It was a great year for music. Many amazing albums were released—some well known, some not. Here are my picks for the top 10 albums of the year . . .

10. The Loneliest Time - Carly Rae Jepson

After the years that were 2020 and 2021, 2022 was the year for pop music to shine. Jepson’s astounding sixth album took full advantage of this. The Loneliest Time is a powerful album with themes of loneliness, family, awkwardness, and love; and the disco beats and synths layered throughout the album add the sparks necessary for this music to resonate.

9. Nymph - Shygirl

The debut album from British experimental pop singer/rapper Blane Muise (AKA Shygirl) is quite the statement. In 2022, it’s quite uncommon to come across an album so unique and fresh, but Muise seems to have released one with ease. To put Nymph in a genre would be difficult, but some words that work are electronic, dance, R&B, rap, hip-hop, progressive pop, etc.

8. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow - Weyes Blood

Singer-songwriter Natalie Mering (a.k.a. Weyes Blood) has managed to follow up her critically acclaimed 2019 release, Titanic Rising, with yet another extravagant record. Like her past albums, And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow’s strength lies in the top-notch songwriting and Mering’s stunning vocal performance. A style akin to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Mering pulls listeners in on her new album with her vocals and nostalgic production.

7. Fossora - Björk

At this point in her career there is not much Bjork can do to surprise listeners, but Fossora manages to do so. Incorporating reggaeton beats into her classic techno style put many listeners on blast. A stark contrast from her last record, 2017’s Utopia, Fossora feels heavy and grounded. The bass utilized is done with clear purpose and is successful in making this album both mature and grungy.

6. CRASH - Charli XCX

If CRASH does anything good, it is its consistency. CRASH is not revolutionary by any means, but its strong track listing and composition make that irrelevant. To many fans, a synth-pop album is exactly what they wanted from her, and she gave it. Each song is produced down to the wire making the album sound full and diverse.

5. Preacher’s Daughter - Ethel Cain

Another spectacular debut album from this year, Hayden Silas Anhedönia (a.k.a Ethel Cain) dives headfirst into darkness in the conceptual masterpiece that is Preacher’s Daughter. This album follows the life and death of Ethel Cain, a character created by Anhedönia. Each song on the album represents a part of Cain’s life (and her death) as she deals with topics such as abuse, drug-use, murder, etc. The album ends with a stunning ballad from Cain’s spirit in heaven as her body is cannibalized (…yeah.).

4. SOS - SZA

Congrats SZA, you did it. After five long years, SZA has finally released her sophomore album, and it lives easily up to the hype. A massive 23 songs, SZA has rap tracks, classic R&B tracks, and even throws in an early 2000’s sounding pop rock track (flawlessly IMO). With too many high points on the album to count, it has become one of the best albums released this year and in the decade as well.

3. CAPRISONGS - FKA twigs

A self described mix-tape, this album almost never happened. After twig’s last release, MAGDALENE from 2019 (a career highlight), twigs contemplated ending her music career. Her last albums were so filled with grief that this album comes as an epic surprise. A dance album at heart, this record is filled with light hearted electronic R&B tracks recorded during studio sessions with friends. CAPRISONGS is an excellent addition to a stunning discography.

2. RENAISSANCE - Beyoncé

Since her last record in 2016, Lemonade, Beyoncé has released a soundtrack, a collaborative album, and a live album, but it seems she has forgotten to release a solo album. Finally this year she remembered, and the result is near perfection. An album dedicated to the club, Black culture, and her family, RENAISSANCE has no weak tracks and an abundance of bangers. It’s hard to put a record of such magnitude into words.

1. MOTOMAMI - Rosalia

Seasoned Latin vocalist Rosalia is no stranger to a great record—but MOTOMAMI is more than that. A stunningly ambitious jump into reggaeton, hip-hop, jazz, flamenco, experimental, and the avant-garde, Rosalia managed to pair so many genres into one. Each track is a fascinating listen accompanied by some of the best vocals in mainstream music. The album’s bass lines are intense as well. MOTOMAMI is an exciting turn for Rosalia and the music industry as a whole.