The year in (Wil’s favorite) music: 2022
Oh hello, 2023. Last year there were many albums I liked by artists I love. They show up on my mix and in my top 10 list — but my favorite 2022 releases were by artists with debut albums or that I was spending serious time with for the first time. During the year, I worked, I side hustled, and I listened.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet a few friends in northeast Alabama to share my picks in person. It’s all part of a simple tradition we call Music Weekend. And somehow (what is time?) this was my 10th year!
We have more sounds available than ever to console, amuse, inspire, etc. Life can get tricky and I appreciate the many artists that help me navigate it, every day. Here’s the 2022 work that captured my attention the most.
The Mix
Listen to wk22: steps in time, a mixtape featuring 90 minutes of songs I enjoyed from 2022. (Crossfade encouraged in your ̶ ̶ ̶S̶c̶a̶m̶i̶f̶y̶ ̶ ̶* Spotify settings.)
*pay artists
The List
Of all my favorite releases from 2022, these (clickable) albums were my go-to's:
10. Angel Olsen — Big Time
After learning about all that had happened in her life leading up to its release, Angel’s record sounded totally different to me. The tenderness of remembering her exchange with her lost mother that started with “I love you big time” and was rebutted with “I love you more.” She turns grief into beauty, personal into universal. On each repeat listen, I’m loving it more.
9. Kendrick Lamar — Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
Unlike any record since Mount Eerie’s A Crow Looked at Me has an album demanded my attention this much. More loosely curated than his prior releases, this double album allows Kendrick to explore deep, dark topics without holding back. It’s not always easy, but witnessing Kendrick’s learning is rewarding. This is a human album from someone who has lived.
8. ROSALÍA— MOTOMAMI
No disrespect to Beyoncé but this album was my Renaissance. The endlessly inventive, pristinely polished, and energetically varied album seemed like a harbinger of fun times ahead. Instead of wondering, Will the pandemic ever run its course?, the record reminded me that people can’t wait to get back together on road trips with rolled-down windows, and preferably, a foot on the gas.
7. Ben Zaidi — Acre of Salt.
My introduction to Ben’s music started with a couple of well-timed singles shared by a bestie. And by the time his debut album dropped, I was here for it. Haters will say it’s just Jack Johnson with less money and more instruments. But the sheer diversity of masterfully crafted songs on under-explored (and personal) topics cemented me as a super-fan of the young Seattlite.
6. Lucrecia Dalt — ¡Ay!
OK, so which of these records will I be listening to most in 2023? This one right here. The moody, sparse, and passionate ¡Ay! packs enough catchy numbers to make me gravitate to it over the latest Björk record (no shade intended) and I can only hope that more close listens will help animate an understanding of Lucrecia’s unique craft lurking in the shadows.
5. Willi Carlisle — Peculiar, Missouri
One day, my copy of this sold-out album will arrive and I can relive the joy of experiencing it anew. A geeky conversation with a country-leaning neighbor pointed me to his work and I immediately was comforted by so many touchpoints woven into this record. I hear (the good) Bright Eyes and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and zydeco and so much more, but the output is fresh as heck and can only be named Willi Carlisle.
4. Big Thief — Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Big Thief’s sprawling double LP does two things at the same time: 1) introduces new instruments from mouth harp to banjo to drum machine that each add layers to a now recognizable sound, 2) practices restraint by keeping alive their tradition of gorgeously composed and simply executed songs. You know it’s a great record when many artists choose different favorites to cover.
3. Alabaster DePlume — GOLD
The most surprising album of the year for me, Alabaster DePlume blends a river of spoken word and sung musings with compelling and fresh instrumentation that made me want to return again and again to see what other textures I hadn’t yet noticed. Something like if The Books did a jazz album, GOLD combines what I love about both easy and more demanding listens.
2. Group Listening — Clarinet & Piano: Selected Works, Vol. 2
This duo had popped up for me here and there in the past with their amazing choice of covers. But there was something about 2022 that made me want to feel like I was on an elevator to a better time. With takes on beloved songs by Big Star, Mamman Sani, Neu!, and Laraaji, it was easily my most listened-to record. And now I have other artists to check out based on GL’s superb taste.
1. Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul — Topical Dancer
By the time we got to the end of it, the year didn’t provide a more fun album for me. Riding momentum from well-spaced EPs, Charlotte & Bolis’ debut record hooked me by sounding provocative and then solidified my enthusiasm by being provocative. The record proves it’s possible to dance, think, and laugh simultaneously. Recommended for people looking to reconnect with people.
After hearing the mix, check out 101 tracks from wil’s top releases of 2022 in order. Like or hate something? Let me know, friend!
