Here is my list of Top 20 albums of 2022. I hope you will discover some cool stuff to expand your music spectrum.
Spotify playlist here
Short list of the top 20 albums of 2022:
01 – Brutus – Unison Life
02 – Kae Tempest – The Line Is A Curve
03 – Kalle – Under The Black Moss
04 – NIKA – Flesh & Soul
05 – Cult of Luna – The Long Road North
06 – Heiden – Andzjel
07 – Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell
08 – Warhaus – Ha Ha Heartbreak
09 – Crippled Black Phoenix – Banefyre
10 – Nikol Bóková – Elements
11 – Robert Glasper – Black Radio III
12 – Point of Few – Open to Closeness
13 – Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus
14 – Jamie Leeming – Resynthesis
15 – Zeal & Ardor – Zeal & Ardor
16 – Karl Sanders – Saurian Apocalypse
17 – Robohands – Violet
18 – Sam Redmore – Universal Vibrations
19 – David Kollar & Arve Henriksen – A Sense of Destiny
20 – Blut Aus Nord – Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses
01 – Brutus – Unison Life
I discovered this Belgium rock trio, when they were announced as a support band for Chelsea Wolfe in Prague/CZE in 2018. It was an instant click. I hate when people say that rock is dead and there are not many new bands ready to take a position of rock giants. Well, there are some and Belgian trio is growing with every album. I love some of their earliest singles as Fliflu from 2015 and now with their third album they fulfil journalistic cliché about the third album signal, if this band can have a long-term career. Song structures, energy and intelligent catchiness! It reached a point, when I clearly remembered the feeling, I had when I was listening to the first albums of Guano Apes pretty much non-stop. I just recently got underwater music player from my best friend and I feel like I am twelve again. Swimming and completely getting into the atmosphere of the tracks. I don’t care what track comes up. Each song has its story. It kicks you in a butt and it breaks your heart with its beauty more than ever.
Our low-cost video interview from 2018 here
As well as the video material about them playing in Prague and meeting Czech Brutus here
02 – Kae Tempest – The Line Is A Curve
Kae Tempest is one of the artists that break boundaries between genre preferences and it’s really worth traveling to see live. I first heard about Kae from an avant-garde space jazz trio The Comet Is Coming and their epic track – Blood of the Past. (When I start talking about this, I always play a few moments of this track during my music listening sessions). Absolute masterpiece. If I would ever recommend a track to NASA for their videos about wind storms on Jupiter, it would be Blood of the Past. So many compliments for Kae during our interview with TCIC keyboard player Danalogue and as I discovered recently, I have many fans of Kae among my friends. Therefore, I gladly checked the latest album The Line Is A Curve during my longer walk outside of Prague. Album consists a wisdom of a multiple lifetimes. It’s a mix of in-your-face poetry, psychedelic rock, hip hop and ambient music. Salt Coast, These Are The Days and by the time you reach Grace, you will reach enlightenment. Whatever you are going through, this album will offer a solution, hint or a reminder.
03 – Kalle – Under The Black Moss
When I was talking about maturing well within Brutus, Czech duo Kalle is a great example from my home country. I heard them for the first time when they were playing during one literature events. Around 2015 I was working as a marketing specialist/public speaker for the only university in Czech Republic, where students could do bachelor and masters programs within writing – Literární akademie Josefa Škvoreckého. Kalle played at an event called Ceny Waltera Sernera. Since then, they concentrated on their brilliant atmospheric pop rock, but at the same time experimented with much heavier sounding projects as Nod Nod and Veena. Now they are back with their third album, where they provide both their ambient side, as well as build it up into very emotional, almost-post rock mood with drums, backed with heavy acoustic guitar and synths, especially in the track called The Red Lake.
04 – NIKA – Flesh & Soul
I honestly believe, where there is a huge talent, it deserves a support from music journalists and promoters, as much as we are able to help. I came across Ostrava’s singer NIKA through recommendations from a few sources I really respect and it worked again. Impressive singer backed by a number of talented musicians. Their reputation is growing fast and the main task seems to set the filter for offers and future steps. Sound-wise, I like to describe their debut as Markéta Irglová meets Nikol Bóková.
05 – Cult of Luna – The Long Road North
Since their album Mariner, which was a big game changer in my music world, I have a big feeling for bands as Cult of Luna, Amenra, Oathbreaker and others. It’s hard to define, because it’s somewhere within post metal, sludge and ambient/atmospheric death metal. It rips your body and soul, but it places you in a safe environment, where you can float within your thoughts, whether they grab your past experiences and helps you deal with them and it shows various paths for future steps. Its intensity destroys selfish and childish assumptions and brings energy and power to get you going even if you are totally exhausted in the middle of your path in Tatra Mountains. Greyer the weather the better. After The Raging River EP from 2021, The Long Road North is another impressive work of Swedish band, even though it takes a few more miles to fully appreciate it.
06 – Heiden – Andzjel
More than decent Czech answer to Cult of Luna. It follows the mood uniqueness, but their path to album Andzjel is quite unique and very inspirational. They started as a black metal band, but I also clearly remember their atmospheric rock sound in 2013 album A kdybys už nebyla, vymyslím si tě. Now they are back with very heavy, yet honest sound, backed with meaningful lyrics and amazing arrangements. From the Slovakian scene, be sure to check Besna and Therapist.
07 – Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell
It took some time, but I am really proud that one of my most favorite bands released such a great album lately. Not disrespecting their last releases, but this is their best album since Youngblood from 2013. I discovered them in 2009 at Masters of Rock festival. After an amazing first day, I couldn’t fall asleep. So I went for a walk around the festival grounds around 5am. There was nobody around, so the only thing “sticking out” were promotional flyers all around. For some reason, the one with Audrey Horne got my attention, plus they were saying that from a gratitude that people will check them so early in the morning, they will be throwing t-shirts. I checked few songs and convinced my buddies to have the first beer on their show. Amazing and energetic performance. I even caught one of the t-shirts and as I remembered a few words from one of the tracks, singer Toshie, while he was running under the stage, he joined me in singing forehead on forehead. Many great tracks and interviews since. The peak was around Youngblood, which was simply amazing. Their releases since didn’t really click with me, but the latest Devil’s Bell, where they even decided to extend the length of the tracks and add melancholic progressive touch is epic Audrey Horne of the modern twenties.
Our recent interview here
08 – Warhaus – Ha Ha Heartbreak
A bit of a David Gilmour vocals. Smooth, first-class smooth pop. Amazing recommendation from a friend. Thanks Anita. Great, not only for Jeff Buckley fans. This album started a Spotify wave of songwritters. Especially try this years’ Sahar from Tamino. Later on Chris Staples and Daniel Norgren, whose music was used for an amazig movie The Eight Mountains. My main movie tip of 2022.
09 – Crippled Black Phoenix – Banefyre
Truly inspiring and versatile, almost one hundred minutes long journey with new collection from British band with almost two decades tradition. I love Bastogne Blues and after The Devil’s Trade interview recommendation, I wanted to check their latest work. Impressed and eager to take this for long walks in the winter nature.
10 – Nikol Bóková – Elements
Young Czech piano player, who brought many, not only younger listeners to classical music but also modern jazz.
11 – 20
11 – Robert Glasper – Black Radio III
I might not be a fan of the whole album, but there are a couple of tracks that are heartbreaking masterpieces for emergency moments or melancholic walks. Forever, Bright Lights, Better Than I Imagined, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, It Don’t Matter and In Tune.
12 – Point of Few – Open to Closeness
As a member of Český rozhlas Jazz radio team, I am happy that I come across new releases within local jazz scene. In the case of the first release of Czech instrumental quartet Point of Few, it was an instant click and I truly believe their debut album Open to Closeness is one of the best Czech releases of the year. So, how to promote it? They sound as if they played for decades already and if you like the sound of David Bowie’s Blackstar, you will love this as well. With their amazing writing talent, they managed to invite keyboard player Jason Lindner on a couple of tracks. Performances of all members are so amazing; you will have a feeling Donny McCaslin joined them as well.
13 – Pure Reason Revolution – Above Cirrus
Next to the big names, I naturally also follow bands, that didn’t make it as far as they deserved. I discovered British band Pure Reason Revolution about ten years ago, soon after they released their third album Hammer and Anvil. It was a great underground discovery, where I respected great touch for intelligent electronic music. After a long break, they are back with an album, where they finally did the right move and perfectly combined they touch for electronics and progressive rock. One of the albums of the year and a great choice for fans of prog in the audience. Too bad the communication with the band and its management is much worse than during a previous release. Otherwise, you will see here a follow-up to our 2020 interview. Enjoy an incredible songwriting combining prog rock and electronic pop.
14 – Jamie Leeming – Resynthesis
London based jazz guitarist Jamie Leeming, who I discovered through his cooperation Alfa Mist has released his second album. One of my absolute favorites within modern lounge jazz as a background, when I am writing something.
15 – Zeal & Ardor – Zeal & Ardor
I discovered Zeal & Ardor in their very early days through Metal Storm website, when they released a debut album and were on their first EU tour. Later on, we did a great video interview for Czech TV Seznam. I am really proud, how they progressed to their self-titled third album, which proves their maturity.
16 – Karl Sanders – Saurian Apocalypse
Nile guitarist returned to his solo activities, where he shows his appreciation for music from the Middle East and incredible skills how to combine it with his own experiences and feelings.
Our recent interview here
17 – Robohands – Violet
This spot was insanely hard to pick I was choosing between new releases of some of the most interesting modern jazz/pop artists I know for years. Nick Hakim released a great album with a number of cool songs, including Vertigo, Ani and Something. Oscar Jerome a bit less singles that stand out, but still there is The Spoon and a few more. However, Violet from Robohands is a brilliant and compact album. Next to mentioned albums from his “competitors”, check also Robohands’ EP Giallo.
18 – Sam Redmore – Universal Vibrations
What a blast! Great tip from my friend from France, on this energetic orchestra and awesome vocal guest. Incredible debut album. Looking forward seeing the whole ensemble at Colours of Ostrava festival one day!
19 – David Kollar & Arve Henriksen – A Sense of Destiny
Very challenging was also leaving just one spot for an interesting act with European jazz. It was really a cool discovery when I came across EABS’ 2061 album as they were a part of the Colours of Ostrava 2022 festival line-up. Quite cool combination between modern jazz and some elements of hip hop. However, when I heard the full album of Slovakian guitarist David Kollar and Norwegian trumpet player Arve Henriksen, it was like falling into a Dune soundtrack again, from a different perspective. The best description I came across, was during a listening session with visually handicapped: “Dude, it has so many layers. It’s insanely interesting.
20 – Blut Aus Nord – Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses
Mind-blowing, yet incredibly heavy, dragging black hole of pure energy and extremely dark psychedelic waves.
Additional album tips:
EABS – 2061, Nick Hakim – Cometa, Oscar Jerome – The Spoon, Nene Heroine – Mova, Besna – Zverstvá, Therapist – Svet/lo Slepých, Shaam Larein – Sticka En Kniv I Världen, Markéta Irglová – Lila, Toundra – Hex, MMNK – Uměnení 2: Ohnivá Pomsta, Pacino – Sedm Světů, Colour Of The Sky – New Inception, Buzz – Blissful Dystopia, The Mars Volta – The Mars Volta, Tamino – Sahar, Porcupine Tree – Closure/Continuation, The Lord & Petra Haden – Devotional, Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram, Chalupski – Improvisations For Dance, Marble – The Shadow In Me, Oceans of Slumber – Starlight and Ash, Devin Townsend – Lightwork, 52 Hertz Whale – Present Sense Impression and Kahoma Trio – In the Woods.
