I feel like saying something about the music of the year that is about to end. As with everything else, my music consumption was heavily impacted by the ongoing war, and at the beginning of the year, I could not really focus on listening anything other than quiet and chill muzak that helped me keep my sanity. But as the year progressed, I started picking up more and more new records. In the end, I probably listened to more music than in any of the previous years.
This year also marked the end of the global pandemics, so naturally all the artists started to tour again. I was blessed to see some wonderful and memorable gigs, some of them I detailed here in my blog.
I finally saw Tindersticks. It was a special night in Vienna when they played with a string section. But moreover, I was able to see them again just in a month in Wroclaw. This time just the band with no accompanying strings, but still equally great and enjoyable.
And yeah, two shows of The Cure. Saw them in Krakow and Lodz for 2 nights in a row. I did not really write about it here, and I doubt I will. But this was super special and unique and it was the highlight of this sad year.
Speaking about sad, the news about passing of Mimi Parker and Terry Hall hit me quite hard. But nothing was as heartbreaking as Andy Fletcher. Depeche Mode is such a big part of my life. It was my first real concert, I met so many friends through our mutual love for DM. Perhaps not a prominent musician, but still an essential piece of the band, and he will be sorely missed. I still have no tickets for any of the DM shows next year, they will be playing in Krakow but I'm not even sure how to take their concerts without Fletch.
And here are my favourite records of 2022. The top 5 is probably more or less correct, the bottom is interchangeable.
- Bobby Oroza - Get on the Otherside
- Warpaint - Radiate like This
- Young Prisms - Drifter
- The Reds, Pinks and Purples - Summer at Land's End
- High Vis - Blending
- Johnny Marr - Fever Dreams Pts1-4
- Principe Valiente - Barricades
- Letting Up Despite Great Faults - IV
- Junior Boys - Waiting Game
- Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia
Bobby Oroza is a new name for me. He is just a wonderful musician from Finland that plays catchy guitar-driven Northern soul. I'm not sure I can call it alternative music, but it's not pop either. Soul is a dirty word for me as it's been tainted by modern variations. Still, Bobby's soul sounds wonderful.
I was just a casual fan of Warpaint, their music is pleasant but rather forgettable. I'm not sure I will listen to their new record often in the future, but I think it's their best and most consistent album.
High Vis is another new name that I learnt this year. Looks like they were former hardcore punks who slightly changed their direction. They sound like a grittier and noisier The Chameleons with Beastie Boys Sabotage-like vocals. I loved the record. Catchy, high-energy and memorable tunes.
I've known about Principe Valiente for ages but to me this band was just another coldwave post-punk revivalists geared towards goths. Yes, it's all true but it's also true that they can write wonderful songs. Easily their best record.
Junior Boys had a long hiatus but I'm glad they are back. The new album is on the mellower side of their things and is essentially a pleasant and quiet ambient record. It's short and has some filler but overall is a very pleasant listening experience.
I heard the name Fontaines DC many times before but never bothered to listen to them. Besides, there is a bit of a hype around them. I did not like their album at all at first. But that's on me. I kept listening and it's a great record. Again, very catchy with brilliant songwriting. Yeah, maybe some filler as well, but overall a very strong record. Jackie Down The Line is probably my song of the year.
I don't know how to classify the The Reds, Pinks and Purples. It may be bedroom indie jangle pop or something like that. It may sound the same but this are just wonderful songs and I'm very glad I've discovered this artist.
Honorable Mentions:
I've always thought that Cranes are impossible band to copy. But Just Mustard nailed it. The voice, the sound. It blends the noise and darkness of the early albums with melody and beauty of their later ones.
This is not an album but the collection of earlier EPs. Brilliant shoegaze .
I'm a fan but this album is a much weaker than their best. But the song called The Line with Ruth Radelet (formerly of The Chromatics) is just glorious. Another song of the year for me.
Not really a return to form. Early 90s Suede were untouchable. But this is definitely the best album of their late career after the band got back together. You could put 15 Again and She Still Leads Me On on any of their records and it would have improved them.
I guess Robohands can be classified as jazz. This is gorgeous, soothing and beautiful music. I found out about Robohands last year or the year before and it's in my heavy rotation since. Especially when I need a bit of break from post-punk and shoegaze.
This one also has Violet in the name but it can't be more different from the previous album. Violet Age is 100% gothic, electronic and cold. In fact, I should probably include this in my top 10. Great album!
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