2022 was the year for new albums. After song delays and tour cancellations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several artists came out of the fog to release highly anticipated new records. Here are the top ten best albums of 2022.

10. “Preacher’s Daughter” by Ethel Cain
Indie artist Ethel Cain delivers pop anthems and eerie lyricism on her debut album “Preacher’s Daughter.” The concept album combines horror elements and loaded production to create a truly original musical experience for the listener.

9. “Un Verano Sin Ti” by Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny’s latest album embraces pride, fame and celebration of heritage. “Un Verano Sin Ti” utilizes catchy lyricism and energetic beats to create a powerful album for everyone: Bad Bunny fan or not.

8. “Gemini Rights” by Steve Lacey
Steve Lacey’s commitment to DIY songwriting and production proves strong with engrossing lyrics and original instrumental elements. Lacey’s sophomore album “Gemini Rights” deservedly earns its spot as one of the best albums of 2022.

7. “SOS” by SZA
SZA makes her long-awaited comeback with “SOS.” The artist’s sophomore album incorporates a mixture of different sounds, styles and genres making for a completely unique listening experience for fans of the R&B artist. With punchy lyricism and glowing vocals, “SOS” proves to be a strong contender for the best album of the year

6. “Fossora” by Bjork
Bjork is nothing if not weird, but she seems to have grounded herself with her tenth album. With emotionally complex lyrics and gabber beats, Bjork’s “Fossora” is a jaw-dropping listen from the first song to the last.

5. “Caprisongs” by FKA Twigs
FKA Twigs’ latest mixtape “Caprisongs” is adventurous, daring and captivating through and through. Full of itinerant production and striking vocals, “Caprisongs” proves to be FKA Twigs’ best work yet.

4. “Dawn FM” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd has achieved mass success over the past few years, and though the artist’s former projects might have fallen flat, his newest album “Dawn Fm” hits and hits hard. Thoughtful lyrics and passionate instrumentals combine to make one of the best albums of the year.

3. “God Save the Animals” by Alex G
Indie-alternative artist Alex G returns with a melodic ode to natural beauty and all we hold dear. With whimsical lyrics and an organic sound that only Alex G himself can pull off, “God Save the Animals” strikes as one of the artist’s most concise and distinctive records.

2. “Being Funny in a Foreign Language” by The 1975
The 1975 came back in late 2022 with their fifth album, “Being Funny in a Foreign Language.” With a tantalizing new string-based sound and effectual lyricism, “Being Funny in a Foreign Language” proves to be a strong contender for the best album of the year.

1. “Mr. Moral & the Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar
On his fifth album, Kendrick Lamar explores self-identity, love and grief — and does so wonderfully. With quick writing and stacked instrumentals, “Mr. Moral & the Big Steppers” delivers everything a music fan could want. With certain songs sounding crafted and others improvised, Lamar constructs a multi-dimensional, complex record for anyone to enjoy, earning this record the best one of 2022.

2022 didn’t just deliver in great songs, the year of new music also gave us some of the worst albums of all time. This is this the top five worst albums of 2022.
1. “Mainstream sellout” by Machine Gun Kelly
Former rapper turned attempted punk artist Machine Gun Kelly returns with a new album “Mainstream Sellout.” The artist attempts to make an homage to the punk scene of the early 2000s, but he manages to fall flat in every way. The album is full of cheap beats and strangely misogynist lyrics, with production so exasperating and repetitive you will be scrambling for the mute button.

2. “Viva Las Vengeance” by Panic! At the Disco
Panic! At the Disco first gained notoriety in the emo wave of the late 2000s, and while their first albums were full of provocative, introspective lyricism and dynamic instrumentation, the band’s latest album “Viva Las Vengeance” could not be further from those of the band’s hay day. The band now solely consists of Brendon Urie, a man who clearly lacks artistic vision or musical talent of any kind, resulting in an album full of pop songs, all deprived of any lyrical or instrumental substance, with wanna-be-edgy lyrics and shallow song structure, “Viva Las Vengeance” makes us all grateful that this “band” is finally breaking up.

3. “Come Home the Kids Miss You” by Jack Harlow
Rapper Jack Harlow has boomed in popularity over the past few years, he released his sophomore album “Come Home the Kids Miss You” in May of this year, and I have not known peace since. The album is devoid of any complexity or lyrical substance. The songs on this record are about as interesting as watching paint dry, and the production adds nothing to Harlow’s remarkably dull rapping. The only question I have about “Come Home the Kids Miss You” is why anybody would choose to listen to it.

4. “Cowboy Tears” by Oliver Tree
Oliver Tree is quite the character, performing under a fake name and a personality, he’s managed to garner some attention over the past few years, mainly for his contemptible and offensive behavior. But Tree’s latest album “Cowboy Tears” proves that his music might actually be the least enjoyable thing about him. The album is full of obnoxious vocals and laughably bad production. There is not a single song on this record that is bearable to listen to, making me curious about who allowed him to have a music career in the first place. “Cowboy Tears” begs the question, “is this a joke?”

5. “Midnights” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has become one of the most prominent figures in the music industry; her former albums have proven her to be capable of creating interesting, introspective melodies; however, Swift sells out her artistic talents for commercial success on her tenth album. Swift’s return to pop is ridden with cringe-inducing lyrics and awkward electronica sounds. The distorted vocals and production choices that occupy much of this album prove that extermination isn’t always a good thing, and after listening to “(Mid)-nights” I would honestly say Taylor Swift should have just gone to sleep.