2022 didn’t have a breakout album like Olivia Rodrigo or Turnstile did last year, but it had plenty of memorable moments. Lurking in the corners of indie rock, metalcore, and hip-hop were some of the best records of the past 12 months.
Kendrick Lamar released his most personal album to date. The Devil Wears Prada and Underoath recaptured their 2000s metal energy. Young artists from Soul Glo to Static Dress suggest a promising future for heavy music. Then there’s the almighty Lorna Shore, whose greatness I struggle to put into words.
Between these releases and many more, check out the 40 albums I loved the most in 2022.
40. Kings Kaleidoscope – Baptized Imagination
39. No Pressure – No Pressure
38. Miami Nights 1984 – Sentimental
37. Charli XCX – Crash
36. Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time
35. Vein.FM – This World Is Going to Ruin You
34. Underoath – Voyeurist
33. Mitski – Laurel Hell
32. Orville Peck – Bronco
31. Drug Church – Hygiene
30. Pinegrove – 11:11
29. Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia
28. Smrtdeath – It’s Fine
27. Prince Daddy and the Hyena – Prince Daddy and the Hyena
26. Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See Your Future
25. Greyhaven – This Bright and Beautiful World
24. Thoughtcrimes – Altered Pasts
23. PUP – The Unraveling of Puptheband
22. The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention
21. Dayseeker – Dark Sun
20. Slipknot – The End, So Far
19. Holy Fawn – Dimensional Bleed
18. Julia Jacklin – Pre-Pleasure
17. Fit for a King – The Hell We Create
16. Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
15. Ethel Cain – Preacher’s Daughter
14. (Sandy) Alex G – God Save the Animals
13. The Devil Wears Prada – Color Decay
12. Soccer Mommy – Sometimes, Forever
11. Black Country, New Road – Ants from Up There
10. Norma Jean – Deathrattle Sing for Me
9. Static Dress – Rogue Carpet Disaster
8. Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems
7. Tallah – The Generation of Danger
6. Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
5. The Wonder Years – The Hum Goes on Forever
4. The Callous Daoboys – Celebrity Therapist
3. Alvvays – Blue Rev
2. Lorna Shore – Pain Remains
The Verbatim 