Starting this list, I didn’t know how many albums to choose — 15? 20? I usually don’t try to have a fixed number and just try to make a list full of albums I really love. To have 25 great albums halfway in the year is pretty astounding, and this list doesn’t even cover all the albums I would recommend. That includes Kendrick Lamar, Mitski, Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., Alabaster Deplume, Spiritualized, Huerco S., Axel Boman, and so much more.
These 25 are the ones to really make note of, though. They range from long-time heavy-hitters to up-and-comers, hardcore rap punk to VR art pop. I hope you’ll find a great mix of easy-to-love albums and projects that’ll challenge you to reframe what music can achieve in 2022. I know I have!
25. Billy Woods – Aethiopes
24. Hurray for the Riff Raff – Life on Earth
23. Oso Oso – sore thumb
22. Vince Staples – RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART
21. Amber Mark – Three Dimensions Deep
20. Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong
19. Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
18. Earl Sweatshirt – SICK!
17. Animal Collective – Time Skiffs
16. Ravyn Lenae – Hypnos
15. Cate Le Bon – Pompeii
14. Jenny Hval – Classic Objects
13. Perfume Genius – Ugly Season
12. MJ Lenderman – Boat Songs
11. Nilüfer Yanya – PAINLESS
10. The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention
9. Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – Topical Dancer
8. FKA Twigs – CAPRISONGS
7. Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems
6. Destroyer – LABYRINTHITIS
5. yeule – Glitch Princess
4. Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
3. Yaya Bey – Remember Your North Star
2. ROSALÍA – MOTOMAMI
1. Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
Bitter Melodies 