The Independent's Best Albums of 2022

There was oversharing and tubthumping aplenty in 2022, but largely in the spirit of musical renaissance and tentative celebration. Mark Beaumont and Helen Brown pick their favourites

Published: December 14, 2022 10:09 Source

# 1

MOTOMAMI by ROSALÍA

Album • Mar 18 / 2022 Neoperreo Art Pop

# 2

RENAISSANCE by Beyoncé

Album • Jul 29 / 2022 Dance-Pop House Contemporary R&B

# 3

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar

Album • May 13 / 2022 Conscious Hip Hop West Coast Hip Hop

# 4

Skinty Fia by Fontaines D.C.

Album • Apr 22 / 2022 Gothic Rock Post-Punk

# 5

CRASH by Charli XCX

Album • Mar 18 / 2022 Dance-Pop

# 6

The Overload by Yard Act

Album • Jan 21 / 2022 Post-Punk

# 7

Midnights by Taylor Swift

Album • Oct 21 / 2022 Alt-Pop

# 8

Big Time by Angel Olsen

Album • Jun 03 / 2022 Americana Singer-Songwriter Country

# 9

The Theory Of Whatever by Jamie T

Album • Jul 22 / 2022 Singer-Songwriter Post-Punk Revival Indie Rock

# 10

And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow by Weyes Blood

Album • Nov 18 / 2022 Baroque Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 11

This Is What I Mean by Stormzy

Album • Nov 25 / 2022 UK Hip Hop Contemporary R&B Pop Rap

# 12

Lucifer On The Sofa by Spoon

Album • Feb 11 / 2022 Indie Rock

# 13

Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You by Big Thief

Album • Feb 11 / 2022 Indie Folk Folk Rock

# 14

Laurel Hell by Mitski

Album • Feb 04 / 2022 Synthpop Art Pop New Wave

# 15

Alpha Zulu by Phoenix

Album • Nov 04 / 2022 Synthpop Alternative Dance New Wave

# 16

Hold The Girl by Rina Sawayama

Album • Sep 16 / 2022 Pop Rock Dance-Pop

# 17

All of Us Flames by Ezra Furman

Album • Aug 26 / 2022 Indie Rock Art Rock

# 18

It's Not Comfortable To Grow by Plastic Mermaids

Album • Sep 30 / 2022 Neo-Psychedelia

# 19

Wet Leg by Wet Leg

Album • Apr 08 / 2022 Indie Rock

# 20

Special by Lizzo

Album • Jul 15 / 2022 Contemporary R&B Dance-Pop