best of HONESTLY, 2022. - Top 25 Singles + FINISHED!!!

[dreamofyou]

CAPRISONGS is honestly brilliant, if only she cut a few tracks off it would've been perfect

[Into The Void]

Caprisongs isn't an LP?  

 

INTERESTING alright 

[worldwide angel]

twigs, rico and hook

[Chamoy]

I'm kinda rooting for ex hyperpop chanteuse Turnabout after seeing how unpopular he is with the hauntaholics. 

[SLIME]

Your thread every year always make me wish I kept up with more music videos.

 

Not able to load the lists right now sadly.

[TheWayWeWere]

I can see only descriptions  

Caprisongs is a SLAY  honestly didn't expect much to it, but it's so energetic and fun, I love how she combinates both experimental side of her and more poppy one

[TRF.]

Wait... are images really not loading  gosh that's terrible.

 

I'll try to update OP with the lists so far in text form, but I won't be able to continue updating the rest without images. Hope they can fix that soon cause like...

[Legend E]

Yeah, so I can figure Caprisongs is on the list based on the comments. I found it quite meh unfortunately.

 

Looking forward to the rest!

[TRF.]

Ok! Pictures seem to be working again... update tonight?

[Alex]

caprisongs is just fantastic yeah 

i wish i liked that rico mixtape more 

[Alldeezy]

fka twigs  

[K$Ellie]

April Mixtape 2 deserved top 5 at least, it's brilliant  literally a CC album but better than their whole discography (except III)

Rico's was mostly great too other than like 3-4 horrible songs that dragged it down  LOVE Skullflower, Gotsta Get Paid and One on 5

Caprisongs was good but I wasn't obsessed, Papi Bones is a banger tho

[TRF.]

On 12/18/2022 at 5:04 AM, dangerousalex said:

caprisongs is just fantastic yeah 

i wish i liked that rico mixtape more 

It's... kind of an acquired taste

 

On 12/23/2022 at 2:18 PM, K$Ellie said:

April Mixtape 2 deserved top 5 at least, it's brilliant  literally a CC album but better than their whole discography (except III)

Rico's was mostly great too other than like 3-4 horrible songs that dragged it down  LOVE Skullflower, Gotsta Get Paid and One on 5

Caprisongs was good but I wasn't obsessed, Papi Bones is a banger tho

Yeah I feel like it sounding too much like CC is kinda what made it not be 100% for me. It's... uncanny  it does sound very good though! Can't wait to hear what they do next.

 

Top 20 EPs coming very shortly!

 

[TRF.]

 

 

BUY/LISTEN

#20. Ezmeralda En átomos volando Genre: Ambient, Sound Collage, Latin Electronic Country: Colombia || Label: Éter   Colombian musician Nicolas Vallejo’s music as Ezmeralda feels to cumbia what The Caretaker would to big band or other jazz music from the early 20th century. Én atomos volando sounds like a distant memory of the genre, trying to make out the wonderful nights it soundtracked, but it resulting in something quite fuzzy and unclear. It is a gorgeous and quite unique take on ambient music, that might sound unsettling or haunting, yet also nostalgic.   Highlights: “Niños flotando en el cielo”, “Nochear”, “Summer of Sacol” RIYL: The Caretaker, DJ Python, Federico Durand

 

BUY/LISTEN

#19. Two Shell Icons Genre: UK Bass Country: UK || Label: Mainframe Audio   One of the most discussed electronic music acts in all of 2022 was undoubtedly duo Two Shell, either because of their anonymity or their divisive troll-ish performances. But none of that would matter if the music didn’t go hard, and Icons is a very good demonstration of what they’re able to do. 5 bangers with insanely detailed production, designed to appeal to devoted clubgoers as much as to people with appreciation for great sound design.   Highlights: “Ghosts”, “Pods”, “Dust” RIYL: SOPHIE, Amnesia Scanner, Disclosure

 

BUY/LISTEN

#18. Bloodz Boi, claire rousay & more eaze A Crying Poem Genre: Ambient Pop Country: China/USA || Label: Orange Milk   Avant-garde musicians claire rousay and more eaze have put out quite few releases together, that encompass everything from musique concrète to hyperpop. A Crying Poem is their first release with Chinese singer and rapper Bloodz Boi, and might be my favorite work either of the three have put out. His autotuned singing combined with Claire and Mari’s atmospheric production bring the best out of each other, and knowing the lyrics or not, sounds especially heartbreaking.   Highlights: “Sleepwalking”, “Jailbird”, “Overcast” RIYL: Organ Tapes, Ecco2k, Arthur Russell’s experimental works

 

BUY/LISTEN

#17. TSVI & Loraine James 053 Genre: IDM, UK Bass, Breakbeat Country: Italy/UK || Label: AD 93   Producers TSVI and Loraine James have each been working in their own corner of electronic music, both pushing the genre to places rarely heard before, so it would only be natural for them to work on something together. Combining heavy-hitting drums with melancholic-sounding keys, vocal samples and melodies, 053 is a perfect merge of each artist’s style, an homage to 90s/early 00s IDM, ambient and rave music, but still perfectly set on the present day.   Highlights: “Gloom”, “Awaiting”, “Observe” RIYL: Aphex Twin, ZULI, Jay Glass Dubs

 

BUY/LISTEN

#16. Clip Perception Genre: Cloud Rap, Alternative R&B, Trap Country: USA || Label: In Real Life   I have been rooting for New York rapper Clip since I first heard "Sad B!tch" around 2020, and her debut EP Perception is all I wanted and more. Alternating between ethereal trap beats and drum and bass-influenced instrumentals produced by people like Nedarb or Sachy, both her lyrics and her singing/rapping on these tracks can go from melancholic and sad to empowering and bad-ass, more often than not all at the same time.   Highlights: "Happy", "Fall Back", "Reality" RIYL: Playboi Carti, They Hate Change, Bladee

 

LISTEN

#15. La Joaqui Barbie Copiloto Genre: RKT, Latin Rap Country: Argentina || Label: GOAT   La Joaqui is a veteran of Argentinian rap, first appearing in freestyle battles, she built a career as a trap artist for years, but never enjoyed a proper mainstream breakthrough. Just before giving up, 2022 became her year in terms of success. Barbie Copiloto is a compilation of the tracks she released this year, and from "Butakera" (a collaboration with her friend El Noba, who passed away this year) to "Mañosa", it's all RKT bangers.   Highlights: "38" (feat. Gusty DJ, May Creizy & Kenzy), "GD" (feat. DJ Tao), "Butakera" (feat. Alan Gomez & El Noba) RIYL: L-Gante, La Piba, Ms. Nina

 

LISTEN

#14. Empress Of Save Me Genre: Electropop, House, Dance-Pop Country: USA || Label: Major Arcana   Empress Of has been a longtime favorite of mine, as well as of many other fans of great electronic pop music, thanks to her top-notch production and her ear for catchy and memorable melodies. On Save Me, her first release as an independent artist, she goes even further into the direction of upbeat, emotive house-y dance-pop she's been teasing for a while now, without losing any of the magic that made her earlier work special.   Highlights: "Dance for You", "Turn the Table", "Cry for Help" RIYL: Carly Rae Jepsen, Robyn, Kelela

 

LISTEN

#13. yunè pinku Bluff Genre: Progressive Breaks, 2-Step Country: UK || Label: self-released   The debut EP by London-based vocalist yunè pinku is only four tracks long, but it packs a lot of energy in its combination of house, breakbeat and alternative pop music that will probably make it sound irresistible for any dance music fan. Both being young artists bringing a pop sensibility to 90s/early 00s club music, the PinkPantheress connection is inevitable, but Bluff is a collection of bangers that needs no further comparison to stand out.   Highlights: "DC Rot", "Bluff" RIYL: PinkPantheress, Róisín Murphy, Everything But the Girl's Temperamental

 

BUY/LISTEN

#12. Meth Math M♡rtal Genre: Electropop, Latin Electronic Country: Mexico || Label: In Real Life   This new EP by Mexican trio Meth Math really brings together a lot of influences that I can relate deeply to. M♡rtal sounds like it was made for the Latin American children who grew up listening to Belanova and early-to-mid-noughts reggaetón when young, but sometime around high school discovered Crystal Castles and changed them profoundly. With additional production from Sega Bodega and Dinamarca, the EP is a truly enjoyable piece of weird, dark electronic pop.   Highlights: "Tambaleo", "Catastral", "Beso con baba" (feat. Dinamarca) RIYL: Crystal Castles, Tomasa Del Real, Belanova

 

LISTEN

#11. BÉBE YANA Space Mulan Genre: 2-Step, Contemporary R&B, K-Pop Country: South Korea || Label: self-released   Yoon Hayana, a.k.a. BÉBE YANA was once a member of K-pop group EvoL, who disbanded in 2015. But now as an independent artist, she's reinvented herself as an underground popstar, and her EP Space Mulan is evidence of her success at it. 5 tracks inspired by R&B but also UK garage, drum and bass and other club genres, it's a record full of personality that sounds like nothing in Korean pop music, underground or mainstream.   Highlights: "1-2-3", "Space Mulan", "In the Battle" RIYL: PinkPantheress, Lim Kim, Coco & Clair Clair

 

[TRF.]

 

BUY/LISTEN

#10. Daniela Lalita Trececerotres Genre: Art Pop, Folktronica Country: Peru || Label: Young   I first heard of Peruvian musician Daniela Lalita through her collaborations with Amnesia Scanner in 2020. But after anticipating for a long time, she finally released her debut EP, Trececerotres. It's a record inspired by the traditional folk music of her country like saya or huayno, but also sounds quite intense thanks to the industrial-influenced production and her vigorous vocal delivery. As someone who always was between these two worlds, it's right up my alley.   Highlights: "Tenía razón", "Atrás", "Pisoteo" RIYL: Rosalía, Feli Colina, Diamanda Galás

 

BUY/LISTEN

#09. Safety Trance Noches de terror Genre: Latin Electronic, Neoperreo Country: Venezuela || Label: Boyznoise   Barcelona-based Venezuelan producer Cardopusher has been for decades working in the worlds of breakcore, acid house, dubstep and other club music genres like that, but these past few years he's reinvented himself as Safety Trance. A project inspired most of all by reggaetón and other latin music genres, Noches de terror is a short and sweet collection of heaters. While the obvious highlight is his collaboration with Arca, the entire EP is a dancefloor paradise.   Highlights: "El alma que te trajo" (feat. Arca), "SXXRGGTN" RIYL: Arca, Kamixlo, Kelman Duran

 

LISTEN

#08. FLO The Lead Genre: Contemporary R&B, Pop Country: UK || Label: Island   One of the big breakout acts of 2022 was undoubtedly girl group FLO. It's been a really long time since a (Western) girl group attracted this much attention from media and music fans alike, but The Lead proves that all the hype is worth it and more. With exquisite-sounding harmonies and a pop and R&B sound that pays homage to the greatest, most innovative sounds of the 90s/early 00s, it's certain they're taking it.   Highlights: "Cardboard Box", "Immature", "Feature Me" RIYL: Full Moon-era Brandy, early Sugababes, Destiny's Child

 

BUY/LISTEN

#07. Salute Ultra Pool Genre: Speed Garage Country: Austria || Label: Steel City Dance   The latest EP from Austrian producer Salute is probably one of the most fun dance music projects of the year. Ultra Pool combines the funky production of french house with UK garage beats, and while it might not necessarily touch on new ground, it'll be difficult to find a house record this year that sounds as immaculate as this one. These four tracks are basically guaranteed to get everyone to stand up and get dancing.   Highlights: "Sternenhimmel", "Ultra Pool" RIYL: Todd Edwards, Interplanetary Criminal, DJ Mehdi

 

BUY/LISTEN

#06. full body 2 demo 02 Genre: Shoegaze Country: USA || Label: self-released   One of the most exciting new shoegaze bands to have come out in the past years definitely have to be Rochester band full body 2. With their first EP they've managed to work influences from breakcore and atmospheric drum and bass into their sound that I found absolutely fascinating on first listen. demo 02, their second EP, is more of the same in the best way possible, it's an emotional rollercoaster of the best kind.   Highlights: "2g ether", "Dancer's Theme" RIYL: My Bloody Valentine, A.R. Kane, They Are Gutting a Body of Water

 

BUY/LISTEN

#05. Nia Archives Forbidden Feelingz Genre: Jungle Country: UK || Label: HIJINXX   Drum and bass and jungle are really hot right now, TikTok and other forms of social media having led to the growing interest of the youth in it. However, that of DJ, producer and singer Nia Archives seems to predate all that, and it sounds the better, and more authentic for it. Forbidden Feelingz is a genuine homage to old-school-D'n'B, but adding in 90's R&B/soul-influenced vocalizations, with some of the strongest recent club tracks.   Highlights: "Forbidden Feelingz", "Luv Like", "Gud Gudbyez" RIYL: LTJ Bukem, PinkPantheress, Goldie

 

LISTEN

#04. KayCyy TW20 50 Genre: Pop Rap, Alternative R&B Country: Kenya/USA || Label: Major Arcana   Kenyan-American rapper and singer KayCyy broke out in part thanks to contributing to the latest album of a-famous-rapper-who-shall-not-be-named. But TW20 50, entirely produced by Gesaffelstein, is a brilliant way of reimagining mainstream rap, sounding like Playboi Carti-meets-The Weeknd-meets-Chris and Cosey, rejecting all predictability, and most of all finding a sound and a lane of his own. Not sure what'll be next of him, but if it's half as interesting as this, it should be good.   Highlights: "Okay!", "The Sun" RIYL: Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, Chris and Cosey

 

LISTEN

#03. Six Sex Area 69 Genre: Neoperreo Country: Argentina || Label: Dale Play   Area 69 is the second EP by Argentinian vocalist Francisca Cuello a.k.a. Six Sex, and it's a collection of futuristic reggaetón tracks meant for the dancefloor and for feeling yourself. It really isn't much more complicated than that, yet it makes for a great listen in part because of Cuello's performance, which feels extremely confident and, indeed, sexy, making it impossible not to shake your ass and play it over and over again thanks to La Finesse's absolutely stellar production.   Highlights: "Area 69", "Culeo", "Lokisha" RIYL: Ms. Nina, Isabella Lovestory, La Joaqui

 

BUY/LISTEN

#02. Malibu Palaces of Pity Genre: Ambient Country: France || Label: UNO   I first fell in love with Malibu's music thanks to "Held", her track on PAN's mono no aware compilation, and her 2019 EP One Life confirmed she was one of the most exciting ambient music artists right now. Her second EP, Palaces of Pity, is slightly more electronic than her orchestral-sounding debut, but she still manages to create atmospheres that are slightly unsettling yet somehow deeply soothing at the same time, a spectacular, magnificent experience.   Highlights: "So Far Out of Love", "Atlantic Diva", "Iliad" RIYL: Stars of the Lid, Grouper, Julianna Barwick

 

LISTEN

#01. MC Tha Meu santo é forte Genre: Rasteirinha, Ponto de umbanda, MPB Country: Brazil || Label: Elemess   MC Tha's latest EP, Meu santo é forte, is inspired by Afro-Brazilian religion, like candomblé or umbanda, which have historically suffered from heavy persecution. In this record, exclusively comprised of covers of singer Alcione, she reclaims this heritage by fusing traditional folk and pop genres from Brazil with modern sounds, particularly those of baile funk. It's a record that's equally as danceable as it is spiritual and introspective, it is truly a joy to listen. Highlights: "Agolonã", "São Jorge", "Afreketê" RIYL: Linn Da Quebrada, Xenia França, Alcione

[TalkThatRihanna]

FLO deserved to be #1 I fear

[Legend E]

Save Me  

[TheWayWeWere]

Save Me EP is such a serve the first time I get into her music tbh

FLO

[worldwide angel]

these look so promising <3

 

flo <3

[Alldeezy]

Flo

[TRF.]

Gonna start with the album list tomorrow but here's some honorable mentions for it for albums that I liked but for one reason or another didn't make the list! Don't wanna expand on them right now but if you are curious and you wanna know what I liked about them or why they didn't make the list I can definitely respond later. 

 

070 Shake - You Can't Kill Me

1 800 PAIN - Their Money Is Your Money

Akini Jing & Chace - Endless Farewell

Backxwash - His Happiness Shall Come First Even Though We Are Suffering

Bad Bunny - Un verano sin ti

Binker and Moses - Feeding the Machine

Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There

Candy - Heaven Is Here

Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loneliest Time

Diamanda Galás - Broken Gargoyles

Félicia Atkinson - Image langage

Florence + the Machine - Dance Fever

Gilla Band - Most Normal

Kelly Lee Owens - Lp.8

Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Kilo Kish - American Gurl

LA Timpa - Pity By One All Good Treasure

Loraine James - Building Something Beautiful for Me

Pan Daijing - Tissues

Pongo - Sakidila

PVA - Blush

Ravyn Lenae - Hypnos

They Hate Change - Finally, New

Tove Lo - Dirt Femme

x/o - Chaos Butterfly

 

These albums are great but I'm saving them for 2023:

 

León Cordero - Jueves

Little Simz - No Thank You

SZA - SOS

 

Hope everyone's had a great xmas  

[MP2K]

Flo did that

 

Curious to know, where do you usually find some of these artists? I feel I never come across some of these and they look interesting

[TheWayWeWere]

The Loneliest Time and Dance Fever missing the list  nnn not when they are such a great uprdages from their previous albums  

I'm saving SOS for slayage next year too

[Legend E]

The Loneliest Time and Dance Fever  love them both, but I don't mind them being only HMs too much

 

glad to see SOS will be charting next year  I'm saving SOS for slayage next year too [2]

[Mr. Blue_Shirt]

Un verano sin ti, The Loneliest Time, Dance Fever, American Gurl, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers & Hypnos are my favorite albums of the year