As the year winds down to the end, I like to pull together my own “Best of the Year” lists to keep track of my favorite things of the year. Why? because the awards shows are trash and I’m a loser who does this for fun. I feel like there’s always some kind of a major failure on the side of the awards shows that no one agrees with. Like when Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy beat Mac Miller, Nipsey Hussle, Pusha T, and Travis Scott. Cardi B got a lot of negative attention after that win, which is unfortunate and undeserved. She won, fair and square. I just disagree with the pick, and because of that I choose to ignore the actual awards shows and just pick my own favorites.

I try to keep my picks open to a bunch of genres, I’m not sure how well that works (especially this year), but I try. For some reference, my top 3 albums from last year were Alone at Prom by Tory Lanez, Pink Planet by Pink Sweat$, and ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE by BROCKHAMPTON. Now, at this point I do not have a completed ranking or anything, just 18 albums that are fighting for a top spot in my brain this year. I thought it would be interesting to write them out and make a few notes of things I like about them and then see how the list changes when I eventually complete the ranking by the end of the year.

So, with that in mind, I present you all with the contenders of this year’s album of the year competition (that exists only in my brain of course). I should also note that I’m not reviewing these albums like Pitchfork or something really in depth, this is just some stuff I liked. I’ve definitely missed albums over the course of the year, so if you’re reading this and feel like I’m missing something please hunt me down and let me know. This list is in order of their releases, from January 2022 and on.

Dawn FM – The Weeknd

  • The concept of this being a purgatorial radio station is incredible
  • Love the 80s disco R&B style
  • “Less than Zero” is undeniably one of the best songs of the year

Conversations with the Moon – grentperez

  • Incredibly enjoyable and sweet love songs
  • If an album could be a hopeless romantic, this one would
  • CHERRY WINE

Once Twice Melody – Beach House

  • *Beach House bias*
  • They could make a song composed of only farts and I’m sure even that would make me levitate
  • This entire album feels like you’re dreaming
  • Entirely self produced, and they do not stray from the style we’ve always loved
  • “I reach into the darkness, the universe collects us” BRO CHILL

Who Cares? – Rex Orange County

  • This one disappoints me. I really enjoyed this album early in the year, some songs even appeared on my Spotify Wrapped because of how much I listened to them. It’s still on the list for now because of how much I did enjoy it, but now I feel weird listening to it due to the surrounding context. I think that love has faded…

Melt My Eyez See Your Future – Denzel Curry

  • Best Curry album since Ta13oo
  • Lyrically introspective and vulnerable
  • Very strong production and flow
  • “Walkin” is a near perfect track

Ramona Park Broke My Heart – Vince Staples

  • I will always love Vince Staples’ voice on every song
  • Lyrics are again quite vulnerable, telling stories of his stolen youth
  • Staples’ delivery echo ideas of existential dread or exhaustion
  • Some of my favorite tracks are “DJ QUIK”, “MAGIC”, and “LEMONADE”

Simple. – IDK

  • Super short project, but incredibly fine tuned
  • The production is great, flow and features are fantastic
  • “Breathe” is an incredible track that I never get sick of

Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar

  • Do I even need to explain this one? He’s a genius and he did it again
  • It’s incredible across the board
  • Storytelling and lyricism on another level
  • “I choose me, I’m sorry.”

Give or Take – Giveon

  • This man’s voice…
  • Captures the rollercoaster of emotions in love

Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy

  • Before his tour and TikTok, this was my #1 pick for the year
  • Some really unique tracks in the album, but TikTok definitely ruined “Bad Habit”
  • “Sunshine” is still one of the best songs of the year though

2000 – Joey Bada$$

  • Really strong and wide ranging production
  • Wide ranging themes within tracks as well
  • Incredibly powerful lamentations on final 2 tracks
  • Bonus points for sampling “Show Me How” by Men I Trust

JAMIE – Montell Fish

  • God this one hurts bad and I love it
  • The vocal delivery is haunting (but in the best way)
  • “If this is my last dance, I want it to be with you.”

Cheat Codes – Danger Mouse & Black Thought

  • This is just good hip-hop, through and through
  • Incredible verses, unique production, strong features
  • MF DOOM impresses as usual on “Belize”

The Forever Story – JID

  • JID has some of the best flow of any artist right now, and it’s on full display here
  • The range of styles in this album is impressive
  • Wordplay on this album is unmatched
  • Really great features as well
  • “Kody Blu 31” makes me float

ICYMI – EDEN

  • EDEN is a mastermind when it comes to his composition
  • There is so much going on in every single track, it rewards relistens to find more details
  • Beyond that though, this album HURTS
  • “Elsewhere” is a masterpiece

HDTV – Tai Verdes

  • This album is so much fun
  • Verdes continues to impress on his second album
  • Blends genres and styles to create a unique sound and project
  • I love “don’t touch!” so much, it’s fantastic

this is what ____ feels like (Vol. 1-4) – JVKE

  • JVKE came out of nowhere for me, but delivered a super interesting album
  • The progression of love into heartbreak and then moving on is masterful
  • Beautiful piano on tracks throughout

Luv 4 Rent – Smino

  • Incredibly intimate reflection on types of love
  • Flow and lyrics are powerful and impressive
  • Great production
  • J. Cole feature on “90 Proof” is great of course

**Special shoutout to I Love Life, Thank You by Mac Miller because I love it, but since it’s been out (just not on streaming platforms) I cannot include it on the list**

If you haven’t heard any of these, I strongly recommend giving them a listen! That’s what I’ll be doing for the rest of the year while I try to make a decision. I’ll follow up here when I have my top 10 as well. Enjoy, and I’ll be back next week. Drive safe, friends!

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