This record is brilliantly produced and you can’t find a bad track. It’s one of the few albums I can listen to over and over without getting bored. Nicole His Ray’s soulful voice can at times sound like he’s time traveled from the 1960s, and at other times it’s decidedly modern, like Through It All. “Piece of Me” and “Joy & Pain” evoke Aretha Franklin-like heartache with charming melodies. But there’s also a completely addictive rhythm perfectly captured by Tommy Brenneck and Leon Michels, which provides a solid foundation for Ray to showcase her vocal skills. Darrah Boyd, 34, London
What makes this album my favorite of 2022 is Rina Sawayama’s vulnerability. There is a journey through trauma, with each song one step closer to recovery. This album was difficult to listen to at first, but when I finished listening to the last track, I was overwhelmed with euphoria. Lina has managed to weave together pop, rock, country, R&B, garage, trance, industrial, folk, and more to create a somehow cohesive album. She also continues to voice complex themes (religion, sexuality, ethnicity) without losing her pop star qualities. Lana, 27, Essex
Every time they release a new album, Arctic Monkeys impresses with their uncompromising attitude. They follow their journey and share snapshots with us every few years, and their recent performance at Jools Holland perfectly showcased their latest work. Jonas, 27, London
courtship – guitar music
For me, the best album of 2022 is Courting’s Guitar Music. It’s really in its own lane, a brilliant hodgepodge of genres that makes for an overall masterpiece. Millie, 18, Monmouthshire
Soul Glo – Diaspora Issues
Diaspora Problems is the album’s fiery whirlwind. For me, it took punk and hardcore to sonically unprecedented places and pushed the genre forward. there is no. Seeing them live confirmed that this is not only my album of the year, but a band to watch. Andrew Seeley, 33, Liverpool
Tim Burgess’ double album Typical Music was a pleasant surprise. Like many people, I used to follow him on Twitter listening to his parties, so when he announced his release, I decided to give it a listen. The sound, which veers from punk to psychedelia to trippy dance, is very different from what his band, The Charlatans, has done before. Listeners never get bored with this genre-defying work. Anything but typical music if you ask me. Danny Jones, East Anglia
Angel in Realtime is a beautiful album full of hope and loss, and it means a lot to me because it helped me process the recent loss of my mother. Sometimes albums talk about life moments, but this album will forever be in my heart. Ian, 45, Ampthill
Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B
I Love You Jennifer B is a wonderful blend of genres and musical ideas. It’s always engaging, often captivating, and sometimes moving. Jockstrap captures this vibe perfectly. Concrete Over Water is a standout track, Greatest Hits is a blast and Angst’s use of the harp is inspiring. Catherine, 53, Oxford
King Gizard and Lizard Wizard – Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, Lava
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava is an album that even the band doesn’t remember the full name of. Initially, based on each musical mode he consisted of one hour jams, then edited down to his seven songs of about ten minutes, and finally the lyrics written and layered, the album was a psychedelic rock and full of enthusiasm. “Wow” scattered across the track. Crazy layers of distorted guitars, synths, bass, flutes and intertwined funky rhythms layered on top of each other, the band’s 21st studio album (and one of his three released in October this year). It creates a wild ride to his one). I have been active for ten years. Dom, 26, Cardiff
Ants From Up There doesn’t take away any of the creative brilliance or romantic poetic lyricism of New Road’s first album, Black Country, but moves them into a more accessible space. The lyrics and composition are even more skillful than when they debuted. All seven of her musicians in the band complement each other effortlessly and feel in sync. The album is often dark and can be spiteful and selfish in the hands of less skilled songwriters, but you can hear how fun they are to play together. I think. Rob McHugh, 29, London
Wet Leg is an interesting album, but it’s also darkly critical of male sexual demands and assumptions. It’s about women doing it differently without needing a man’s approval, and boys show it. Mel Zeki, 62, Lewis
In a year when many of my favorite artists such as Kendrick Lamar, The Comet Is Coming, The Smile, Saracey Cower, King Gizzard and Little Sims released standout albums, my top 10, straight into my album. Of the Year is the stunning Where I’m Meant to Be by Ezra Collective. Rarely is jazz more unabashedly delightful, incorporating hip-hop, Latin, dancehall rhythms, raucous horns and great guest vocals such as Sampaza Great and Kojay His Radicals. It’s an album that makes you smile and cheer you up, and in this time when the world is in turmoil, it’s no small joy to have music that instantly lifts your spirits. Srikar, Brussels
Traams – personal best
Personal Best is my personal best. It’s great to hear it on vinyl, and it’s great to hear it live. At least he plays four times a week, and it’s the end-of-the-week Friday banger. It’s a great album, and I hope more people will listen to it. Raymond Murray, 50, Brighton
For me, Renaissance is the most produced, most cohesive and culturally influential album of the last decade. Packed with excellent vocals and lyrics, it’s steeped in wit and history. Thirty years into his career, Beyoncé is still as hungry, passionate and creative as ever. A gorgeous homage to queer black music (house, disco, bounce, ballroom, afrobeat, trap, dance), this album is fresh, evocative, and endlessly replayable. Futuristic and nostalgic, complex yet simple, rich and expansive yet digestible. This is the album I wanted. Mick, 19, New York
I first learned of the duo of Jenny Hollingworth and her childhood friend Rosa Walton when supporting the Chvrches at a gig I attended over three years ago. I was overwhelmed by their skill and energy. I immediately bought both their albums, Gemini and I’m All Ears. It was funny at first but inconsistent. The second was very good. Third, there are wonderful things everywhere you look. Insect Loop is my favorite track, featuring a great guitar hook by him. It feels jerky in the beginning, but it’s very atmospheric and becomes an anthem. Mark Allen, Poole, Dorset
Lounge Society – Tired of Freedom
Lounge Society’s Tiered of Liberty is the thrilling debut of the Hebden Bridge quartet. It’s their own take on funk punk, where the music leads the way. I was staggered to find out that the band was still a teenager. TREATED OF LIBERTY is passionate, raucous, ups and downs, to exhilarating effect. Listen to the album and see this band live. you won’t be disappointed. Julia Mason, 57, Edinburgh
For me, Little Simz’ No Thank You is a collection of the year’s most personal and thought-provoking tracks, backed by old-school rap and hip-hop beats and flows. Her run on her three albums is just phenomenal. Anonymous, 24, London
Lissie – Carving Canyon
Just when she thought she couldn’t get any better at her game, Lissie came up with these songs. Raw, sad and uplifting, her Lissie is sure to wear her heart on a song that references the death of her dog and being carelessly dumped by her boyfriend during lockdown. increase. Amanda Longhurst, 55, buckinghamshire
Snarky Puppy – Empire State
After the tough years of the past, it’s time to do something to cheer you up. Like many others, I was demoralized by the pandemic. Snarky Puppy’s Lingus’ viral his performance, like so many others, lifted my spirits. But what kept me listening was their musicianship. Weird timescales, incredible solos, and full control of your instruments. They were the spark of excellence in a miserable world. Lynn Connolly, Warrington
After a long wait, Marlon is back in 2022 with a third album and an irrepressibly sunny new mood. From the soothing breezyness of his title track, to the seductive rhythms and struts of his My Heart the Wormhole, Don’t Go Back’s dark disco, this album is thrilling from start to finish, featuring Williams’ masterful voice. Perfectly expressed. A voice that makes you sing and cry, but above all, a voice that makes you sing. feltThinking of Nina is my favorite track, a tale of relentless romance with a perfectly judged ’80s influence. Kate Connolly, 40, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
