New Wave Curated: Top 50 Albums Of 2022

Albums provide a fundamental part of what we centre our content around. Albums are a body of work that, for many artists, become a critical point in not just a time in their career but a time in their life. A time in their life in which many allow for an introspective insight into their most confident, progressive, intimate or vulnerable stage in who they are as an artist. In 2022 there came so many exceptional albums from artists who released their debut LPs, artists who have further established themselves with their stunning sophomore albums, and artists who have propelled their legacy even further with exceptional works of art.

New Wave boasts many incredible writers, who, throughout the course of the year have contributed to reviewing some brilliant albums. However, on this particular occasion, they were challenged with condensing down their favourites, and compiling a list of the 50 best albums of 2022. See below for the year’s wrap up of the best albums of the year selected by the equally brilliant New Wave team.

1. Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

After five years of waiting, Kendrick Lamar finally released probably one of the greatest albums of the year that was filled with pain, trauma, love and loss. Although mixed reviews came forth after the albums release, it was a powerful listen and conceptual project that detailed Lamar's experience through therapy. Split into three acts, Mr. Morale was a representation of who Lamar is to us but also, how he has become aware of how he has chosen to represent himself up till now. With Lamar releasing his final project with TDE, he still remains one of the best rappers of our generation. -Shenead Poroosotum

2. Brent Faiyaz - Wasteland

Since gaining wider recognition in 2017 with his debut album Sonder, Brent Fiayaz has become renowned for his toxic lyrics and silky R’n’B vocals. This year saw the return of the American musician’s third studio album Wasteland, with it’s lead track ‘Gravity’ featuring Tyler, the Creator being a fan fave along with ‘All Mine’ and ‘Loose Change’ and ‘Jackie Brown’. The impressive 19-track album has Brent’s distinctive sound written all over it. - Jadene Rogerson

3. Asake - Mr Money With The Vibe

Leading the way for Amapiano infused Afrobeats with an unparalled hit run of 2022; Breakout star Asake has fostered a credible name for himself across the globe with his debut studio album Mr Money With The Vibe. Comprised of 12 tracks, the impressive body of work is packed with a seamless blend of energetic and warm-soothing sounds, housing a number of his hit singles including 'Sungba - Remix' ft Burna Boy and 'Peace Be Unto You'. With an impact that has been so heavily felt early on in Asake's promising career, Mr Money With The Vibe is a necessary listen and undeniably one of the most compelling releases of the year. - Shorayi

4. Toro Y Moi - MAHAL

Toro y Moi's seventh studio album, MAHAL, is the boldest and most fascinating journey yet from musical mastermind Chaz Bear. The record spans genre and sound—encompassing the shaggy psychedelic rock of the 1960s and '70s, and the airy sounds of 1990s mod-post-rock—taking listeners on an auditory expedition, as if they’re riding in the back of Bear's Filipino jeepney that adorns the album's cover. But MAHAL is also an unmistakably Toro y Moi experience, calling back to previous works while charting a new path forward in a way that only Bear can do.

5. The Weeknd - Dawn FM

Dawn FM sees Abel Tesfaye drop the dark strip club joints from After Hours in favor of existentialist Stranger-Things funk. Featuring an intro track that sounds straight out of Star Wars, love-contoured ballads distorted by glittering cosmic synths and a haunting, purgatorial poem delivered by Jim Carrey at the end of the ride, Dawn FM is just as cinematic as it is daring.

6. JID - The Forever Story

7. Flume - Palaces

8. Pusha T - It's Almost Dry

How long had we been waiting for Pusha T to drop something after the very positively recieved Daytona? Almost too long. It's Almost Dry saw a collection of all of our favourite rappers and producers come together to play a part in one of Pusha T's best projects so far. Showing us that he really IS the king of rapping about cocaine and how it just never gets old or throwing in sophisticated double entendres that you only catch after a few more listens. Pusha T is someone that'll never leave our playlists. Will there be a potential Clipse return album? Who knows. But what we do know is that Pusha T is never one to leave us high and dry. - Shenead Poroosotum

9. Mura Masa - Demon Time

Beneath its hyperreal surface, demontime signals a deeper period of reflection and reinvention for Mura Masa. He started work on the project shortly after his European tour in support of second album R.Y.C was curtailed by lockdown. Whilst that record’s world of imagined memories, raw emotional exploration and nostalgia-as-a-crutch might seem timely, Mura Masa went in the opposite direction: connecting the dots between his genre-shaping, SoundCloud origin story, and electronic music as it exploded on platforms like TikTok to create songs that might soundtrack life ahead.

10. Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights

Compton's 24-year-old prodigal Grammy nominee is a man looking to flex his muscles a bit. On Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy sounds more thoughtful and more playful than ever. Instrumental passages are more lush and less formulaic, and crucially, Lacy’s voice is stretching, contorting and emoting all over the place. Ultimately, the album is an exercise in self-assertion. Some fans will wish again for the days of Soundcloud singles and flannel shirts, but it’s clear that, for now, those days seem too tame for the 24-year-old to return to. One thing is for sure, Steve Lacy is no longer an artist loading up GarageBand on his phone every studio session. - Dom Tavlor

11. Octavian - Alpha

Alpha is the debut studio album from Octavian a UK, Hip-Hop/Rap artist. The album was scheduled for release in 2021 before the artists troubling allegations of domestic violence that has swayed his trajectory as one of the leading figures in UK music of any genre. The BBC Sound of 2019 winner released his debut album this year, featuring a diverse but connecting sounds and touches on the subjects of Love, Pain, Growth, Lifestyle and Reflection. Octavian builds alternative realities with his music over his eclectic taste of instrumentals, delivering a solid body of work that showcases his ability as an artist. The album discusses topics such as a transitioning mindset, the concept of loyalty and an ode to his mother, which completes the body of work.

12. The 1975 - Being Funny In A Foreign Language

13. Knucks - Alpha Place

Armed with a palette of soulful samples, gripping bars, and a seemingly endless variety of flows, the vivid narratives of tracks like 'Alpha House' and 'Hide & Seek' chronicle Knucks' experiences growing up in North-West London. But Alpha Place is more than an ode to his old neighborhood, it's an album that illustrates day to day life in a side of the capital city not often heard from. The album, which climbed to #3 on the UK charts, is further rounded out by features from notable UK heavyweights SL on 'Nice & Good' and Stormzy on 'Die Hard', in addition to stand-out solo tracks 'Leon The Professional' and 'Los Pollos Hermanos'. Through personal and social commentary, Knucks offers a voice to many young people with shared experiences and upbringings. The uncompromising detail and penchant for self-reflection throughout the album has made it one of this year's standout projects, fulfilling the promise Knucks has previously displayed.

14. Kojey Radical - Reason To Smile

In regard to capturing culture and authenticity, wordsmith Kojey Radical knew exactly how to do this with his debut album Reason to Smile. After a plethora of EP’s and singles over the years, Kojey showcased his intricate wordplay and smooth delivery on this album. Reason to Smile featured some of the most talented musicians across the board including Tiana Major 9, Masego, Wretch 32 and Cashh who featured on the slick single ‘Born’, which followed up with some star studded visuals.

15. Fred Again - Actual Life

Building on the template already laid down with his debut LP, Actual Life and its companion follow up Actual Life 2 Actual Life 3 sees Fred again.. resume his diary-esque approach to production. His intimate use of voice notes from friends, videos found whilst scrolling on instagram and samples from important records in his life serves as a personal record of his life experiences, offering insight into his world over the past year. Actual Life 3 is a continuation of an autobiographical body of work that both references and pushes forwards the heritage of UK electronic music while standing as testament to the power of music in facilitating catharsis, healing and celebrating the realities of friendship, love and life.

16. Santigold - Spirituals

17. Koffee - Gifted

Radiating an infectious positivity that the world needs now more than ever, Koffee’s debut album Gifted is a reminder to truly embrace life despite society’s many problems. Never feeling forced, her original style of reggae accented with dancehall, Afrobeats and neo-soul got people vibing once again. With gratitude being one of her core values, it’s no surprise that she opens Gifted saying “I'm glad I woke up today” on‘x10’ and recognises that she’s “blessed” on the title track. Keeping to the philosophy of roots reggae, she also provides a deep social commentary on her community and the state of the world on ‘Defend’. - Abigail

18. Drake & 21 - Her Loss

19. Lancey Foux - Life In Hell

At just 26 years old Lancey Foux has made some huge waves for himself, working alongside the likes of Skepta, Lil Yachty and 24kGoldn, just the name a few, the East London rapper, known for his experimental style blessed his fans with his seventh studio album Life in Hell. While showcasing his talent and consistency, the project included an impressive 22 track’s and features the Grammy Award Winning producer Kaytranada along with rapper Jah$tar, an astounding body of work, it’ll be interesting to see what Lancey has to offer in the new year. - Jadene Rogerson

20. Drake - Honestly, Nevermind

21. Ari Lennox - age/sex/location

Album Release Date: 9 September 2022

Genre: R&B/ Soul

Notable Songs: Pressure, Queen Space, Boy Bye

22. 070 Shake - You Can't Kill Me

Album Release Date: 3 June 2022

Genre: Alternative / Indie

Notable Songs: Skin ad Bones, Cocoon, Body

23. Lil Durk - 7220

Album Release Date: 11 March 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: Golden Child, AHHH HA, What Happened To Virgil

24. Post Malone - Twelve Carat Toothache

Album Release Date: 3 June 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: I Like You, One Right Now, Cooped Up

25. Chris Brown - Breezy

Album Release Date: 24 June 2022

Genre: R&B/ Soul

Notable Songs: Iffy, Call Me Everyday, Phychic

26. Lil Baby - It's On Me

Album Release Date: 14 October 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: In A Minute, Heyy, California Breeze

27. Burna Boy - Love, Damini

Album Release Date: 8 July 2022

Genre: Afrobeats

Notable Songs: Last Last, It's Plenty, For My Hand

28. Fka Twigs - Caprisongs

Always a driving force for alternative sound and bewildering visuals, FKA Twig’s dream-pop fusion Caprisongs had us in a daze. Released in January of this year, the mixtape brought us relatable lays full reflection, proclivity and reassurance. Still a punchy listen Caprisongs is another offering that challenges the bounds of genre, gifting us a mystic interpretation of sounds of the time. Featuring heavy weights like the Weekend, Unknown T, Rema, Jorija Smith, Shygirl, Pau Salieu and Daniel Caesar to name a few, we hear new classics like ‘darjeeling’, ‘honda’, and ‘tears in the club’. With production credit to the artist herself, Twigs enlists the equivocal El Guincho to produce one of the best albums of year.

29. Beyoncé - Renaissance

Album Release Date: 29 July 2022

Genre: Mixed Genre

Notable Songs: BREAK MY SOUL, CUFF IT, ALEIN SUPERSTAR

30. Joey Badass - 2000

Album Release Date: 22 July 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: Pressure, Queen Space, Boy Bye

31. Alex Isley - Marigold

Silky R’n’B songstress Alex Isley has been in the game for an astonishing 10 years, working alongside Masego, Lucky Daye and Terrace Martin; her distinctive tone has truly made waves over the years. For her latest album Marigold Alex joined forces with Alex long time collaborator and producer Jack Dine, the nine track album featured some of the smoothest individuals including Bas and Robert Glasper, stand out tracks for the project include ‘Love Again’ and ‘Still Wonder'. Finally receiving the flowers she truly deserves, 2023 is about to be her biggest year yet.

32. Bakar - Nobody's Home

Album Release Date: 24 February 2022

Genre: Alternative / Indie

Notable Songs: NW3, The Mission, Reclaim!

33. Action Bronson- Cocodrillo Turbo

Action Bronson's Cocodrillo Turbo was a jam-packed essential listen with classic Alchemist beats and a handful of features that still represented Bronson's braggadocious ways of rapping luxuriously. Tapping into features from Griselda members such as Conway the Machine or allowing cult favourite Roc Marciano to spit on 'Zambezi', Bronson is simply out here just doing this thing and we're not mad about it. - Shenead Poroosotum

34. Rosalia - Motomami

Album Release Date: 18 March 2022

Genre: R&B/ Soul

Notable Songs: SAOKO, LA FAMA, BIZCOCHITO

35. Earl Sweatshirt - Sick!

Sick! is thoughtful, stylish and written with a stoic nonchalance only Thebe Kgositsile could pull off. Its best strength is similar to that seen throughout his discography - a one-of-one perspective that demands you to hang on to every word. What’s brought into the fold on this album is a renewed sense of clarity, one that feels genuinely refreshing and fulfilling. Earl remains innovative and poignant, simultaneously ahead of its time and soaked in the ancient past. Sick!, the product of the artist's latest hiatus, sees Sweatshirt lean into a less intricate, more stylish side of his artistry. - Dom Taylor

36. cktrl - yield

Album Release Date:

Genre: Jazz & Blues

Notable Songs: yield, love + war

37. Metro Boomin - Heroes & Villains

Album Release Date: 2 December 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: Creepin', Niagra Falls, Metro Spider

38. SZA - SOS

Album Release Date: 9 December 2022

Genre: R&B/ Soul

Notable Songs: Nobody Gets Me, Shirt, I Hate U

39. Vince Staples - Ramona Park Broke My Heart

Compton-born Vince Staples continued to lean further into musings on his youth with Ramona Park Broke My Heart. An elegy to time stolen from him due to the environment he grew up in, his fifth studio album is an inward-facing record, with Staples providing raw commentary over smooth and refined production. Lead single ‘MAGIC’ blossoms with cloud-rap tinted synthesisers, paired with an array of West Coast influences, most notably in the drum selection. G-Funk tones also crop up throughout the record, a blatant nod to his youth, especially with the DJ shouts across the album. He continues to boast his technical proficiency as a rapper also; ‘WHEN SPARKS FLY’, a highlight on the record, has Staples at his most comfortable. His flow is smooth and contained, his bars delivered with a deadpan quality. ‘EAST POINT PRAYER’, featuring Lil Baby, boasts production from long-time friend, and producer heavyweight, Kenny Beats. Like much of the album, the instrumentals are immaculate, rich with nostalgia and introspection. Ramona Park is a weary epilogue to his self-titled companion piece from 2021 and feels like Staples laying to rest much of the topics he has spoken about throughout much of his career. The result is a clean-cut hip-hop package, one of the best of his career, and of this year. - James Mellen

40. Hagan: Textures

Album Release Date: 6 Oct 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: My Love, Sise Ntweni

41. ibeyi - Spell 31

Album Release Date: 6 May 2022

Genre: Pop / R&B

Notable Songs: Made Of gold, Sister 2 Sister, Lavender & Red Rose

42. Kodak Black - Kutthroat Bill

Album Release Date: 27 October 2022

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Notable Songs: Walk, 300 Blackout, Slay Like Santa

43. Cruel Santino: Subaru Boys

Album Release Date: 3 March 2022

Genre: Nigerian Alté / Afropop

Notable Songs: Mermaid Aqua, Deadman Bone, Final Champion

44. Obongjayar - Some Nights I Dream of Doors

Album Release Date: 13 May 2022

Genre: Nigerian Alté / Afropop

Notable Songs: Tinko Tinko, Message In A Hammer, Try

45. Nas - King's Disease 3

King’s Disease 3 is an ode to Real Rap, showing that the genre is very much still alive. The rap legend takes us back to his Brooklyn roots throughout the album with a soulful New York feel, on most tracks. Nas is undeniably one of the best rappers to come out of the US and has been (controversially) labelled as the GOAT in his career. KD3 demonstrates Nas’ ability to adapt to the new direction of HipHop whilst still being the greatest, as heard on ‘30’...”Goin’ on thirty summers.” This album allows Nas to skillfully take us through real life issues which many Americans face, his upbringing stories and the wealth he has managed to accumulate for himself away from music. - Grace

46. Greentea Peng - GREENZON 108

GREENZONE 108 offers a nomadic experience through the musical realm. Through the span of 10 golden songs, we embrace the soulful and magical auras that Greentea Peng gracefully exudes through the blend between her vocals and instrumental composition. Being a firm believer that music is a spiritual mechanism to aid our existence, I am deeply in awe with how well produced this album is. Discourses are brought to question, and thoughts are expressed and searched by the psyche. Such a unique voice brings any listener to comfort—her artistry becomes a remedy to the “objective notes to self” that are yet to bloom, as she states on ‘Your Mind’. To have made an album that allows you to reconnect with yourself and your surroundings is what places Greentea Peng centre within the diverse sphere of music.

47. EST Gee - I Never Felt Nun

The Kentucky Native is back again with his distinguished style of rapping, from his grimey lyrics and aggressive delivery on I Never Felt Nun, a continuation of his mixtape series following Ion Feel Nun & I Still Don’t Feel Nun. EST Gee effortlessly expresses & story-tells pain, street-life and personal conflict on this project with songs such as ‘Foreva’ and ‘Is Heaven For A Gangsta.’ The CMG label signee is a rapper that you must take in and cannot avoid as you can just about feel the pain through his music, but at the same time accepting his growth and success as an artist and individual.

48. Pip Millett - When Everything Is Better, I'll Let You Know

Album Release Date: 21 October 2022

Genre: R&B/ Soul

Notable Songs: Ride With Me, Down Right, Slow

49. Freddie Gibbs - $oul $old $eparately

Freddie Gibbs is someone who pretty much has never made a bad project. And this one in particular solidifies that. $oul $old $eparately is a consistent album that invited producers such as Kaytranada, James Blake and DJ Paul into his world to produce one of the best pieces of work to date. Settling into a more groove-laden sound, Gibbs powers through for 46 minutes showing you that he doesn't need any help in maintaining his status in the rap game. - Shenead Poroosotum

50. Tiakola - Mélo

French singer Tiakola has certainly proved that he was born to shine with the success of his debut album Melo, as a solo artist, no longer being part of French boy group ‘4Keus’. Melo is an exceptional debut album with no skips, greatly exempling Tiakola’s versatility as heard on ‘Mode AV’ (feat Nisa & Gazo) mainly a rap type beat, whilst he still maintains his authentic melodic style on tracks like ‘Arsenik’. If you have been trying to get into French music, Melo is the perfect place to start, it is a delicate mix of R’n’B, Afrobeats & HipHop/Rap.