2022 Real Music Review

Without saying the same thing I do every year, basically that “it was a great year for music, so hard to choose, genetic banter etc.” let’s just get right into what albums gripped and ripped in 2022.

1. Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

Their magnum opus. My favorite album of this year. I mean, Big Thief has been on this list maybe more than ant other band. It’s no surprise when you consider the pure talent and just the amazing vocals from Adriane Lenker. DNEMIBIY has it all in terms of an indie/folk album. It hems, it haws, it’s always captivating. Lyrically and vocally it’s profound. It’s the perfect, sitting around the campfire with friends type of album and there’s an unfounded comfort when listening. I loved this and will for years to come.

2. Alex G - God Save the Animals

This comes as no surprise because Alex G is one of my favorite artists. This album was truly magnificent though. It confuses me when critics call this album Alex’s “most cohesive ever” even though it’s true, the lack of cohesion is often why I love his work so much. Albums like Rocket, which are all over the place, is one of the reasons why I enjoy his work so much. It’s always a journey and displays range and creativity. Though this one was perhaps more “cohesive” than others, I just appreciate how he was willing to play to his strengths and tapped into his diverse style and arrangements. It also feels like Alex may go in another direction after this, implying that he might be done for a moment. On Miracles, he sings, “How many more songs am I supposed to write/Before I should turn it off and say goodnight?” and him talking about having a baby with his fiancé, Molly? Idk maybe Alex is finally settling? If so, he’s provided a stunning legacy so I’m really going to savor this one.

3. Entran d’Laïr - Agadez

This album was a complete surprise for me. One of their songs popped up on discover weekly and when really enjoying what I heard, I dug around a bit and found their 2022 album, Agadez and was instantly impressed. It’s sounds of North African guitar and a blend of beautiful and rhythmic vocals. It’s super enjoyable and easy to listen to. Since I don’t speak the language, I often enjoy having it on in the background or when I’m focusing on work and want something simulating and beautiful to listen to, but not distracting. Absolutely stunning guitar riffs and such a beautiful sound as the notes and vocal melodies intertwine beautifully. Always a good time when this record is on, their older album is amazing too. Definitely going to be keeping an eye out for more.

4. Momma - Household Name

Hell yeah Momma! Again I think this band popped up on a Discover weekly and or a radio of someone who I love. Whatever the case, I really loved this album and band in general. I was lucky enough to see them live in SF and they rocked. A great blend of angst, punk, rock, and of course a female lead. Essentially the perfect band scenario for my music taste. Household Name, though kinda depressing lyrically, is a great time from cover to cover. If you like bands like Destroy Boys, or Remember Sports, you will probably love Momma. I also really enjoy their older album as well. Momma is great, expanding, and really excited to see what else they cook up.

5. Nora Brown - Long Time to be Gone

I was not expecting this one! A friend of mine recommended Nora, a fantastic banjo player from NY. Although, she sounds like she could be from West Texas, or maybe somewhere 80, 90, or maybe even 100 years ago. Her work is stunning. She can rip it on the banjo, and her vocals and lyrics are beautiful and heavy. She almost seems as though she is lost in her concrete jungle that is New York, yearning to get out and be away from crushing modernity. This album is an escape from that, and a feeling of comfort in the idea that once can relate to a time before now. Long Time to be Gone was a wonderful journey through the deeper Americana roots with a love letter to simplicity. Beautiful work Nora Brown, I look forward to more.

6. The Garden - HORSESHIT ON ROUTE 66

The Garden just gets better and better baby! Mirror Might Steal Your Charm is still one of my favorite albums, period, but HORSESHIT ON ROUTE 66 may just edge it out. Cover to cover, I had such a good time with this one. Talk about cohesion from a band that rarely gets even an inkling of that. Wyatt and Fletcher really are genius in the way that they can invent and reinvent the idea of “vada vada” but that idea becomes more crystallized in HR66. It’s definitely the most accessible album to date but still as innovative as ever. Stoked for more and as always, I love seeing the creativity from these prolific twins. Always fun to see what Enjoy and Puzzle are up to too.

7. Alvvays - Blue Rev

Yeehaw! Their best! Which is really hard to believe because everything Alvvays does is top-shelf indie pop. I loved how Blue Rev felt a bit more experimental and even shoegazey? Heavy on the keyboards and injected with beautiful layering. This album cover to cover was in my opinion, a near perfect 10. It helped to see it performed live where they basically played their entire new album along with all of their hits. In short-it was an amazing show. I love how I have listened to this album through multiple times now, and it still never gets old. It keeps you captivated but still flows together flawlessly. Beautiful work, Alvvays and I will be enjoying this album for years. It feels timeless already.

8. Sadurn - Radiator

Ooo baby! Another Philly heartbreaker. I had such a great time seeing Sadurn open for Field Medic and absolutely steal the show for me. Their guitarist added in a steel guitar along with the act and that made it even better than the recorded album Radiator, I know, hard to believe! This album is sad but lead vocalist Genevieve DeGroot is so talented! Watch out Adrianne Lenker. Ok, maybe not because Adrianne is king, but vocal-wise, Sadurn was so beautiful and powerful. I got goosebumps seeing it live. I love the simple but talented musical arrangements too and everything compliments each other so well. For a freshman album, Sadurn is definitely a band to keep an eye out for. I thoroughly enjoyed Radiator and can’t wait for more.

9. Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia

Aye these Irishmen got it! I loved their 2018 album Dogrel so much. A pointed and thoughtful stake in their hometown Dublin. Punk, in that they have an opinion, but in a very intelligent and open-minded way. Sober but somber. Skinty Fia feels similar but perhaps more reflective than their freshman album. It’s stunning. I can appreciate how much their work has grown in the sense that they still are hard-hitting when it comes to emotion and feeling, but do so in a way that’s much more nuanced and thoughtful. Dogrel was almost the prediction of Skinty in that, “they are gonna be big” well, just three years later, they are, and for good reason. I loved how Skinty feels much more “Joy Division” in the sense of slower, more keyboard, and that beautiful baseline. It’s an album I can repeat again and again, and it’s better with time.

10. Bladee - Crest

It’s kinda embarrassing when irony becomes actuality, but I’m committing to the bit. Drain Gang or w/e? Basically, I am really digging what Bladee is cooking up, Crest especially. Production, lyrics, blending, even vocals?? It’s good and only getting better. So much music from Bladee in 2022 alone, this album was the one that I gravitated to most, but even Bladee’s recent project had its hits. I’m here for it and down for more. “Girls just want to have fun” is such a good time, and I cannot stop playing “The Flag is Raised.” A perfect blend of subdued yet creative beats, unique and innovative production, and hard-hitting lyrics.