My top 7 songs of 2022
Whew, what a year. We made it. Barely. My Spotify is what kept me going. But we made it.
I thought I would live out my fantasy of being a pitchfork critic and share my top 7 music releases of the year. I’ve officially entered my era of not just being critical of myself.
Now my top 7 songs of the year and my Spotify wrapped are not in sync. I somehow ended up in the top 1% of Taylor Swift’s listeners. That means her bills and rent are being paid for by me. I somehow ended up with a song from Encanto in my top 5. But we don’t talk about that.
My top songs are songs that I loved from my first listen. They either had me shaking ass or questioning life choices.
So without further ado my top 7 releases of the year:
“Matilda” by Harry Styles
Now I know what you’re thinking, get this girl into therapy. Well, Mr Styles went and wrote an anthem for the sad girlies. The ones who are going through it. Seeing that song performed at Wembley with 90,000 people as sad and depressed as moi was definitely a core memory. The album itself aged like fine wine. Harry beat the sophomore album curse with “Fine Line” and did not disappoint with his third studio album “Harry’s House.” Now I was a One Direction STAN growing up so witnessing Harry make history makes my heart full.
Me explaining to my friends that I don’t need therapy, I just need to listen to Matilda on repeat for 5 hours
2. “Alien Superstar” by Beyoncé
Now Queen Bey knew what she was doing with this one. Listening to this song whilst doing the infamous 12-3-30 on a treadmill (as made famous by the clock app) will have you feeling like Ms. Naomi Campbell herself. Your regular walk suddenly turns into a Victoria secret runway and you’re living your Gisele Bundchen and Bella Hadid fantasy. The entire world is waiting for Mrs Knowles-Carter to drop the Renaissance visuals, we are at your mercy.
Actual footage of me listening to Alien Superstar
3. “Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” by Taylor Swift
One thing about Taylor is that she will eloquently DRAG those who have wronged her whilst simultaneously breaking Guinness World Records. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve is the vengeful older sister of ‘Dear John’, calling out a certain man who famously dated Taylor when he was aged 32 and she was 19. Taylor is now the same age as her ex when he dated her, with the benefit of hindsight Taylor sings about how she is still followed by the ghosts of that relationship and how her girlhood was stolen. The topic of much older men in Hollywood dating much younger has become less taboo in recent years. As it should. A 32 year has no business dating a 19-year-old. Similarly, Demi Lovato released ‘29’ on their 8th studio album. In the song, Demi calls out the inappropriate relationship she had with ex Wilmer Valderrama when he was 29 and she was 17. I have a personal beef with Taylor over this song. Dear Taylor, why is it not on the standard version of Midnights? Track 5 would have been the ideal spot for the song. All I’m now waiting for is a 10-minute version of ‘Dear John’ when Speak now TV is released so John Mayer can be pushed into early retirement.
Me watching Taylor drag her ex
4. “Happy ending” by Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato. Now I will defend them with my dying breath. Like that is my sista right there. People love to hate them but all I see is a talented individual with the worst PR and management team ever. I could write an entire thesis on how Demi has been failed manager after manager, but I will save that for another time. Demi released their 8th studio album titled ‘Holy Fvck’ and is one of their releases to date. She gave us the Disney knees music that we have been missing. Happy ending is on this list for the first two lines of the song. “I met God Just for a minute Sat in His house, took a look around And saw I didn't fit in”. Wow. SOUL CRUSHING. Their talent speaks for itself, how many people have the seal of approval from THE Ms. Aretha Franklin and Beyonce’s manager, Blue Ivy?? Can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for them.
Me delivering a Ted Talk on why Demi Lovato deserves better.
5. “Kill Bill” by SZA
It only took SZA five years to release her sophomore album. In that time Nick Cannon has repopulated the earth and TikTok has convinced everybody and their mamma that the influencer life is for them. But SZA did not disappoint. 23 tracks, all sonically different. Kill Bill and Ghost in the Machine, ft the queen of melancholy Phoebe Bridgers were my standout tracks. I will say though when I first heard SZA sing ‘I’d rather be in jail than alone’, my first thought was you’re on your own there girlie. No man is worth going to jail for, the least relatable track on the album but a standout and fan favorite.
My reaction hearing how SZA would rather be in Jail than alone. Not me though. Stay safe.
6. “Tv” by Billie Eilish
Now if you’re like me and you spend your day mindlessly scrolling through TikTok then you have come across at least one TikTok using “TV” by Billie Eilish in a sad montage. Billie first performed the track on tour and in my humble opinion is one of the best songs she’s written. The lyrics express how Billie often feels left behind by those around her, causing her to lose contact and mourn the plans she made with her friends that never came to fruition. I love Billie and TV is a great song but I need her to listen to “Would’ve, could’ve should’ve” and “29” to learn a thing or two…
7. “Evergreen” by Omar Apollo
Discovering Omar Apollo’s discography was Definity my musical highlight of the year. Just wow. The song Evergreen is one of my favourite releases of the year mainly because of the last 10 seconds of the song, which is 10 seconds of heaven. Like who hurt you like that? Even Barack Obama is stan of Omar. Omar received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, let’s hope he wins and breaks the BNA curse that befalls the winner of that category.
It came out a few months ago that Omar was dating none other than Frank Ocean. Wish them well but don’t lie a breakup album from Frank and Omar would be epic.
Those are my top 7 releases of this year. Hope you enjoyed.