can’t think why this is.
8. Conjurer - Páthos
Mire was an excellent debut album, and then it felt like it was a very long wait for Páthos (though really it was only 4 years). There was an album with Pijn in that time (Curse These Metal Hands in 2019) which was very good but not the same as a full blown follow up to Mire. Páthos was definitely worth the wait. They released It Dwells, Rot and Cracks in the Pyre as singles before the album came out, and they are my favourite songs from the album, but the album as a whole is quality. I think I prefer Mire, but I’ve had longer with it. Páthos is very good, and it isn’t an outrageous suggestion to say it’ll become my favourite Conjurer album over time.
7. Wet Leg - Wet Leg
One of my former colleagues earlier this year randomly mentioned this band to me, and got me to watch the video to Chaise Longue. The song and the video made me smile and then I didn’t give them much more thought until they started announcing gigs close to me and then seeing out almost immediately. I gave the album a go and really enjoyed it. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. I’ve not yet seen them live, but I have a ticket for Pulp in July 2023 and they are the main support. This is excellent news, if you ask me.
6. The Callous Daoboys - Celebrity Therapist
I remember hearing a review about The Callous Daoboys previous album and I remember thinking “I like their name!” but I didn’t follow that up by listening to the album. I saw other bands I like continuing to mention them on social media, so when this album came out I decided I had to give it a listen. The first listen blew me away, and it is an album I’ve come back to quite a few times throughout the year. It is absolute chaos in the best possible way.
5. Bob Vylan - Bob Vylan Presents The Price of Life
Bob Vylan’s ‘We Live Here’ is incredible. This album for me is in the conversation of best Bob Vylan album, which probably gives a clue as to my feelings on it. Following the 2021 tour, Pretty Songs was released, which is absolutely outrageous. For that reason, Pretty Songs is probably my favourite song from the album but there are so many other great songs there - one of those situations where the favourite changes depending on my mood when I listen. I was surprised to hear the swearing be censored (which truthfully there isn’t much anyway) but that was a feeling from the first listen, and it didn’t ruin the album for me at all.
4. Orville Peck - Bronco
This was a late adjustment as I hadn’t listened to it for a while, and then I listened to it again and that prompted me to rewrite the order of some of this list. This album is excellent. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, as I don’t tend to listen to much country music. It was one of those albums I saw someone else online give a lot of love to, so thought I’d give it a go. The first listen, I clearly wasn’t paying attention as when I went back to it, I had significantly more appreciation for it. That has grown each time I’ve listened to it. As above, when I listened to it recently I couldn’t believe this wasn’t in the conversation for the top spots.
3. Zeal & Ardor - Zeal & Ardor
I really like Zeal & Ardor. I have been on board since the debut came out and they are just getting better and better. This album is proof of that. I didn’t anticipate it being better than Stranger Fruit, but in my view it is. Zeal & Ardor have now, in 5 years, put out 3 albums and an EP, and it is all pretty damn good. I’ve given this album quite a few listens at this point, and each time I find myself having a brief moment where I realise just how good it is.
2. Frank Turner - FTHC
I’ll be honest, I am surprised this isn’t number one. I’ve made no secret that I love the music of Frank Turner, both recorded and live. The first release from the album, Haven’t Been Doing So Well, didn’t immediately resonate with me and I remember thinking “uhoh!”. It is hard now to imagine why it didn’t, as it is a superb song. And the same is true of the rest of the album - 14 songs and just over 40 minutes long and I don’t want to skip any of it. Is it Frank Turner’s best album? For me, it is in the conversation, even if it may not win that particular honour (and that is only because it is against some stout opposition). That being said, the reason it is in the conversation to be Frank Turner’s best album is because it is really bloody good.
1. Ithaca - They Fear Us
This album blew me away from the first listen, and every time I have come back to it this year, I’m very quickly reminded how much I love it. The title track was the lead single and I remember hearing it for the first time and just thinking “oh fuck…!” in the best possible way. Is it my favourite song on the album? It could be, but I think every song on the album has been my favourite at one point. This really is a superb album and is my album of 2022 - even if it is absolute shithouse behaviour to have a song called Number Five as track six…! (I jest!)
