My 2022 Favorites
I know we're a week into 2023 now, but if anyone still cares here they are
My highly anticipated end of year favorites! Decided these didn’t need to be split up into different posts this year (except for the albums post coming later this week!), so it’s all neatly below.
My Favorite Songs
Below is a playlist of my favorite songs of the year, ordered chronologically. A few technically came out in 2021, but I discovered them on projects released in 2022, so they’re included here.
My Favorite Songs, 2022
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY
My Favorite Music Videos
I don’t watch as many music videos as I’d like to (see resolutions section), but these are some that stood out from what I did watch. Ordered chronologically.
Jackie Down The Line - Fontaines D.C.
Vest & Boxers - Lava La Rue
SAOKO - ROSALÍA
Organon - Men I Trust
Secrecy Is Incredibly Important To The Both of Them - Yves Tumor
The Curse of the Blackened Eye - Orville Peck
Nothing Gives Me Pleasure - Girlpool
Crazy - Doechii
The Heart Part 5 - Kendrick Lamar
Share Ur Feelings - Junior Varsity
Kevin - AG Club
Far Apart - MorMor
It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody - Weyes Blood
Mantra - Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul
Shittin’ Me - A$AP Rocky
(for the record I don’t really like this song, but Rocky rarely misses with visuals)
My Favorite EPs
I listened to 186 EPs in 2022, these were my 25 favorite ones!
25. The Hopeful Cynic - Farrah Fawx
Genres: R&B, Dance, Hip-Hop/Rap, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Bree Runway, Doechii, KAYTRANADA, Dancing around the kitchen
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Check out my full writeup on this groovy project here!
24. View from the Bridge - Etta Marcus
Genres: Indie, Alternative, Singer-Songwriter
Recommended For Fans Of: Lana Del Rey, Laura Elliott, Wallowing in your feelings
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Etta Marcus started 2022 strong, and is looking to do the same in 2023. The followup to this EP comes out Friday.
23. Ms. Genius - Raveena Golden
Genres: Electronic, Pop, Hyperpop
Recommended For Fans Of: 100 Gecs, Tony Velour, GFOTY, Weezer covers
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Raveena Golden has been coming into her own more and more with each release. If this was a list ranking projects with the best cover of Beverly Hills by Weezer, Ms. Genius would be number one.
22. Four Songs - Blood Orange
Genres: Alternative, Indie Pop, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Jai Paul, Eyedress, Vegyn, Feeling mysterious
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Just a small project from Dev that almost feels like an afterthought is still better than plenty of artists trying their best.
21. Simple. - IDK & Kaytranada
Genres: R&B, Dance, Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: V. Cartier, DUCKWRTH, Unexpected partnerships
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
IDK is not the first artist I’d have thought of to have a collab project with Kaytranada, but it proves to be a worthwhile link up.
20. dirty tapes - not dvr
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Bakar, Yeek, Altering your name mid-year to favor SEO
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Scottish teenager makes the most of guitar loops over crunchy drum beats and a Kenny Beats feature for his third (breakout?) EP.
19. Bluff - yunè pinku
Genres: Electronic, Garage, Club, Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: PinkPantheress, John Glacier, Peggy Gou
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
Check out my full writeup on this head-bopping project here!
18. easygrowing - Kinrose
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Smino, Saba, Reggie
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Atlanta via MD rapper had a huge year, and it’s only looking bigger going forward. Get onboard while it’s still early!
17. MIDNIGHT - Whethan
Genres: Electronic, Pop, Rage, Hyperpop
Recommended For Fans Of: Yeat, glaive, brakence, HyperpopDaily
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The seasoned producer turns to a new generation of artists with entertaining results.
16. 4X4 - Tony Velour
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Brevin Kim, Raveena Golden, cookii
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Velour’s been featured on DBA before and in September he put out what might be his best/tightest collection of songs to date.
15. Getaway - Orion Sun
Genres: R&B, Indie, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Raveena, bLAck pARty, Lighting candles around the apartment
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
A beautiful collection of soft and intimate R&B tunes.
14. PURE ENERGY - THE BLSSM
Genres: Pop, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Wallice, James Ivy, Junior Varsity
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
A aptly titled bunch of alt-pop bangers, front to back.
13. This Is Our House - Pom Poko
Genres: Indie Rock, Pop, Art Pop, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Palm, Deerhoof, Mall Girl, Abstract art
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Norwegian avant-garde group picks up right where they left off on 2021’s Cheater.
12. Icarus - Cryalot
Genres: Electronic, Hyperpop, Metal
Recommended For Fans Of: Shygirl, Poppy, Abrasive pop
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Kero Kero Bonito spinoff project immediately grabbed me more than any KKB projects did.
11. Denim - Odunsi (The Engine)
Genres: R&B, African Rhythm, Electronic
Recommended For Fans Of: Cruel Santino, Amaarae
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Odunsi has nothing to prove on his first release since 2020.
10. Sunk - Babehoven
Genres: Indie, Alternative, Singer-Songwriter, Folk
Recommended For Fans Of: Tomberlin, Sadurn, Listening to sad songs when you’re already sad
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The earnest alternative duo stayed busy with an EP, album, and Audiotree live release in 2022, this being my favorite of the three.
9. Last Call - Rayana Jay
Genres: R&B, Pop, Funk, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Amber Mark, Ravyn Lenae, Leven Kali
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Bay Area singer put out her best project to date in 2022.
8. Jp5000 - Junglepussy
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Kari Faux, Jean Deaux
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Junglepussy makes music in a way that makes the $50 price tag she’s given this project on Bandcamp feel like a steal
7. Polyawkward - English Teacher
Genres: Art-Punk, Post-Punk, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Dry Cleaning, Sprints, Eades, Wet Leg
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Check out my full writeup on this poetically rowdy project here!
6. she / her / black bitch - Doechii
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Pop, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Doja Cat, Rico Nasty, BIA
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
With her first release since getting a viral TikTok hit and being signed to TDE, Doechii proves she has plenty more to offer.
5. Her Love Still Haunts Me Like a Ghost - Montell Fish
Genres: Alternative, R&B, Rock, Bedroom, DIY
Recommended For Fans Of: Steve Lacy, Christian Music
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Like Steve Lacy doing GarageBand covers of House of Balloons era Weeknd.
4. Motive - Joyce Wrice
Genres: R&B, Soul, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: UMI, Van Jess, Masego
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Wrice does not miss a step following up one of my favorite albums of 2021.
3. Twisted Bases - Crystal Murray
Genres: Alternative, Indie Pop, R&B, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: Janelle Monáe, Jorja Smith
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
It’s a double EP so kind of cheating (wasn’t really sure if this should go on the albums or EPs list and ended up dropping it here). But it exemplifies what makes Murray such an exciting artist to watch.
2. Estyland - Esty
Genres: Pop, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Rosalía, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Roller skating
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Check out my full writeup on this incredibly fun project here!
1. Side B - Junior Varsity
Genres: Indie Rock, Garage, DIY, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Jean Dawson, James Ivy, Harry Teardrop
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
Was already a big fan after their first EP, and feel like they still improved in every aspect with Side B. No misses on here.
My Favorite Albums, Honorable Mentions
I know it’s insane to make a list of my 100 favorite albums of the year and still feel like I have stuff I’m leaving off, but when you listen to as many new projects as I try to, that can happen. Since the point of this blog is to highlight artists and projects that don't always get as much recognition as they might deserve, I wanted to point out a few that just missed the cut for my top 100, and weren’t already featured in the blog for whatever reason.
Euphonyus - Phony Ppl
Genres: Funk, Soul, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Leven Kali, The Internet, Unexpected Megan Thee Stallion features
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The tenured Brooklyn group maintains their style while also stepping into a bit more pop friendly sound, with entertaining results.
Marci - Marci
Genres: Alternative, Indie, Soft Rock
Recommended For Fans Of: Tennis, Boyhood, Homeshake
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The TOPS keyboardist steps into the spot light with this smooth debut.
Morfo - Charlotte Dos Santos
Genres: R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Amber Mark, Ego Ella May
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Dos Santos follows up their debut album from 2017, and shows that good things come to those who wait.
The Gift - Around The Way Queen - Jimetta Rose
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Soul, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: duendita, Peyton, The Reading Rainbow theme song
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Rose and company put on a sample based R&B/rap masterclass with this album, 8 years in the making.
ELIO’S INFERNO - ELIO
Genres: Pop, Electronic, Dance
Recommended For Fans Of: Charli XCX, MUNA, Maude Latour
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Charli XCX protégé takes some big steps towards finding her sound on her latest album.
Consistency - i-sef u-sef
Genres: Jazz, Bedroom, Art Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: London O’Connor, Luke Titus & Cisco Swank
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Ann Arbor instrumentalist merges his love of bassoon with hip-hop beats on this one of a kind album.
sore thumb - oso oso
Genres: Rock, Alternative, Emo
Recommended For Fans Of: Origami Angel, Mom Jeans
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The songs on sore thumb are mixed and mastered versions of the final demos the band recorded before the unexpected passing of guitarist Tavish Maloney. It finds beauty in the rough, raw, and unfinished.
Finally, New - They Hate Change
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative, Indie Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Injury Reserve, The Cool Kids, De La Soul
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
The Florida duo might convince you that backpack rap is coming back, over varying and sporadic productions.
Lucky Me - Phoebe Green
Genres: Synth Pop, Dance, Alternative, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Sibille Attar, Jordana, Sad songs you can dance to
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
Following EPs back to 2016, the Manchester artist leans into some Robyn influence for her debut album, with rewarding results.
I’LL BE HERE TOMORROW - Madhouse
Genres: Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: The Weeknd
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
The Toronto singer flexes the raw talent of nailing a catchy hook on this debut project.
My Favorite King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard album
6 projects (along with two live albums and a 26 track collection of demos) for King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard in 2022. And they were all good? Think this is a hot take, but my favorite of the bunch was Omnium Gatherum.
Something about KG doing metal/hard rock does it for me (the 2019 album Infest The Rats’ Nest is another personal favorite of theirs) despite not really listening to that much of the genre otherwise. In this case, maybe it was the 18 minute opening track that almost serves as an album in its own right.
My Wrapped
Not actually wrapped because I don’t use Spotify, but it’s my Apple Music replay playlist. It’s mostly songs that were in my DJ set earlier this year and songs on my favorites playlist from above, but if you’re at all curious, there it is.
More Playlists!
I collected up all the songs featured in this post (in the Music Videos, EPs, and Honorable Mentions sections) into another little playlist here to accompany the playlist of my favorite songs of the year at the top of the post.
My (other) 2022 Favorites
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY
DBA 2023 Resolutions
My resolutions related to this blog for 2023:
Focus more on what makes this blog unique from discovering music off of a playlist
Diversify the content
Be more active on the socials (so give the Instagram and Twitter a follow!)
Branch out the ways I find new music
Watch more music videos
DBA merch drop
First DBA showcase
Reach 500 email subscribers (closer than you may think)
My 100 favorite albums of 2022, post coming this week!