Presenting Tuned Up’s very comprehensive (not really) list of the best albums of 2022. Hope you discover something new in the below list. Enjoy!

50. The Beths – Expert in a Dying Field

New Zealander’s The Beths’ third album is a breezy power-pop piece of art. Their indie-rock foray into love and heartbreak makes sadness sound so good. And even though the stories behind the songs are full of hard emotions, there’s something that sounds so positive about the whole affair. The tracks are expertly crafted and Elizabeth Stokes’ beautiful voice perfectly draws everything together.

Recommended Track: “Silence is Golden” -Alex Dye

49. Fantastic Cat – The Very Best of Fantastic Cat

Despite the album’s title, this is in fact the supergroup’s debut LP. Things get a bit crazy with the four members trading off instrumental and vocal responsibilities, but it’s a fun divergence from my usual taste into piano-laced alt-country. -Casey Gallenberger

48. Chalk Hands – Don’t Think About Death

The British screamo newcomers make quite a name for themselves with one of the most impressive debuts I’ve heard in a long time. Starting with a foundation of frantic scramz, they explore math rock, Midwest emo, and ambient post rock—all without losing an iota of their passion. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

47. Fontaines DC – Skinty Fia

This album fought its way onto my personal year end list at the last second. Perhaps it’s the chill outside, but the droning, don’t give an eff vocals seem to match my mood these days, which oscillates between crankiness, fatigue, and contentment. That might sound like a weird thing to say when describing a post punk album, but just go with it. -Ryan Getz

46. Siobhan Cotchin – Highways and Heartbreaks

Australia’s queen of country has released a set of emotional tracks peppered with images of travel, lost love, and the dead hours of night. Having toured with a band in the past, I can taste the weariness of driving all night and feeling lost in it all. -Casey Gallenberger

45. University Drive – Heal

University Drive was another dark horse for 2022. Released in August, but I never took the time to listen to it until early December and it instantly stuck with me. Carrying vibes of Jimmy Eat World with solid bass riffs strewn throughout the album it was fun and introspective.

Favorite Track: “Ending” -Phil Hawkins

44. SOM – The Shape of Everything

The sophomore record from Caspian/Junius supergroup takes the doomgaze/dream pop of their debut and expanding its scope in all directions. The heavy bits are heavier, the dreamy moments are dreamier, and it all goes down smooth. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

43. black midi – Hellfire

When I first listened to black midi, it was actually in the context of one of these lists last year, with their 2021 album Cavalcade landing them in the same conversation as Black Country, New Road, but I didn’t actually give them a fair shake like I did with their English post-punk peers. That all changed this year, however, when “Welcome to Hell” demanded my attention. The lead single from Hellfire serves as the perfect introduction to the record’s rambunctious instrumentation and its vivid imagery, a combination which helps it eclipse Cavalcade in my view. -Topher Parks

42. Charli XCX – Crash

In recent years I’ve become a sucker for synthpop. Quite the departure from my roots in the post-hardcore and emo scene. But Charli has a sound that’s makes you ask “what’s not to like?” This record just packs in one smart earworm after another, and while it’s great for summer drives, the record holds up year round as well as something for me to vibe to. -Ryan Getz

41. Denzel Curry – Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Seven years after his underground masterpiece 32 Zel, Florida emcee Denzel Curry has evolved from “that rapper that yells a lot” into a fully fleshed artist. MMESYF is a mature effort that straddles the line between underground and popular hip-hop. The original record came out in March, then on September 30^th (a monumental day for hip-hop releases) he put out a Deluxe Version which featured LIVE BAND RECORDINGS of every track. It’s a jazzy, soulful affair in line with D’Angelo’s Voodoo that demands to be cut to vinyl. Both versions are incredible; if hip-hop is not your thing, at least give the Cold-Blooded Soul version of MMYSYF a chance, it’s masterful.

Recommended Track: “X-Wing (Cold-Blooded Soul Version)” -Alex Dye

40. Logan Pilcher and Coyco – America Avenue

All my friends are singing along to this album. Okay, maybe not all of them, but definitely the ones that matter. Pilcher has taken his strengths as a singer-songwriter and augmented things by pairing with a team of incredible musicians. The end result is a powerhouse indie rock release about love and the end of the world, and it slaps. -Casey Gallenberger

39. Fit For A King – The Hell We Create

When FFAK released The Path in late 2020 I was curious to see what would follow. Where The Path didn’t really get to come to life due to the pandemic The Hell We Create has come forth in spades. FFAK is looking to embark on their biggest headlining tour to date early next year and they have continued to evolve their sound during the tenure of their career. The Hell We Create is a very personal album that shows the band taking musical risks that payoff and blend with what they have crafted since their inception.

Favorite Track: “End (The Other Side)” -Phil Hawkins

38. Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory

I’ve recommended this record a number of times this year, and each time I have to give the disclaimer not to judge it by the first track. Not that it’s a bad track: it’s positively gorgeous. But it can’t prepare you for the djenty prog metal that follows it. Throughout the disc, Rolo Tomassi swerves effortlessly between brutal metal and emotional melodic moments—and doing both sides incredibly well. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

37. Black Country, New Road – Ants From Up There

Black Country, New Road blew me away with their full-length debut at the tail end of last year, and while their sophomore effort released 364 days later lacks much of that same staying power that makes For the first time so special, Ants From Up There is still a fantastic record with many high points, especially at its back half. -Topher Parks

36. Infinity Knives x Brian Ennals – King Cobra

Hip-hop is not a singular sound although there are trends that make their rounds. One such trend, diving into past styles, accounts for the resurgence of 90’s boom bap (as defined by the drum sound which goes ‘boom’ with the bass and ‘bap’ with the snare). On King Cobra, producer Infinity Knives goes back to the earliest days of 70’s and 80’s hip-hop and even electro. It seems like a cheesy time to mine a vibe, but because no one else is going there King Cobra immediately stands out. And Brian Ennals’ rhyming, which tackles a lot of social issues, calls back to early classics like Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” brought into the modern day. The whole album is thoughtful and engaging, unique in an era when so much music is released every week.

Recommended Track: “Coke Jaw” -Alex Dye

35. Walden – Waiting For The Moment

Indie-pop bands might be a dime a dozen, but Walden stands out from the pack. The band brandishes a stronger bass presence than many of their compatriots, and add in non-standard song structures, lush guitar, and haunting vocals for a combo that is saccharine. There are a lot of strong moments on this EP, and it’s clear this band is going places fast. – Casey Gallenberger

34. So Much Hope, Buried – Sentiment

I found So Much Hope, Buried through a random recommendation on Facebook and decided to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by what I had come across as it seemed to be a solid mix of spoken word aligned with more rock-oriented instrumentation. Lyrically, it was a good comparison to Levi the Poet while musically it would fit along some of the heavier elements that Falling Up presented during their tenure. Sentiment is a solid album and made my Top 5 in Spotify Wrapped as it was one of the albums I listened to most this year.

Favorite Track: “Neglect/Keepsake” -Phil Hawkins

33. Astronoid – Radiant Bloom

Astronoid managed to slip in one of the most brutal records of the year by hiding it under the golden tenor of vocals Brett Boland. Underneath his lighter-than-air melodies though are epic thrash riffs and blast beats that would make the most jaded metalhead throw up the horns. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

32. Father John Misty – Chloë and the Next 20th Century

With his fifth LP, Father John Misty has crafted this gorgeous, grandiose body of work that feels like a comprehensive journey through the past, taking inspiration from the sounds of the many decades before it. The fifty minutes of glorious euphoria is easily his most stellar effort to date. -Topher Parks

31. El Camino Acid – Sunset Motel

One of my favorite new artist discoveries this year was El Camino Acid, and I credit this album for checking that box. Each winter, I develop a peculiar affinity for a certain persuasion of rough around the edges indie rock. The type that is a little unpolished, has a lot of reverb, and makes you wish you could surf. Sunset Motel is all of that, with a wistful twist. -Ryan Getz

30. Dehd – Blue Skies

I remember liking Dehd’s 2020 album Flower of Devotion, but unfortunately the band slipped off my radar. I had a chance to review Blue Skies on its release and enjoyed rediscovering this indie rock outfit. Switching between vocalists and songwriters gives the whole effort the feel of a well curated mixtape. With styles ranging from New Order to Springsteen, their earnest singing over simple guitar hooks is so appealing and effortlessly earwormy.

Recommended Track: “Bad Love”

29. Dayseeker – Dark Sun

Dark Sun was a bit of a dark horse for me this year. I didn’t even listen to the album until about a month after it released, but it instantly resonated with me on so many levels. There is simply not a bad track on the whole album. While it may be more accessible than some of my other picks it doesn’t suffer for it as it doesn’t feel like it was forcibly written for the masses.

Favorite Track: “Afterglow (Hazel’s Song)” -Phil Hawkins

28. Cave In – Heavy Pendulum

If you thought Cave In was done after Finall Transmissions, you have some good company. Namely, Cave In themselves. But as they started working with Converge bassist Nate Newton to play in some memorial shows for the late Caleb Scofield, an electricity was uncovered among the Boston hardcore/space rock legends that couldn’t be undone. So much electricity in fact that they wrote a proper double album. Heavy Pendulum spans a massive seventy-one minutes, and never drags, offering up some of the finest songs in the band’s storied career. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

27. Ethel Cain – Preacher’s Daughter

A concept album of cosmic proportions, the full-length debut from Ethel Cain is this dynamic collection of songs that showcases this spectacular rise-and-fall throughout, embodied in the record’s music, lyrics, and vocals. Its constantly-evolving nature in every aspect makes this whopping 75-minute epic a riveting listen which rouses the senses in the same way a horror film would. -Topher Parks

26. Wet Leg – Wet Leg

On the chaise longue, on the chaise longue, all day long I listen to this album. Not really. but it made for a fun figure of speech to describe my listening habits with Wet Leg this year. Contrary to what you might expect, my favorite track on the album is not “Chaise Longue” but instead the much less deadpan “Too Late Now,” although there’s a healthy amount of snark there too. -Ryan Getz

25. ShrapKnel – Metal Lung

Backwoodz Studioz, billy woods’ label, released the best hip-hop this year, including the sophomore album from ShrapKnel. The hip-hop duo, comprised of emcees Curly Castro and PremRock, spit some of the hardest verses to come out in 2022. The production is dark and jazzy with grimy overtones that perfectly elevates the skills of the rappers. Metal Lung easily rises to the top of hip-hop releases this year, and if this collaborative project between PremRock and Castro continues, we can expect a lot of greatness in the future from ShrapKnel.

Recommended Track: “Metal Sum Kids” -Alex Dye

24. Yes We Mystic – Trust Fall

It’s hard to see talented groups call it quits, but when they consciously decide to do it at the apex of their creative abilities, the wound softens a bit. This is a sort of legacy-defining album that proves to be the most consistent from the group’s discography and sees the band continue to take adventurous risks right up until their end.

23. Valleyheart – Heal My Head

I had the opportunity to see Valleyheart live back in 2019. At the time I had never heard or heard of them but was pleasantly surprised by their set. I found their lyrical approach to be thought provoking. Heal My Head was the first album that I heard this year that I knew would have a slot on my year end list. They are a solid addition to the current Tooth & Nail roster.

Favorite Track: “The Numbers” -Phil Hawkins

22. Pedro the Lion – Havasu

2019’s Phoenix brought the return of David Bazan’s Pedro the Lion moniker, as well as a marked shift in his songwriting. Havasu, the second of five planned autobiographical albums, isn’t quite the groundswell its predecessor was, but it’s not far off, offering moving meditations on the pains and joys of adolescence—and one of Bazan’s best songs ever in “First Drum Set.” -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

21. ROSALIA – MOTOMAMI

Her most diverse offering yet, MOTOMAMI takes all of Rosalía’s styles and influences, from reggaeton to hyperpop and everywhere in between. It boasts highlights such as the booming, cruelly-brief title track, the film score-ready, Soulja Boy-sampling “DELIRIO DE GRANDEZA,” and the avant-garde-adjacent “CUUUUuuuuuute,” all of which help make the album’s 42-minute runtime fly by. -Topher Parks

20. Death Cab For Cutie – Asphalt Meadows

Death Cab for Cutie have found their lane and are executing albums that are consistently enjoyable and fresh, even if not completely surprising. A few little moments here and there give Asphalt Meadows a distinct character, but by and large it is a quintessential autumnal indie rock album from the guys. Its no Plans, and I do wish there was one long epic track on the album, but I still love it. -Ryan Getz

19. Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems

Soul Glo is redefining hardcore, infusing the 80’s DC scene (ala Bad Brains and Minor Threat) with elements of hip-hop, ska, and a whole lot of screaming. Vocalist Pierce Jordan can scream lyrics so fast he rivals Busta Rhymes. And it’s no production trick, I’ve seen him do it live. Their lyrics, which have to be looked up to be understood, approach challenges of being black in America with passion, intensity, and vitriol. In terms of pushing genre boundaries, Diaspora Problems was one of the most exciting albums of 2022.

Recommended Track: “Gold Chain Punk” -Alex Dye

18. Allen Odell – Full Hearts, Empty Places

Despite my somewhat close connection to Allen, I can say that my love for his record is definitely for its substance and not any sort of personal sway. This is a painful-yet-hopefully collection of songs strung together seamlessly and spanning almost an hour. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that invites listeners into dark, hidden places. It’s an album about grief, loss, and identity as much as it is about hope, healing, and eternity. -Casey Gallenberger

17. TREASVRE – Stick the Knife In

Stick the Knife In was the most organic album I encountered all year. It is remarkably crafted from start to finish creating an album that is beautifully layered. Lyrically, it is poetic while being musically atmospheric. I am already eagerly anticipating the inevitable follow up.

Favorite Track: “Face in the Crowd” -Phil Hawkins

16. WILLOW – <COPINGMECHANISM>

While WILLOW is often attributed to this recent so-called “revival” of pop punk and emo, it would be grossly inaccurate to categorize her music as only that. Her latest studio album <COPINGMECHANISM> takes cues from many different genres, offering new takes along with a notable amount of nostalgia. The end result is both engaging and exciting, and at less than thirty minutes in length, over far too soon. It’s a wholly enjoyable listen, even for folks like yours truly who wouldn’t consider themselves fans of pop punk.

15. The Midnight – Heroes

Oh, come on. If Ryan Getz has any influence on this list, The Midnight would have to massively screw up not to be on here. Fortunately for me, not only did the synthwave duo live up the standard of “not screwing up” but this album is a triumph in epic, nostalgic optimism. -Ryan Getz

14. Glowbug – Your Funeral

Glowbug is a name that consistently rises to the top of my end-of-year lists. Each project is a bit different, and Your Funeral seems like a culmination of several previous records. There’s a little something for everyone, but “Entertainer” really takes the cake. This is a fun record that, per usual, explores mortality and the intricacies of life over progressive tropical pop arrangements. There’s nothing quite like this out there. -Casey Gallenberger

13. The Darling Fire – Distortions

The Darling Fire are a supergroup of sorts, with members from The Rocking Horse Winner, Further Seems Forever, and Shai Hulud. Their second album contains elements of metal, shoegaze, and post-hardcore. What makes the whole thing stand out is Jolie Lindholmes’ slow, steady, and atmospheric vocals overlayed on top of intricately heavy guitar and drum parts.  Her vocal parts reminded me a lot of Chino Moreno’s style, and I’m convinced they would be a perfect tour companion for Deftones.

Recommended Track: “Hers” -Alex Dye

Distortions was one of my most anticipated albums for the year when it was announced earlier in the year. I had really enjoyed Dark Celebration when it was released. Distortions takes all of the great aspects of Dark Celebration and expands on them exponentially. The sound is lush and full with a more polished production that showcases Jolie’s brooding vocal ability. The musicianship is top quality given the collective tenure that the band holds.

Favorite Track: “Hers” -Phil Hawkins

12. The Devil Wears Prada – The Color Decay

2019’s The Act was my favorite album of that Year. Color Decay is a very worthy follow up. Over time TDWP has evolved musically, but they seem to have found their niche on the past couple of albums. Color Decay carries some strong elements of the band’s career high points and melds them together creating a visceral, albeit mature, album.

Favorite Track: “Broken” -Phil Hawkins

11. Brutus – Unison Life

The Belgian power trio doesn’t change much up on their third record—and thank God for that. The powerful vocals, blistering riffs, atmospheric guitars, and Blitzkrieg drums are in full force, changing mood, rhythm, and sometimes genre on a dime. The results are, in a word, stunning. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

10. Sasami – Squeeze

On her sophomore full-length, SASAMI traverses genres so seamlessly that it’s often difficult to determine where one style or sound ends and another begins. Yet, somehow no single track on the album sounds like any of the others. She packs in elements of nu metal, country, industrial, thrash, dream pop, folk, classical music, and shoegaze, all in just over half an hour of music. Squeeze is at the cutting edge of everything I’ve heard in recent memory, and I contend that it will be looked back on years from now in the same light. -Topher Parks

9. billy woods – Aethiopes/Church

billy woods (all lowercase), one half of the critically acclaimed underground hip-hop duo Armand Hammer, released not one, but two classic albums this year: Aethiopes in April and Church in September. Aethiopes is jazzy and dissonant, thanks to production by Preservation. Church features multiple producers but sounds no less cohesive. Both albums explore themes of generational trauma, blackness and the African diaspora, and vulnerably emotional personal tales, all to the beat of wood’s baritone, ponderous rhythms.

Recommended Tracks: “Wharves” and “Pollo Rico” -Alex Dye

8. Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

I only have good things to say about this album. It’s full of carefully crafted songs and is overall a beautiful and very dynamic record. It made its mark on the indie world this year, as it was something we were anxiously awaiting. -Kat Dobay

7. Caracara – New Preoccupations

This isn’t a perfect album by any stretch, but it’s stacked with some of my favorite songs of the year. Lyrically, it hits with its personal musings, and the band have managed to take a sharp turn toward 90s alternative without forsaking their first record. Even some of the tracks I skipped over at first have grown on me. “Nocturnalia” is definitely my favorite, but “Monoculture”, “Ohio”, and “Colorglut” are pretty close competition. -Casey Gallenberger

6. Norma Jean – Deathrattle Sing for Me

The buzz for a new NJ album this year was pretty much non-existent. However, when the band surprisingly announced DRSFM my interest was piqued as their previous effort, All Hail, was near the top of my list for 2019. DRSFM built upon some of the foundations that NJ seem to have been building since Meridional and managed to expand them culminating in a raw, no holds barred behemoth of an album. I still can’t get enough of it!

Favorite Track: “A Killing Word” -Phil Hawkins

5. Holy Fawn – Dimensional Bleed

Holy Fawn’s Death Spells is as close to a perfect album as you can get, but on its follow up, the doomgaze quartet proves that their self proclaimed “loud pretty heavy noises” are just as loud, pretty, and heavy as ever. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

4. Gang of Youths – angel in realtime.

Right from the first time I heard those opening notes of “you in everything,” I couldn’t believe my ears. How could a band craft such catchy indie rock tunes while somehow not just incorporating but often even spotlighting these lush string arrangements? How could a lyricist tell a story so vividly that it makes you feel all of these conflicting emotions, all at once? This is true not just of the stellar opener, but of the album in its entirety. angel in realtime. is not a record that can simply be listened to, cast aside, and ultimately forgotten about over time. Instead, Gang of Youths has crafted an opus with ornate, soaring melodies that will, in spite of their intricacies, consistently pop back into heads long after finishing the closing notes of “goal of the century.” -Topher Parks

3. Orville Peck – Bronco

Orville Peck is an undeniably-talented artist, and while not all of his songs hit home, he continues to innovate in the realm of modern country and folk. Peck has opted for a genre-muddling album whose release spanned three parts. The final result is a bit top-heavy, but the ambition is never hidden. It’s a clear step in the right direction. -Casey Gallenberger

If you know anything about Orville Peck, the first thing that comes to mind is his mask. Admittedly, I skipped his first album and EP because I was turned off by the gimmick. That was my mistake. The music is classic cowboy country, but it’s Peck’s voice that truly shines. My wife described him as a “crooner.” And I’ve likened him to a mixture of Elvis and Roy Orbison. His lyrics on love, loss, heartbreak, and sadness are not only poignant but culturally important because they come through a queer lens. If the whole “mask thing” is not your bag, just put on Bronco and keep an open mind. You should be pleasantly surprised by this touching and beautiful record.

Recommended Track: “The Curse of the Blackened Eye” -Alex Dye

2. The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention

We might not get a new Radiohead record for a while, but the new side project between front man Thom Yorke and multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood scratches the itch pretty darn well. It feels familiar, but with a palpable lack of pressure that comes with their main gig. -Nathaniel Fitzgerald

With the fate of Radiohead left hanging in the balance, The Smile finds two of the band’s core members teaming up with Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner. The result is their debut full-length A Light for Attracting Attention which, not surprisingly, feels like Radiohead’s spiritual successor in more ways than one. The connection between Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood is still apparent, even many albums and a new project later. It’s a connection which turns out to be of great benefit to all of us. -Topher Parks

And finally, the number 1 album: The Weekend – Dawn FM

The Weeknd released his album the first week of January of this year and I thought to myself, “This is it; nothing is going to top this.” It was just barely edged out in my personal rankings, but I still hold it in high regards as the best pop album to come out this year. On Dawn FM, he creates a darkly nihilistic soundscape to the end of the world, and it couldn’t be more fun. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve let the line “It’s 5 AM I’m nihilist, I know there’s nothing after this,” run through my brain this year, wondering what it means and why it’s so compelling. The entire album is genius, and I’m constantly surprised that something so subversive is also so popular.

Recommended Track: “Gasoline” -Alex Dye

Hello, just had to pop in to say that the “Dawn FM” / “Gasoline” / “How Do I Make You Love Me?” might be one of the best trios of tracks to kick off a record I’ve ever heard. -Ryan Getz