The 10 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far)

By Sam Demeo

2022 has been a great year for music with many amazing albums being released every week. It is tough to choose just ten albums for a list but these are some of the albums this year that I have found myself returning to time and time again. From the soaring highs of Black Country New Road's second record to the reflective introspection of Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, 2022 offers a large variety of fantastic offerings. This is a list of some of the most exciting and forward thinking albums of 2022 so far.

Black Country, New Road: Ants From Up There

The second album from seven piece London band Black Country, New Road is one of the most exciting records of the year. Ants from up there is a departure from their previous album’s post punky sound. The record consists of expert combinations of chamber pop, post and art rock. Vocalist Isaac wood comes through with some of his most beautiful and soul crushing songwriting thus far. Sadly, just days before the release of the album, Isaac Wood would announce his departure from the band due to mental health struggles. The record’s title is in reference to the appearance of people from a plane, or in this case a Concorde jet, a recurring theme throughout the album. Much like a Concorde jet, this album soars high and will speedily become a favorite for many.

Favorite tracks: Chaos Space Marine, Concorde, Good Will Hunting, The place where he inserted the Blade, bread song, basketball shoes.

Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Kendrick Lamar returns with his long awaited fifth studio album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. The record is a double LP filled with self reflection, ever changing beats and powerful commentary. I “I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime”, and throughout it is clear that Kendrick is searching for peace of mind. Much like a therapy session, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers sees Kendrick grappling with a wide variety of topics that he seems to have tried to avoid and suppress. As the album progresses Kendrick confronts and unpacks all of these topics. On album highlight Father Time, assisted by prolific British singer Sampha, Kendrick confronts his daddy issues over a smooth rare soul sample. The production Mr. Morale is immaculate with credits to notable producers such as DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Boi-1da and more. Kendrick shines yet again on an album that is as thoughtful as it is honest. Kendrick Lamar is truly one of the most prolific MC’s of our time, but if he wants us to take anything from this record, it is that he is only human.

FKA Twigs: Caprisongs

Caprisongs is billed by FKA Twigs as a mixtape but may be one of her most exciting and all encompassing works yet. The album embraces multiple different genres and sees Twigs experimenting with many different new sounds. Caprisongs features a wide range of collaborators from big names such as The Weeknd to up and coming artists shygirl, and Pa Salieu. These names help to incorporate different styles to the mixtape such as drill R&B, electronic, and more. Highlights of the record include Honda, a song that makes cruising down the London M25 sound exquisite, papi bones, a club banger, and thank you song. FKA Twigs comes through yet again with another brilliant body of work.

Favorite tracks: Honda, tears in the club, papi bones, Darjeeling, thank you song and ride the dragon.

Soul Glo: Diaspora Problems

Soul Glo is a American hardcore outfit formed in 2014 in Philadelphia. Diaspora problems tackles American inequality and racism with all out aggressive hardcore punk sound, powerful sentiments, and strong almost poetic writing. On the track F****d up if true the band asks “What enforced your belief that you can vote their power away”, a question many have been asking in light of recent events. Soul glo conveys the feeling that no matter how much they talk about these issues no one seems to care. The record has many grievances with right wing lunacy in the USA, but also confronts the lefts reluctance to take action on and fix the issues that impact people of color. This record is a fiery rebuke of fake solidarity, fake wokeness, and racism in America. On Diaspora problems Soul Glo has been making actionable music that demands to be heard.

Favorite Tracks: Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?), (Five Years and) My Family, We Wants Revenge, Spiritual Level Of Gang Shit, The Thangs I Carry, and Jump!! (Or Get Jumped!!!) ((By The Future))

Wet Leg: Wet Leg

It has been years since a British indie debut has taken the world by storm in the way that Wet Leg by Wet Leg has. By the time the band had released their lead single, chaise lounge in 2021, the album was already complete. What followed was a meteoric rise off of just two singles, ultimately releasing the record almost a year after the release of the first single. Wet leg mixes a catchy indie rock sound with humor, a mean girls reference, and how it feels to be young. Album highlights include the ear worm chaise lounge, wet dream, and I don’t wanna go out. If somehow you haven’t already heard this album it is a must listen of 2022.

Favorite Tracks: Being in Love, Chaise Lounge, I Don't Want to Go Out, Wet Dream, Loving You, Oh No, and Ur Mum

Viagra Boys: Cave world

On Cave World Viagra boys frontman Sebastian Murphy, and American ex-pat, is looking in on his home country from abroad and seeing what he describes as “the de-evolution of man”. Cave world continues Viagra Boys tradition of humorous gritty punk while also being the groups most cohesive record yet. The song troglodyte takes would be shooters and imagines them as weak cave dwellers in prehistoric times before the second amendment gave them any kind of power. On the song creepy crawlers Murphy plays a conspiracy theorist spouting absurdist theories about microchips, vaccines and lizard people. Cave world is a grimy, fun album filled with humor about the truly insane era we are living in.

Favorite Tracks: Troglodyte, Punk Rock Loser, Creepy Crawlers, Aint No Thief, Big Boy, ADD, and Return to monke

Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

Big Thief is folkier than ever on their new record. The album lacks an overall cohesion like some of the bands previous works, however the lack of cohesion works to their advantage. Dragon is an ambitious, massive record spanning across multiple sounds and genres. The band’s performances are strong and evoke greats such as John Prine and Fleetwood Mac throughout. The record mixes Americana, country, folk, and rock sounds. Lead vocalist Adrienne Lenker shines on Dragon with her bold writing and willingness to experiment. Dragon New Warm Mountain I believe In You evokes the warmth and comfort of sitting around a campfire singing songs much like the albums cover. Truly a record that everyone needs to hear.

Fontaines D.C: Skinty Fia

On Fonataines D.C.’s third album they are back and sounding better than ever. The band now living in London, recorded Skinty Fia only after dark in order to create feelings of discomfort. The band successfully created this sense of unease across the record which is filled with moody and melancholic songs. Skinty Fia is a very vulnerable record. album highlight I love you is love letter to Ireland with two heads. The song is about both the bands love for their country and the many issues they see in the place they love. Fontaines D.C. is at their very best on Skinty Fia, exploring new sounds and paving new paths for their future.

Favorite Tracks:

Big Shot, How Cold Love is, Jackie Down the Line, Bloomsday, Roman Holiday, The Couple Across The Way, I Love You, and Nabakov

Jean-Michel Blais: Aubades

An Aubade is defined as a medieval morning love song about lovers separating at dawn. Each song on this album is a waking cathartic release. On aubades Jean-Michal Blais makes post classical piano music that brings out the beauty in life. The record is Blais’ first release as a composer as Aubades is arranged for a 12 piece ensemble. The Record engages the listener each step of the way offering up a beautiful experience. I don't know enough about classical piano music to explain the intricacies of this album in detail but all I can say is don't miss out on this truly incredible release.

Favorite Tracks: murmures, passepied, ouessant, if you build it they will come, yanni, doux

Billy Woods: Aethiopes

Billy woods new record, Aethiopes, is a record filled with high concept raps and great production filled with rare samples from producer preservation. Billy woods is one half of the prolific New York City Hip-hop duo Armand Hammer who have been delivering excellent albums for years. Aethiopes is an antiquated European term for Africans that emphasizes both the overlap and dissonance between the idea of Africa and Africa the physical place. Woods Leaves this title open to interpretation but stated that it has everything to do with blackness as an idea. This album is a must listen.

Favorite Tracks: Asylum, The Doldrums, Haarlem, Sauvage, Remorsless, Versailles, and Smith + Cross

Honorable Mentions: Remember Your North Star, Motomami, Dawn FM, Last Night in the Bittersweet, RENAISSANCE, Fear Fear, caroline, Honeyglaze, Melt my Eyez See Your Future.

If you think we missed one of your favourite albums of 2022 so far let us know over on social media! Find us at @auxdotapp on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.