2022 was a whirlwind, a lot of transformation and left turns and chaos and growth. I was all over the map mentally, emotionally, musically, and geographically (if road tripping around the US counts). When December hit I was still knee deep in discovering a wealth of amazing new music from that year, so making one of these lists felt rushed, as much as I enjoy weaving them together. But now that we’re a few months into 2023 and starting into spring, I’ve been a bit more reflective and its becoming clear which music impacted me most from last year. Below you’ll find profiles of 40+ profoundly creative cassettes and LPs released in 2022, followed by over 20 other albums I dug that I wasn’t able to pick up on physical media for one reason or another. As usual, each album has a minimal profile and bandcamp players to help you discover what you want to dig into first, click the album cover for more pictures and further research. (Ash Ingalls 03.31.23)
Jaköb Battick & Tongue Depressor – Raise the Dead
Cassette, Stoned to Death, Philadelphia / New Haven
Style: Ritual Folk, Experimental Songwriter
Mood: Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Shadowy, Occult, Dark, Alchemical, Mystical, Sombre, Funereal
Musical Qualities: Slow, Microtonal, Droney, Lyrical, Dissonant, Acoustic
Kee Avil – Crease
LP, Constellation Records, Canada
Style: Experimental Songwriter, Glitch, Minimal Industrial
Moods: Ominous, Mechanical, Brooding, Cold, Lonely, Anxious, Apathetic, Cryptic, Depressive, Eerie, Existential, Moody, Shadowy, Bitter
Musical Qualities: Electro-Acoustic, Glitchy, Sparse, Polyrhythmic, Dissonant, Spoken Word, Digital, Dynamic
Boris – W
LP, Sacred Bones Records, Japan
Style: Ambient Pop, Post-Rock, Drone-Metal
Mood: Ethereal, Nocturnal, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Deconstructed, Amorphous, Cryptic, Abstract, Enigmatic
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Washy, Dynamic, Slow, Whispery Vocals
Moor Mother – Jazz Codes
LP, Anti- Records, Philadelphia
Style: Jazz Rap, Great Black Music, Experimental Hip-Hop, Future Jazz
Moods: Conscious, Surreal, Futuristic, Mystical, Uplifting, Warm, History, Cryptic, Poetic, Storytelling, Spiritual, Ethereal, Eclectic, Sombre, Summer, Political
Musical Qualities: Lush, Lyrical, Suite, Beats
Alabaster DePlume – GOLD
LPx2, International Anthem / Lost Map / Total Refreshment Centre, U.K.
Style: Art Pop, Spiritual Jazz, Dub Poetry, Collage Pop
Moods: Triumphant, Conversational, Uplifting, Conscious, Communal, Heartfelt, Passionate, Hypnotic, Intertwined, Intimate, Intricate, Playful, Rebellious, Love, Poetic, Reflective, Soothing, Spiritual, Warm,
Musical Qualities: Suite, Improvisation, Analogue Recording, Tape Edits, Dub Production, Sound Collage, Thematic, Polished, Catchy
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Spoken Word, Upright Bass, Drums, Group Vocals, Tabla, Synthesizers, Percussion, Guitar, Cello
Širom – Uteko?injeni prestol preprostih (The Liquified Throne of Simplicity)
LPx2, Glitterbeat, Slovenia
Style: “Imaginary Folk”, Ritual Folk, Psychedelic Minimalism
Moods: Mysterious, Ritualistic, Earthy, Tribal, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Mystical, Sombre, Surreal
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Microtonal, Polyphonic, Improvisation, Acoustic, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Repetitive, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Guimbri, Banjo, Frame Drum, Viola, Hurdy Gurdy, Tampura, Balafon, Chimes, Lute, Lyre, Ribab, Mizmar
Daniel Rossen – You Belong There
LP, Warp Records, Santa Fe
Style: Progressive Chamber-Folk
Moods: Imaginative, Reflective, Cryptic, Evocative, Cathartic, Sombre, Introspective, Haunting, Dreamy, Poetic, Surreal, Ethereal
Musical Qualities: Lush, Progressive, Acoustic, Dense, Technical, Polished
Instrumentation: Nylon Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bassoon, Upright Bass, Cello, Synthesizer
Mary Halvorson – Amaryllis & Belladonna
LPx2, Nonesuch Records, US
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Post-Bop, Chamber Jazz, Prog
Moods: Adventurous, Enigmatic, Triumphant, Knotty, Ambitious, Intertwined, Cerebral, Angular, Surreal, Off-Kilter
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Thematic Improvisation, Progressive Structures, Uncommon Time Signature, Instrumental, Intertwined, Lush. Technical
Alex G – God Save the Animals
LP, Domino, US
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Progressive Singer-Songwriter, Art Pop
Moods: Uplifting, Heartfelt, Spiritual, Warm, Introspective, Wholesome, Eclectic, Colorful, Cryptic, Ethereal, Joyful, Longing, Bittersweet, Psychedelic, Sentimental, Tender
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Vocal Effects, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Catchy, Polished, Progressive
Joan Shelley – The Spur
LP, No Quarter Records, Louisville
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk
Moods: Reflective, Poetic, Intimate, Lonely, Loving, Wise, Compassionate, Tender, Soothing, Contemplative, Bittersweet, Rustic, Peaceful, Melancholy, Intricate, Pastoral
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Vocal Harmonies, Soft, Melodic
Bill Callahan – YTILAER
LPx2, Drag City, 2022
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Moods: Contemplative, Existential, Nature, Poetic, Patient, Lush, Pastoral
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Piano, Drums, Electric Bass, Contra Alto Clarinet, Trumpet, Synthesizers, B3, Backing Vocals, Trombone, Upright Bass
Yves Jarvis – The Zug
LP, Anti- Records, Canada
Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Free Pop, Progressive Songwriter, Hypnagogic Pop, Psychedelic Jazz-Folk
Moods: Uplifting, Personal, Existential, Warm, Groovy, Summer, Surreal, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Studio-as-an-Instrument, Processed Vocals, Melodic, Home Recording, Dense, Catchy
Richard Dawson – Ruby Cord
LPx2, Domino Recording Co, U.K.
Style: Progressive Songwriter, Prog-Folk, Art Rock
Moods: Sombre, Epic, Lonely, Futuristic, Dystopian, Cryptic, Melancholy, Poetic, Mythic
Themes: Alienation, Apocalypse, Medieval, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Qualities: Progressive Structures, Lush Arrangements, Storytelling, Suite, Conceptual, Complex
Anteloper – Pink Dolphins
LP, International Anthem, New York
Style: Jazz Fission, Psychedelic Jazz, Abstract Groove
Moods: Aquatic, Cosmic, Colorful, Futuristic, Triumphant, Mysterious, Playful, Exploratory, Surreal, Impressionistic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Complex, Rhythmic
Jeremiah Chiu & Marta Sofia Honer – Recordings from the Åland Islands
LP, International Anthem Recording Co, Los Angeles
Style: Ambient, Electroacoustic, Impressionism, Nature Recordings, Ambient Jazz, Sound Collage
Moods: Ethereal, Soothing, Aquatic, Flowing, Peaceful, Exploratory, Airy, Intimate, Nature
Musical Qualities: Field Recordings, Vignettes, Loops, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Atmospheric, Improvisation
Makaya McCraven – In These Times
LP, International Anthem Recording Co, Chicago
Featured Musicians: Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, Marta Sofia Honer, and more
Styles: Orchestral Beat Music, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Musical Qualities: Lush, Suite, Sampling, Rhythmic, Orchestral, Instrumental, Beats, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Mood: Spring, Cinematic, Warm, Uplifting, Spiritual, Groovy, Peaceful
Sélène Saint-Aimé – Potomitan
LP, Komos, France
Style: Avant-garde Chamber Jazz, Afro-Carribean Jazz, Gwoka
Moods/Themes: Ancestry, Ritualistic, Meditative, Hypnotic, Communal, Rootsy, Poetic, Sombre, Elegant, Flowing, Warm, Mystical
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Percussive, Acoustic, Repetitive, Improvisation, Technical
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Bèlè Drum, Ka Drum, Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Cello, Violin
Burial – Antidawn EP
LP, Hyperdub, UK
Style: Spectral Ambient Collage, Future Garage, lowercase
Moods: Longing, Nocturnal, Romantic, Lonely, Haunting, Foggy, Urban, Ethereal, Intimate, Rainy, Winter, Stark, Fragmented
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Soft, Atmospheric, Collage, Sparse, Reductionist
Beth Orton – Weather Alive
LP, Partisan Records, U.K.
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber-Jazz, Ambient Pop
Moods: Reflective, Existential, Autumnal, Languid, Pensive, Soothing, Peaceful, Nature, Tender, Mellow, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Lush, Slow, Polished, Atmospheric
Featuring Shahzad Ismaily, Tom Skinner, Alabaster dePlume, and more
Jessica Moss – Galaxy Heart
LP, Constellation Records, Canada
Styles: Chamber Drone, Electro-Acoustic, Free Improvisation, Post-Rock
Moods: Apocalyptic, Sombre, Cathartic, Nature, Exploratory, Spiritual, Angsty, Anthemic, Aquatic, Brooding, cathartic, Heartfelt, Mournful, Spiritual
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Droney, Electro-Acoustic, Thematic, Repetitive, Loops, Fuzzy
Eric Chenaux – Say Laura
LP, Constellation Records, France
Style: Experimental Singer/Songwriter, Warped Folk Ballads
Vibe: Gentle, Woozy, Romantic, Reflective, Intertwined, Poetic, Warm
Musical Qualities: Crooning Vocals, Improvised Experimental Guitar, Looping
Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andres Werliin – Ghosted
LP, Drag City, Australia / Sweden
Style: Atmospheric Jazz, Post-Minimalism
Moods: Nocturnal, Suspenseful, Motorik, Western, Desert, Cinematic, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Electroacoustic, Rhythmic, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums
Joe Rainey – Niineta
LP, 37d03d Records, Red Lake Nation
Style: Post-Industrial Powwow Music, Experimental Electronic
Mood: Communal, Ritualistic, Cathartic, Spiritual, Passionate, Mournful, Epic
Musical Qualities: Chants, Manipulated Vocals, Distorted, Electroacoustic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Percussive, Noisy
Medicine Singers – Medicine Singers
LP, Joyful Noise, Pokanoket (Massachusets)
Produced by Yonatan Gat
Featured Musicians: Joe Rainey, jaimie branch, Laraaji, Thor Harris, Ryan Olsen, Ikue Mori
Style: Algonquian & Pocasset Powwow Music, Psychedelic Punk, Neo-Psychedelia
Moods: Ceremonial, Communal, Cathartic, Colorful, Spiritual, Intense, Tribal, Ritualistic
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Chants, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic
Modern Nature – Island of Noise
LP, Bella Union, U.K.
Style: Chamber Pop, Post-Rock, Chamber Jazz, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Reflective, Warm, Intertwined, Nature, Breezy, Spiritual, Morning, Apocalyptic, Uplifting
Musical Qualities: Lush, Soft, Suite, Melodic
Instrumentation: Vocals, Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Trumpet, Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums, Cello, Reed Organ, Viola, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Björk – Fossora
LPx2, One Little Independent Records, Iceland
Styles: Progressive Pop, Post-Industrial, Chamber Music, IDM, Gabber, Deconstructed Club
Moods: Earthy, Knotty, Sensual, Futuristic, Surreal, Romantic, Mystical, Passionate, Messy, Hallucinogenic, Intense, Forest, Eccentric, Epic, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Dense, Dynamic, Complex, Glitchy, Progressive, Uncommon Time Signatures, Electro-Acoustic
Instrumentation: Digital Programming, Woodwinds (Bass Clarinet, Oboe, Clarinet), Strings, Choral Vocals
Horse Lords – Comradely Objects
LP, RVNG Intl, 2022
Style: Experimental Rock, Totalism, Math Rock
Influences: Tishoumaren, Krautrock, Free Jazz
Moods: Triumphant, De-Hypnotizing, Propulsive, Knotty, Angular, Kinetic, Energetic, Dancey, Embodied, Tangled, Communist, Chaotic
Musical Qualities: Polyrhythmic, Complex, Dense, Just Intonation, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Microtonal, Dissonant, Polyphonic, Technical, Repetitive, Drones
Joyfultalk – Familiar Science
LP, Constellation Records, Canada
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Progressive Electronic, Jazz Fission
Vibe: Futuristic, Colorful, Abstract, Playful
Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Improvisation, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive, Sampling
Ulaan Passerine – Sun Spar
LP, Worstward Recordings, 2022
Style: Shadow Americana, Free Folk, Country-Drone, Post-Rock
Moods: Western, Haunting, Ritualistic, Impressionistic, Meditative, Rustic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Instrumental, Droney, Atmospheric,
Instrumentation: 12-String Guitar, Organ, Bass Clarinet, Bowed Banjo, Drums, French Horn, Alto Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Tapes
Eli Winter – Eli Winter
LP, Three Lobed Recordings, U.S.
Styles / Influences: Cinematic Americana, Progressive Folk-Rock, Fingerstyle Guitar, Appalachian Folk, Post-Rock
Moods: Intertwined, Triumphant, Pastoral, Spring, Adventure, Impressionistic, Cinematic, Twangy, Uplifting, Contemplative, Longing, Peaceful, Brooding
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Drums, Electric Guitar, Harmonium, Viola, Flugelhorn, Synthesizer
Bitchin Bajas – Bajascillators
LPx2, 45rpm, Drag City Records, Chicago
Styles: Psychedelic Minimalism, Kosmische, New Age, Progressive Electronic
Moods: Cosmic, Meditative, Hypnotic, Colorful, Psychedelic, Spiritual, Focused
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Pulse, Polyrhythmic, Minimalistic, Instrumental
New Balance – More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid
LP, Anxiety Blanket, Los Angeles
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Chamber Pop
Moods: Contemplative, Sunny, Poetic, Warm, Mellow, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical
Old Fire – Voids
features vocals from Bill Callahan, Emily Cross (Loma), Adam Torres, & Julia Holter
Style: Haunted Folk, Ambient Americana, Southern Gothic
Moods: Desolate, Bleak, Haunting, Western, Cinematic, Stark, Sombre, Rustic, Melancholy, Brooding, Contemplative, Depressive, Nocturnal, Alienation, Dystopian, Impressionistic, Lonely, Moody, Mournful, Mythic, Noir, Personal
Musical Qualities: Suite, Atmospheric, Slow, Sampling, Electro-acoustic, Droney
Raum – Daughter
Raum – Daughter
LPx2, Yellowelectric Records, U.S.
Grouper & Jefre-Cantu Ledesma
Style: Ambient, Drone
Moods: Plaintive, Autumnal, Soothing, Mournful, Nocturnal, Washy, Hazy, Melancholy, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Electroacoustic, Field Recordings, Noisy, Lo-fi, Atmospheric, Soft, Slow, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Wet Tuna – Warping All By Yourself
LP, Three Lobed Recordings, Vermont
Style: Aquatic Psych, Folk-Funk
Vibes: Swampy, Ethereal, Mystical, Utopian, Relaxed, Dreamy, Swagger, Contemplative, Warm, Playful, Whispery, Soothing
Qualities: Groovy, Atmospheric, Percussive, Dub Fx, Vocal Delays, Headphone Album
Seven Rivers of Fire – Way of the Pilgrim
Style: Wyrd Folk, Ritual Ambient, Free Folk, Drone
Mood: Forest, Nocturnal, Witchy, Ritualistic, Meditative, Suspenseful, Shadowy, Pantheistic, Alchemical, Mysterious, Eerie
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar, Harmonium, Bells, Vocals, Chanting, Drum, Field Recordings, Piano
Scalpy Gonzales – Razzle Dazzlism
Style: Noise Folk, Free Pop, Experimental
Moods: Eccentric, Playful, Expressive, Primal, Somatic, Jittery, Ecstatic, Joyful, Erotic, Spontaneous, Raw
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Catchy, Electro-acoustic, Fuzzy, Noisy, Home Recording, Loose
Instrumentation: Banjo, Drums, Vocals, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
Destroyer – LABYRINTHITIS
LP, Merge Records, Canada
Style: Sophisti-Pop, Synth Pop, New Wave, Art Rock
Vibe: Detached, Existential, Luxurious, Angsty, Deadpan, Poetic, Dance, Melancholy, Cryptic, Anxious
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Polished, Rhythmic, Lyrical
Shabaka – Afrikan Culture
12″ EP, Impulse! Records, U.K.
Style: New Age, Spiritual Jazz
Moods: Meditative, Devotional, Soothing, Mellow, Flowing, Spiritual, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Improvisation, Instrumental, Atmospheric, Soft
Instrumentation: Shakuhachi, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Harp, Flute, Synthesizers, Percussion, Kora
Courtney Marie Andrews – Loose Future
LP, Fat Possum Records, U.S.
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Country Rock
Moods: Bittersweet, Road Trip, Warm, Reflective, Introspective, Breakup, Rustic
Recommended if you dig Gram Parsons, Edith Frost, or Neko Case
Worthitpurchase – Truthtelling
LP, Anxiety Blanket, 2022
Style: Art Pop, Bedroom Pop, Dream Pop
Moods: Introspective, Warm, Intimate, Dreamy, Surreal, Soothing, Plaintive, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Vocal Harmonies
Rich Ruth – I Survived, It’s Over
LP, Third Man Records, Nashville
Style: Kosmische Jazz, Progressive Electronic, New Age
Vibe: Healing, Cosmic, Warm, Ethereal, Colorful, Uplifting, Spiritual, Exploratory, Heartfelt, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Improvisation, Repetitive, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Atmospheric, Instrumental
Instrumentation: Keyboards, Synthesizers, Upright Bass, Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Drums, Flute, Harp
Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong
LP, Jagjaguwar, US
Styles: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Synth Pop
Moods: Longing, Reflective, Heartbreak, Autumnal, Sentimental, Anthemic, Apocalyptic, Dramatic, Lonely
Musical Qualities: Lush, Polished, Catchy, Lyrical, Atmospheric
Further Listening:
