Top Albums of 2022

Gillian Amrein and Skylar Zelman
January 30, 2023

2022 was a busy year in the music industry, with countless artists releasing new music.

In no particular order, these are our favorite albums of 2022:

Dawn FM – The Weeknd

Dawn FM by The Weeknd was released on January 7th, 2022. It includes 16 tracks, and has a duration of 51 minutes and 49 seconds. Dawn FM is styled like it’s a radio station, with haunting speaking parts by Jim Carrey. The album provides a soothing, yet ominous mood. My top 3 songs from this album are as follows:

  1. Best Friends – Best friends has a 70’s disco vibe to it and it is a good song to dance to. 
  2. Gasoline – Gasoline is an upbeat song that plays with different sounds to create a robotic vibe. 
  3. Don’t Break My Heart – Don’t Break My Heart is another upbeat song that is about reflections on   a past relationship. 

Midnights – Taylor Swift

Midnights by Taylor Swift was released on October 21st, 2022. The 3AM (deluxe version) of the album includes 20 tracks. It was Swift’s long awaited 10th studio album, and it left many fans extremely excited. The album has a pop vibe to it with hints to many of her previous albums. My top 3 songs from this album are as follows:

  1. Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve- Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve is about one of Swift’s past relationships and her quick maturing. 
  2. Snow on the Beach (feat. Lana Del Rey)- Snow on the Beach is an angelic song that talks about a new relationship. 
  3. Karma- Karma is an upbeat song that is about Swift’s long history with karma and her good relationship with it. 

The Car – Arctic Monkeys

The Car by Arctic Monkeys was released on October 21st, 2022. It includes 10 tracks and has a duration of 37 minutes and 23 seconds. The Car has an old timey feel to it and each song takes you back to a different time. My top 3 songs from this album are as follows:

  1. The Car – The Car reminded me of a song that would be in a horror or mystery movie. It had an ominous vibe to it that made it the best song on this album in my opinion. 
  2. Sculptures Of Anything Goes – Sculptures Of Anything Goes had a great beat to it, and it had an old timey vibe to it. 
  3. Hello You – Hello You is a great song that starts out soft but continually builds into an upbeat song. 

Harry’s House – Harry Styles

Harry’s House by Harry Styles was released on May 20th, 2022. Harry’s House is made up of 13 tracks and has a play time of 42 minutes. Harry’s House has a light and homey feel which makes it easy to dance and sing along to. My top 3 tracks off of Harry’s House are as follows:

  1. Grapejuice – Grapejuice is the 3rd track on Harry’s House. Grapejuice has a soft and sweet melody and lyrics about falling in love over a bottle of wine. 
  2. Daylight – Daylight is the 5th track on Harry’s House. Daylight is about an affectionate relationship where you want to be “stuck” to the counterpart. 
  3. Daydreaming – Daydreaming is the 9th song on Harry’s House. With the use of bright and colorful horns, Daydreaming is the most danceable song on the album. The horns on this song are a sample from Ain’t We Funkin’ Now by The Brothers Johnson.

Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy

Gemini Rights by Steve Lacy was released July 15, 2022. Gemini Rights is made up of 10 songs and has a play time of 42 minutes. Although the album is somewhat short, Steve Lacy packs lots of fun and emotion into it. My top 3 tracks off of Gemini Rights are as follows: 

  1. Sunshine (featuring Foshee) – Sunshine is the 9th track on Gemini Rights. With a beat easy to bop your head to, Sunshine talks about feelings that arise about an ex after an encounter with them.
  2. Mercury – Mercury is the 3rd track on Gemini Rights. The satisfying melody of Mercury backs up his lyrics about remorse for a previous relationship.
  3. Helmet – Helmet is the 2nd track on Gemini Rights. Helmet is an upbeat song about trying to let go of an ending relationship.

RENAISSANCE – Beyoncé

RENAISSANCE by Beyoncé was released July 29, 2022. RENAISSANCE includes 16 memorable tracks with a play time of 1 hour and 2 minutes. With themes of confidence and freedom, RENAISSANCE is an energetic album sure to make you dance. My top 3 tracks off of RENAISSANCE are as follows:

  1. PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA – PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA is the 8th track on RENAISSANCE. This song is one of the more laid back songs on the album, but is still easy to dance to with smooth transitions between the verses and choruses. 
  2. HEATED – HEATED is the 11th track on RENAISSANCE. HEATED is an upbeat song with an addictive chorus about having to “cool it down” from her enemies. 
  3. VIRGO’S GROOVE – VIRGO’S GROOVE is the 9th track on RENAISSANCE. Alluding to her zodiac sign, Beyoncé talks about her Virgo tendencies on this danceable track.