It's that time of year again... The Album List 2022

It's a couple of years now since I moved this annual list swap with Phil Considine online and hopefully it might introduce you to something new. Please reshare and add your own favourites from 2022 - what did I miss?

As ever, here are a few honourable mentions, that didn't quite make the top 5...

Marcus Mumford - (self-titled) : A challenging listen in some ways as he wrestles his demons very publicly but an amazing piece of work.

Ari Lennox - age/sex/location : Superb writing again (probably a hallmark of the 2022 choices) but one of the best RnB albums of the last few years.

The Big Moon - Here Is Everything : Third album from the introspective London band which deals with the lead singers pregnancy and early days of motherhood.

Vikingur Olafsson - From Afar : Stunning arrangements, thoughtful playing and intense talent.

So now onto the five that really stood out for me this year......

I know, ok? I KNOW... never did I think a boy band member gone solo would make the top 5 but this is just an incredible record. Production slicker than an Lockeed Martin Orion spacecraft orbiting the moon!

Friends will know I have long obsessed over Taylor's lyrics - her last two lockdown records took her back to that intimate and personal writing style she excels at. She's an artist that I have loved to see develop - this a strong album vs a collection of hit singles but no less intriguing because of it.

This perhaps the most sensational vocal performance of the year - Marley Munroe, now "Lady Blackbird" has put out a jazz album of such breadth and style that nothing else out there really compares with it in that genre. Super smart lyrics, understated and haunting - this is an album of immense beauty and grace.

A real grower, on the first listen I was not that taken - thinking it's a slightly more radio friendly take on 2018's Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. But with each listen the depth of the orchestration and the quality of Alex Turner's writing takes hold of your soul. I was gifted some amazing high end headphones for my birthday this year and although it's made everything sound better - this album is one that really benefits from a quality audio system.

And so the winner - to anyone who knows me this will not come as surprise - but in a sense it did to me - I knew I'd love it, but not how much I'd love it....

This is their 5th studio album, the shortest one at about 44 mins but it's packed with perfection with megastar producer Jack Antonoff joining band members Matty Healy and George Daniel to deliver what was unquestionably going to be my album of the year from the first listen. It's focused with every song meaningful and executed to perfection.

Now while you could point to the fact I am a huge fan of this band and might wonder how biased this selection is by that... I point you to this Justin Hawkins review of the first single from Being Funny In A Foreign Language - well worth a watch....

So that's the list for 2022... lots of exciting music already emerging for next year, not least the just released Little Simz album. Hope you are having an amazing holiday season and I hope you get the chance to enjoy some fabulous music!