This year was a return to a somewhat sense of normalcy as the pandemic subsided and the music industry carried on with live performances and continuous high profile album releases.
In part one of Culture Flux‘s look back at albums from this year, upcoming pop and rock indie artists selected their favorite albums of the year. Stay tuned for our part two featuring hard rock and metal acts.
Calvin Langman from The Happy Fits
Blue Rev by Alvvays
“I’ve always been a fan of Alvvays. Incredibly beautiful melodies aside, their production always feels perfectly layered, yet ethereal. With this third album, they push the boundary on their harmonious noise to a whole new level.
Blue Rev came out right before our first UK/EU tour earlier this year, so naturally I had this album on repeat the whole time we were over there. It was my first time out of North America so having this album be the soundtrack to all the new sites and experiences added an extra sense of wonder and elegance to it all.”
Wet Leg by Wet Leg
“Do you ever hear a really cool song and then you feel cooler by proxy? That’s what Wet Leg’s music does for me. It’s the perfect album for chilling but also the perfect riding-down-the-highway-top-down album. I love this album and can’t wait to hear what they make next.”
The Happy Fits’ third album Under the Shade of Green was released in August of this year. They will be touring in select U.S. cities next spring, and will also be making an appearance at the inaugural Adjacent Festival next May.
Phoneboy
Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road
“This album broke our hearts. Collectively. The vulnerable vocal performances from Isaac Wood are endearing and relatable, yet so terrifying at the same time; accompanying this with intricate and beautiful orchestral sections creates something magical. Also, the drums on “Snowglobes” kick ass. “
Blue Skies by Dehd
“Some of the catchiest stuff we’ve heard in a really, really, long time. The hooks have the lo-fi feel to slap at a basement show and are anthemic enough to belong in a stadium.”
The Hum Goes on Forever by The Wonder Years
“We’ve been listening to The Wonder Years since we were kids in high school. Now Dan Campbell is singing about his OWN kids? Tears. This album is amazing and is such a cool evolution.”
Phoneboy released their single “Runaway” back in October, and will be supporting The Happy Fits on a U.S. tour in April. Their self-title debut studio album was released in 2021.
Kids Return
Songbook by The Lazy Eyes
“The melodies are great, there is nostalgia and at the same time there is something raw and sincere. There is a lot of freedom in this album, you can feel that this is a band that plays together a lot. It’s fresh, we can’t wait to see them play live. The guitar sounds are great, especially in the track “Where’s My Brain???” It reminds a little bit the first EP of Tame Impala.”
French duo Kids Return released their debut album Forever Melodies in October, and recently shared the video of a live session recorded for Yves Saint Laurent’s Saint Laurent Rive Droite live session series in Paris.
New Friends
Being Funny In A Foreign Language by The 1975
“This record from start to finish had us engaged. Lyrically, the 1975 have never disappointed. Honesty at its very best. The upbeat pop tunes that surround the record with the production help of Jack Antonoff brought us back to some of our favorite classics from the ‘80s but with cultural innuendos that made us almost stuck in this place where time doesn’t exist, now felt like everything.”
Uncanny Valley by COIN
“As long-time fans of COIN, this record was destined to be our most listened to album. Everything that had us in love with COIN was at its most polished state. The songs were infectious on all levels. Lyrically, production, even to the mix, the record was perfect and will stay in rotation for a very, very long time.”
Harry’s House by Harry Styles
“This album had us in a chokehold. Nothing sounds like this record. Everything feels like it was very meticulously thought of to the point where no crazy decision made, felt that crazy.
With songs that pushed boundaries and production perfection from Kid Harpoon, Harry’s House was one of those records that made us want to go into the studio immediately because you’ve just been taken to school and want to try new tricks. A true inspirational album from start to finish.”
New Friends released the new single “Richochet” and its accompanying music video last month. The Canadian pop rock group will be releasing a new EP in early 2023.
Gabrielle Grace
Cerulean by Ken Yates
“Anaïs Mitchell, Ken Yates, and Madison Cunningham put out my favorite music this year with three strong albums that will make you fall in love with music all over again. I just discovered Ken Yates this year and man his album, Cerulean made me cry tears (in a good way) when I first heard it. It’s a no-skipper.”
Anaïs Mitchell by Anaïs Mitchell
“Mitchell’s self-titled album keeps you hanging on every word she says. It’s a masterpiece.”
Revealer by Madison Cunningham
“Last but not least, Madison Cunningham’s album Revealer will stop you in your tracks with every melody, lyric, and masterful guitar playing. If you haven’t heard of her, just know you will be in the future.”
Singer-songwriter Gabrielle Grace released her single “Lost Somebody Else” back in May, and just released her two-song EP Are You Feeling Good this month.
Poolblood
Staying Mellow Blows by Eliza Niemi
“My favorite album of 2022 is Eliza Niemi’s Staying Mellow Blows. Eliza is an incredible musician and such a wonderful friend. The whole record is phenomenal and so intricate and delicate. Her songwriting is inspiring. I’m such a big fan of her previous work and to have her expand on this record- 13 tracks- is such a treat to the world.”
This month Poolblood (Maryam Said) shared the new single “wfy” and its music video. Poolblood’s debut album mole will be released in January 2023.
Eric Dash
Being Funny In A Foreign Language by The 1975
Sob Rock by John Mayer
In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile
“I love the most recent The 1975 album Being Funny In A Foreign Language, John Mayer’s Sob Rock, and Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days. I just identify with the style and songs themselves.
The arrangements, the performances, and the space are fantastically from a time that was so special, but it’s done for today. That is an incredible line to tow and it feels so good. That’s what I’m trying to do with my new music as well.”
Eric Dash’s latest single “Two Steps” was released this month, and his EP Ship of Mine was released in May.
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