The Odinary Playlist’s Best Tracks of 2022
The songs that made my 2022.
55. Richard Dawson: “The Hermit”
A 41-minute behemoth by Newcastle upon Tyne’s most beloved folk experimentalist.
54. Gospel: “MVDM”
Also, another monstrous track, now coming from the newly-reborn NYC Screamo veteran Gospel.
53. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer): “Anak Sekolah”
“Kalian suka Weezer juga bro? Indonesia sangar.”
52. shame: “Fingers of Steel”
Their most poignant song to date.
51. Rrag: “Rumah Hantu”
Loving the 90s-style production on this one, super on-point. The chord progression does it for me; it sets the mood for the whole EP perfectly.
50. Joey Bada$$: “Survivor’s Guilt”
2022’s most devastating hip-hop song.
49. Dehd: “Bad Love”
Great hook. This could make a great commercial song.
48. BEYONCE: “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”
Dancing my ass off to Mars.
47. Hatchie: “The Rhythm”
A nice shimmering dreamy dance-pop track. Huge Primal Scream and my bloody valentine energy on this one.
46. The Beths: “Expert in a Dying Field”
They call it the best indie song of the year. I can’t argue with that.
45. Circuit des Yeux: “The Manatee (A Story of This World Pt III)
Some powerful vocal performances grace this song.
44. SZA: “Nobody Gets Me”
Modern-pop takes on “Fade Into You.”
43. PUP: “Four Chords”
Love the operatic feel and the heavy Weezer vibe on this one.
42. Cosmo’s Midnight: “Bang My Line” (feat. Tkay Maidza)
Tkay Maidza just never ceases to amaze me with every guest verse she’s featured on.
41. Jockstrap: “What’s It All About?”
So, “What’s it all about, my friend?” Not sure if I’m super excited about this one for its edgy nature or its lyrical content about a platonic relationship.
40. rekah: “MENGAJARI API BERDANSA”
Seamless transitions between sections, tight drumming, and memorable hooks. One of the best screamo songs in recent memory.
39. Paramore: “This Is Why”
I’ve never been a fan of Paramore but this one has a major Talking Heads vibe. Probably my favorite song by the band, if not the only one I like as of now.
38. Beach House: “Once Twice Melody”
The songs on the new Beach House record are just amazing, but I think this one represents the album best.
37. Loma Prieta: “Sunlight”
It’s immediate, it’s potent, and it's right in your face. It doesn’t have to be long—I'm digging this one a lot.
36. Bartees Strange: “Heavy Heart”
The second verse is clever and intoxicating.
35. Smino: “90 Proof” (feat. J. Cole)
Not sure what to make of it, I just find it funny and super addictive.
34. Nilüfer Yanya: “midnight sun”
One of the best 90’s sounding songs I’ve heard all year. The build into the wall of sound near the end of the song is just crazy.
33. Fontaines D.C.: “Jackie Down The Line”
British rock anthem of the year. This should be a British classic years down the road.
32. Kamasi Washington: “The Garden Path”
Been longing for some good Kamasi Washington chop for quite some time and this is apparently what 2022 brings.
31. Alvvays: “Belinda Says”
The soft keys on the intro, the gliding guitar, the builds, and the climax. This song is perfectly written, with some interesting referential lyrics. There was a day this year where I listened only to this song 70 times for the whole day, nothing else.
30. Denzel Curry: “Walkin”
I love how the track constantly walks like a moving picture. Displaying one sonic and lyrical vignette to another.
29. LCD Soundsystem: new body rhumba (from the film white noise)
Finally, a new LCD Soundsystem song that’s actually exciting. Love the way the song transitions from the groovy extended passage into the triumphant finish.
28. Taylor Swift: “Snow On The Beach” (Ft. Lana Del Rey)
It literally lives up to its title.
27. Big Thief: “Flower of Blood”
My favorite trip-hop/shoegaze song of the year is, in fact, written by four indie folk rockers. This one feels intricate and intimate.
26. MUNA: “Home By Now”
This song makes you wanna dance, this song makes you wanna cry. Come on MUNA why are you doing this to us?
25. Chat Pile: “Why”
Here, Chat Pile not only threaten you with some of the most unsettling instrumentals you can possibly think of, but some serious questions are being asked right in your face: “WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE OUTSIDE?”
24. Yard Act: “The Overload”
This song feels overly British, and I love it for that.
23. Horsegirl: “Anti-glory”
This one feels like a perfect mix between Sleater-Kinney, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Rainer Maria, which means a great thing.
22. Porridge Radio: “Back To The Radio”
Dana Margolin perfected her songwriting formula with this one. It’s filled with intoxicating hooks and memorable chants.
21. deathcrash: “American Metal”
This one gives me a big Northwest American suburban feel, though it’s coming straight out of London — why is this song so somber and painful?
20. Soul Glo: “Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?)”
Great song to introduce people to the world of Soul Glo. I love how the track jumps from one sequence to another. It starts off bright with a major chord progression and ends up with this nasty breakdown.
19. NIKI: “Before”
My favorite cut from a record that reminds me of what it’s like to be a high schooler in the early-mid 2010s.
18. Honeyglaze: “Childish Things”
Finally, some good crescendo-core indie rock stuff. One of the things that I’ve missed a lot. Note: They sound much better live.
17. Gilla Band: “Bin Liner Fashion”
Probably my favorite percussion performance on any song this year. Noisy, enigmatic, and super playful. 2 minutes of high-octane insanity.
16. Phoebe Bridgers: “Sidelines”
This song breaks my soul and fills me with hope at the same time. Just like life, which can be both beautiful and sad at the same time.
15. Carly Rae Jepsen: “The Loneliest Time” (feat. Rufus Wainwright)
Four-and-a-half-minute display of pop perfection. My go-to song for whenever I felt the loneliest this year.
14. Daniel Avery: “Chaos Energy” (feat. Kelly Lee Owens & HAAi)
It’s beautiful and it’s cold. It’s hard-hitting yet very fragile. The song’s final drop beat is one of my favorite musical moments of the year.
13. The Weeknd: “Less Than Zero”
Apparently, The Weeknd did it better than most bands who tried to bring back the synthpop sound of the 1980s in the early to mid-2010s. This one’s super catchy.
12. JID: “Surround Sound” (feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate)
21 Savage’s verse is flawless on this one.
11. FKA twigs: “Killer”
The thing is, unlike many people, I did not quite enjoy FKA twigs’ latest LP, CAPRISONGS. I would deliberately call myself an FKA twigs traditionalist. So when I first heard the studio version of this song, it really excited me.
10. The 1975: “About You”
Yes, just like any other human being in the world, it’s the female vocal part that really got me. Atmospheric, haunting, and beautiful, it’s a melancholic anthem that you can blow your car stereo with on a late-night drive.
9. black midi: “Sugar/Tzu”
This one feels like getting non-stop rapid-fire punches by Mohammed Ali from every direction possible. It’s broooootal.
8. Courting: “Tennis”
An excellent blend of post-punk and hyper-pop. I’m not really sure what this one is about — is it about virility, a commentary on celebrity life, or a parasitic relationship? Anyway, it’s been my instant mood elevator throughout the year.
7. caroline: “Good morning (red)”
I could imagine a pastoral scene where the sun comes up, with all the green grass, the blue skies, and the lush fields, surrounded by fluffy animals, where everything’s simple, beautiful, and serene… And this song would make the perfect score for the scene.
6. Rina Sawayama: “Phantom”
I couldn’t hold back my tears when I saw Rina perform this song live. This song sees Rina talking to her younger self, giving the best affirmations and self-assurance to the tortured soul—a way to heal herself from her past trauma. A theme that I would never get tired of.
5. Perunggu: “Ini Abadi”
A (not-so) anthem for the world's unsung heroes: the family providers. Modest, tender and life-affirming. Absolutely beautiful.
4. Weyes Blood: “Children of the Empire”
Brian Wilson should’ve been very proud of Weyes Blood for the existence of this song. Natalie’s songwriting credential really shines through on this one. Smartly arranged, and beautifully orchestrated. Easily her best piece to date.
3. DOMi & JD BECK: TAKE A CHANCE (feat. Anderson .Paak)
The part where it goes: “HOLD ON, JUST LET GO OF WHO I USED TO BE… RIGHT NOW, I NEED YOU TO TAKE A CHANCE ON ME” 😭
2. Viagra Boys: “Return To Monke”
One of the most creative songs I’ve heard in a while. This song finds Viagra Boys having their “Swans” moment: harsh, crushing, brutal, yet circular, and everything feels super bestial. Huge social commentary on this one, and surprisingly this song came out on the very same day a former Japanese prime minister was killed — the song mentions a murder taking place in Japan.
1. Black Country, New Road: “Concorde”
The best song to be written since Johann Pachelbel’s Canon. Period.
Listen to the full playlist:
