2022 was the year of album releases from big names, but as always I’m not one to pander to commercially successful albums. I choose my art based on the connection I have with it. Maybe this is my subtle disclaimer that my Top album list is very personal to me and not based on popular metrics used in rating albums, so no squabbles about who or who didn’t make the list.
I didn’t enjoy most of the EPs released the past year, and neither was there a healthy amount of EPs released (especially from indie artists) unlike previous years. Is this the beginning of the dearth of EPS? They’re my sure plug for discovering new artists, especially alternative and independent artists, but as the Gen Zs will say, 2022 wasn’t giving in that aspect.
For this year’s edition of my annual album review, I will be taking a cue from @terhso and not writing about albums that were a letdown. I’ll focus on the ones I enjoyed and those that made my 2022 a lot more bearable.
However, I have to make an exception and express my disappointment over Taylor Swift’s Midnights album. Don’t me wrong, the album sounds cool, but it’s nothing new or revolutionary that we haven’t heard from her. This was a major letdown for me, especially coming from one of my favourite artists who I know is quite versatile (she holds the record for winning Album of the Year thrice at the Grammy awards and with each album being of a different genre).
First thing, she needs to give Jack Antonoff a long break off from producing her albums. ‘Midnights’ might have outsold the entire music industry, and made a record-breaking a million plus vinyl album sales, however, it lacks edge and sounds like a compilation of leftover songs from her last three albums merged into one LP. Even the visuals look are reminiscent of her Folkore/Evermore era.
Now let’s get into the gist, here’s a countdown of my Top albums of 2022 –
14. we’re all sad here (deluxe) – Zevia
I ‘may’ have grown past my melancholy phase but I still love dark art. The song titles drew me in, and the album turned out to be everything I expected it to be. Times when it felt like my head was overheating from life’s cares, this was my number one go-to album that never failed to help me hit reset. Listening to her sad mellow voice over minimal instrumentals makes one take a moment to reflect on life.
The album art perfectly portrays the energy the album carries. This album explores existential questions we all seem to be plagued by in recent times. The last song on the album – ‘if depression gets the best of me’ has to be the saddest song released this year, each time I hear it, I always choke on tears.
Favourite Tracks – every song on the album
13. Harry’s House – Harry Styles
I love how Harry has chosen to stay true to himself, sticking to songs/sounds he wants to explore such that when you listen to his songs, you can feel his artistic freedom. He is fast becoming the king of infusing the 80’s retro funk sound, one might argue he should try something different, but with each album, there’s this fresh spin on it that it makes it sound fresh.
I applaud him for yet again, setting himself apart from most other artists who seem to be all about releasing the next commercial hit single. Even at this, he is still commercially successful and has a couple of hit singles (‘As it was’ off this album was number on the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks). This is another happy album from Harry that makes for a feel-good listen, sure to boost your mood.
Favourite Tracks – As it was, Daylight, Little freak, Maltida, Daydreaming, Love of my life
12. Holy Fvck – Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato appeared under the underwhelming category in my last year’s album review. I know she’s been having identity issues, I mean from saying she was dating a lady, to identifying as non-binary and then later saying she now identifies as she. *Sigh… New age problems while the world is falling apart.
Hearing her latest LP got me wowed, I was impressed with how she channeled her energy, sort of like she was trying to resurrect the soft rock genre, though with elements of hard rock on some tracks. This sound suits her personality perfectly and her vocal range went well with it. Though the album doesn’t sound like anything different from what we haven’t heard in the early 2010s, it’s special to me because it takes me back to the good old days when alternative/soft rock was alive, especially on tracks like ‘Substance’, ‘Happy Ending’, ‘City of angels’, ‘Wasted’ and ‘4 Ever 4 Me’.
The first day I listened to the album I immediately sent ‘City of Angels’ to Joshua, my University days rock songs buddy. He too felt the nostalgia. I know Demi has been experimenting with her sound and well, her entire life, I felt she had finally found her sound and it suits her image but alas! I recently realized she’s been dating a rockstar for a while now, I guess that’s where the inspiration for the album came from.
Favourite Tracks – Skin of my teeth, Substance, Holy Fvck, 29, Happy Ending, Wasted, Dead friends, City of angels, 4 Ever 4 Me
11. V – Asa
I remember the Saturday morning I listened to this album for the first time, I immediately chatted Seyi (he is a huge fan of hers) asking what rubbish had his fave released! Lol
I’m not so good with change, so this sort of clouded my judgment. I was used to her jazz-infused folk sound, so hearing her make a drastic change to afro beats without any warning from pre-singles was a huge shift for me. A couple more listens and I couldn’t get enough of the album.
It felt good knowing that one of the afro alternative artists I loved who left their traditional sound for the more commercial afro beats did well (I’m still bummed over Adekunle’s last effort).
It’s okay for artists to take risks in exploring new sounds, I mean, that’s the growth we all clamour for but, I think it’s also key that we listeners be gentle on them when it turns out a miss. I’m henceforth giving artists this grace as far as they don’t become sellouts.
Favourite Tracks – Mayana, Ocean, IDG, Nike, Show me off, Morning man, Good times
10. SMITHEREENS – Joji
I almost slept on this album. I had it saved in my Apple music library, but I never got to listen to it. Thanks to the album opener – ‘Glimpse of us’ which went viral on Instagram reels, I searched the artist and found I had long saved the album.
I played this album back to back for a week, not sure I’m entirely over it yet. I love that it sounds different from what’s out there and mostly I love how easy it is on the ears. It is a two-part album, with the first part being my favourite, made up mostly of easy-going quiet sober songs that are about lost love and wanting to hold on to it.
The second part of the album has a similar heartbreak theme and is also mellow, but more of hip-hop-influenced experimental sound. The major downer about this album is how short it is, plus it feels more like two EPs joined together. I get why it’s split in two (the different sounds on both parts) but still, I think it could have been developed further to have a more rounded body of work.
Favourite Tracks – Glimpse of us, Die for you, Before the day is over, 1AM FREESTYLE
9. Special – Lizzo
If I was to name the one album of 2022 that had spark, it’s this album. With a theme centered on self-love and self-appreciation, this album shines through with so much positivity. The excitement flows from the start to the end of the album. There’s no way anyone can listen to this album without not having their mood elevated. I love the production, the positive lyrics, the vibrancy from start to finish, the perfect song arrangement, and also the perfect tracklist length that leaves you wanting more.
This was my go-to album most Sunday evenings when it was time to prepare for the new week. I always needed something to keep me in a good mood ahead of ‘Monday’ and this album never failed to keep me in the groove.
Favourite Tracks – About damn time, 2 Be loved (Am I Ready), I love you Bitch, Special, Break Up Twice, Naked, Birthday girl, If you love me
8. 19 & Dangerous (Deluxe) – Ayra Starr
The first release of this album appeared under the Worthy Mentions category of my 2021 music review. She released the deluxe edition with the standout hit song ‘Rush’ drawing me in. The deluxe edition made me appreciate her art even more, truly Ayra has cemented her place in the Nigerian music industry as a force to reckon with.
The initial album was good but the deluxe is even better and stronger. It’s not your typical deluxe album release where additional new tracks are placed at the end of the first release, she took her time to rework the tracklist such that there was a flow and made for a cohesive album. The standout flow in terms of song arrangement is ‘Running’ followed immediately by ‘Beggie Beggie’ and then ‘Karma’. The features on the deluxe also helped strengthen the album.
Most times we feel artists should have used the new material on the deluxe to start a new project or sometimes, the deluxe is quite unnecessary, but this one was indeed worth it and the re-working of the song arrangement gives the listener a much better experience.
Favourite Tracks – Fashion killer, Bloody Samaritan, Snitch, In Between, Running, Beggie Beggie, Rush
7. Best day of my life – Tom Odell
When Ivan told me to check out Tom Odell’s new album, I almost dismissed it saying Tom Odell doesn’t release good albums, that he was more of a one very good song per album kind of artist. Well, I’m glad this didn’t stop me from listening to ‘Best day of my life’ album as this is his best work yet.
The album as you can sense from the album art is a very introspective minimalist album with Tom’s vocals singing quietly over a piano throughout. His songwriting skills which I have never questioned shine so well on this LP, especially on the track – ‘Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About’.
I love how straight to the point the songs are and how he wastes no time pouring out his pain. On ‘Sad anymore’ he repeatedly sings – ‘I don’t want to be sad anymore…’ sort of like an affirmation till his entire being gets the drill and rewires itself into happiness.
There are nine tracks and three interludes (a total of 12 tracks) but the album is just under 30 minutes. I listen to this album when I need to calm myself down even though it is laden with sadness, which is ironic being that the album opens with the lines ‘I think today is the best day of my life…last night all I wanted to do was die…’
Favourite Tracks – Best Day of My Life, Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About, Sad Anymore, Flying : )), Enemy, Monday
6. SOS – SZA
This album came towards the end of 2022. Truth is, I still haven’t even immersed myself fully in it but I already know it’s going to get me through the first quarter of 2023.
I haven’t exactly been a fan of new school R&B; the likes of H.E.R, Ella Mai, Summer Walker, Jasmine Sullivan, and Sza. But this album has totally won me over and I just might go from her and embrace the sound fully, I mean I do love a handful of other songs from some of the above-listed artists.
This album couldn’t have come at a better time when I’m finally having to face all the repressed feelings from my breakup. The album has been my companion and keeps me company at times when I’m all up in my feelings. The album is mostly about moving on reluctantly from an ex, you know those relationships that were great but you know the right thing is to end it yea? You know they are not exactly ideal for you at the time but you still want to hold on to them nonetheless.
The album is so good I’m going to ignore its 23-tracklist length. Look out for the surprise rock-influenced track – F2F, it was strategically placed in the middle of the album, like the album bridge to spice it up/give it more flavour.
Favourite Tracks – Kill Bill, Seek & Destroy, Snooze, Notice me, Gone girl, Smoking on my Ex pack, Nobody gets me, F2F, Conceited, Special
5. Renaissance – Beyonce
One thing that makes Beyonce’s albums great and stands out from her previous release is how she reinvents herself every time and her intentionality. This was a bold move by her, delving into the house music/dance genre while also striking a good balance with her usual R&B sound as in ‘Plastic off the sofa’ and ‘Virgo’s groove’. Worthy of note is the cultural importance of the album, the samples, black history, and LGBT references she drew inspiration from. This album continues with her unapologetically appreciating her blackness, continuing from her Coachella performance and ‘Black is King’ album.
The first thing I noticed about the album was the interesting thing she did with transitions, this was way before everyone started tweeting about it. For me, this album ends at track 9, though ‘Heated’ and ‘Thique’ could be added to make up 11 tracks in total and Renaissance would have been the perfect album.
The album including fillers like ‘America has a problem’ and ‘All up in your mind’ at this stage of her career is a major miss. It feels like a sacrilege having these tracks in the same LP where songs like ‘Cuff if’ and my favourite song of 2021 – ‘Plastic off the sofa’ are in. Maybe the visuals might help make me see the direction and give the songs new meaning on why they are in the album, well, that’s if they ever get released.
Favourite Tracks – Alien Superstar, Cuff it, Break my soul, Church girl, Plastic off the sofa, Virgo’s Groove, Heated
4. Broken Heart – Alessia Cara
This was the first of four compilation albums Alessia Cara released in 2022, and well, the best of them including the main album the songs were lifted from (Her 2021 In the Meantime LP). Compilation albums are not new to her, as she usually releases selected songs that fit a theme or mood, sort of like a playlist.
Broken Heart is the album her previous album couldn’t be. Two new songs were added, however, the bulk of the album is made up of selected songs properly re-arranged with a perfect track length to create a much more complete and cohesive body of work that fits perfectly with the album title. This gave a much stronger album and to be honest, the only one that should even exist. This album was a major source of comfort when I needed music to hold me in its calm embrace. Yea, it was quite a tumultuous year relationship-wise for me, the track ‘Slow lie’ held me through most of the chaos.
Favourite Tracks – I choose, Bluebird, I miss you Don’t call me, Slow lie, Best Days, You let me down
3. Hardest Part – Noah Cyrus
I wasn’t sure about the direction this album was going as the first two singles didn’t exactly sound groundbreaking as expected following her excellent EP (The End of Everything). Well, as I have come to realize, some songs sound way better in the context of the full album and that’s exactly what happened.
I was most impressed with the full-country direction she went with. I was expecting a mix with pop genre as with her 2020 EP, but this was even way better and she did something with this album. She might not enjoy the same level of fame or commercial success as her sister – Miley Cyrus, but for me, she is the more creative one (maybe because she writes and sings about pain).
Favourite Tracks – every song on the album
2. Mr. Money With The Vibe – Asake
2022 was Asake’s year, impressive how this was also his ‘debut’ year in the Nigerian music scene and rule did he. I was late to the party on this one even though I was seeing his name everywhere, but once I took time out to check his album out, I got hooked from the first listen. I think asides from the catchy Amapiano-influenced beats and creative visuals accompanying his singles, the magic lies in how quickly the album wraps up in 30mins and leaves you wanting more.
Hopefully, we’ll get to enjoy more of him in the coming years and he won’t fade away like Naira Marley who was the rave of the moment circa 2019 when he debuted.
Favourite Tracks – Terminator, Organise, Dupe, Joha, Nzaza, Sungba
1. Humble Quest – Maren Morris
I have been a Maren Morris fan since her first mainstream album release – Hero (2016). Before this album, she had released three albums as an independent artist before signing a record contract.
Humble Quest for is the album Maren has been trying to make all these years. She’s always done the country genre, but on this album, she sounds more relaxed and confident. The album is very gentle, yet the songs linger in your subconscious as you go about your daily activities wondering about trying to find your way through life, fighting for and trying to hold on to love despite the bane of long distance, friendship, and other existential issues.
For some reason, I found myself circling back to this album all through 2022 and it helped me through all the haze and changes I had to deal with.
Favourite Tracks – Circles Around This Town, The Furthest Thing, I Can’t Love You Anymore, Humble Quest, Background Music, Detour, Hummingbird, What Would This World do?
WORTHY MENTIONS
- Superache – Conan Gray
- Who Do You Pray To? – Sam Tompkins
- Maybe Someday I’ll be okay – Clinton Keane
- Can You Afford To Lose Me? – Holy Humberstone
- Sonder – Dermont Kennedy
- Bridges – Calum Scott
TOP EPs of 2022
- Love Is Not Enough, Vol. 2 – Young John
For those who grew up listening to Nigerian music in the 2000s, the popular phrase at the start of several songs – ‘Young John the wicked producer’ sure rings a bell. After creating quite an impressive career as a producer starting at the early age of 17, he has now stepped out of the shadows to the forefront and successfully delivered an outstanding EP which boats one of my favourite songs of 2022 – ‘Xtra cool’.
2. Ethereal – Voyageur
Voyageur is fast becoming my sure EP plug. Everything about this EP is just as the title says – ethereal. The songs take you to that floating peaceful realm away from life’s struggles.
3. Trvstfall – Trvstfall
One of my new finds of 2022. I love the hope the EP excludes, times when I needed the motivation to keep moving forward, this was one EP that met that need.
4. Vaultboy – Vaultboy
This EP centers on heartbreak. The very pop sound doesn’t exactly make the songs sad but the lyrics are clear enough to have you thinking of your last breakup.
5. War within – Kendall Morgan
Another break-up EP, but this one is more of ballads and the songs truly pierce through.