In such a stacked year for music these are the releases that stood out the most to our hard working staff in 2022.

Arthur Machado, Music Director

Albums:

1. Vyley Pony, can opener's notebook: fish whisperer
2. underscores, boneyard aka fearmonger
3. Bladee & Ecco2k, Crest
4. magnólia, caru vai à luta contra os bixinhos do seu coração
5. Hey, Ily, Psychokinetic Love Songs
6. Elder Jack, Elder Jack Long Play
7. Alex G, God Saves The Animals
8. xaev, berdlycore chapter 1
9. Shoobie, We All Come From The Same Pit
10. Ben Quad, I'm Scared That's All There Is
11. Sex, Fear, Sex, Fear Presents: 

Honorable Mentions: 

1. Thaiboy Digital, Back 2 Life
2. SOUND BANDIT, SOUND BANDIT FM
3. Birth Day, Boyhood
4. Team Mekano, mekanoworld.xyz
5. Sonhos Tomam Conta, Maladaptive Daydreaming

EPs: 

1. All of the Asian Glow projects (Coverglow, Weatherglow & Paraglow) 
2. Camp Trash/ Michael Cera/ Oolong/ Weatherday, Edema Run
3. Birds Fear Death,Livestream Death Compilation
4. Excuse Me Who Are You? About That Beer I Owed Ya
5. Hey, Ily, Friend Group From Hell

Singles: 

1. Ecco2K & Bladee, “Amygdala”
2.  Ben Quad, “You're Part of It” 
3. Adorável Clichê, “Gelo Fino”
4. boby3, “Re:turn (Ba Dot Bop) [ft. gulo]”
5. TwerkNation28, “Drake Plays Undertale? WHAT WILL HE DO? Answer in The Comments @DJFamilyGuyImPeter”

Cringe is my personal brand and I am proud of it. I am not sure when this label started but I have built a reputation around having non-conventional tastes and boldly displaying them to those around me. From Drain Gang to Weezer, or from nightcore to hyperpop, I wear my music taste on my sleeves and will defend it until my dying breath. However, this year a strange phenomena occurred. One evening I receive an ominous Discord message from my co-host, best friend and cringe connoisseur Amelia with a Spotify link to can opener's notebook: fish whisperer. Immediately after listening to the opener “you're not a real musician” I replied with a prophetic text with “this might take aoty lmao.” The rest of the night we could not stop texting back and forth praising Vylet Pony's production, influences and themes. That night marked Amelia joining our radio show as a permanent co-host and sent me into the brony rabbit hole, completely overtaking my 2022; having Vylet as my undisputed most streamed artist, and fish whisperer as my most streamed album. 

The 16 song-long aquatic masterpiece is a direct follow up to Vylet's dynamic 2021 release CUTIEMARKS (And the Things That Bind Us.) It takes the Skrillex influenced hyperpop production of Vylet's previous release into an introspective indietronica journey, that is nothing short of beautiful. Tracks like “i've still got something to teach you” and “the hippogriff festival” are ethereal crescendos, blending IDM sensibilities with art-pop that rivals industry mainstays. In such a stacked year for hyperpop and emo, I could not have predicted that a brony popstar would have such a deep impact in my year and this short review is an earnest love letter to Vylet Pony's masterpiece. This album embodies and celebrates the terminally online culture I love so much and I will continue to bravely defend it. I donated for the vinyl fundraiser, hosted a brony rave, learned way too much about Cutiemark lore, befriended and booked brony musicians to play at WSUM's very own Party in the Park (shoutout SOUND BANDIT <3) and I would do it all again. This album fucking rules and everybody. Hell… everypony needs to break out of their jaded cynicism and give it a shot. Put your hooves up and meet me at the hippogriff festival where I'll be spinning some Vylet and having the time of my life. 

Claire Borgelt, Traffic Director

Albums:

1. Ben Quad, I'm Scared That's All There Is 
2. Sex, Fear, Sex, Fear Presents 
3. The Simps, Siblings 
4. Arctic Monkeys, The Car 
5. Luke Leavitt, Rose's Space 
6. Shoobie, WE ALL COME FROM THE SAME PIT 
7. Watermelon Collie, From Here to There 
8. Carly Cosgrove, See You in Chemistry 
9. Elder Jack, Short Work 
10. Mt. Oriander, Then the Lightness Leaves and I Become Heavy Again 

EPs: 

1. Excuse Me, Who Are You? About That Beer I Owed Ya
2. VomBom, Night of the Bloodsuckers 
3. Diet Lite, John Told Bob Told Rob
4. Smoke Free Home, Nervous Strut 
5. Lunar Moth, In the Mourning

Singles: 

1. My Chemical Romance, “Foundations of Decay” 
2. Ben Quad, “You're Part of It” 
3. KULE, “Complete Regression” 
4. Basketball Divorce Court, “Oops! We Don't Use That Word on Barbie.Com”
5. RIOTNINE! , “No One Wants Pain” 

2022 was an exceptional year for emo music, Ben Quad's debut album stands out for the sheer number of hits on its track list. I'm Scared That's All There Is is a blur of iconic riffs, delivering reflections on change, identity and bittersweet relationships. 

I've loved Ben Quad since hearing “We're Gonna Be Here for A While” in its single format last fall, but it was hearing the band perform live in July which secured them “album of the year” status for me. It was a Monday night in a small third-story venue, but they drew one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds I have ever seen at a DIY event. From the first notes of “Blood for the Blood God” to the pensive, fading end of “Joan of Hill,” the audience was enthralled and so was I. Now, the studio versions of the songs just remind me of that night; the wall-to-wall mosh pit and convergence of sweaty emo energy. 

Dominic Dorais Burt, Production Director

Albums:

1. FKA Twigs, Caprisongs
2. Lykke Li, EYEYE
3. Yeule, Glitch Princess
4. Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn, Pigments
5. Perfume Genius, Ugly Season
6. Kilo Kish, AMERICAN GURL
7. Kim Petras, Slut Pop
8. Ethel Cain, Preacher's Daughter
9. Shygirl, Nymph
10. Machine Girl, Neon White Soundtrack Part 1 ”The Wicked Heart”

Honorable Mentions: 

1. Fossora, Bjork
2. Rosalia, Motomami
3. Various Artists, For the Birds: Birdsong Project Vol. 1
4. Beach House, Once, Twice Melody
5. Big Thief, Dragon New Warm

Twigs has 2 LPs, 3 EPs, and 1 Mixtape. Routinely, I listen to each. While she's artistically grown in the 10 years she's published music, what keeps me coming back to even her oldest work is its uniqueness. Her newest, CAPRISONGS, is no exception, delving confidently into new territory. From the first song, it's clear this mixtape is more playful than the former, subtler, MAGDELENE, but to no qualitative sacrifice. It's all that can be expected, confessional lyrics and layered production, through the refreshing outlook, “thank you, thank you, I'm okay now.” This is no more evident than in the predominantly rap and R&B featured artists, whose styles Twigs confidently embodies. Never did I expect to hear her flow over a drill beat, nor alongside Shygirl. Yet she pulls it off without compromising her artistry.

As a mixtape, CAPRISONGS flexes Twigs' diverse abilities. Some slow, some fast, each song stands alone. And as such, none require complex analysis to be enjoyed. But for the committed listener, there's more to dissect than a random collection of songs. This mixtape is structured with very Twigian finesse. Thematic shifts are preceded by cassette-clicks, sometimes audio clips of relevant conversations; interludes incorporate production from across the project to provide liminal space between otherwise disparate songs. Nearly a year after its release, such attention to detail makes relistening perpetually engaging, and excitatory to whatever she'll express next.

Camila Trimberger-Ruiz, News Director

Albums:

1. Omar Apollo, Ivory
2. Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Ti
3. Beabadoobee, Beatopia
4. Putochinomaricón, JÁJÁ ÉQÚÍSDÉ (Distopía Aburrida)
5. Cariño, CARIÑO
6. Rauw Alejandro, SATURNO
7. Horsegirl, Versions of Modern Performance
8. Rosalía, MOTOMAMI
9. Weyes Blood, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
10. The 1975, Being Funny in a Foreign Language

EPs: 

1. 1111, Un ciento mil once
2. Mil ataris por segundo, reconstruye tu pequeño corazón
3. Faye Webster, Car Therapy Sessions

Singles: 

1. Natalia Lafourcade, “De todas las flores” 
2. Lizzo, “Grrrls”
3. Nathy Peluso, “ESTAS BUENISIMO”

I walked into Ivory knowing I would like it solely because Omar Apollo has been the love of my life since I was 15-years-old. I've had the same signed poster of Apollo above my bed for the past five years. He's the preteen boy band phase I never had. However, Ivory exceeded my expectations tenfold. Apollo began toying with R&B with the release of Apolonio in 2020, but fully matured into it with this latest album, blending it with his alternative/indie roots. This mixto trend is something I've been seeing and loving across the board with Latin and Hispanic artists (C. Tangana, Bad Bunny, Rosalía, etc.) On my first album listen, the start of every song was like a punch in the gut in the best way possible. I think I tweeted something along the lines of “I'm girl pregnant rn,” and that feeling hasn't worn off yet.

Ria Dhingra, Traffic Director

Albums:

1. Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
2. beabadoobee, Beatopia
3. The Lumineers, Brightside
4. Mt. Joy, Orange Blood
5. Charli XCX, Crash
6. Arctic Monkeys, The Car 
7. Black Country New Road, Ants From Up There
8. Omar Apollo, Ivory
9. The Backseat Lovers, Waiting to Spill
10. Florist, Florist

Honorable Mentions:

1. Young the Giant, American Bollywood
2. Momma, Household Name,
3. Beyoncé, RENAISSANCE
4. Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
5. Social Cig, Cheesehead
6. Lizzy McAlpine, Five Seconds Flat

EPs: 

1. Faye Webster, Car Therapy Sessions
2. Diet Lite, John Told Bob Told Rob

Singles: 

1. Black Country New Read, “Snow Globes”
2. Caamp, “Lavender Girl”
3. flipturn, “August – Audiotree Live Version”
4. beabadoobee, “Talk”
5. Lizzo, “About Damn Time”

When I first started hanging around WSUM, I never thought much of my music taste, only that I listened to a lot of music. I found songs and held them close, played them over and over until my Spotify Wrapped top ten looked identical from year to year. My favorite sort of music wasn't limited to a particular genre, but my favorite songs were ones that made me feel nostalgic—mournful, bittersweet, music with soaring choruses. As someone who didn't play music and lacked the vocabulary to describe and understand it, my favorite part about songs has always been the lyrics, the words. To me, the best songs were the kind where you could just read the lyrics and “feel” just as deeply as hearing the notes. 

Becoming involved in WSUM might be the best thing I've done in college. I met my people, my community, and it got me to change the way I engage with and listen to music. For the first time, I started listening to records cover to cover instead of hyper-fixating on a singular song. I started appreciating composition past the lyrical, the deliberateness of track orders—the “story” of a complete work and the role sounds plays in it. Big Thief's 2022 record was the first album I truly took the time to listen and appreciate. With 20 tracks, the album seems to be about everything. Each song felt like a vignette part of a larger anthology—completely separate, but tied thematically. I became obsessed with Lenker's lyricism—how the album rambles and builds a flowing, adventurous, soundscape. 

My favorite song, “Simulation Swarm,” checks off all the boxes that make my brain itch: it's mournful, bittersweet, and the sentiment of the chorus (“I wanna drop my arms and take your arms”) was beautifully overwhelming. Yet, I found myself wanting to listen to an instrumental without lyrics—found myself surprised by loving it. 2022 became the year I started exploring music rather than having it play in the background, the year I started really listening to albums—and I kept coming back to this one. 

Raines Lucas, Assistant Tech

Albums:

1.  hemlock, October
2.  Various Artists, Through the Soil II
3.  Brad Oberhofer, The Andy Warhol Diaries
4.  Momma, Household Name
5.  Sadurn, Radiator
6.  MENU, Pushpin
7.  MJ Lenderman, Boat Songs
8.  Soft and Dumb, Soft and Dumb
9.  Volta Jazz, Air Volta
10.  Wombo, Fairy Rust

Honorable Mentions:

1. They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Lucky Styles
2. Horsegirl, Versions of Modern Performance
3. Alex G, We're All Going to the World's Fair (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
4. Faye Webster, Car Therapy Sessions

EPs:

1. Lifeguard, Crowd Can Talk
2. A Country Western, They Are Gutting a Body of Water, An Insult to the Sport
3. Kitchen, Four Songs 2022
4. Fish Hunt, Demos

Singles:

1. Rocket – “On Your Heels”
2. Fish Hunt – “Giving Head”
3. Free Range – “All My Thoughts”
4. Harvey Waters – “Run”
5. Babehoven – “Fugazi”

hemlock has altogether disproven the notion that writing a song a day must mean unfinished song-writing. October is an hour and a half; thirty-one songs; a month—but hemlock's latest album has no limitations. Instead, this album allows you to sense and understand what a month in Carolina Chauffe's life might feel like. No one day is the same, though themes do permeate October. Chauffe sings of cities I've never lived in, losses I've yet to feel, and loves I haven't had. And yet, it's their remarkable vulnerability that lets them deliver these sentiments to unknowing, willing listeners.

Though October might nod to the likes of Hannah Read, Sybille Baier, Alex G, the sound of hemlock is stand-alone. Chauffe blends guitars and voices with field noises, cats purring, monologues, and lullabies. October is sometimes uneasy, often comforting, and always honest. There's a density in their songwriting—the emotion epitomized right there between your ears. Maybe you're willing to hold it.

Matt Jarosinski, Program Director

Albums:

1. The Present Age, Avenues of Widespread Consumption 
2. Richard Dawson, The Ruby Cord
3. Elder Jack, Elder Jack Long Play 
4. Water Gun Water Gun Sky Attack, Total Swarm for Young Men 
5. Asunojokei, Island 
6. Rain Recordings, Artificial Night 
7. caroline, caroline 
8. a fungus, It Already Does That 
9. Watermelon Collie, From Here to There
10. Mildred, Pt. 2 

Honorable Mentions: 

1. Surface to Air Missive, Shadows Leap
2. Mild Sorrow Integrated, arbol 
3. Cola, Deep in View
4. …or Does it Explode?, Chrysalis
5. Fontaines D.C., Skinty Fia 

EPs: 

1. Elder Jack, Elder Jack Short Work 
2. Excuse Me, Who Are You?, About That Beer I Owed Ya
3. Subsonic Eye, Melt The Wax 
4. Collider, Excessively Worthwhile
5. Asian Glow & Weatherday, Weatherglow

Singles: 

1. Them Airs, Exploded Whip 
2. Lil Ugly Mane, Split Ends 
3. Able Baker, Tornado Alley
4. Lil Ugly Mane, Easy Prey 
5. Watermelon Collie, Trees II (Fade Away)

It is a paragon to the unfairness of the world that I have to introduce Avenues of Widespread Consumption by Oshkosh's The Present Age as if it were not ubiquitous. In an ideal society one would be auditorily assaulted by the album every waking minute, it would be purely inescapable, torturous even, not a moment of peace would ever be felt again. Instead, you'd bask in songs such as the opener “Culture Industry” and its astute lyrical content and frenzied yet impeccably taut performance. You'd be enveloped in the skittish earworms that are “Weak” and “Backup Plan.” You'd be mesmerized by the sparse soundscapes of “Swamp” and “Lightheaded,” and you'd be captivated by the bleak ingenuity that is the closing track “Cover Up.” 

Such is my manifesto, and I will not rest until every family in the US owns a copy of this marvelous album. In my closing words, I call upon you, dear reader, to join me in the excess consumption of the 2022 post-punk album Avenues of Widespread Consumption by Oshkosh, Wisconsin's The Present Age, for it is only you that can shift the course of our society in the angular and terse direction envisioned in this work. Thank you. 

Kait Fueger, Administrative Support Specialist

Albums:

1. Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin, Ali
2. Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
3. The 1975, Being Funny In A Foreign Language
4. Natalia Lafourcade, De Todas Flores
5. Wet Leg, Wet Leg
6. billy woods, Aethiopes
7. Beyoncé, Renaissance
8. Force of the Wind, COЮ3
9. Radiate Like This, Warpaint
10. Sasami, Squeeze

Honorable Mentions:

1. BLACKSTARKIDS, CYBERKISS*
2. Mitski, Laurel Hell
3. Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

EPs: 

1. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, I Killed Captain Cook
2. Blood Orange, Four Songs
3. Excuse Me, Who Are You? About That Beer I Owed Ya

Singles: 

1. hemlocke springs, “girlfriend”
2. LCD Soundsystem, “new body rhumba” 
3. Stereolab, Nurse With Wound, “Simple Headphone Mind”

There's some amount of universal agreement to 2022 being a fantastic year for music. From reunions and stadium tours, to album releases from artists not heard from in years, 2022 was truly a return to music. The albums released this year were incredible, with artists at their very best (no pun intended at The 1975). I remember the excitement when I heard Vieux Farka Touré and Khruangbin would be collaborating on an album. The Malian guitarist consistently brings soulful and eclectic music to the table. What better of a collaboration then with the Houston-based global music masterminds Khruangbin. The album is titled Ali, a homage to Farka Touré's father, Ali Farka Touré. Everything about the album is addicting. After a first listen through, I was fully certain the album was somehow laced. The truth is this album is ‘laced' with soul. Khruangbin and Farka Touré are no simple match, but rather two styles of music that coexist within each other. There are no separate colors, it's all blending. Ali started with a sunrise and ended with a sunset. It was guitars, bass, percussion, and vocal swelling. It was everything. Do not be mistaken, this is no walking music. Ali is to be enjoyed as you see fit, but I would recommend sitting or lying down as you may be swept off your feet. Everything just goes right. Everything is truly collaborative with both artists showcasing their diverse talents. In a world so surrounded by chaos and hatred, Ali is a peaceful wavelength we should all strive to ride on. There is no craziness, just really magical music. To Ali I say this, thank you. And to music, I'm excited to see what the next year brings.

Saffron Mears, Traffic Director

ALBUMS:

1. Shygirl, Nymph
2. Adrian Quesada, Boleros Psicodélicos
3. FKA Twigs, Caprisongs
4. Silvana Estrada, Marchita
5. Beyoncé, Renaissance
6. The Backseat Lovers, Waiting to Spill
7. Omar Apollo, Ivory
8. Beabadoobee, See you soon
9. SEULGI, 28 Reasons
10. Omega Sapien, Wuga

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

1. Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
2. The 1975, Being Funny In a Foreign Language

SINGLES:

1. Faye Webster, “Car Therapy”
2. Mei Semones, “Muchuu”
3. Blondeshell, “Kiss City”

Since watching her live performance of her 2021 single “Cleo” at Abbey Road, I have enjoyed watching the tremendous growth of London-based electro-pop artist Shygirl. I was first drawn in by her ability to mix ambient noise with electronic club beats, and early hits such as “SLIME” and “TASTY” that left me excited for what she would produce next. Singles like “Firefly” utilized a glitchy melody with Shygirl's signature breathy vocals that immediately made me a fan. Through Nymph, Shygirl was able to tell her story of sexual fluidity through a well-produced tracklist of seamless electronic beats and smart lyricism that kept me coming back throughout the fall.

With a long list of popular collaborators co-writing and producing such as Sega Bodega and Arca, Shygirl was able to bring a contemporary sound to upbeat dance floor tracks. Songs like “Shlut” and “Coochie (a bedtime story)” utilize melodic pop sounds while bringing a touch of humor to Nymph. I enjoyed the personal element of Nymph, as Shygirl speaks on her own sexual fluidity through her lyricism, while still keeping the tracks light and airy. Nymph remained a comfort album that I knew I could return to and enjoy time and time again. Overall, I found Nymph one of the highlight club records of the year with memorable lyricism and upbeat melodies that encapsulate the mystical aura of Shygirl.

Andrew Inamoto, Creative Director

Albums:

1. Mj Lenderman, Boat Songs
2. Big Thief,  Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
3. Wet Leg, Wet Leg
4. Smino, Luv 4 Rent
5. Alex G, God Save the Animals
6. Joey Bada$$, 2000
7. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Omnium Gatherum
8. 070 Shake, You Can't Kill Me
9. Omar Apollo, Ivory
10. Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights

EPs: 

1. Blood Orange, Four Songs
2. Faye Webster, Car Therapy Sessions

MJ Lenderman with Boat Songs was in fact not my most streamed album this year, but my most resoundingly important album this year. 2022 was a great year for me personally, and with that came the introduction of the album that made me reflect the feeling I had most of this year. From “Hangover Game” to “You Are Every Girl to Me”, this album allowed me to ponder on the good moments I had this year.

My favorite track “You Are Every Girl to Me,” I first heard on the car ride back to Minnesota in the last few weeks of that summer, from the inflection in his voice to the backing guitar, that song allowed me to feel a sense of decompression in such a busy but grateful summer. 

“Hangover Game” was my introduction to MJ Lenderman and stuck with me immediately, the comparison of Michael Jordan and his infamous flu game to the riveting grasp the backing chords give Lenderman, the song encompassed my favorite aspects of the album and Lenderman.

Riley Younger, Promotions Director

Albums:

1. Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
2. Momma, Household Name
3. Beach House, One Twice Melody
4. Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights
5. Toro y Moi, Mahal
6. DR. GABBA, Planet Piano
7. Wednesday, Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ‘em Up
8. MJ Lenderman, Boat Songs
9. Joey Bada$$, 2000
10. Yung Lean, Stardust

Honorable Mentions: 

1. The Simps, Eyedress, zzzahra, Siblings

Singles: 

1. Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock” 
2. PinkPantheress, “Where you are (feat. WILLOW)”
3. Gorillaz, “New Gold (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown)” 
4. Men I Trust, “Girl” 

Big Thief's album was like a gateway drug into country music. I know that sounds silly but this album came out in February of this year and it set the tone for my music interest the rest of the year. “Simulation Swarm” was my top song of 2022 and my most times in total listening was on April 18th. Shortly after, my friends and surrounding peers started introducing me to Wednesday and MJ Lenderman which I would say are very similar artists and genres; the latter MJ Lenderman being one of the guitarists in Wednesday. This country folk-esque genre led to my infatuation with Ween, which was one of my top artists of 2022. 

Anyway, I'd like to direct your attention to my second album of the year, Household Name by Momma. This album took me by surprise, I first saw Momma opening for Snail Mail at the Majestic alongside Hotline TNT at the end of August. I now find myself listening to Momma anytime I walk to class and fantasize myself in an all female rock band.   

My last shoutout has to be for the two of the most addicting songs that I have listened to this year; “Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy and “Just Wanna Rock” by Lil Uzi Vert. Steve Lacy as a whole is one of my top artists and has never disappointed me. Lil Uzi Vert on the other hand is someone that I do not pay much attention to, however when this song came out I could not stop listening. I highly recommend putting this song on if you ever need to go goblin mode. 

Aidan Dyer, Web Director

Albums:

1. Lowertown, I Love to Lie
2. Black Country, New Road, Ants From Up There
3. Horsegirl, Versions of Modern Performance
4. Alex G, God Save The Animals
5. Fontaines D.C, Skinty Fia
6. caroline, caroline
7. Cola, Deep in View
8. Dry Cleaning, Stumpwork
9. Knifeplay, Animal Drowning
10.  Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

Honorable Mentions: 

1. They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Lucky Styles
2. Nouns, While of Unsound Mind
3. foxtails, fawn
4. Sex, Fear, Sex, Fear Presents:
5. Militarie Gun, All Roads Lead To The Gun (Deluxe)

EPs: 

1. They Are Gutting a Body of Water and A Country Western, An Insult to the Sport
2. Asian Glow and Weatherday, Weatherglow
3. Subsonic Eye, Melt the Wax
4. Excuse Me, Who Are You?, About That Beer I Owed Ya

Singles: 

1. Lifeguard, “I Know, I Know”
2. Big Thief, “Simulation Swarm”
3. Lowertown, “Antibiotics”
4. Them Airs, “VR Fletchling”
5. Alex G, “Blessing”

Lowertown is a duo hailing from Atlanta, Georgia who describe their sound as a blend of electronic and lo-fi instrumentation with meaningful lyricism and melancholy, narrative lyrics. However, their Freshman LP, I Love to Lie, proves that they're capable of much more than that.

There's a vast amount of versatility displayed by the Atlanta duo on this album. We have sharp, anxiety-riddled post-punk tracks such as “No Way” and “I'm Not” alongside slow and somber indie tracks such as “Waltz in Aflat Major” and “Antibiotics”. Not to mention, the album closes off with “It's Easy For Me”, which is a guitar instrumental not unlike something you'd hear on a John Fahey album. All things considered, I Love to Lie is an incredibly catchy album. In fact, despite only being released two months prior, it easily tops my most listened to albums of 2022.

Nick Bruesewitz, Sports Director

Albums: 

1. American Heartbreak – Zach Bryan
2. Cowboy Tears – Oliver Tree
3. INSIDE (DELUXE) – Bo Burnham
4. Midnights – Taylor Swift
5. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar
6. Melt My Eyez See Your Future – Denzel Curry
7. Growin' Up – Luke Combs
8. DECIDE – Djo
9. The Car – Arctic Monkeys
10. Harry's House – Harry Styles

American Heartbreak is by far my favorite album of the year and maybe my favorite album of all time. Coming from a small farm town in Wisconsin, I became a fan of country music, but Zach is bigger than just country. Each of the songs on the album feel like they're telling a story, many of which I can connect with on a deeper level. Bryan has woven together country and folk music masterfully with American Heartbreak and I am rather impressed that a 34-song, two-hour long album has no duds. His music feels genuine in nature and almost carries a warm, comfortable vibe, which I can always listen to regardless of variables like my mood, the season or other aspects of life.

Anna Thompson, Community Outreach

Albums:

1. CMAT, If My Wife New I'd Be Dead
2. Momma, Household Name
3. Weyes Blood, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
4. FKA Twigs, Caprisongs
5. Cities Aviv, MAN PLAYS THE HORN
6. Father John Misty, Chloe and the Next 20th Century
7. Cate Le Bon, Pompeii
8. Yeule, Glitch Princess
9. Sex, Fear, Sex, Fear Presents:
10. Alvvays, Blue Rev

Honorable Mentions: 

1. Mitski, Laurel Hell
2. KAINA, It Was a Home
3. Alex G, God Save the Animals
4. Charli XCX, Crash

EPs:

1. Wednesday, Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ‘em Up
2. Raffaella, LIVE, RAFF, LOVE (Act I)
3. Excuse Me, Who Are You?, About That Beer I Owed Ya
4. Faye Webster, Car Therapy Sessions

Singles:

1. Diet Lite, “Madison City Parking Ticket Groove” 
2. Annie DiRusso, “Infinite Jest”
3. Thank You I'm Sorry, “Parliaments”
4. Lifeguard, “I Know I Know”
5. Toro y Moi, “The Loop”

Anyone arguing that 2022 wasn't an absolute vintage year for music is clearly being a contrarian on purpose and should be dealt with as such. I listened to and enjoyed so many new releases this year to the point where I spent far too much time reining in my honorable mentions list, but one has stuck with me consistently since the first listen: Irish pop star CMAT's glam country-pop album, If My Wife New I'd Be Dead. Released seventy-five years ago in March of 2022, the album blends contemporary indie pop with classic, Nashville-style country and the end result is the sonic equivalent of a fizzy strawberry cocktail (the finest kind). To be genuinely funny in one lyric and devastatingly human in the next, or better yet, to be both simultaneously, is one of CMAT's great strengths; armed with both sincere tenderness and a wry sense of humor, she seamlessly updates the elegance of Patsy Cline and the excess of Dolly Parton for a new generation. I must have a thing for country crossovers, because I can best describe my favorite EP (or not quite EP, not quite album) of the year, Wednesday's Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ‘em Up, as alt-country shoegaze. Either way, I've had If My Wife New I'd Be Dead in my rotation since March, and I expect it'll stick around for a good long time. At this point, we (me and the album, of course) are practically old friends – and if Meg Ryan is to be believed, isn't that what this time of year is all about?

Will Mandel, Station Manager

Albums:

1. Coco & Clair Clair, Sexy
2. Muddyoush, BEAUTY:BEAT
3. DOMi & JD Beck, NOT TiGHT
4. Dazegxd, vKiSS
5. RealYungPhil, Dr. Philvinci
6. Open Mike Eagle, Component System with the Auto Reverse
7. Bladee & Ecco2k, Crest
8. Yung Lean, Stardust
9. Mercury, Tabula Rasa
10. MAVI, Laughing So Hard It Hurts

Honorable Mentions: 

1. Earl Sweatshirt, Sick!
2. MICHELLE, After Dinner We Talk Dreams

EPs: 

1. Dirty Bird, Wagenmuzik
2. TisaKorean, 1st Round Pick
3. Certified Trapper, All Night Flights
4. Macabre Plaza, Out With the Old in With the Taboo
5. staysie atoms, JOYRIDE

Singles: 

1. MIKE, “Stop Worry!”
2. Dirty Bird, “The Question”
3. 454, “Thankful”
4. Joeyy, “From”
5. PinkPantheress, “Picture in my mind”

God, I LOVE Coco & Clair Clair. If you know me, you know I'm a huge advocate for having fun and playing around (and if you don't know me, now you know). Sexy is just that: goofing off, having a laugh, doing a bit, etc. This is not to say that it's not an album worthy of respect – Coco & Clair Clair are good at what they do. Nay, great. Fantastic, even. Their first album since 2017, while jam-packed with flippant insults that cut straight to the point (“The only bread you pussies get is a yeast infection”), feels like the platonic ideal of what the duo's been producing for the last seven years; sassy and classy for sure, yet imbued with a sort of elegance that only comes from true, complete belief of the album's core themes: Coco & Clair Clair are better than whoever they're talking to. And more interesting. And sexier. 

Of course, it's not all nose-in-the-air; “Be With U” draws the curtain back a little, as Clair Clair softly sings “I wish I could sleep in the palm of your hand / Hold me tightly, carry me to the end”, and the chorus on “The Hills” is equally tender. Sexy may seem like a perfectly constructed image of self-assurance, but it's more human than that. Coco & Clair Clair are willing to get sentimental when you least expect it, sneaking in little confessions that build up throughout the project. This album is pure, distilled Coco & Clair Clair, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Karla Ponce, Talk Director

Albums:

1. Rico Nasty, Las Ruinas
2. Magdalena Bay, Mercurial World (Deluxe) – (I know, it originally came out in 2021)
3. Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Tí
4. Omar Apollo, Ivory
5. BLK ODYSSY, BLK VINTAGE
6. Daddy Yankee, LEGENDADDY
7. SZA, SZA: SOS Complete

Singles: 

1. Artist, “Song Title” 
2. SiR, “Nothing Even Matters”
3. BLK ODYSSY, “Benny's Got a Gun”
4. Doechii, “Stressed”
5. Masego, “Say You Want Me”

Last Spa on Earth by Divino Nino mimics the feeling of stepping into a cosmic and feral club in the best way. LSE is the best intro to welcome the listener into new sensual sensations, starting with a heavy beat and a slow tempo. I love this band because they bring back the vibe of a Hispanic rock band from the 80s like Los Prisioneros, except they have a mix of synths, voice manipulators, and electric beats…so like Los Prsioneros and Magdalena Bay but different focus material – very sexy. This band makes me feral. All the members have charisma and a little attitude when they take up the main vocals. In “XO”, you can hear that cheekiness in the rhythmic rapping and beats, a style very familiar to that of reggaeton but with a twist bien Divino (get it?). The album, in totality, whispers in your ear, “Don't worry, do what you want; we've already said everything you're thinking.” It's a serenade of epicurean and carnal inclination where time does not exist. The tempo and mood changes go from upbeat, intense, and passionate, peaking at Ecstasy and coming down for a bit until they're looking for another thrill in Miami. The layering of voices, one robotic and pitched higher with the overlay of the original vocals, creates a somewhat off-kilter dreamscape. Miami is the essence of Miami Vice. It's a song about doing drugs, being on someone's rooftop party, and feeling the wind as you drive down the highway – also, is it an homage to Pitbull? I would like to think so. The album is blasphemous (challenging the Catholic Church) and a continuation of Divino Niño's greatness. DRIVE. XO. MIAMI.