2022 has been a stunning year for new music. From newcomers such as CMAT blowing everyone away with her debut full-length, to fellow Dubliners Fontaines D.C. offering their most complete work yet; we have once again enjoyed countless records here at See Tickets.
Check out which release each of us on the marketing team loved the most and why below, and don't forget to let us know any that we might have missed on social media!
Fontaines D.C. - 'Skinty Fia'
Following on from their incredible first two records ('Dogrel' & 'A Hero's Death') was never going to be an easy task, but with 'Skinty Fia' Fontaines D.C. offered their most complete album to date. Preceded by lead single 'Jackie Down The Line', it was clear that the Dublin alt-rockers had another masterpiece locked and loaded - and this was confirmed back in April. It was a difficult choice between 'Skinty Fia' and Black Country, New Road's incredible sophomore LP 'Ants From Up There', but having caught Fontaines D.C. live in November and hearing the tracks live eventually swung it for me.
CMAT - 'If My Wife New I'd Be Dead'
Picking just one album from this year was difficult, but CMAT's debut has definitely been the surprise stand out for me. Before hearing this album I wouldn't have thought of myself as a country-pop lover, but 'If My Wife New I'd Be Dead' is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Full of self-deprecating, witty one liners, its relatable to every 20-something trying to figure out their way in the world, and its melodies and hooks are addictive. I've listened to it on repeat this year, and some of my favourite tracks are 'Peter Bogdanovich' and 'I Don't Really Care For You'. It's fresh and exciting, different to anything else I've heard in recent years, and I can't wait to hear her future releases.
Arctic Monkeys - 'The Car'
Arctic Monkeys returned in October with their seventh studio album, 'The Car'. It sees the continuation of the band’s transformation from a rock band to a suave lounge act, and we’re here for it. While we saw Alex Turner open up through the fictional concept of an extravagant cosmic resort back in 2018’s 'Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino'; heavy on the piano and synthesizers, 'The Car' brings us back down to earth. It’s rich with diary-like entries, full of love, empty thoughts, and desire - accompanied by the trademark wordplay of Alex Turner. The album is nicely weaved together by Turner’s surging vocals and an orchestra bringing it all to life.
Amber Mark - 'Three Dimensions Deep'
R&B singer Amber Mark released her long-awaited debut album 'Three Dimensions Deep' back in January 2022, bringing a glossy and funky vibe to her music reinforced by her impeccable lyricism and amazing voice. The album follows Mark's journey of identifying her own insecurities, working through self-discovery and awareness, and finally reaching a confident state of self-worth. We see how she moves from self-doubt to pure confidence within this album, whilst incorporating celestial metaphors, making it a truly powerful album to listen to. Some of my personal favourites are 'Foreign Things', 'Softy', 'Cosmic' and 'Bliss'.
State Champs - 'Kings of the New Age'
State Champs dropped their latest offering to the pop punk sphere ‘Kings of the New Age’ in May and jam packed it with all your favourite tropes of the genre including fun riffs, vocals filled with the sunny optimism of Summer and a fair share of collabs including Four Year Strong, Ben Barlow of Neck Deep and Chrissy Costanza of Against The Current. Stand out tracks from the album are ‘Everybody but You’, which captures the mood of a house party sing along (only you don’t mind these guys having a guitar), and ‘Just Sound’, another huge pop-punk anthem that’s sure to be a setlist staple for years to come.
Beyoncé - 'Renaissance'
Beyoncé returned with her highly awaited seventh album ‘Renaissance’ earlier this year! The album is a very different offering from her previous ones giving us a full dance/house album rather than her usual mix of slow tempo tracks and ballads. With viral tracks like ‘BREAK MY SOUL’ and ‘CUFF IT’, this has to be up there as a favourite album of the year. It’s so different from what we’re used to from Beyoncé and has certainly turned heads and ears. It’s a record that makes you want to get up and break out dancing to the tracks.
Check out our playlist here which is also packed with our notable mentions!
Which albums are we missing from our list? Let us know on social media!
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