I’m going to do something new this year and keep a running list of my favorite albums of the year, ranked in order. Saves time at the end of the year. I’ll republish whenever I update it.
For the best covers of 2022, go here.
Let me know where I’m missing something great!
Most recent update: June 28:
- Shifted some around–the longer I have to listen to some albums, the better (or less better) they get.
- Lupe Fiasco enters the list at #6, so that now half of my 10 favorite albums are rap albums. Interesting.
- I find myself growing LESS fond of Saba and Arcade Fire’s albums. They have moved down.
- I find myself growing MORE fond of Zach Ryan. Every day. He may be the next Jason Isbell.
- Payroll Giovanni enters at #16, which is certainly more due to the fact that I personally really dig his flow. I recognize that some of the hip hop records ranked lower than this one display better craft, are more forward-leaning, etc. But this is my list. Make your own!
- I’m not dropping anyone off the list yet, but I expect to cap it at 40 albums.
- It’s Almost Dry by Pusha T
- Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar
- God Don’t Make Mistakes by Conway the Machine
- Skinty Fia by Fontaines DC
- Lucifer on the Sofa by Spoon
- Drill Music in Zion by Lupe Fiasco
- Food For Thought by Che Noir
- American Heartbreak by Zach Ryan
- Wet Leg by Wet Leg
- Overload by Yard Act
- Paralysed by the Mountains by The William Loveday Intention
- Palomino by Miranda Lambert
- Tana Talk 4 by Benny the Butcher
- Zhigeist by Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow
- Humble Quest by Maren Morris
- Back 2 The Ba$ics by Payroll Giovanni
- Lavender Days by Caamp
- Few Good Things by Saba
- We by Arcade Fire
- A Legacy of Rentals by Craig Finn
- Superghetto by Buddy
- Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You by Big Thief
- Portrait of a Lady by Shilpa Ray
- Electricity by Ibibio Sound Machine
- Metamorphosis by Cloud Cult
- Continuance by Curren$y and Alchemist
- YOD Wave by Your Old Droog (EP)
- Growing Up by the Linda Lindas
- Tha Wolf On Wall St. 2: The American Dream by Your Old Droog and Tha God Fahim
- Sheep Stu by Black Sheep Dres and Stu Bangas
- Eat by Pan Amsterdam and Damu the Fudgemunk
- Organized Grime 2 by Conway the Machine
- There in Spirit by Homeboy Sandman
- Rise & Fall Of Slaughterhouse by Joell Ortiz and KXNG Crooked
