Music for 2022- Is It Just Me Or?..

I like to look at end of year lists and see the type of music I like in several lists. This year I’ve got several things I like and there might be more.

Alvvays: Blue Rev

Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mount

Soccer Mommy: Sometimes, Forever

Hatchie: Giving the World Away

Alex G: God Save the Animals

Crumb: Ice Melt

Beach House: Once Twice Melody

There were a couple I picked up this year that actually came out last year:

Pip Blom: Welcome Break

Tristen: Aquatic Flowers

What is great is that you can look at the reviews and then play the entire album on YouTube or on a streaming service. Even better are the artists who play live on KEXP or NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts shown on YouTube so you get a sense of who they really are. I’m checking out the Spoon release Lucifer on the Sofa. I’ll check out a few more. That’s a pretty good haul for me.

I'll browse Tidals genre new releases every week to see what's out there. Kind of like the old Borders listening stations. 

There's as much good stuff out there as anytime before. There's also just as much crap. 

@dz13 

I just did my last buy for 2022 a couple of weeks ago and (as I wrote when starting this thread) only picked up about 35 titles. So that puts me down to about a third of what I’ve usually bought in the past.

Looking over your stuff- I’ve always found Alex G entertaining but could never bring myself to purchase Beach House or Soccer Mommy. Listened to Big Thief but have never purchased.

I do the same thing as you’ve described- get a list and roll through via Spotify. When I’m done with the list I go back and listen to it again just to make sure I’m in. You should try AOTM’s website (Album of the Year) for really comprehensive lists. They update as the titles are released and you can sort by genres. Hopefully 2023 brings more offerings (at least for stuff I’m interested in).

@designsfx

I don’t buy that many as I would never really have an opportunity to get to know the albums. Using the old "back in the day," you used to buy an album with almost no chance to hear it before unless in a record store, radio or a friend’s house. You had to replay the record all the way through many times sometimes before you "got it."

Soccer Mommy is someone that I hadn’t really cared for before but I really like her new one. It actually sounds somewhat similar to what Alvvays is doing and I love Alvvays.

Alex G is a new one for me. I listened to the new one a few times and enjoyed it. I’ve also listened to his older albums to see if I should go there but they haven’t caught me like this one. Sounds sort of like Sufjan Stevens with more of an edge.

Beach House takes a bit of time to actually catch the melodies they put out. It’s a matter if you want to put in the time.

Big Thief is something you like or you don't. The singer/songerwriter, Adrianne Lenker, is just really talented and the band adds a lot to the songs. 

I’ve always thought that music changes the way your brain works and sometimes there is a real learning curve for the brain.

Please list your favorites for this year. I’d be interested in what you thought was the best this year.

@dz13-

Will do. I’ll put a complete list of my buys for the year and send you a pm. I forward these off to others as well- just haven’t finished up yet.