It’s my favorite time of year! Music consumers and reviewers alike are taking time to reflect and create lists comparing and contrasting some of the best and worst of the year. I, however, am much too lazy to do that. Instead, I let an algorithm tell me what I was listening to this year. Now, I am going to spend some time talking about them.
Here are some thoughts on my top 22 songs of 2022 (starting with number one), according to the all-knowing Spotify Wrapped.
Happy list-mas, everybody!
Drive by Miley Cyrus– Bangerz is a highkey underrated album and is probably my second favorite Miley era (after Midnight Sky of course). I will die on this hill. This song is Miley at her best artistically, poetically, and passionately. The bridge of this song is absolutely gorgeous and almost ethereal while also having the in-your-face qualities that define this album. Miley Cyrus is one of my favorite artists, and this is arguably her best song.
July by Noah Cyrus- Noah Cyrus, however, was my top artist of 2022 and had one of my favorite albums of the year as well. This song is not from her new album, but instead is the breakout hit from her first one. Noah’s biggest strength in her music is her sincerity and this song just feels like she ripped out a page from her journal and set it to music. It’s beautiful.
Hold On by Alabama Shakes- I spent a lot of this year working and reflecting on said work and sometimes, I just wanted something easy. This song is just easy to listen to. Also, I turned 22 this year making Didn’t think I make it to 22 years old a #relatable line.
Take Yourself Home by Troye Sivan- The breakdown. The breakdown. The breakdown. It’s gorgeous. It’s timeless. It’s stunning. It’s delovely. Honestly, I don’t know what more I can say about Troye Sivan that I haven’t already said in previous reviews. Guys, if you like well-done pop music, just listen to him. Trust me.
All Around You by Sturgill Simpson- Yesterday, I had one of my most harrowing airplane rides. When I genuinely thought we were about to crash, this song came on shuffle. I realized that I wouldn’t mind dying to this song.
Hold On, You’re Coming Home by Drake- I maintain that Drake is at his best when he is not rapping. This is one of my favorite songs by him, mostly because the production is perfect. This song touches on universal and niche emotions that I can’t think of any other song doing. I want to also give a shout-out to Christina Grimmie’s (RIP) version of this song which was only slightly out of range of this list.
Fallin’ For You by Colbie Caillet- Taylor Swift wishes she could write a song as simple and universal as this. Adult contemporary can be good. Sometimes.
Crimson and Clover by The Shacks- This song is like a warm, ethereal hug. The harmonies on the chorus are just clever and haunting. This cover is just really good and perfectly takes the song in a new direction than the original.
YEAH RIGHT by Joji- When the anxiety you have lived with your whole life just becomes white noise. Imma fuck up my life. This song captures the feeling of nothing. Just, nothing. Oh god, this song made me angst.
The Spins by Mac Miller- On its own, this track is a hilarious and genuinely sweet look into the mentality of a young artist, about to make it big. However, this song takes on a whole new meaning after the untimely death of Mac Miller. I hope he accomplished every single goal he set out on this track. RIP
Lotus 72 D by Zé Roberto- People have accused Gen Z of only caring about vibes. My response: “And what of it?”. Delivering the vibes on this track is Zé Roberto, a Brazilian folk singer from the 1970s. This song was written about Brazilian F1 champion driver, Emerson Fittipaldi. This resulted in a rhythmic, beautiful, and wicked chill track that completely holds up from the 1970s. The vibes my friend, IMMACULATE. When the vibes are good, life is good.
Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars– One day, over quarantine, I got really sad and listened to the entire O.C. soundtrack despite never having watched the show. I don’t have much of an explanation for why this song stuck with me. I am still unsure if I like this track, but I did listen to it a lot.
Automatic Driver by La Roux- I recently did a 13-hour drive in one day, and let me tell you, this is the only song that came on multiple times that I did not get sick of. I first heard this track sampled on an amazing Tyler the Creator song, but this version is even better.
17 år by Veronica Maggio- Veronica Maggio is like a Swedish Taylor Swift with a more interesting voice. At one point in every songwriter’s career, they write a song about missing their hometown. This is Maggio’s attempt at “Castle On the Hill”, “Summer of 69”, or “Glory Days”. I am a sucker for this type of song. I understand absolutely none of the lyrics of this track, but this theme comes across in the melodic line so clearly.
walking in the snow by Run The Jewels, EI-P, Killer Mike- GOD DAMN THAT MOTHERFUCKER’S COLD is just a great line. Everything about this song is well-crafted perfection, down to using snow as a metaphor for white oppression and how “cold” it can be as a non-white person. The lyrics of this song are all about social problems and police brutality, coming out soon after the murder of George Floyd. This track manages to maintain the same level of musical intensity as lyric intensity resulting in a radical and amazing track that feels powerful in several important ways. Also, it’s a banger.
ORANGE SODA by Baby Keem- TELL YOUR BEST FRIEND SHUT THE FUCK UP. A vibe to the absolute extreme. I wanted to hate Baby Keem. I can’t. He’s got bops.
Habits by Mr. Kitty ft PASTEL GHOST- Mr. Kitty as an artist sometimes feels like he is from an alternate dimension and each song he releases is a small glimpse into it. This is one of my favorites from him, though he has yet to release a track I do not like. Sometimes, I just want to be transported out of this plane of existence. Don’t we all?
It’s Only Sex by Car Seat Headrest- I wrote quite a lot about this song in my article about asexual anthems. Since writing that article, I have only grown to love this song more.
Waves by K**** W***- I do think that K****’s worst nightmare is a Jewish woman enjoying his music, so I will continue to listen to it.
Wide Open by Chemical Brothers- I first heard about this song when listening to an actor’s interview where he talks about walking around his hometown and listening to it under the influence of hallucinogens. That is the perfect description of this track. Listening to it feels like I am wandering around, appreciating the world and all its beauty. It is the perfect hiking song, and I am happier because I found it.
Jag Kommer by Veronica Maggio- Veronica Maggio is the only repeated artist in my top 22 and if that doesn’t convince you to check her out, I don’t know what will. You may have heard the English version of this song called “I’m coming” by Tove Lo, but it fails to capture the true spirit of this song. This song is like a pure adrenaline shot whilst featuring one of my favorite pop bridges of all time. This track, individually, has a long list of awards and accolades of which it is completely worthy.
Puff Daddy by JPEGMAFIA, Kenny Beats– This is garbage disposal music in the best way possible. When I first heard Peggy, I didn’t get it. But a couple of years later, he is one of my favorite artists. Every track he releases seems to be better than the last. This song has an amazing beat and just seems to hit the right wavelengths in order to completely shut down my brain. I get it.
And that was 2022. Here’s to 2023!
