The best new releases of 2022, according to our music columnist

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As the year grinds to a halt, long introductions are out and one-liners are in. Can our dwindling pre-December attention spans take much more? I think not. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a concise list of my favourite musical projects/albums/songs from this year. 

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As Fashion Journal’s self-appointed musical dictator, I’m already presuming you’ll take my favourite albums and rinse them front to back. As such, none of the songs appears on the albums that feature on this list; these tracks stand alone in their glory. 

The best (biased) albums of the year

Elsy Wameyo – Nilotic 

I love when I start the year having not heard of an artist and end it with them creating one of my favourite bodies of work. Kenyan/Adelaidian Elsy Wameyo released her debut EP Nilotic in April. It’s filled with unexpected, sparky, fire-fuelled frustrations and definitely worth your time, even just to hear ‘River Nile’ played in context. 

Wet Leg – Wet Leg 

Dreamy duo Wet Leg used their debut album to deliver on the potential of a slew of well-received singles. Soundtracking the millennial nightmare (the quarter-life crisis, burnout, being stoned in the supermarket) Wet Leg isn’t sure if this is the life they thought they’d be living, but I’m sure happier for it.  

Fred Again – Actual Life 3

He’s been a producing name reverberating behind some of the UK’s biggest hits for a while now, but 2022 was the year you couldn’t escape Fred Again. From his infamous Boiler Room set to the almost unbelievably earnest Zane Lowe interview, Actual Life 3 is just the beginning. 

Greentea Peng – Greenzone 108

A south London-raised girlie with musical influences of R&B, reggae and lots of dancefloor house, a traditional popstar Greentea Peng is not. Greenzone 108 is her second EP and was released to critical acclaim, featuring her signature husky voice that subtly hypnotises you into eternity. 

Stella Donnelly – Flood

Where her first album, Beware Of The Dogs, looked outward (toxic masculinity, environmental destruction, abortion rights, racism), Stella Donnelly’s second project, Flood, took a more introspective approach. Embracing the same angelic vocals and thoughtful songwriting featured on Beware Of The Dogs, this is one to play when you’re keen for some real vulnerability. 

Kendrick Lamar – Mr Morale And The Big Steppers

You probably won’t read a best of 2022 list without the inclusion of Mr Morale. On his fifth album, Kendrick Lamar looks inward – more so than usual — crafting notable cultural commentary that transcended music to headlines. Kendrick’s work is often best appreciated in hindsight, a trend I think this will follow. While I may have loved it from the get-go, time will tell if it’s considered in the same league of some of his other great works. 

The best (biased) songs of the year

Eliza Rose – ‘B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)’

‘B.O.T.A.’ is the perfect pop song. I’m currently considering getting it tattooed, using it in my wedding and framing the vinyl. It makes me proud to be an Eliza. 

Bad Bunny – ‘Tití Me Preguntó’

You don’t have to speak Spanish to appreciate this fuego face-melter. Bad Bunny (and his voice) is so self-assured, so sexy, so speaker-rattling that it’s just sheer sonic brilliance all ’round. 

Eliza & The Delusionals – ‘Halloween’

You may think I’m a total hedonist for featuring another Eliza in this list, but when they’re this good I just can’t help it. I love this song for its transportive nature, dreamy vocals and loud backing band. The perfect rock/pop hybrid. 

Piri & Tommy – ‘On & On’

I spent so much time on TikTok this year that I have to shout out one of my favourite ‘viral’ songs to come from it. I know little of its context but it’s a great foray into drum and bass for anyone who enjoys the sound. 

PinkPantheress ft. Sam Gellaitry – ‘Picture In My Mind’

Speaking of drum and bass lite, PinkPantheress is (IMHO) one of the most exciting artists to permeate the mainstream as of late. ‘Picture In My Mind’ isn’t strictly just her song, but her strong lyrical presence makes it feel like so. 

Lizzo – ‘The Sign’

Flying the flag for unapologetic human beings everywhere, ‘The Sign’ is the opening track on Lizzo’s 2022 album, Special. If you like ‘About Damn Time’ and ‘2 Be Loved’ but are a tad nauseated from hearing them everywhere, ‘The Sign’ is the perfect palette cleanser. 

Big Wett – ‘Eat My Ass’

Seemingly coming out of nowhere this year, the first release from Big Wett is an ear-catching, NSFW preview of what’s to come. 

Confidence Man – ‘What I Like’

While some think this duo errs on the side of cringe, I really enjoyed their album Tilt this year. ‘What I Like’ seems to be the one that stuck for me and I’d be stoked to hear it on a dancefloor anywhere. 

Clews – ‘Lean Across’

Speaking of dreamy vocals, I don’t think I’ve pressed pause on this song since sister duo Clews released it in March. They’re said to be releasing a full-length project in 2023, so watch this space. 

Nicki Minaj – ‘Super Freaky Girl’

Not much to say about this one apart from give Ms Minaj a Grammy. 

Cassettes For Kids ft. Nyla Hunter – ‘Turpins Falls’

Stolen from the 2021 Boiler Room set I haven’t shut up about, this absolute scene-stealer from Cassettes For Kids is one of my favourite dance releases of 2022. I did my waiting and it was absolutely worth it.