A Year in Review: Album Edition (pt. 3)

Third time’s the charm.

So folks, here we are again. The year is speeding to a close. Christmas decor is beginning to go up. Work is slowing down. A chill is in the air. And just like clockwork, Spotify’s annual “wrapped” has just been released, causing a frenzy in the form of about 8 billion Instagram stories.

While I don’t typically partake in the sharing of my wrapped on social media, that doesn’t mean I’m not a huge fan of Spotify’s genius campaign. (As someone who works in marketing, the success of this campaign actively excites me, but that’s for another time.) I actually really enjoy getting a glimpse into other people’s music tastes, as it gives me a better sense of who they are. That does not apply to Apple Music users — y’all are just doing it wrong. Oh, or those who have Kanye as their #1 artist — y’all need to switch it up.

Although my Instagram followers may not have seen my wrapped this year, I can’t help but unpack it here. There is just so much wonderful music that I experienced in 2022, it simply cannot be slept on. It’s my duty as an over-listener and frequent concert-goer to share my thoughts.

I must say that in my 3 years of writing these fun little reviews, this list might have been the hardest to pull together. 2022 has brought with it the most beautiful, diverse array of amazing music that we could possibly have been blessed with. So, without further ado, Julia’s top 10 albums of 2022. You know the drill.

10. I Used To Think I Could Fly by Tate McRae

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for some girly pop music, and Tate does it so well. This album made the top 10 this year because it was the soundtrack to way too many shower singalongs. Tate gives us both heart-wrenching ballads and upbeat bops to dance around your bedroom to, and there’s really not much in between. My favorites include “chaotic,” “boy x,” and the TikTok gem “she’s all i wanna be.” As a dancer turned artist, Tate’s music videos are always absolute ten out of tens. I’m no expert, but I predict big things for this one.

9. Unlimited Love by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Chili Peppers have an insane amount of music out there, so this is by no means their best work. But with a band this consistently good, it still comes in at #9 this year. I unfortunately did not get to attend their concert this summer, but not to worry because Jeff Hill took my place in the mosh pit. They will definitely be on my list for future tickets. And if you haven’t listened to “Black Summer” yet, get on it, yo.

8. In Our Own Sweet Time by Vance Joy

Another extremely consistent artist, Vance Joy certainly delivered on his third studio album. “Don’t Fade” and “Wavelength” give us the beautiful, soft sounds of summer that this artist crafts so perfectly, and “Clarity” and “Missing Piece” are there to bring the beat back in. I’m kicking myself for missing this concert at Pier 17 this summer, but quite honestly I didn’t know it was happening until after the fact. This album feels like biking under the trees on a gorgeous sunny day with a light breeze in your hair and the person you love riding beside you. Weirdly specific, I know. But if that sounds good to you, I’d give this one a listen.

7. Harry’s House by Harry Styles

Look, I’m no Harry fanatic. I wasn’t very hype for this album. I did not attend the concert series at MSG in a disco-inspired outfit, unlike pretty much every other girl my age. But this really is a great album and I cannot deny that, so here’s Harry Styles coming in at #7. This album puts a bit of a pop twist on indie rock. I love how Harry manages to pull together a cohesive album with so many different sounds included; it gives everyone something they’ll enjoy. My personal favorite is “Little Freak” — a really beautiful song with exceptional lyrics. And a funny title.

6. Every Shade of Blue by The Head and the Heart

This. Album. Is. So. Underrated. And the band in general seems to be too. They’ve put out top tier music since 2011, and their very blue 2022 album is the perfect display of their artistry. I was able to attend their concert with my family and best friend this summer, and we all had a blast. “Virginia (Wind In The Night)” is a must-listen, with “Don’t Show Your Weakness” and “Tiebreaker” coming in close behind. If you aren’t familiar with The Head and the Heart, I recommend going back to their older albums as well, because they are packed full of great songs.

5. Love Sux by Avril Lavigne

Possibly the most unique choice on this list, Avril Lavigne’s punk rock style album is guaranteed to transport you back to the early 2000s. This one really snuck up on me, but ended up being the only thing I listened to for weeks when it came out. Avril even landed herself the #5 spot in my top artists this year, hence #5 on this list too. I’m surprised this album didn’t get more attention — the songs are extremely catchy, and the album is just so cool and different than anything else being released today. Machine Gun Kelly and blackbear make appearances as well, giving the album 2 of its best songs and bringing angry male/female rock duets back into the music world. It was about time.

4. Stick Season by Noah Kahan

All of my friends and family will know that I’ve been recommending this one constantly, and for good reason. Noah Kahan, an artist that I’ve never really paid much attention to, easily takes spot #4 on this year’s list. This beautiful indie folk album came at the perfect time and quickly became my first choice for hot girl walks in the crisp fall air. “Northern Attitude” was my original favorite, but “Orange Juice” and “Homesick” have definitely moved up in the ranks. Noah claims that he’s mean because he grew up in New England, but gifting the world this album proves the opposite. Thanks for this one, Noah. I would like to pet your dogs sometime.

3. The Last Goodbye by ODESZA

We’ve finally made it to the top 3, and naturally ODESZA is in it. Bold statement time, so hold onto your hats — ODESZA has got to be my favorite DJ. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I truly believe that what this duo does with music is magical. “A Moment Apart” is one of the albums that kickstarted my love for EDM music back in 2017 (and one of my favorite albums of all time). “The Last Goodbye” is no different, showcasing ODESZA’s signature sound while still constantly innovating. Not to mention that this artist is one of the best I’ve ever seen live; I’ve been lucky enough to see them twice now, and both times were unforgettable.

2. Dawn FM by The Weeknd

A very elderly Abel takes the #2 spot. This pick is more than just an album, it’s a complete listening experience. I really love when an album is meticulously crafted to be listened to in order, and The Weeknd does it in the form of an old fashioned radio show. If that isn’t cool enough, he also explores an entirely new sound, creating a 70s-inspired disco R&B blend of an album. It’s giving Michael Jackson, but more modernized. Many fans complained about this new era, but I personally ate it up. The flow from “How Do I Make You Love Me?” into “Take My Breath” is, quite literally, breathtaking. Other favorites include “Is There Someone Else?” and my #1 pick off the album, “Less Than Zero.” This album reminds me of everything I love about music.

1. Midnights (3am Edition) by Taylor Swift

You know this had to be my top pick. If it wasn’t, I’d just be lying to myself. Taylor could do no wrong in my eyes, so I will likely fall in love with everything she ever releases. But that’s not to take credit away from the masterpiece that is Midnights — I mean, wow. TS10 lives up to the hype and takes the cake for #1 album of 2022. Only fans will understand this one, but this album is Lover and Reputation’s love child. Reputation’s bad bitch energy comes through in “Vigilante Shit,” “Karma,” and “Bejeweled,” and Lover’s hopeless romantic vibe shows up in “Labyrinth,” and “Lavender Haze.” My coworker recently told me that she isn’t a fan of Taylor’s, because she doesn’t think she’s a very talented singer. And while I personally disagree, I told her that it’s not the singing that makes her so amazing, it’s the music. It’s the lyrics and the way the songs make you feel. Taylor is, much like the 13th track on this album, a mastermind. She is truly like no other artist, so it’s no wonder she’s breaking records left and right. By some miracle, I happened to score tickets to the tour in May. You best believe I already know every single word to this album, so I’m coming for you, Metlife.

So there you have it. 10 fantastic albums and artists, dozens of top tier songs, 6 different genres, and one annoying girl who likes to force her opinions on others. Sorry not sorry.

This year’s honorable mentions include: All 4 Nothing by Lauv, Brightside by The Lumineers, Loner by Alison Wonderland, and Being Funny In A Foreign Language by The 1975. It was a close race, but better luck next year to this group.

All jokes aside, here’s hoping that reading this sparked a desire to listen to some new music. My absolute favorite thing about music has got to be how it brings people together, so I plan to keep writing these in the hopes of doing just that. C’mon, let’s bond over music, people! It’ll be fun!

Thanks for tuning in. Happy listening to all, and to all a good night.