While I am unable to spend much money this year due to medication costs, I still buy albums monthly through Bandcamp mostly. I prefer to own music and to support the artist if I can. I’m a music addict.
Music brings joy to my life, makes it less tedious and often inspires or informs my own creative work. I like to dance…in my body and my mind.
Here, in no particular order are twelve of my favourite albums that came out in 2022.
They are favourites because I listen to them a lot and because they are memorable and compelling and make me forget that the world is a shite box.
Natalia Lafourcade - De Todas las Flores
I love Natalia’s voice. There’s such emotion in her singing from vibration, holding notes, to a versatile range. The bosa nova beat is fun to dance to, even when you don’t know the bosa nova. There’s an old world feel to the music, but it’s got a modern arrangement, if that makes sense. It’s a celebratory album with lots of great instruments backing up Lafourcade’s voice.
Florence + the Machine, Dance Fever
Strong voice and great hooks. I’ve been a fan of Florence + the Machine for some time. This album feels orchestral with a swell of instruments and then moves into fierce rhythms you can dance to while shaking your fist and shouting “fuck the world.” Like Lourde, F+TM offers relatable portrayals of dysfunction. Florence Welch describes the album as “a fairytale in fourteen songs.”
Mélissa Laveaux, Mama Forgot Her Name Was Miracle
I am a long-time fan of this former Ottawa resident, having first heard her at Zaphod Beeblebrox with a group of women musicians performing for an event I can no longer remember, but I was star struck by her amazing voice. There’s a wonderful variety of music on the album, from happy to haunting. This is a gorgeous album, Laveaux is divine. There’s an upbeat vibe that makes me happy.
Begging the Moon: Phleng Thai Sakon & Luk Krung, 1945-1960
from the Bandcamp description: “Begging the Moon is a collection focused upon an early-to-mid 20th century style of Thai popular song, commonly named Phleng Thai sakon (meaning "song which is both Thai and universal")”
Bandcamp is great because it allows the music addict to discover music they wouldn’t necessarily have ever heard. This album is certainly something that wasn’t on my radar, but I’m glad I purchased it. It’s sweet, sexy, joyous, and fun to listen to with lots of different vocalists.
There’s something mesmerizing about the work of Björk. This album is pure artistry, of course. It’s intelligent, thoughtful, and visceral.
From Wikipedia: “The album was recorded mainly during the COVID-19 pandemic and centers around the theme of isolation, loss, and grief, mainly of the death of her mother, Hildur Runa Hauksdóttir, in 2018.”
Pair this album with Anonymous 4’s medieval carols. You’ll have a good time.
Michael Feuerstack – Translations
Michael has a lovely voice. He translates the originals from Dylan, Springsteen et al in his own way. That’s what I love about a good cover; it isn’t just an attempt to recreate the work of the original exactly, it’s an interpretation.
On Bandcamp, he offers information about why he chose a song to cover. I love knowing the background of a record. Ron Sexsmith has written about many of his songs as well.
Fav song from the album: Who Knows Where The Time Goes. The combo of instruments and voice here is beauty. Love that electric, steel guitar and drum combo.
Mikaela Mullaney Straus has a gorgeous voice, great range. There’s something ethereal about it and the background drone of the music seems to go together. A kind of Half-Waif or Ex-Re feel maybe? One day I’ll do a playlist of break-up albums.
Mariel Buckley – Where I Used to Be
I like the laid-back nature of this album. Mariel’s voice and the steel guitar go well together. A great country-folk mix.
I got the album because I love Bury Me at Makeout Creek. I love her voice and the rhythms. The slow opening of Valentine with that low, dark voice and the sudden bloom of instruments brightening it up. There’s a mix of moods and rhythms here, some a little more dancy, others reflective, always with Mitski’s clear and mellifluous voice. Fav song on Laurel Hell: Stay Soft.
Little Mazarn – Texas River Song
Slow, thoughtful, great range, folky and reminiscent of Victoria Williams, Townes Van Zandt. Love Lindsey Verrill’s voice. Most played song: Blue Jumped A Rabbit.
From the site: “Little Mazarn is a musical collaboration between friends Lindsey Verrill (songwriter, vocalist) and Jeff Johnston (saw). They live in Austin Texas.”
Cowboy Junkies, Songs of the Recollection
I’m a long-term fan of the band, especially Margo Timmins whose voice I could fan girl on and on about. I loved the harmonies here and that cool instrument on Marathon is especially fun. This is a giant album but as usual gets understated attention. They always do a great job of covers and this is no exception.
Irreverence and a strong voice, these are two of my favourite things. I only have one other album by Kurt Vile, his collab record with Courtney Barrett, whole lotta sea lice, and I love that, so I thought I’d pick this one up. and now I know I have to explore more of his music. The Mountain Goats and the Decemberists come to mind with this record. A bit story like and the irreverence, fancifulness. But also that Southern alt country vibe is kinda there too, right? Fun lyrics too. I mean, he uses the word “bamboozled.” I love the list poem of flyin’ (like a fast train).
Fav song: Going on A Plane Today
Post-Script
If he put out an album this year, I’d put him on the list, but I have to mention the great singer-songwriter, St. Lenox, whose albums I have devoured and listened to over and over again this year. They have definitely helped me through the apocalypse and will continue to do so. I got all his albums this year after hearing a song from Ten Songs of Worship and Praise for our Tumultuous Times, which came out last year. Go to his Bandcamp, especially on Bandcamp Fridays, get all of his albums and get them as gifts for loved ones and dear friends.
I’d love to know your list of fav albums…feel free to comment if you’d like. Or if you listen to one of these and love it, I’d like to know! I may do other lists before the year ends. Stay tuned. If you know me, you know how much I love lists.