Personal Favorites of 2022

Ya'll, 2022 has been weird. After two years stuck indoors, it feels like even though we were "allowed" to get back to normal it didn't come super naturally to anyone. Life is weird, a lot of really great, talented, and beloved musicians passed away, and the music that did come out this year just wasn't on par with 2021 or even 2020. That being said, this year wasn't a total waste - a fair amount of good has happened in the midst of the strange, and there was some very good music that was released. I've listened to a LOT of music this year, and I am very excited to share my thoughts with you on the albums I enjoyed. As is tradition, here are my year end post groundrules:

1. No singles that came out this year just for time’s sake – only full albums and EPs.

2. The songs picked from each album are based on my personal opinions alone. There's no set number for these albums either like there is with a Diva Spotlight, it's just whatever songs grab my attention or punch me in my feelings. I encourage everyone to listen to the full album if you’re interested, because they’re pretty great!

3. I will point out which song is my favorite from each album and give honorable mentions to the others that I really enjoyed - no lyrics though, this post is always long enough without them.

3. These albums and EPs are in chronological release order, not ordered by my personal preference.

4. I had to listen to and like at least one song off of an album or EP released in 2022 for me to want to write about it, so if an album you loved didn't make it, don't take it personally (i.e. Drake (multiple times), Louis Tomlinson, JID, Julian Lennon, The Devil Wears Prada, LeAnn Rimes, Charlie Puth, Lamb of God, and a handful of others).

Dawn FM - The Weeknd (released 1/7/2022)

-Favorite Song: Best Friends (written by A. Tesfaye, J. Quenneville)

-Honorable Mentions: Here We Go...Again ft. Tyler, The Creator (written by A. Tesfaye, T. Okonma, M. Kudo, B. Johnston, C. Love, B. Kennedy, B. Bock, C. Coffeen)

I heartily enjoyed 2020's After Hours, so I did admittedly get my hopes up and assume The Weeknd would deliver another album equally as good with Dawn FM. My personal opinion is that this album was extremely mid-tier - he has done significantly better work before, so this album was a little bit of a letdown for me. I did find a couple of songs off of it that I enjoyed, but not until the second half of the album. The first half doesn't even sound like a traditional Weeknd album to me, more of a bland, stock house music album, but it picks up in the second half and sounds more like you would expect him to. Dawn FM includes 16 songs, runs about 52 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

The Gods We Can Touch - AURORA (released 1/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: A Dangerous Thing (written by M. Sjolie, A. Aksnes)

-Honorable Mentions: Everything Matters ft. Pomme (written by A. Aksnes, C. Pommet, J. Hartman); Exist for Love (written by A. Aksnes, G. Roberts, M. Skylstad); Artemis (written by A. Aksnes); Blood In the Wine (written by A. Aksnes, A. Solstrand, F. Svabo)

I became aware of Aurora back in 2019 and have enjoyed the songs of hers I had heard, so I decided to give this full album a try and I am so glad I did. Aurora is a very talented vocalist and songwriter, and the whole vibe of this album was just cool and dramatic, with certain songs feeling like they could even maybe belong in an episode of Game of Thrones. It definitely made me look forward to listening to more of her existing music as well as future projects, and I'll definitely recommend this album out to people. The Gods We Can Touch includes 15 songs, runs about 50 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Requiem - Korn (released 2/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Let The Dark Do The Rest (written by B. Welch, J. Shaffer, J. Davis, R. Luzier, R. Arvizu)

-Honorable Mentions: Forgotten (written by R. Arvizu, J. Davis, J. Shaffer, J. Rauch, L. Christy, R. Luzier, B. Welch); Start the Healing (written by R. Arvizu, J. Davis, J. Shaffer, L. Christy, R. Luzier, B. Welch); Lost In The Grandeur (written by B. Welch, J. Shaffer, J. Davis, R. Luzier, R. Arvizu);

I've been a fan of Jonathan Davis's vocals for a while, but mainly in the vein of listening when a classic Korn song comes on. I gave their new album a try this year and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it since hard rock/metal can be pretty hit or miss for me. Their sound has changed a little over the years due in part to family tragedies Jonathan Davis has experienced, but they still sound like Korn and they're still good and worth listening to. Requiem includes 9 songs, runs about 33 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hard rock album by Apple Music.

Good Morning Gorgeous - Mary J. Blige (released 2/11/2022)

-Favorite Song: Love Will Never (written by E. Hudson, J. Donald, M. Blige, U. Ebong)

-Honorable Mentions: Enough (written by A. Lyon, B. Atterberry, M. Valenzano, M. Blige, P. Skellern); Need Love ft. Usher (written by A. White, C. Hinshaw, K. Owens, M. Blige)

As soon as I watched Mary J's performance at the biggest half-time show of the year, I knew I needed to listen to this album. I have a lot of respect for her as an artist, and while this album didn't grip me the same way some other ones did this year it was definitely still good. There's a reason they call her the Queen of R&B, and I definitely enjoyed hearing her do her thing on this album. Good Morning Gorgeous includes 13 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

Texas Moon - EP - Khruangbin & Leon Bridges (released 2/18/2022)

-Favorite Song: Mariella (written by L. Manders, M. Speer, D. Johnson, T. Bridges, A. Jenkins)

-Honorable Mentions: Doris (written by L. Manders, M. Speer, D. Johnson); B-Side (written by D. Johnson, L. Manders, M. Speer, T. Bridges)

Once my brother texted me that a companion to 2020's Texas Sun was coming out, it immediately went on the list. I liked this EP even more than the original, with a little more of a softer, darker but not in a creepy way vibe and that classic funk sound associated with Khruangbin. Leon Bridges has quickly become a favorite of mine to listen to, and this dynamic duo did not disappoint this year. Texas Moon includes 5 songs, runs about 23 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Love Sux - Avril Lavigne (released 2/25/2022)

-Favorite Song: Bite Me (written by A. Lavigne, D. Smith, J. Feldmann, O. Fedi, C. Comstock)

-Honorable Mentions: Bois Lie ft. Machine Gun Kelly (written by A. Lavigne, D. Smith, J. Feldmann, R. Baker); Love It When You Hate Me ft. blackbear (written by A. Lavigne, D. Smith, M. Musto); Love Sux (written by A. Lavigne, D. Smith, J. Feldmann); All I Wanted ft. Mark Hoppus (written by M. Hoppus, J. Feldmann, A. Lavigne, D. Smith); Break Of A Heartache (written by A. Lavigne)

While I have been listening to Avril Lavigne since I was about ten years old, I would never have guessed that this album would be my Favorite Album of 2022 in a year where Taylor Swift dropped brand new music. Yet, here we are: this album rocks. It's fun, it's exciting, it's got a great balance of modern and nostalgic pop punk to it, and Lavigne's vocals are absolutely on point in every song. Love Sux includes 12 songs, runs about 34 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

SEVEN (Live) - Brooke Ligertwood (released 2/25/2022)

-Favorite Song: Ancient Gates (written by B. Ligertwood, J. Ingram, S. Ligertwood)

-Honorable Mentions: A Thousand Hallelujahs (written by P. Wickham, B. Ligertwood, S. Ligertwood); Nineveh (written by B. Ligertwood, S. Furtick); Burn (written by B. Ligertwood, S. Furtick); Honey In the Rock ft. Brandon Lake (written by B. Lake, B. Ligertwood, M. Wong)

Brooke Ligertwood is my favorite voice in worship music, so I was super excited to check out her solo live album this year. I was absolutely not disappointed; the melodies, the beats, and the messages on this track list are amazing from start to finish. The energy from this live recording is almost palpable and adds another layer onto an already great listening experience. SEVEN includes 13 songs, runs about 71 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Run, Rose, Run - Dolly Parton (released 3/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Blue Bonnet Breeze (written by D. Parton)

-Honorable Mentions: Demons ft. Ben Haggard (written by D. Parton); Snakes In the Grass (written by D. Parton)

Dolly Parton is undisputedly a living legend, and her most recent album makes sure you don't forget it. Her voice still has that classic Dolly sound, and the songwriting does a great job telling stories that are interesting to listen to with a melody that's easy to follow and is super catchy. She may be 76, but she's not slowing down anytime soon. Run, Rose, Run includes 12 songs, runs about 39 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

LION - Elevation Worship (released 3/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Dancing ft. Joe L. Barnes & Tiffany Hudson (written by J. Barnes, M. George, S. Furtick, T. Hudson)

-Honorable Mentions: Bye Bye Babylon ft. Valley Boys (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, P. Barrett, S. Furtick); Same God ft. Jonsal Barrientes (written by P. Barrett, C. Brown, S. Furtick, B. Lake); LION ft. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, S. Furtick); Forever YHWH ft. Tiffany Hudson (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, P. Barrett, S. Furtick); Why ft. Valley Boys (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, S. Furtick)

Elevation has released some really powerful albums over the last few years, and this one is no exception. Taking a slightly different turn from what they've done recently, this album has a healthy balance of live and studio tracks, and pretty much all of them are amazing. Their worship team is running full speed ahead over there, and I know I'm definitely along for the ride. LION includes 15 songs and 13 videos, runs about 206 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

The Land I'm Livin' In (Live) - Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser (released 3/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: We Make Space (written by M. Helser, J. Helser, S. Gretzinger, J. Ingram)

-Honorable Mentions: I Am Your Beloved (written by J. Helser, B. Lake); I Lose My Ability (written by J. Helser, M. Helser, D. Leonard, M. Skaggs); I Can't Get Away ft. Naomi Raine (written by M. Helser, J. Helser, C. Asbury, N. Raine); Downpour (Spontaneous) ft. Naomi Raine (written by N. Raine, L. Skaggs); 4th Man (written by M. Helser, J. Helser, J. Case, S. Gretzinger); Magnificent Trinity (written by J. Helser); My Soul Sings (written by J. Helser, M. Helser, M. Skaggs)

The Helsers are another favorite of mine in the worship community, particularly Melissa because I love to sing along with her. This album had a gradual rollout release, coming out five songs at a time in January, February, and March, so it was kind of a nice surprise to see what you were going to get that day. This couple is amazing, which you already know if you listen to Bethel Music, so don't miss out on this energetic, joyful live album. The Land I'm Livin' In includes 15 songs and 11 videos, runs about 273 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Lofi Minnie: Focus - Various Artists (released 3/18/2022)

-Favorite Song: Almost There by Otesla & Disney Lofi (written by R. Newman)

-Honorable Mentions: Hakuna Matata by Purrple Cat & Disney Lofi (written by E. John, T. Rice); How Far I'll Go by Philanthrope & Disney Lofi (written by L. Miranda); Into the Unknown by Hippo Dreams & Disney Lofi ft. Julia Henderson (written by K. Anderson-Lopez, R. Lopez); A Whole New World by eevee & Disney Lofi (written by A. Menken, T. Rice); I Just Can't Wait to Be King by Epona & Disney Lofi (written by E. John, T. Rice)

I unironically and unashamedly follow the official Instagram page for Minnie Mouse, and when this album showed up on the page this spring I knew I had to check it out. This album is so relaxing while still being nostalgic and fun as you hear modern Lofi takes on classic Disney tunes. If you're a Disney fan like me, you definitely should not skip this one. Lofi Minnie: Focus includes 10 songs, runs about 24 minutes in length, and is labeled as an instrumental album by Apple Music.

Parrhesia - Animals As Leaders (released 3/25/2022)

-Favorite Song: Conflict Cartography (written by T. Abasi, J. Reyes, M. Garstka)

My husband is a huge fan of Animals As Leaders and Tosin Abasi, so I decided to give this album a shot. Metal and hard rock are just really not my thing (even though I've been trying to like it more for over a decade), but whether you're into it like my husband or not so much like me you can't deny that these guys are absoslutely phenomenal musicians. The entire album, like the rest of their repertoire, is completely instrumental, but their musicality and instrumentation is so good they don't need lyrics to make it interesting. Parrhesia includes 9 songs, runs about 37 minutes in length, and is labeled as a metal album by Apple Music.

Humble Quest - Maren Morris (released 3/25/2022)

-Favorite Song: Tall Guys (written by A. Raitiere, M. Morris, N. Hemby)

-Honorable Mentions: Circles Around This Town (written by J. Robbins, J. Michaels, M. Morris, R. Hurd); The Furthest Thing (written by G. Kurstin, M. Morris, R. Hurd); I Can't Love You Anymore (written by G. Kurstin, M. Morris, R. Hurd); Background Music (written by J. Robbins, L. Veltz, M. Morris); Nervous (written by J. Robbins, M. Morris, N. Hemby); Hummingbird (written by H. Lindsey, L. Rose, L. McKenna, M. Morris); What Would This World Do? (written by J. Green, M. Morris, R. Hurd)

I've really liked Maren's last two albums, and while this one was good it just didn't grab me the same way. I will say I'm glad to have found an autobiographical song (Circles Around This Town) that didn't feel completely like she was tooting her own horn (a lot of them really bug me, sorry not sorry), and there were some great tracks on this record, but it doesn't really sound like anything new. I do really like Morris as a songwriter, and she shows off that talent plenty here, so don't miss out on this one. Humble Quest includes 11 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

The Field - Kristene DiMarco (released 4/8/2022)

-Favorite Song: Idle Idols ft. Gable Price (written by K. DiMarco, G. Price)

-Honorable Mentions: What If Jesus (written by H. Johnson, E. Sperti); That's Why Jesus Came (written by K. DiMarco, B. Benjamin-Korporaal, L. Jordan, G. Price); Decided (written by T. Wood, K. DiMarco, D. Leonard); Gravity ft. kalley (written by K. DiMarco, K. Heiligenthal, G. Price)

Kristene DiMarco is another Bethel artist that I've grown to love over the years, and I ended up really loving her solo album this year. It's simple, sweet, and beautiful with a good mixture of uptempo songs and ballads - worship artists admittedly don't always balance those, often choosing one over the other, but DiMarco's tracks are pretty even on that front. It's a lovely, chill, hopeful, and rejuvenating album, and I highly recommend it. The Field includes 12 songs, runs about 47 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

This Is How I Thank The Lord - Mosaic MSC (released 4/8/2022)

-Favorite Song: How Do I Thank You (written by C. Dennard, M. Goss, O. Castro)

-Honorable Mentions: To Your Arms (written by B. Figueroa, C. Pimentel, M. Goss); Grace (written by A. Figueroa, C. Pimentel, M. Goss); This Is How I Thank The Lord (written by A. Figueroa, M. Goss, R. Aholoka); Shelter (written by A. Figueroa, C. Pimentel, M. Goss); I Need You (written by A. Figueroa, B. Figueroa, C. Pimentel, M. Goss); (I Need You Now) (written by A. Figueroa, C. Dennard, R. Aholoka)

I love Mosaic's energy on a live album, but I won't miss one of their studio albums, either. I do feel like I need to lean on my spirit of discernment with them a little more than other worship bands I listen to; they have some really incredible music, but some of the songs can come off a bit self-serving to me every once in a while. Mariah Goss does have a voice I could listen to all day, though, so the songs I liked off this album were definitely all winners in my book. This Is How I Thank The Lord includes 12 songs and 1 video, runs about 53 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

(Un)Commentary - Alec Benjamin (released 4/15/2022)

-Favorite Song: Devil Doesn't Bargain (written by A. Benjamin, J. Lucas, N. Lambroza)

-Honorable Mentions: Dopamine Addict (written by A. Benjamin, J. Lucas, N. Lambroza, S. Roman); Shadow Of Mine (written by A. Benjamin, N. Lambroza, D. Wilson); Nancy Got A Haircut (written by A. Benjamin, S. Roman); Deniro (written by A. Benjamin, D. Wilson); Older (written by A. Benjamin, C. Puth, R. Tedder, Z. Skelton)

I was introduced to Alec Benjamin's older music by one of my students and immediately liked him a lot, so when another student told me he released an album this year I went home that night and checked it out. I really like his talent as a songwriter, and I do enjoy the unique qualities of his voice. I know he may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed this album and recommend it to others. (Un)Commentary includes 13 songs, runs about 34 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Are We There Yet? - Hillsong UNITED (released 4/29/2022)

-Favorite Song: Blown Away with Matt Crocker (written by A. King, J. Houston, M. Crocker)

-Honorable Mentions: Deeper Water (written by A. King, B. Hastings, D. McMurray, D. Thomas, J. Houston); Show Me Your Heart (written by J. Houston); Know You Will (written by B. Hastings, D. Thomas, J. Houston)

I've been a fan of Hillsong UNITED since I was in high school and have gotten to hear their sound evolve throughout the years, which is such a cool experience to have with a musical artist you enjoy. While I feel like this album isn't quite as strong as their 2019 live album People, the songs that resonated with me on this track list are really excellent and hit me right in the heart. There's some great instrumental moments, incredible vocals, and beautiful messages all throughout that anyone can benefit from. Are We There Yet? includes 15 songs and 4 videos, runs about 101 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Palomino - Miranda Lambert (released 4/29/2022)

-Favorite Song: Scenes (written by L. Dick, M. Lambert, N. Hemby)

-Honorable Mentions: Actin' Up (written by J. Randall, L. Dick, M. Lambert); Geraldene (written by J. Ingram, J. Randall, M. Lambert); Tourist (written by L. Dick, M. Lambert, N. Hemby); Music City Queen ft. The B-52's (written by L. Dick, M. Lambert, N. Hemby); Wandering Spirit (written by J. Rippetoe, M. Jagger); Country Money (written by A. Raitiere, M. Reaves, M. Lambert); If I Was a Cowboy (written by J. Frasure, M. Lambert); Waxahachie (written by J. Ingram, J. Randall, M. Lambert)

Ya'll know I love Miranda Lambert, and I've been extremely partial to her two previous solo albums (The Weight of These Wings and Wildcard). This album was a slow burn for me; I wasn't quite sure how much I actually liked it at first, but I've definitely come around since April when it released. There's a lot of really fun music on here, so make sure to check it out. Palomino includes 15 songs, runs about 51 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

HELP! - Brandon Lake (released 5/13/2022)

-Favorite Song: Fear Is Not My Future with Chandler Moore (written by B. Lake, H. Shackleford, J. Jay, N. Hannel)

-Honorable Mentions: HELP! (written by B. Lake, J. Sooter); Pharaoh (Let My People Go) (written by B. Lake, C. Carnes, E. Hulse); Don't You Give Up On Me (written by M. Fatkin, B. Hastings, B. Lake); So Close with Amanda Cook (written by A. Cook, B. Lake, J. Sooner, M. George, R. Springer)

Brandon Lake is an absolute powerhouse in worship music, and this studio album keeps that track record record going. His excellent songwriting and soft rock sound really make this album feel special and powerful, and he collaborated with some other top notch artists to enhance the experience even further. This album is great, I definitely recommend you give it a listen. HELP! includes 10 songs, runs about 43 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian rock album by Apple Music.

Dance Fever - Florence + The Machine (released 5/13/2022)

-Favorite Song: Daffodil (written by D. Bayley, F. Welch)

-Honorable Mentions: Free (written by F. Welch, J. Antonoff); Choreomania (written by F. Welch, J. Antonoff, T. Bartlett); Dream Girl Evil (written by F. Welch); Cassandra (written by F. Welch, T. Hull); The Bomb (written by F. Welch, R. Ackroyd, T. Bartlett)

Florence has fascinated me since I was in high school and first heard her on the Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack. She has such a unique aura surrounding every aspect of her music (vocal style, songwriting, visualization, instrumentation, etc), and I don't think I've ever been bored listening to one of her songs. This album is so fun and cool, and I 100% urge you to check it out. Dance Fever includes 14 songs, runs about 47 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar (released 5/13/2022)

-Favorite Song: Rich Spirit (written by D. Natche, S. Dew, K. Lamar)

-Honorable Mentions: United in Grief (written by K. Lamar, M. Spears, J. Sweet, M. Samuels, H. Carter, S. Dew); Silent Hill with Kodak Black (written by M. Samuels, K. Lamar, J. Sweet, Johnny, M. Spears, B. Kapri, Beach Noise)

My brother, along with a large population of the planet I think, was so excited for this album, so I knew I needed to listen to it. None of the songs hit me as hard as, say, Humble, but I definitely found a few on here that I enjoyed. Whatever your opinion of the genre, Kendrick Lamar is a gifted and talented musical artist and it's very unlikely he'll let you down when he releases new music. Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers includes 18 songs, runs about 73 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Floating on a Dream - Avi Kaplan (released 5/20/2022)

-Favorite Song: First Place I Go (written by A. Kaplan, T. Dobbs)

-Honorable Mentions: On My Way (written by A. Kaplan, D. Ellsworth); I'm Only Getting Started (written by A. Kaplan, B. Reinhart, J. Lutito, T. Bruns); Into The Blue (written by A. Kaplan, B. Reynolds); When I'm A Fool (written by A. Kaplan, K. Jones); My Queen (written by K. Jones, A. Kaplan)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Avi was always my favorite when he was a member of Pentatonix. His range, tone, and vocal style are really incredible, and I absolutely plan on listening to any and all solo projects he releases. This album is calming, introspective, and just flat out beautiful, and Avi has the perfect voice to go along with it. Floating on a Dream includes 11 songs, runs about 43 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Harry's House - Harry Styles (released 5/20/2022)

-Favorite Song: Matilda (written by A. Allen, H. Styles, T. Hull, T. Johnson)

-Honorable Mentions: Music For a Sushi Restaurant (written by H. Styles, T. Hull, M. Rowland, T. Johnson); Cinema (written by H. Styles, S. Witte)

I know this was a highly anticipated album this year, but I went in with virtually zero expectations since I just don't pay any attention to Harry Styles; it's not that I don't like him, I juts genuinely have little interest. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised that I found a couple of really solid songs on here that I liked a lot. He'll probably never be my favorite, but if he's your thing give this a listen if you somehow haven't already. Harry's House includes 13 songs, runs about 42 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

AM Gold - Train (released 5/20/2022)

-Favorite Song: Cleopatra ft. Sofia Reyes (written by J. Becker, M. Musty, P. Monahan, S. Reyes, T. Bridges)

-Honorable Mentions: Amber Light (written by J. Becker, M. Musty, P. Monahan)

Train is another band I've been a fan of since high school, and I feel they can always be counted on to provide a few bops per album. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed by this one, but there were a couple of solid songs that were worth downloading. Pat Monahan's vocals are as good as ever, and if you love this style of pop you'll probably really enjoy this album. AM Gold includes 11 songs, runs about 39 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

American Heartbreak - Zach Bryan (released 5/20/2022)

-Favorite Song: Cold Damn Vampires (written by Z. Bryan)

-Honorable Mentions: Something in the Orange (Z&E's Version) (written by Z. Bryan); She's Alright (written by Z. Bryan); You Are My Sunshine (written by Z. Bryan); Sun to Me (written by Z. Bryan); Sober Side of Sorry (written by Z. Bryan); Poems and Closing Time (written by Z. Bryan); From Austin (written by Z. Bryan); If She Wants a Cowboy (written by Z. Bryan)

My brother called me in May so excited about this album that I put everything on hold to listen to it. I went from not having a clue who Zach Bryan was to being a certified fan after taking in this triple (yes, TRIPLE) album, and I think he may be one of the best songwriters in country music right now. In a time where a lot of country music is just trying to get your attention on the radio with stereotypical themes, this album felt real and had a ton of talent to back it up and it's safe to say it was another favorite of mine from this year. American Heartbreak includes 34 songs, runs about 122 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

TAYA - TAYA (released 5/27/2022)

-Favorite Song: For All My Life (written by H. Bentley, J. Guerra, T. Gaukrodger)

-Honorable Mentions: All Eyes On You (written by M. Crocker, M. Wong, W. Rimington, T. Gaukrodger); Getaway (written by J. Guerra, L. Sweat, T. Gaukrodger); Jesus > Everything (written by B. Hastings, J. Ingram, T. Gaukrodger); Carry Me Home (written by J. Foreman, J. Guerra, T. Gaukrodger)

Taya Gaukrodger, along with the earlier mentioned Brooke Ligertwood, is easily one of the most recognizable vocalists associated with Hillsong Worship. I knew I needed to check out her first solo album, and while it's not quite as much my style as Ligertwood's SEVEN was it's still pretty great. It has great beats, hopeful messages, and stunning vocals from Gaukrodger, all of which were probably already to be expected if you're familiar with her. TAYA includes 15 songs, runs about 64 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Twelve Carat Toothache - Post Malone (released 6/3/2022)

-Favorite Song: I Like You (A Happier Song) ft. Doja Cat (written by A. Dlamini, A. Post, B. Walsh, J. Harris, L. Bell)

-Honorable Mentions: Reputation (written by A. Post, L. Bell); Cooped Up ft. Roddy Rich (written by A. Post, R. Moore, L. Bell, B. Walsh); Lemon Tree (written by A. Post, B. Walsh, B. Lee, L. Bell, R. Vojtesak); Wrapped Around Your Finger (written by A. Watt, A. Post, B. Walsh, L. Bell, O. Fedi); Insane (written by A. Post, B. Walsh, L. Bell); Wasting Angels ft. The Kid LAROI (written by A. Post, B. Walsh, C. Howard, L. Bell); Waiting For A Miracle (written by A. Post, L. Bell); One Right Now with The Weeknd (written by A. Tesfaye, A. Bolooki, A. Post, B. Walsh, B. Lee, D. London, L. Bell)

I feel like I may be in the minority here, but I enjoyed Post Malone's newest album. It was very different from what he's done in the past, and like The Weeknd the first half of the album does not feel like a Post Malone project at all, but I give him props for experimenting and making what he wanted to make. It's got great moments and it's interesting to listen to, even if it wasn't what you initially expected. Twelve Carat Toothache includes 14 songs, runs about 43 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Kellyoke - Kelly Clarkson (released 6/9/2022)

-Favorite Song: Happier Than Ever (written by B. O'Connell, F. O'Connell)

-Honorable Mentions: Blue Bayou (written by J. Melson, R. Orbison); Queen Of The Night (written by A. Reid, D. Simmons, K. Edmonds, W. Houston); Fake Plastic Trees (written by C. Greenwood, J. Greenwood)

I will forever listen to any music Kelly Clarkson releases, full stop. Named after the popular segment on her daytime TV show, this EP is just a small taste of the incredible classic music she's covered. She knocks each of them absolutely out of the park, and my only complaint is that her cover of Edge of Seventeen didn't make it on the track list. Kellyoke includes 6 songs, runs about 22 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Denim & Rhinestones - Carrie Underwood (released 6/10/2022)

-Favorite Song: Pink Champagne (written by A. Gorley, C. Underwood, D. Garcia, H. Lindsey)

-Honorable Mentions: Denim & Rhinestones (written by C. Underwood, D. Garcia, H. Lindsey, J. Kear); Ghost Story (written by D. Garcia, H. Lindsey, J. Kear); Crazy Angels (written by C. Underwood, D. Garcia, L. Vaughn); Wanted Woman (written by C. Underwood, D. Garcia, J. Miller); She Don't Know (written by C. Underwood, D. Garcia, H. Lindsey)

I get easily frustrated with Carrie Underwood just because I wish she would try something new besides the homegrown girl next door schtick. There is still a lot of the same on this album, but there's also some cool moments where she embodies 90s and 00s country and I really dug it. Obviously her vocals are good, and if you're a huge fan you'll love it and even if you aren't there's still fun moments on it. Denim & Rhinestones includes 12 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Kingdom Book One - Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (released 6/17/2022)

-Favorite Song: Bless Me (written by K. Franklin)

-Honorable Mentions: My Life is in Your Hands ft. Chandler Moore (written by K. Franklin)

I don't always resonate with gospel music as much as I do CCM, but I can definitely appreciate good gospel when I hear it. This admittedly is not my favorite thing Maverick City has released recently, but the energy on this live album is unmatched. There's some beautiful gospel choir moments on this record, and if you're big into gospel this will be right up your alley. Kingdom Book One includes 11 songs and 11 videos, runs about 194 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Superache - Conan Gray (released 6/24/2022)

-Favorite Song: Astronomy (written by C. Gray, D. Nigro)

-Honorable Mentions: Disaster (written by C. Gray, H. Walter, J. Michaels); Footnote (written by C. Gray, D. Nigro)

All my middle school aged students think Conan Gray is just the bee's knees, and since I was so pleasantly surprised by their recommendation of Olivia Rodrigo last year I figured I'd give him a shot. This album was a little too sad boi for my personal taste, but the tracks that stuck out to me were really solid. Gray's got an alright voice that's pleasant enough to listen to, and a lot of these songs are great to calm down to if you have a zen playlist to add them to. Superache includes 12 songs, runs about 40 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Growin' Up - Luke Combs (released 6/24/2022)

-Favorite Song: Outrunnin' Your Memory with Miranda Lambert (written by D. Isbell, L. Combs, M. Lambert)

-Honorable Mentions: On the Other Line (written by D. Isbell, J. McNair, L. Combs, R. Montana, T. Archer)

I like Luke Combs a lot, and I think he's one of the best "newer" country artists on the radio right now. His songs are a lot of fun to both listen and sing to, and he clearly puts on a fantastic show since he won Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards two years in a row. This album didn't exactly blow me away, but the songs I liked really grabbed my attention and I'm excited to hear more of his stuff in the future. Growin' Up includes 12 songs, runs about 41 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Last Night in the Bittersweet - Paolo Nutini (released 7/1/2022)

-Favorite Song: Abigail (written by P. Nutini)

-Honorable Mentions: Radio (written by M. Benbrook, P. Nutini); Through the Echoes (written by P. Nutini); Shine A Light (written by P. Nutini, T. Simon); Julianne (written by P. Nutini)

I listened to Paolo Nutini's album pretty much straight through the summer between ninth and tenth grade, but admittedly hadn't moved beyond that album until now. I really dig his musical style, songwriting ability, vocal stylizations, and overall vibe here - the music goes from soft rock to indie ballad pretty seamlessly, and the whole album feels like one big set that could've been done in a coffee shop setting. This album feels a bit grown up in a way (maybe because of my elapsed listening time), and overall I loved it and am back on the wagon with Paolo. Last Night in the Bittersweet includes 16 songs, runs about 72 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Mercury - Act 2 - Imagine Dragons (released 7/1/2022)

-Favorite Song: I Don't Like Myself (written by B. McKee, D. Reynolds, D. Platzman, M. Borrero, W. Sermon)

-Honorable Mentions: Blur (written by B. McKee, D. Reynolds, D. Platzman, G. Muron, M. Coogan, N. Scapa, W. Sermon); Crushed (written by B. McKee, D. Reynolds, D. Platzman, W. Sermon); I'm Happy (written by A. Tolman, B. McKee, D. Reynolds, D. Platzman, W. Sermon)

Wow, was I disappointed in Part 2 of this double album. Imagine Dragons did such a phenomenal job on 2021's Mercury - Act 1 that I didn't see it coming, but something was just missing from this year's half. There were moments that were alright, but I'd prefer the two continue to be split up so I can listen to Act 1 without being bothered, but clearly that's not the plan on my preferred streaming service. Mercury (the full double album) includes 32 songs, runs about 103 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Journey - Naomi Raine (released 7/8/2022)

-Favorite Song: Good Story (written by N. Raine)

-Honorable Mentions: Pending Emotions (written by N. Raine); Safe (written by K. Thompson, N. Raine); Still Alone (written by N. Raine); Okay (written by A. Moses, N. Raine, T. Hill); Merrily (written by N. Raine)

I listen to a lot of Maverick City, but this was my first experience hearing Naomi Raine in a studio setting and at times it was a little jarring. She has an incredible voice, but I'm just so used to hearing live recordings of her that parts of the album felt too produced or like they were lacking a bit of energy. That being said, this solo album was pretty good, mixing Raine's usual CCM sound with nice R&B beats interspersed with voice recordings of her discussing her headspace in short little "Car Chats." Journey includes 22 songs, runs about 66 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Special - Lizzo (released 7/15/2022)

-Favorite Song: I Love You Bitch (written by B. Slatkin, J. McVey, M. Jefferson, M. Dean, O. Fedi)

-Honorable Mentions: The Sign (written by E. Frederic, M. Jefferson, M. Neil, N. Mercereau, T. Thomas); Grrrls (written by A. Horovitz, A. Wansel, B. Levin, B. Slatkin, I. Salmanzadeh, M. Martin, M. Jefferson, R. Rubin, T. Thomas); Special (written by A. Wansel, D. Anthony, I. Kirkpatrick, M. Martin, M. Jefferson, T. Thomas); Break Up Twice (written by B. Jones, L. Hill, L. Michels, M. Ronson, M. Jefferson, N. Movashan, T. Breakneck, W. Bell)

Lizzo is a compelling artist to me; I think her vocals would and could be better if she tried, but I think as a composer and a flutist she's great. One thing is for sure, though: a Lizzo song will almost always certainly be fun. This is another album with a lot of fun energy, and I really enjoyed myself while listening to it. Special includes 13 songs, runs about 37 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Gemini Rights - Steve Lacy (released 7/15/2022)

-Favorite Song: Helmet (written by D. Gordon, S. Lacy)

-Honorable Mentions: Bad Habit (written by B. Fousheé, D. Gordon, J. Kirby, M. Castellanos, S. Lacy)

I discovered Steve Lacy for the first time earlier this year and listened to this album on recommendation from my brother. I wasn't crazy about the entire thing, but the couple of songs I liked had great vibes and were very chill to listen to. He might not be as mainstream as other artists, but I do recommend you check his music out for yourself. Gemini Rights includes 10 songs, runs about 35 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

Renaissance - Beyoncé (released 7/29/2022)

-Favorite Song: BREAK MY SOUL (written by A. Pigott, A. George, B. Knowles, F. Ross, C. Stewart, F. McFarlane, S. Carter, T. Gesteelde-Diamant)

-Honorable Mentions: COZY (written by B. Knowles, C. Penny, C. Smith, C. Jones, D. Giles, H. Redmond, L. Solomon, M. Dean, N. Charles, T. Gesteelde-Diamant)

Ok, I'm not here to start a rumble, but I know that the fact that I don't think the sun shines out of Beyoncé's ass is controversial in and of itself. I haven't been a fan of her musical style in about ten years, and this album just felt very generic and boring to me, especially in terms of her vocals - I KNOW she can do amazing things with her voice, and I miss the days when she used to do exactly that. I did have a couple of songs that caught my attention, but overall this is another album that just felt like more of the same. Renaissance includes 16 songs, runs about 62 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

100 Proof Neon - Ronnie Dunn (released 7/29/2022)

-Favorite Song: The Blade (written by A. Shamblin, J. Floyd, M. Beeson)

-Honorable Mentions: Broken Neon Hearts (written by M. Willis, R. Dunn, T. Perkins); Where the Neon Lies (written by C. Duboise, L. Hutton, T. Marez); Road to Abilene ft. Parker McCollum (written by R. Dunn)

I've been a lifelong Brooks & Dunn fan, to the point where Boot Scootin' Boogie is the first song I ever learned to sing. I love Ronnie Dunn's voice, and while I miss he and Kicks Brooks making music together his solo stuff has not disappointed. A lot of these songs I feel could easily be adapted to be Brooks & Dunn songs if they ever wanted to, and that classic honky tonk sound just warms the nostalgic corner of my heart. 100 Proof Neon includes 11 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a honky tonk album by Apple Music.

Cheat Codes - Danger Mouse & Black Thought (released 8/12/2022)

-Favorite Song: Aquamarine ft. Michael Kiwanuka (written by B. Stoller, B. Wilson, B. Burton, D. Cover, J. Alarcen, M. Kiwanuka, T. Trotter)

-Honorable Mentions: Sometimes (written by B. Burton, C. Reid, T. Trotter); No Gold Teeth (written by B. Burton, J. Ragovoy, M. Shuman, T. Trotter); Strangers ft. A$AP Rocky & Run The Jewels (written by B. Burton, D. Cartlidge, J. Meline, M. Wirtz, M. Render, R. Mayers, T. Trotter)

My husband sent this album my way, and I really, really enjoyed it. My appreciation for hip hop grows each year, and this album was maybe my favorite of this genre for 2022. Tariq Trotter is super talented, and whether he makes another album with Danger Mouse or leads another Roots album, I'll be excited to check it out. Cheat Codes includes 12 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Traumazine - Megan Thee Stallion (released 8/12/2022)

-Favorite Song: Scary ft. Rico Nasty (written by M. Kelly, M. Pete, V. van der Ende)

-Honorable Mentions: NDA (written by A. Holmes, M. Pete); Not Nice (written by D. Simmons, D. Desir, M. Pete, S. Porterfield); Anxiety (written by K. Price, M. Pete)

Honestly, I almost skipped this one because I didn't enjoy Megan's freestyle album last year at all, but I'm glad I went ahead and listened because I liked this one so much better. I do think Megan's pretty talented, and the more I learn about her the more I like her. There's some great beats on this album, and I do recommend it if you like hip hop or if you're just a fan of Megan Thee Stallion. Traumazine includes 18 songs, runs about 51 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Viva Las Vengeance - Panic! At the Disco (released 8/19/2022)

-Favorite Song: Sugar Soaker (written by B. Urie, J. Sinclair, M. Viola, M. Kibby)

-Honorable Mentions: Don't Let The Light Go Out (written by B. Urie, B. Walker, J. Sinclair, J. Ian, M. Viola); Local God (written by B. Urie, J. Sinclair, M. Viola); Star Spangled Banger (written by B. Urie, J. Sinclair, M. Viola); Say It Louder (written by B. Urie, B. Walker, J. Sinclair, M. Viola); Something About Maggie (written by B. Urie, J. Sinclair, M. Viola); Do It To Death (written by B. Urie, B. Walker, J. Sinclair, M. Viola)

I've said for years that I'd be fine if Brendan Urie covered every song ever for the rest of time because his voice is so good. However, this Panic album is extremely mid-tier, and a lot of Urie's vocals sound strained to me, as though he's reaching for a sound that he's outrgrown. There are some fun tracks here, don't get me wrong, but compared to their last three or so albums before this it's just not as strong a sound. Viva Las Vengeance includes 12 songs, runs about 44 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Everything I Know About Love - Laufey (released 8/26/2022)

-Favorite Song: Dance With You Tonight (written by L. Jónsdóttir)

-Honorable Mentions: Valentine (written by L. Jónsdóttir); Above the Chinese Restaurant (written by L. Jónsdóttir); Just Like Chet (written by L. Jónsdóttir); Falling Behind (written by L. Jónsdóttir)

Laufey was another student recommendation for me this year, and one I'm very grateful for because I'm definitely now a fan. She has a beautiful, serene jazz club type voice, and the whole vibe of this album was light, delicate (but not fragile) fun. There's a lot of great stuff throughout the album, and I highly recommend it because I want more people to be aware of her. Everything I Know About Love includes 13 songs, runs about 45 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Will of the People - Muse (released 8/26/2022)

-Favorite Song: You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween (written by M. Bellamy)

-Honorable Mentions: Will Of The People (written by M. Bellamy); Ghosts (How Can I Move On) (written by M. Bellamy); We Are F*****g F****d (written by M. Bellamy)

I'd still love to see Muse live someday, as I've heard they're unmatched in terms of live performances. This album was pretty good, not quite the sound I was expecting from them but still undeniably a Muse album with cool instrumentation and impressive vocals from Matt Bellamy. While I don't agree with Apple labeling this as alternative, I recommend it if you're a rock fan or if you just like Muse because they sound cool. Will of the People includes 10 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Mr. Saturday Night - Jon Pardi (released 9/2/2022)

-Favorite Song: Neon Light Speed (written by A. Albert, J. Dorr, P. DiGiovanni)

-Honorable Mentions: Last Night Lonely (written by D. Marlowe, J. Bell, J. Fox); Hung the Moon (written by J. Rodgers, J. Morgan, W. Bundy); Reverse Cowgirl (written by J. Scott, J. Fox, Z. Dyer)

I've just started listening to Jon Pardi over the last year, and he's another good indication that the cookie-cutter country sound of the 2010s (if you know, you know) may finally be almost over. He still sounds fresh and new, but with a Brooks & Dunn type vibe that fills out his style (his voice reminds me a little bit of Kicks Brooks, too). Overall I think this was a good country album and would for sure recommend it. Mr. Saturday Night includes 14 songs, runs about 45 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Rumble of Thunder - The Hu (released 9/2/2022)

-Favorite Song: Triangle (written by B. Dashdondog)

-Honorable Mentions: Teach Me (written by B. Dashdondog); Mother Nature (written by B. Dashdondog); Bii Biyelgee (written by B. Dashdondog)

I was introduced by a friend to The Hu's music a year or two ago and I've been fascinated by them ever since. These guys are super talented and have such an awesome sound creating a hard rock/metal vibe with traditional Mongolian instruments and vocal styles. I cannot recommend this band enough, both for a different style of international music and for fans of rock in general. Rumble of Thunder includes 13 songs, runs about 68 minutes in length, and is labeled as a metal album by Apple Music.

Different Man - Kane Brown (released 9/9/2022)

-Favorite Song: Bury Me in Georgia (written by J. Schmidt, J. Hoge, K. Brown, M. McGinn)

-Honorable Mentions: Thank God with Katelyn Brown (written by C. Stalnecker, J. Mullins, J. Free, J. Hoge, K. Fishman)

Kane Brown is another country artist I started listening to this year and I'm glad I finally got on the train. Brown has a good voice, a good band, and a good country sound that goes from bops to bangers to ballads with relative ease. Similar to Maren Morris, he's a nice blend of country and R&B that fans of both genres can enjoy. Different Man includes 17 songs, runs about 58 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Born Pink - Blackpink (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: Tally (written by N. Dunn, D. Phelan, A. Oriet, B. Lee, S. LePread)

-Honorable Mentions: Pink Venom (written by T. Park, D. Chung); Shut Down (written by 24, D. Chung, T. Park, Vince); Typa Girl (written by R. Johnson); The Happiest Girl (written by T. Sinclair, W. Sinclair, Paro)

I was super excited to see a new Blackpink album this year, and they did not disappoint. This album was by default easier for me to understand with my western ears since more of the songs are in English (don't misunderstand, I've loved their non-English stuff as well and listen to it regularly), and the sound, while still undeniably K-Pop, was also different enough to be engaging and exciting while still maintaining their unique style. These ladies have great voices and contagious energy, and I'm looking forward to hearing more of them in the future. Born Pink includes 8 songs, runs about 25 minutes in length, and is labeled as a K-Pop album by Apple Music.

Asphalt Meadows - Death Cab for Cutie (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: I Don't Know How I Survive (written by B. Gibbard)

-Honorable Mentions: Asphalt Meadows (written by B. Gibbard, N. Harmer, Z. Rae); Pepper (written by B. Gibbard, Z. Rae)

I've been a casual listener of Death Cab since around my sophomore year of high school, so when I saw they had an album coming out this year I figured I'd go ahead and listen to the whole thing. Ben Gibbard has such a distinctive (and pleasant to listen to) voice that you don't often have to wonder if you're listening to a Death Cab song, and I think all the guys in the band are talented and make good music that's chill to listen to. This album was a very relaxing 3/4 hour, and I'd definitely recommend it to others. Asphalt Meadows includes 11 songs, runs about 42 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Color Decay - The Devil Wears Prada (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: Fire (written by J. DePoyster, J. Gering, M. Hranica)

My husband is a TDWP fan, so this is another album I wanted to try out this year. As hard as I tried to get into it, this was unfortunately another example of a style of metal that just isn't for me. The song I did like was definitely an outlier with much more singing than screaming, but if you're a fan of metal this one might be worth a shot for you. Color Decay includes 12 songs, runs about 45 minutes in length, and is labeled as a metal album by Apple Music.

DECIDE - Djo (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: Slither (written by A. Thein, J. Keery)

-Honorable Mentions: Runner (written by A. Thein, J. Keery); Gloom (written by J. Keery); On and On (written by A. Thein, J. Keery); End of Beginning (written by J. Keery); Climax (written by A. Thein, J. Keery)

If you are one of "most" people this year, you're already very familiar with Djo by either his given name (Joe Keery) or his fan favorite Stranger Things character (Steve Harrington). That's admittedly the main reason I tried this album out, but boy did I love it by the time it was over. His funky, psychedelic-esque electronic sound fits well with his voice, and it absolutely got me interested in his prior releases as well as future Djo projects. DECIDE includes 13 songs, runs about 36 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Mr. Sun - Little Big Town (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: Hell Yeah (written by C. Crowder, J. Westbrook, P. Sweet, T. Hubbard)

-Honorable Mentions: Mr. Sun (written by D. Tashian, S. Buxton)

I still like Little Big Town and think they've got some of the tightest harmonies in mainstream modern country music. That's being said, this album felt a little lackluster and overall wasn't my favorite thing they've ever done. Maybe it's putting out two albums in eighteen months, but other artists have done that successfully so I don't know, but the energy just wasn't there for me. Mr. Sun includes 16 songs, runs about 58 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

The Hardest Part - Noah Cyrus (released 9/16/2022)

-Favorite Song: Mr. Percocet (written by J. Evigan, N. Cyrus, S. Hudson, P. Harding)

-Honorable Mentions: Loretta's Song (written by M. Crossey, N. Cyrus, P. Harding)

I really like Noah Cyrus's voice, and may go so far as to say that I now enjoy her music over her sister's. Some of this album was a bit slow for me, but there a couple of really beautiful moments that deserve attention. Miley definitely isn't the only talented Cyrus sister, that much is absolutely certain. The Hardest Part includes 11 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Simple - Bethel Music (released 9/23/2022)

-Favorite Song: Stand in Awe with The McClures (written by P. McClure, H. McClure, L. Mooring, L. Hendrickson)

-Honorable Mentions: Tend with Emmy Rose (written by E. Rose, M. Gentile, J. Early); Let My Life Be Worship with Jenn Johnson ft. Michaela Gentile (written by M. Gentile, J. Cates, S. Hart, J. Johnson); Our Jesus with David Funk (written by D. Funk, B. Wohrle, A. Cook); Jesus My King ft. Zach Vestnys & Abby Vestnys (written by B. Johnson, J. Johnson, B. Lake, J. Ingram, B. Fielding); Honesty ft. Sydney Allen (written by J. Gentile, S. Allen, E. Rose, M. Wong, J. Johnson, B. Citro)

This Bethel album is exactly what its title proclaims it to be: simple. Instead of a live album this year, they released this beautiful collection of songs with more acoustic, personal feels and less flashy production. The talent and the messages on these tracks are undeniable, and the whole thing is a relaxing, refreshing listen. Simple includes 11 songs and 11 videos, runs about 109 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

SUBJECT TO CHANGE - Kelsea Ballerini (released 9/23/2022)

-Favorite Song: IF YOU GO DOWN (I'M GOIN' DOWN TOO) (written by J. Bunetta, K. Ballerini, S. McAnally)

-Honorable Mentions: MUSCLE MEMORY (written by J. Bunetta, K. Ballerini, S. McAnally); UNIVERSE (written by A. Vanderheym, K. Ballerini, S. Sloan); YOU'RE DRUNK, GO HOME with Kelly Clarkson & Carly Pearce (written by J. Bunetta, K. Ballerini, S. McAnally); MARILYN (written by K. Ballerini)

I've liked Kelsea Ballerini in passing for a while, so I wanted to try her new album out to see how it was. I think she's got a good voice, a talent for songwriting, and a really fun energy about her that makes this listening experience very enjoyable. If you want a love song, a track about friendship, or just a fun number to belt at the top of your lungs, they're all right here. SUBJECT TO CHANGE includes 15 songs, runs about 47 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

MOSS - Maya Hawke (released 9/23/2022)

-Favorite Song: Hiatus (written by C. Hutson, M. Hawke)

-Honorable Mentions: Bloomed Into Blue (written by B. Davis, M. Hawke); Luna Moth (written by C. Hutson, M. Hawke); Over (written by C. Hutson, M. Hawke); Restless Moon (written by M. Hawke, W. Graefe)

Like with Djo, I was largely interested in checking out Maya Hawke's newest album because of her role on Stranger Things, and I was just as pleasantly surprised here as I was with DECIDE. Hawke has a great voice for indie music, and I'm a big fan of the storytelling songwriting that permeates every track on this album. I'm excited to see and hear more of her moving forward, and definitely recommend this album to everyone, not just my fellow Robin fans. MOSS includes 13 songs, runs about 45 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Stick Season - Noah Kahan (released 10/14/2022)

-Favorite Song: Orange Juice (written by N. Kahan)

-Honorable Mentions: Northern Attitude (written by G. Simon, N. Kahan); Stick Season (written by N. Kahan); Come Over (written by N. Kahan); Everywhere, Everything (written by N. Kahan); Halloween (written by G. Simon, N. Kahan); Still (written by I. Archer, N. Kahan)

My brother and a couple of my students highly recommended this album to me, and I very much so enjoyed the entire thing. This is a chill singer-songwriter album, a mix of indie and folk with the slightest hints of alternative and country thrown in for good measure. I'll be checking out his future projects for sure, he's got a nice voice and a lot of songwriting talent. Stick Season includes 14 songs, runs about 55 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

The Loneliest Time - Carly Rae Jepsen (released 10/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: Go Find Yourself or Whatever (written by C. Jepsen, R. Batmanglij)

-Honorable Mentions: Surrender My Heart (written by C. Jepsen, I. Royal, M. Hershenow); Joshua Tree (written by C. Jepsen, L. Niccoli, T. Crowe); Talking to Yourself (written by B. Berger, C. Jepsen, R. Rabin, S. Wilcox); Western Wind (written by C. Jepsen, R. Batmanglij); Keep Away (written by C. Jepsen, K. Shearer, N. Cyphert)

I was in college during the insane summer where you couldn't escape Call Me Maybe, so nostalgia drew me toward this new album. I've never thought Carly Rae Jepsen had the strongest vocals, but she can make some serious bops, that much was true in 2012 and still seems to be true today. She's grown up a bit in the last decade, but her music hasn't gotten any less fun to listen to. The Loneliest Time includes 16 songs, runs about 54 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Where the Glory Is - Josh Baldwin (released 10/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: I See the Light (written by B. Strand, J. Baldwin, M. Zigenis)

-Honorable Mentions: Resurrection Day (written by J. Baldwin, M. Armstrong, E. Hulse); Narrow Road (written by C. Renzema, H. Bentley, J. Baldwin); Fresh Fire Fresh Wind (written by J. Baldwin, J. Early, H. Bentley)

Josh Baldwin has been a favorite of mine since 2019's Stand in Your Love, so I was pretty excited to check out this solo project from him. I love the tone of Baldwin's voice, and he's got some great messages and sounds on these tracks. Baldwin sings with conviction and genuineness that catches you up in the moment and the meaning behind the music. Where the Glory Is includes 11 songs, runs about 46 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Takin' It Back - Meghan Trainor (released 10/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: Bad For Me ft. Teddy Swims (written by F. Vindver, M. Trainor, S. Wrabel, A. Bhattacharyya)

-Honorable Mentions: Sensitive ft. Scott Hoying (written by Kole, M. Trainor, T. Gad); Made You Look (written by F. Vindver, M. Trainor, S. Douglas); Don't I Make It Look Easy (written by F. Vindver, M. Trainor, M. McDonald); Superwoman (written by D. Wilson, M. Trainor)

Meghan Trainor is back with more fun bops and bangers, which should surprise no one because so far all of her albums have been pretty good. Her music is so fun, and I think she has a good balance of catchy social media bops and power ballads with soulful, meaningful lyrics. I always have a good time listening to Trainor, and if pop music is your go-to you probably will, too. Takin' It Back includes 16 songs, runs about 46 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Perplex Cities - EP - Serj Tankian (released 10/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: I Spoke Up (written by S. Tankian)

-Honorable Mentions: Pop Imperialism (written by S. Tankian)

My husband introduced me to Serj Tankian, both as a solo artist and as a member of System of a Down, when we were dating in high school, and since I've liked his solo stuff in the past I wanted to check this EP out. I personally think Tankian can get a bit big for his britches, but he has a wonderful, unique voice and I love how incorporates musical motifs from his native Armenia into his music. This album may not be for everyone, but you can't deny his talent. Perplex Cities includes 5 songs, runs about 17 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Midnights - Taylor Swift (released 10/21/2022)

-Favorite Song: Maroon (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift)

-Honorable Mentions: Anti-Hero (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Midnight Rain (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Question...? (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Vigilante Shit (written by T. Swift); Bejeweled (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Mastermind (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Bigger Than The Whole Sky (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Paris (written by J. Antonoff, T. Swift); Would've, Could've, Should've (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner); Dear Reader (written by T. Swift, J. Antonoff)

I have definitely been spoiled by the sounds Taylor crafted on folklore and evermore, because hearing her go back to this super produced sound with a ton of effects was admittedly very jarring. This album sounds, to me, like if 1989 and reputation had a baby, which is totally cool, just not quite the vibe I was expecting based off the visual aesthetic of the album art and promotions she did. It's sitting in the middle of the pack for me right now, but it grows on me every day, and if you haven't listened yet you absolutely must check out the 3am edition to get all the bonus content. Midnights includes 20 songs, runs about 69 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Remember That You Will Die - Polyphia (released 10/28/2022)

-Favorite Song: Playing God (written by C. Aeschliman, C. Gober, S. LePage, T. Henson)

-Honorable Mentions: Reverie (written by C. Aeschliman, C. Gober, S. LePage, T. Henson); Neurotica (written by C. Aeschliman, C. Gober, S. LePage, T. Henson); Chimera ft. Lil West (written by A. Starace, C. Aeschliman, C. Gober, L. Holland, P. Judge, S. LePage, S. SeGrant, S. Feigenbaum, T. Henson)

My husband and I found Polyphia on YouTube a while back, and I became a fan of their sound pretty quickly after that. These guys are crazy talented, and they have a style of playing that's undeniably theirs. I do tend to prefer their solo instrumental stuff over their collaborations because that's where they tend to fade into styles they don't usually adopt, but I definitely recommend these guys if you're into rock. Remember That You Will Die includes 12 songs, runs about 39 minutes in length, and is labeled as a rock album by Apple Music.

Lightwork - Devin Townsend (released 11/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Moonpeople (written by D. Townsend)

-Honorable Mentions: Lightworker (written by D. Townsend); Vacation (written by D. Townsend); Yogi (written by D. Townsend); Boogus (written by D. Townsend)

Devin Townsend is another artist my husband introduced me to, and this guy's talent never ceases to blow me away. While a few of the songs admittedly go on a little bit long, he goes up to at least 120% on every project he does, making each one a dramatic, impressive work of art. If you appreciate excellent vocals backed by borderline operatic instrumentation in your rock music, this is the double album for you. Lightwork includes 20 songs, runs about 104 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hard rock album by Apple Music.

Palomino - First Aid Kit (released 11/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Nobody Knows (written by B. Yttling, J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg)

-Honorable Mentions: Out of My Head (written by B. Yttling, J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg); Turning Onto You (written by J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg); Fallen Snow (written by J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg); The Last One (written by B. Yttling, D. Bengtson, J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg); 29 Palms Highway (written by J. Söderberg, K. Söderberg)

I saw Adam Scott post about this album on Instagram and was interested enough to check it out and I ended up liking it quite a bit. The Swedish sister act of Johanna & Klara Söderberg reminds me in ways of ABBA (largely in vocal stylization) and the Swiss-German duo BOY (largely in vibe), and this album just really worked for me. They're a pleasant blend of pop and folk, so check them out if that's your scene. Palomino includes 11 songs, runs about 39 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Smithereens - Joji (released 11/4/2022)

-Favorite Song: Glimpse of Us (written by A. Kesselman, C. McDonough, G. Miller, J. Castillo, R. McDonough)

My brother sent me the lead single off this album when it released, and we agreed it was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't agree with the rest of the album, instead finding it quite boring. Joji does have a good voice, this album just wasn't it for me. Smithereens includes 9 songs, runs about 24 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Make It Out Alive - Kristian Stanfill (released 11/11/2022)

-Favorite Song: We Need People (written by K. Stanfill)

-Honorable Mentions: Make It Out Alive (written by K. Stanfill); That's Not You (written by J. Ingram, K. Stanfill)

I got to see Kristian Stanfill live back in high school, and I've been a fan of his music every since. This newest album is heavily influenced by his sobriety journey, and it has a beautiful, genuine quality to it that makes it feel super relatable to any struggle you may be going through. 2022 has shown to be a great year for CCM, and this is no exception. Make It Out Alive includes 11 songs, runs about 45 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Feelings and Such - Louden Swain (released 11/11/2022)

-Favorite Song: One of Those Things (written by R. Benedict, B. Moran, M. Borja, S. Norton)

-Honorable Mentions: Guilty One (written by R. Benedict, B. Moran, M. Borja, S. Norton); Bottle You Up (written by R. Benedict, B. Moran, M. Borja, S. Norton); There's the Rub (written by R. Benedict, B. Moran, M. Borja, S. Norton); Crystal Ball (written by R. Benedict, B. Moran, M. Borja, S. Norton)

Louden Swain caught my attention because of Supernatural, seeing as frontman Rob Benedict plays a fairly crucial role on the show. Not all of their music catches my attention, but there's some fun bops on here that are worth a listen. Benedict is one of those people who sings almost exactly like he speaks, and it doesn't quite land for me each time but when it does, it definitely works with their vibe. Feelings and Such includes 13 songs, runs about 44 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Divisive - Disturbed (released 11/18/2022)

-Favorite Song: Bad Man (written by D. Donegan, M. Wengren, D. Draiman, J. Moyer, D. Falk)

-Honorable Mentions: Hey You (written by D. Donegan, M. Wengren, D. Draiman, J. Moyer)

Disturbed was one of the first hard rock, metal adjacent bands that I really enjoyed, largely due to how much I love David Draiman as a vocalist. Nothing on this album grabbed me in the way Sound of Silence or Stricken do, but there were a couple of good songs in the middle of the mediocrity. They may be more "mainstream," but these guys are definitely talented and have a good thing going, so I'm always willing to check them out. Divisive includes 10 songs, runs about 38 minutes in length, and is labeled as a rock album by Apple Music.

Get Rollin' - Nickelback (released 11/18/2022)

-Favorite Song: High Time (written by C. Kroeger, J. Johnson, M. Kroeger, S. Clow)

-Honorable Mentions: Skinny Little Missy (written by C. Kroeger)

The greatest debate in music, perhaps with very little contest, is whether people like or dislike Nickelback, and I've honestly never understood why. Yeah, a huge portion of this album is incredibly generic, but there's a couple of decent songs on here, they've had some certified bangers in the past, and Chad Kroeger's voice is honestly not that bad. Love them or hate them, this is a pretty run of the mill Nickelback album where they attempted a harder metal sound at the top that had more than run its course by the middle of the track list. Get Rollin' includes 11 songs, runs about 41 minutes in length, and is labeled as a rock album by Apple Music.

HEROES & VILLAINS - Metro Boomin (released 12/5/2022)

-Favorite Song: Superhero (Heroes & Villains) with Future & Chris Brown (written by A. Boyd, A. Ritter, C. Brown, C. Young, D. Ruoff, E. Klughammer, E. Wilson, K. West, K. Dean, L. Wayne, M. Lubowitz, M. Dean, N. Wilburn, R. Diggs, S. Carter, T. Thornton)

-Honorable Mentions: On Time with John Legend (written by B. Simmons, C. Moon, J. Donald, J. Lenox, J. Stephens, L. Wayne, P. Johnson); Creepin' with The Weeknd & 21 Savage (written by C. Hawkins, E. Bhraonain, E. Sermon, M. Winans, M. Jones, N. Ryan, P. Smith, R. Ryan)

I know next to nothing about Metro Boomin, but my brother was absolutely adamant that I listen to this album and yeah, it was pretty good. While I am someone who tends to value musicality over production in my music, the production here is excellent and each song flows into the next so naturally that it feels like one big story. As far as hip hop albums go, this was definitely a good one. HEROES & VILLAINS includes 15 songs, runs about 48 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap album by Apple Music.

SOS - SZA (released 12/9/2022)

-Favorite Song: Conceited (written by C. Fayne, R. Bisel, S. Rowe)

-Honorable Mentions: Nobody Gets Me (written by B. Levin, C. Lang, R. Bisel, S. Rowe)

I've been interested in checking out more of SZA's music for a bit, so I used this album as a jumping off point. Although I felt the album ran a little long and didn't have the most variety, SZA's voice was good and there were some good beats on here. This wasn't my exact cup of tea, but I'll check out her future projects for sure. SOS includes 23 songs, runs about 68 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

NO THANK YOU - Little Simz (released 12/12/2022)

-Favorite Song: Heart on Fire (written by C. Nikolic, D. Cover, S. Ajikawo)

-Honorable Mentions: Gorilla (written by D. Cover, S. Ajikawo); Silhouette (written by C. Nikolic, D. Cover, S. Ajikawo)

Little Simz is another artist my husband and I found on YouTube, so when he told me she had a new album out I figured it would be a good way to end the post. This felt like a solid hip hop album with hints of R&B, and Little Simz's distinct voice really helps make the music what it is. Overall, I feel like this was a great choice for my year's final album. NO THANK YOU includes 10 songs, runs about 50 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop album by Apple Music.

If you made it to the end of this post, I want to thank you so much for tuning in each Monday to see what's going on. Happy listening, happy new year, and see ya'll next week!