Best Music of 2022

Highlights

Ty Tabor is one of my favorite guitar players—I’m never disappointed by a King’s X nor a solo record, and this year’s was his best so far. It didn’t pervade my consciousness as much as Trail of Dead, but every track was excellent. I kept up my contemporary jazz listening, and put Tigran Hamasyan and Fergus McCreadie on repeat. I think this year was the most balanced across genres in a long time. I was lucky to be able to have a job that let me listen to my own music most of the day, most of the year. And when I lost it, music was one of my comforts. This was a banner year for longtime stans Devin Townsend, Björk, Sloan, Mitski, of Montreal, Destroyer, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
New discoveries: Flasher and THUS LOVE.

  • Album of the year: …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – IX: BLEED HERE NOW
  • Most tracks in the list: Wunderhorse – Cub
  • Honorable Mention to check out: Martin Courtney – Magic Sign

277 songs, 20 hrs. 13 mins. Total Time


TITLEARTISTALBUMTIME
1Through MeBeach HouseOnce Twice Melody5:49
2New RomanceBeach HouseOnce Twice Melody4:13
315 Miles AwayTom WilliamsTom Williams (Mini Album)3:14
4Don’t Forget Your Old ShipmateThe Longest JohnsSmoke & Oakum2:39
5CandlepowerSteve VaiInviolate3:31
6AvalanchaSteve VaiInviolate5:09
7Cattle in the CanePunch BrothersHell on Church Street3:32
8Orphan AnniePunch BrothersHell on Church Street5:01
9Enigma (feat. Nate Smith)Quentin AngusThe State of Things5:44
10Prester JohnAnimal CollectiveTime Skiffs6:29
11We Go BackAnimal CollectiveTime Skiffs3:23
12ShallowTy TaborShades2:48
13Your FantasyTy TaborShades4:22
14InsaneTy TaborShades3:01
15One Drop of WaterTy TaborShades5:40
16Doesn’t LingerTy TaborShades3:52
17Leaves Falling DownTy TaborShades3:15
18Working for the KnifeMitskiLaurel Hell2:39
19The Only HeartbreakerMitskiLaurel Hell3:05
20Love Me MoreMitskiLaurel Hell3:33
21That’s Our LampMitskiLaurel Hell2:25
22I Didn’t Know What Time It WasTigran HamasyanStandArt7:13
23Big Foot (feat. Joshua Redman)Tigran HamasyanStandArt7:30
24Softly, as in a Morning SunriseTigran HamasyanStandArt5:46
25Beijo PartidoAlexander ClaffyGood Spirits6:34
26All In My MindGeorgia HarmerStay In Touch2:28
27Strongest PersonGeorgia HarmerStay In Touch5:29
28The Hardest CutSpoonLucifer On the Sofa3:13
29Feels AlrightSpoonLucifer On the Sofa2:56
30Till I Get a DiamondJeffrey LewisAsides & B-Sides (2014-2018)2:52
31What I Love Most in England (Is the Food!)Jeffrey LewisAsides & B-Sides (2014-2018)2:26
32EmanationImmanuel WilkinsThe 7th Hand7:24
33Lighthouse (feat. Elena Pinderhughes)Immanuel WilkinsThe 7th Hand7:24
34It’s Only Dancin’Young GuvGUV III2:17
35Good TimeYoung GuvGUV III3:07
36maybe as his skies are wideBrad MehldauJacob’s Ladder3:43
37Herr und KnechtBrad MehldauJacob’s Ladder7:48
38Loping (feat. Kris Davis, Dave Holland & Terri Lyne Carrington)Walter Smith III & Matthew StevensIn Common III5:07
39Shut Out (feat. Kris Davis)Walter Smith III & Matthew StevensIn Common III4:27
40Eat the Wine, Drink the BreadDestroyerLABYRINTHITIS3:37
41The Last SongDestroyerLABYRINTHITIS2:34
42Clube da Esquina 2Ryan Keberle’s Collectiv do BrasilSonhos da Esquina3:45
43World Bangin’ On My DoorSam Jr.Sam Jr.5:22
441969 CamaroChris BallewSoul Unfolded3:29
45Here Come the FearsChris BallewSoul Unfolded3:54
46SummerScott HardwareBallad of a Tryhard5:22
47Is Something Wrong Tonight?Scott HardwareBallad of a Tryhard5:55
48UnderdogScott HardwareBallad of a Tryhard4:16
49Look InsideEnvy Of NoneEnvy of None4:44
50Spy HouseEnvy Of NoneEnvy of None2:23
51That Roy (feat. Justin Brown)Gerald ClaytonBells On Sand2:16
52BirdsMax Frankl72 Orchard Street5:11
53Hot Pink RaingearGabriel KahaneMagnificent Bird2:23
54Magnificent BirdGabriel KahaneMagnificent Bird2:41
55Bummer YearGood LooksBummer Year4:31
56Famously AliveGuerilla TossFamously Alive2:05
57Mermaid AirplaneGuerilla TossFamously Alive2:59
58Excitable GirlsGuerilla TossFamously Alive2:39
59Law HillFergus McCreadieForest Floor6:53
60LandslideFergus McCreadieForest Floor4:34
61White WaterFergus McCreadieForest Floor8:17
62Evilest ManKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardOmnium Gatherum7:39
63The Grim ReaperKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardOmnium Gatherum3:06
64PresumptuousKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardOmnium Gatherum4:53
65Predator XKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardOmnium Gatherum3:46
66The FuneralKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardOmnium Gatherum2:23
67Music For a Sushi RestaurantHarry StylesHarry’s House3:14
68SatelliteHarry StylesHarry’s House3:39
69CinemaHarry StylesHarry’s House4:04
70Ghost SongCécile McLorin SalvantGhost Song3:23
71ObligationCécile McLorin SalvantGhost Song1:33
72Love Will Never Say GoodbyeEric JohnsonThe Book of Making / Yesterday Meets Today4:58
73Move on OverEric JohnsonThe Book of Making / Yesterday Meets Today3:52
74Hangover GameMJ LendermanBoat Songs2:16
75Why HideQueen of JeansHiding in Place – EP3:51
76A Little Bit (More)!!!Let It Be Blue3:10
77Panama Canal (feat. Meah Pace)!!!Let It Be Blue2:43
78Empty OrchestraShearwaterThe Great Awakening5:07
79Everyone You TouchShearwaterThe Great Awakening3:47
80GlobePale Blue EyesSouvenirs3:35
81Dr PongPale Blue EyesSouvenirs7:22
82Valley ImpressionsForest ManagementFloor 93:04
83Talk to Me, Talk to MeBelle and SebastianA Bit of Previous4:27
84Cry 2 SleepYoung GuvGUV IV3:34
85Maybe I Should Luv Somebody ElseYoung GuvGUV IV2:57
86OvercomeYoung GuvGUV IV4:43
87Sentimental AnimalChris BallewPrimitive God3:53
88Just UntwistChris BallewPrimitive God3:00
89Primitive GodChris BallewPrimitive God3:23
90Cold Cold SheetsChris BallewPrimitive God4:03
91So ExcitedColaDeep in View3:00
92Water TableColaDeep in View4:04
93Loose Cannon ClubErin AnneDo Your Worst2:20
94Mirror MirrorErin AnneDo Your Worst2:24
95NibbadipFantastic NegritoWhite Jesus Black Problems3:47
96TrudooFantastic NegritoWhite Jesus Black Problems3:37
97Rats ReturnPorcupine TreeCLOSURE / CONTINUATION5:40
98Herd CullingPorcupine TreeCLOSURE / CONTINUATION7:03
99Take Me Avalon I’m YoungPond9 (Deluxe Edition)3:31
100SpeedboatMoreish IdolsFloat – EP3:48
101I SupposeImprovement MovementDon’t Delay, Join Today!2:50
102Meeting Eddie SmithDamien JuradoReggae Film Star3:38
103Gork Meets the Desert MonsterDamien JuradoReggae Film Star5:18
104Some DaysKHARTOUMSome Days – EP2:57
105I Was BornKHARTOUMSome Days – EP3:21
106SanchoThe WhitlamsSancho6:12
107With USoccer MommySometimes, Forever4:07
108Don’t Ask MeSoccer MommySometimes, Forever4:29
109Lizard On the Red Brick WallGuided By VoicesTremblers and Goggles By Rank4:39
110Unproductive FunkGuided By VoicesTremblers and Goggles By Rank3:28
111Goggles By RankGuided By VoicesTremblers and Goggles By Rank2:49
112Silence Is GoldenThe BethsExpert in a Dying Field2:56
113Your SideThe BethsExpert in a Dying Field4:42
114When You Know You KnowThe BethsExpert in a Dying Field4:09
115All Night LongJayWoodSlingshot3:26
116WhirlpoolPanda Bear & Sonic BoomReset5:01
117Everything’s Been Leading to ThisPanda Bear & Sonic BoomReset5:09
118Edge of the EdgePanda Bear & Sonic BoomReset4:49
119Tallest BuildingsMutteringGreat2:42
120American CoffeeJenny HvalClassic Objects6:02
121Classic ObjectsJenny HvalClassic Objects4:50
122Cemetery of SplendourJenny HvalClassic Objects7:02
123CorncobMartin CourtneyMagic Sign4:07
124OutcomeMartin CourtneyMagic Sign3:31
125SailboatMartin CourtneyMagic Sign3:06
126MerlinMartin CourtneyMagic Sign3:24
127Cave of the Crystal HarrierState AzureMemory Drift16:24
128Day 21Secret MachinesDay 21 – Single4:19
129HELP MEDemi Lovato & Dead SaraHOLY FVCK3:24
130Freakout / ReleaseHot ChipFreakout / Release3:17
131Out of My DepthHot ChipFreakout / Release3:55
132Key to the CitySorryAnywhere but Here3:41
133OverTy SegallHello, Hi3:20
134Hello, HiTy SegallHello, Hi2:47
135InsectsLarry Fast & SynergyInsects – Single5:02
136Immaterial GirlMarciMarci3:30
137RewindArt MooreArt Moore3:16
138Penny Candle…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadXI: BLEED HERE NOW3:28
139No Confidence…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadXI: BLEED HERE NOW5:16
140Growing Divide (feat. Britt Daniel)…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadXI: BLEED HERE NOW3:24
141Water Tower…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadXI: BLEED HERE NOW5:07
142Millennium Actress (feat. Amanda Palmer)…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadXI: BLEED HERE NOW4:23
143Last Believer Drop DeadSecret MachinesSecret Machines5:46
144Have I Run OutSecret MachinesSecret Machines7:48
145Still Running (5K)Lauran Hibberd & DJ LethalGarageband Superstar3:36
146Average JoeLauran HibberdGarageband Superstar3:07
147That Was A JokeLauran HibberdGarageband Superstar3:22
148Get SomeLauran HibberdGarageband Superstar3:17
149El Pañuelo (Live at Warfield Theater, San Francisco, CA – December 6, 1980)Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin & Paco de LucíaSaturday Night in San Francisco (Expanded Edition) [Live]7:58
150This ShitSpacemothNo Past No Future3:06
151Noise of Everyday LifeSpacemothNo Past No Future4:26
152Fifteen Minute LoverAykaEleven – EP2:45
153IallefallAykaEleven – EP3:00
154Wage Wars Get Rich Die HandsomeThe Mountain GoatsBleed Out2:30
155Need More BandagesThe Mountain GoatsBleed Out3:42
156NibsWeird NightmareWeird Nightmare2:59
157DarkroomWeird NightmareWeird Nightmare2:44
158Holding OutWeird NightmareWeird Nightmare7:40
159Marie KondoBreakup HaircutPunk Dancing for Self Defence2:24
160Why Can’t I Be Cool Enough to Move to Berlin?Breakup HaircutPunk Dancing for Self Defence2:54
161CutWorking Men’s ClubFear Fear6:50
162CircumferenceWorking Men’s ClubFear Fear3:49
163Spell It OutFlasherLove Is Yours0:57
164Still LifeFlasherLove Is Yours3:34
165All Day LongFlasherLove Is Yours3:20
166DamageFlasherLove Is Yours2:22
167Dial UpFlasherLove Is Yours3:11
168CrutchBand of HorsesThings Are Great3:43
169In the Hard TimesBand of HorsesThings Are Great4:16
170On My WayAvi KaplanFloating On A Dream3:40
171BetSnarky PuppyEmpire Central5:34
172Broken ArrowSnarky PuppyEmpire Central7:19
173BetterMichael Franti & SpearheadFollow Your Heart3:20
174Pale OasisState AzureSelected Modular Works II13:58
175Proxima CentauriState AzureSelected Modular Works II11:07
176Creep a Little CloserDisheveled CussInto the Couch3:59
177Grease StainDisheveled CussInto the Couch3:31
178For a MinuteThe Death Of PopFor a Minute3:19
179Record HighThe Death Of PopFor a Minute2:31
180OvuleBjörkFossora3:38
181Sorrowful SoilBjörkFossora3:16
182VictimhoodBjörkFossora6:57
183FreefallBjörkFossora4:31
184Fossora (feat. Kasimyn)BjörkFossora4:19
185We’re Not In Orbit Yet…Broken BellsINTO THE BLUE5:11
186The ChaseBroken BellsINTO THE BLUE5:30
187ButterfliesWunderhorseCub3:25
188PurpleWunderhorseCub3:23
189AtlantisWunderhorseCub2:32
190PoppyWunderhorseCub4:33
191Girl behind the GlassWunderhorseCub3:17
192MorphineWunderhorseCub4:54
193EpilogueWunderhorseCub3:28
194After the EarthquakeAlvvaysBlue Rev3:05
195PressedAlvvaysBlue Rev2:10
196Blue and SentimentalWill VinsonTripwire6:09
197Things (feat. Melissa Aldana)Will VinsonTripwire8:35
198EchoJulian LageView With A Room4:53
199Hell’s ItchKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardIce, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms And Lava13:28
200RepetitionerTHUS LOVEMemorial5:32
201In TandemTHUS LOVEMemorial3:40
202AnathemaTHUS LOVEMemorial3:31
203FriendTHUS LOVEMemorial3:16
204Part IV (Live)Keith JarrettBordeaux Concert (Live)7:18
205What’s the Trick?Jack WhiteFear Of The Dawn3:35
206I’ve Got You Surrounded (With My Love)Jack WhiteEntering Heaven Alive4:24
207Smoke & MirrorsKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardMade In Timeland15:00
208Patrol AcrobatiqueThe Fearless FlyersThe Fearless Flyers III – EP1:37
209Three BassesThe Fearless FlyersThe Fearless Flyers III – EP2:48
210HypertensionKing Gizzard & The Lizard WizardLaminated Denim15:00
211Separate WorldSt. LuciaUtopia4:53
212TouchSt. LuciaUtopia4:09
213Bitches (feat. Sam Gendel)Louis ColeQuality Over Opinion2:36
214Failing in a Cool WayLouis ColeQuality Over Opinion3:16
215ForgettingLouis ColeQuality Over Opinion1:56
216Park Your Car on My FaceLouis ColeQuality Over Opinion3:36
217Magical ThinkingSloanSteady3:41
218She Put Up With What She Put DownSloanSteady2:33
219Human NatureSloanSteady2:42
220Scratch the SurfaceSloanSteady2:56
221Panic on RunnymedeSloanSteady2:35
222F*****g Up What MattersTegan and SaraCrybaby2:52
223YellowTegan and SaraCrybaby3:48
224I’m OkayTegan and SaraCrybaby3:21
225Pretty S****y TimeTegan and SaraCrybaby3:30
226This Ain’t Going WellTegan and SaraCrybaby2:58
227GumptionTaylah CarrollHave a Party On Me – EP3:20
228Summer SomewhereLIESCamera Chimera – EP5:11
229EchoesLIESCamera Chimera – EP6:15
230No Ways No Means (feat. Tim Kasher)David KnudsonUndo / Redo – EP3:35
231Medalle (feat. Bayonne) [Nightblind Remix]David KnudsonUndo / Redo – EP5:05
232Person AALASKALASKAStill Life3:11
233Long Lasting PleasureALASKALASKAStill Life4:32
234Billy GoatRayland BaxterIf I Were A Butterfly3:56
235TadpoleRayland BaxterIf I Were A Butterfly3:24
236Thunder SoundRayland BaxterIf I Were A Butterfly6:05
237Grandfather WestinghouseGuided By VoicesScalping the Guru2:25
238Flood, Pt. 1King’s XThree Sides of One3:03
239All God’s ChildrenKing’s XThree Sides of One5:33
240Summer Is Over (feat. Potsu)Snail’s HouseUjbeats Vol.24:28
241MahaloSnail’s HouseUjbeats Vol.24:26
242Too Much to DoLaura JeanAmateurs3:43
243Folk FestivalLaura JeanAmateurs3:58
244A Funny Thing HappenedLaura JeanAmateurs3:39
245Fleeting FutureAkusmiFleeting Future5:19
246Divine Moments of TruthAkusmiFleeting Future4:20
247Neo TokyoAkusmiFleeting Future5:42
248Music Is BlueCass McCombsHeartmind4:50
249DaylightingHeather Woods BroderickDomes5:39
250The Screaming WaltzAoife WolfThe Wetlands – EP5:08
251Cellophane MaskHeifervescentSkeletonless3:05
252CarillonHeifervescentSkeletonless4:02
253Wake and ScreamHeifervescentSkeletonless4:40
254First BirdBill CallahanYTI⅃AƎЯ5:01
255Naked SoulsBill CallahanYTI⅃AƎЯ6:27
256Bittersweet TimpaniWOOZEThe Magnificent Eleven – EP2:50
257Cowardly CustardWOOZEThe Magnificent Eleven – EP3:43
258Back BurnerMoon ToothPhototroph3:53
259O My IsleMoon ToothPhototroph4:26
260People Grow ApartBrendan BensonLow Key4:15
261MoonpeopleDevin TownsendLightwork (Deluxe Edition)4:44
262Call of the VoidDevin TownsendLightwork (Deluxe Edition)5:53
263HeartbreakerDevin TownsendLightwork (Deluxe Edition)7:00
264Starchasm, Pt. 2Devin TownsendLightwork (Deluxe Edition)4:34
265Carry Me HomeDevin TownsendLightwork (Deluxe Edition)4:04
266Oh, ShadowlessNeko CaseWild Creatures2:26
267Who Put You up to This?Sunflower BeanHeadful of Sugar3:20
268Baby Don’t CrySunflower BeanHeadful of Sugar3:58
269Why Would You Want to Be Young Again?JoywaveCleanse3:46
270Ofrenda – Flanger – Ego – À Gogoof MontrealFreewave Lucifer F<Ck F^Ck F>Ck3:22
271Après Thee Dèclassèof MontrealFreewave Lucifer F<Ck F^Ck F>Ck5:19
272Modern Art Bewildersof MontrealFreewave Lucifer F<Ck F^Ck F>Ck4:05
273Hmmmof MontrealFreewave Lucifer F<Ck F^Ck F>Ck5:15
274UnplumbedLullThat Space Somewhere16:25
275Spit It OutBig Wreck7.2 – EP3:59
276Fear & CowardiceBig Wreck7.2 – EP5:11
277The Dark BladeState AzurePale Light of a Hollow Moon8:09