Top albums of 2022

Listener music writer Graham Reid names his picks for the best albums of the year.

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Any “best of the year” album list is contentious because art is subjective, no one can hear everything and personal tastes are divergent if not in opposition. The best albums of this year are those you enjoyed most, but here are 20 diverse offerings that stood out, with suggestions for a follow-up listen also from this year’s releases.

ALDOUS HARDING Warm Chris

Uncut magazine acclaimed Harding’s total-immersion world where there was no map. In these often-minimal songs with oblique lyrics, her almost-conversational voice moves through fragile folk and hints of European pop embellished by saxophone, horns and electric guitar. Subtle, seductive, enigmatic and engaging. Again. 

Now hear: Mel Parsons’ Slow Burn

AVANTDALE BOWLING CLUB Trees

Tom Scott’s well of his own story and social observation hasn’t run dry, as these urgent, inventive, locked ’n’ loaded rhymes and stockpiled images prove. Once again set against a jazz backdrop of horns, vibes and backing vocalists, this confirms he’s outstanding in his field of one.

Now hear: Yard Act’s The Overload

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