Well butter my arse, it’s June. Not only is it the best time to start saying things like “blimey, we’re halfway through the year” but it also allows us to reflect on the last six months. 2022 has provided such an abundance of albums already that it could be absolute rubbish in its second half and STILL be considered one of the best years for Music. With modern classics released from all corners of the industry, it shows what good can be made when a certain global pandemic isn’t around.
We’ve done our best at featuring some of the best albums, but here’s a little list of my personal favourites of 2022 so far. I’ve ensured that the albums featured haven’t been mentioned on Dead Good before, which allows me to direct you to snoop through our Albums Review section to discover even more recommendations. Nice!
These will be all jumbled up into no particular order, so they may or may not even make any end of year lists. Who knows, I might end up hating them all. Anyway, enjoy!
Black Country, New Road – Ants From Up There
The second album from Black Country, New Road proved to be bittersweet, as along with it came news of the departure of Isaac Wood. Isaac had emerged as a terrific songwriter in recent times. Bringing quality, absurd lyrics to the band’s sound that really helped them stand out so quickly.
Ants From Up There proves that the band are talented enough to succeed in whichever direction they choose to explore, and while its sound could be considered more upbeat to For the first time, it still retained a lot of the uneasiness that made it so exciting. It is an excellent album that caps off the first chapter of the band.
Peaness – World Full Of Worry
Peaness have been making noise for a while, but finally entered the full-length market with World Full Of Worry. As to be expected from those in the know, it is one of the best debut records of the year. It offers gutsy instrumentation alongside introspective lyrics to provide the best of both worlds, and it’s a result that I return to over and over again.
CMAT – If My Wife New I’d Be Dead
Another debut that left a mark. CMAT’s first album is a glorious journey through the world of Country and Pop. Allowing you to wade through the vast genres to pick up all manner of rich instrumentals and warm hooks throughout. The melancholy hooks heard on ‘Nashville’ might just make it my song of the summer.
BODEGA – Broken Equipment
While some records take time to open up, others feel fine charging and leaving you for dead. BODEGA’s Broken Equipment is a behemoth that does not ease up. The frantic pace of ‘Thrown’ gives you a heads up that what’s to follow is going to be nothing but pure chaos. It is an unhinged descent into madness that picks at our disillusioned world and comes with a slice of groove to keep you hooked.
Laney Jones – Stories up High
Laney Jones’s fourth studio album is wonderful. It is my go-to album for rainy days. Built upon a solid set of acoustic-based instrumentals, Stories up High welcomes us into its world with a series of storytelling that’s hard to resist. Its laid-back tempo fits the vibe of its album cover superbly, and the vibes heard throughout are hard to top. A real surprise, and a great introduction into Laney’s work too.
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
While I’m probably not going to be able to do this album justice, the latest effort from Kendrick Lamar cannot be praised enough. It is beyond a set of songs, but an experience we’ve come to expect from Kendrick. An emotional double album that comes in strong with aggressive, negative traits that illustrate a spiralling world of abuse and hatred before mellowing out into acceptance and growth. Whether an album like this could’ve been possible had Kendrick not released the likes of good kid and To Pimp A Butterfly is for another time, but Mr. Morale is absolutely worth your focus right now.
Bob Vylan – Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life
Bob Vylan have quickly become one of the most straight-talking acts out there. With an honest and open account of everyday life on the not-so Tory side of the world, the duo throw bullshit to the ground and tell it like it is. Their newest album, …The Price of Life sees them build off of their excellent debut with an equally compelling set of songs that will get all up in your face.
Jack White – Fear Of The Dawn
While I would’ve been happy with more from the bizarre world of Boarding House Reach, Jack White opted for a direct approach for his new venture. Fear Of The Dawn fills the room with a storming set of Bluesy riffs to tear apart the abstract ideas of Boarding House Reach and delivers straight up tunes instead. It is to the point and entertaining throughout.
Loose Fit – Social Graces
Not many bands burst onto the scene with as much energy as Loose Fit, and their first album Social Graces absolutely took that ball and ran into the sun with it. Still in keeping with the chaos of their self-titled EP, Social Graces is a wonderfully frenetic listen that gets pulses running HIGH. I will always love the inclusion of horns amongst their traditionally Punk roots, and this album sees that combination shine.
Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
I was late to the game of Big Thief – arriving via Adrianne Lenker’s songs last year – and immediately became wrapped in the warmth of Dragon New Warm…’s ‘Change’. While the album title offers little sense, it does highlight how much variation is held within this beast. It mastered the art of switching between acoustic and experimental songs and flows way faster than you would expect 90 minutes of material to flow.
It is a gorgeous, well-crafted album that allows each song to grow naturally, creating one of the most rewarding listens around.
And there we have it! Ten albums that could easily be considered some of the best of the year. Do you agree with these recommendations? Are there any albums that might have been missed by us? Let us know below.