Top Albums of 2022 so far!

With the music industry returning to normality after the pandemic, discerning ears have been treated to a wide range of excellent records this year. From hip hop and rock to reggae and pop, there have been some excellent albums released in 2022 - but which have been the best so far?

Rosalia – Motomami - Genre-bending Spanish singer Rosalia returned with her third record this year, the critically acclaimed Motomami. Featuring production from Pharrell and a guest spot from The Weekend, Motomami has already produced four hit singles including ‘La Fama’, ‘Saoko’ and the infectious ‘Chicken Teriyaki’.

Beyoncé – Renaissance - Queen Bee released her first record since 2016’s Lemonade this year, Renaissance. Packed with upbeat and eclectic styles including soul, house, disco and R&B, Renaissance is arguably Beyoncé’s most ambitious offering to date, having already topped the charts in multiple countries worldwide.

Horace Andy – Midnight Rocker - 2022 saw the collision between two reggae heavyweights, maverick dub producer Adrian Sherwood and iconic Jamaican roots vocalist Horace Andy. Despite being over 70 years of age, Andy’s vocal and lyrical style is as on-point as ever, and his latest offering (with Sherwood at the mixing desk) has been touted as an essential addition to the back catalogue.

Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: With a well-earned reputation as one of hip hop’s most hard-hitting artists, King Kendrick returned this year with his fifth LP, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. As well as one of the most memorable album covers of 2022 so far, Lamar’s new record features guest appearances from certified rap royalty including Kodak Black and Ghostface Killah. The album is available both digitally and on vinyl, so you can play the record on your turntable.

Saba – Few Good Things - Proving that the pen is still mightier than the sword, Chicago rapper Saba returned this year with his third record Few Good Things, which sees the Chi-town native take a more soft and soulful approach on the mic - expect appearances from Black Thought and Pivot Gang.

Harry Styles – Harry's House - Former One Direction star Harry Styles made 2022 a year to remember with his third solo effort, Harry’s House. Combining elements of surrealism, funk and disco with bubblegum pop magic, this ambitious record proved that there’s more to Mr. Styles than just a boyband pinup.

Liam Gallagher – C’mon You Know - Despite the continued digs at his estranged brother Noel, Liam Gallagher has put Oasis behind him; this year’s C’mon You Know, his third solo offering since 2017, saw the Mancunian singer’s comeback well and truly realised; highlights include the Dave Grohl-co-written ‘Everything’s Electric’, which hit number one in the UK singles chart. As you were!

FKA Twigs – Caprisongs - One of the most warmly-received records this year was up-and-coming British star FKA Twigs’ debut mixtape Caprisongs, which was released in January through Young and Atlantic Records - Caprisongs features standout appearances from Pa Salieu and Shygirl as well as one of the hottest singles of 2022, ‘Tears in the Club’.