BEST ALBUMS OF 2022

What a year in music 👁👄👁…

Let’s revisit some of the bangers of 2022. 👇🏽

It’s here: the annual Tunes & Oats Best Albums of the Year.

It’s the best in indie, alternative, and a spectrum of genres of 2022.

This year T&O is doing top 25 albums + more! That’s 10 more than last year and 15 more than the usual top 10.

Some personal background:

According to my Apple Music Replay, I listened to 1,277 artists this year. That doesn’t include the artists on Spotify who I checked out. In 2022, I had a subscription to both Apple Music and Spotify and I stream music nearly 70/30 percent of the time, respectively.

(Users have mentioned that the Replays and Wrapped haven’t seemed accurate. I think they’re pretty close to accurate.)

My 2022 most streamed artists on Apple Music include: Slater, Slowdive, The Drums, Modest Mouse, and Bladee. On Spotify, I have: The Cure, death’s dynamic shroud, Hot Flash Heat Wave, King Krule, and Yves Tumor.

Here we go!

25. Joyce Manor – 40 Oz. to Fresno

Pop punk band Joyce Manor of Torrence, CA has not slowed down one bit. They’ve been constantly releasing albums and they named their latest one after the Central Valley city of Fresno, CA. They sold out their show in Fresno not long after releasing tickets.

24. Metric – Formentera

Millennials will remember Metric as one of those 2010 era bands but did you know that they started in 1998? Metric’s latest release is a cool electronic alternative album that I recommend you check out.

Fun fact: one of their side projects includes members Emily Haines and James Shaw in the supergroup Broken Social Scene.

23. Dry Cleaning – Stumpwork

Dry Cleaning is one of my girlfriend’s favorite bands. We saw them recently at the This Ain’t No Picnic festival. If you’re into vocals that are more spoken than sung, with post punk instrumentals, you’ll love Dry Cleaning.

22. Mitski – Laurel Hell

I understand that Laurel Hell wasn’t loved as much as Mitski’s 2018 album Be the Cowboy, but I love the ’80s vibe that we see in this album and in other projects in 2022. Mitski is a legend and I appreciate what she did in Laurel Hell.

21. Duster – Together

Duster is one of the greatest slowcore bands of all time. They have a lengthy career spanning over 25 years and it’s interesting to see the next wave of music listeners (Gen Z’ers) be so into them. It’s probably thanks to their popularity on Tik Tok. Duster seems like one of the chillest bands out there and you’ll like Together if you’re into that shoegaze-y type of stuff.

20. Black Dresses – Forget Your Own Face

I really love how Black Dresses keeps their content fresh and genuine. I would have actually been disappointed if they stuck to their original plan of not making music after their Peaceful as Hell 2020 project. Well I’m glad they’re still at it and making dope experimental hyperpop. Don’t miss out while they’re hot!

19. Dungen – En Är För Mycket Och Tusen Aldrig Nog

Dungen: one of the several Swedish bands that you’ll see on T&O. I’ve seen this band described as psychedelic or progressive rock. I think they have a unique sound and they have quite the discography of trippy rock music. Even though I didn’t look into any translations to any of the lyrics on their latest release, it was still a coo album to vibe to.

18. Show Me the Body – Trouble The Water 

Show Me the Body is a band I started listening to this year. I really dig their take on hardcore punk music and it is beautifully heard on Trouble the Water.

17. Yung Lean – Stardust

Another Swedish star. Jonatan Aron Leandoer Håstad, aka Yung Lean, has been making music since a very young age and he has perfected his craft in his latest rap masterpiece Stardust. It features FKA Twigs, Skrillex, and members of Drain Gang. Check out “Bliss” and enjoy Twigs over a post-punk bass line.

16. Interpol – The Other Side of Make-Believe

One of the OG post-punk revival bands of the early 2000’s, Interpol is still doing their thing. TOSOMB is a nice addition to their catalog of cool albums. They were definitely one of my favorite bands to have seen in 2022.

15. Angel Olsen – Big Time

If you’re already a fan of Angel Olsen then Big Time may not disappoint. Personally I’m just not into twangy music but Angel Olsen might be one of the few exceptions. Great album with sad bangers.

14. Bladee – Spiderr

Have you heard of our savior Bladee? It’s pronounced like “blade,” but I like adding the “ee” sound. Swedish superstar and member of Drain Gang, Benjamin Reichwald, is what’s dope right now. His often auto-tuned rap and glitchy hip-hop beats has swept the world and I’m here for it. Spiderr is good and I recommend you check out all of his and Drain Gang’s stuff. You’ll find a lot of cool stuff that’s for sure.

13. Bladee & Ecco2k – Crest

It’s Bladee again with fellow Swedish homie Ecco2k. This album is fun and is overall a pretty nice listen. Please do yourself a favor and check out “The Flag is Raised!” 👇🏽

12. of Montreal – Freewave Lucifer F<ck F^ck F>ck

Kevin Barnes has an impressive discography. He’s released almost an album each year since of Montreal started in 1996. Just like other artpop artists like Björk, of Montreal keeps it interesting and fun. Barnes is a true pioneer of whimsicality in electronic music.

11. Thaiboy Digital – Back 2 Life

It’s another member of Drain Gang. Born in Thailand, Khazitin G. Bonleunge, aka Thaiboy Digital, does it big in Back 2 Life. While living in Sweden, he met fellow members of Drain Gang and continues to collab with his fellow Swedish homies. I really dig Thaiboy’s bars and his overall direction in this album.

10. Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia

What a dope album from modern post-punk band Fontaines D.C.. What else can I say? They’re from Ireland and make bangers.

9. FKA Twigs – CAPRISONGS

Twigs continues to live her life and make incredible music. Even though I fell for her experimental pop material, I appreciate what she’s been doing in recent years and I think CAPRISONGS has really neat tunes. She’s been collaborating with a bunch of artists and in her latest album, you’ll find The Weekend, Shygirl, Daniel Caesar and more.

8. Turnover – Myself in the Way

Turnover is not new to T&O and I’m happy to see them continue to make music. Their sound has been more indie-dreampop-rock and I’m not mad about it. Myself In the Way gives off a bit of a Phoenix vibe, especially their title track featuring Brendan Yates of Turnstile.

7. Metronomy – Small World

Here’s some more dreampop on the list. But Metronomy is not new to this arena. Small World is nice and I really hope you check out the rest of Metronomy’s discography if you haven’t already.

6. The Garden – Horseshit On Route 66

As my girlfriend puts it, The Garden’s Horseshit on Route 66 is “zany.” It’s punk. It’s Vada Vada. It’s mosh pit material. The Shears brothers are not slowing down. They are true geniuses in their art.

PS Tunes & Oats is a safe place for jesters.

5. Beach House – Once Twice Melody

This is not Beach House’s first time on the blog. Once Twice Melody is a great record. I think they have such a nice, likable sound with their shoegaze-y elements. All could enjoy the Baltimore-based duo.

4. Phoenix – Alpha Zulu

Phoenix is still at it and making dance-friendly albums. Alpha Zulu is good and now’s your chance to get into the French band if you haven’t already. They’ve been one of the biggest indie bands out there and I think that everyone should give this album a listen. Oh and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend is featured on the track “Tonight.”

3. Hot Flash Heat Wave – Sportswear

Hot Flash Heat Wave is one of my most listened to artists of 2022. From my hometown of San Francisco, HFHW continues to make creative and fun indie hits. Check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed or your money back.

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cool It Down

2022 has been an exciting year for bands of the 2010s indie era. Yeah Yeah Yeahs really cemented their legacy with their latest, Cool It Down. Karen O is a legend and it’s really dope to see her and the rest of the band making authentic tunes.

PS Check out the documentary “Meet Me in the Bathroom” on paramount plus or showtime. You’ll see footage of the early 2000’s NYC underground indie scene with artists like Karen O.

1. Mars Water – The World’s on Fire

Mars Water is making a debut this year on Tunes & Oats – and at the #1 spot on the list for albums of the year. The World’s on Fire is a beautiful collection of songs. Maybe it’s the sadness that is so appealing but I really felt like this album was very nicely put together. The monotoned vocals and lofi indie makeup by Portlandian Ponny Kosmas really got me.

EP Picks of 2022

Blood Orange – Four Songs

Dev Hynes has been teasing music since the lockdown days and I was so he relieved later in the year with the dropping of his extended play Four Songs (which does contain four songs). Even though this year he did not release an album, it’s been quite a significant time in his career with all of his recent achievements. Thank you Dev Hynes and everyone else who contributes to Blood Orange.

Slater – Spy on the Wall

Slater has been no doubt my most listened to artist in recent years. I want to give a special shoutout to his Spy on the Wall – EP and hope you can give his music a listen and enjoy it as much as I do.

100 gecs – Snake Eyes

100 gecs are big players in hyperpop. A late release in the year but Snake Eyes gives you a glimpse of the chaotic yet melodiousness of what the duo can do.

Honorable Mentions

Arca – Kick

Arca, pronounced “awh-cuh,” of Venezuela, has just released a compilation of songs spanning their collection of five Kick albums over three years. Incredible how they can blend and experiment with reggaetón and hyperpop. If you like Bad Bunny, you might just fall for Arca. Don’t be afraid. Listen and watch!

death’s dynamic shroud – Darklife

Death’s Dynamic Shroud is a trio of dudes who are killing it right now. They put out crazy concoctions of sounds and they blend different genres seamlessly. Darklife came out in 2022 but I felt that DDS deserves to be a special honorary mention here on T&O. I strongly recommend that you check out their album Faith in Persona.

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Aaaaand that’s it for this year!

I just really like discovering new music and I hope I can help you discover something too.

Feliz año nuevo! – David 12/29/2022

(Best seen on a computer or tablet)👇🏽

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