Best 22 Alternative Albums of 2022

Goodbye 2022!

Hi Pal,

I listened to a lot of albums this year and I originally planned to make end-of-year lists for six genre brackets. Unfortunately, I have only been able to put out two so far.

SSV Best Of: Hip-Hop 2022

Still, no matter what happened, I planned to run down my favourite albums across the alternative — indie, electronic, folk, singer-songwriter — soundscapes. So, let’s do this:

As always, here’s my disclaimer:

1. I did not listen to every album, EP or song that dropped in 2022. These lists only contain the stuff that I listened to.

2. This list is strictly my personal opinion and as such is very biased.

3. This is a ranked list.

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Stick around for the playlist at the end. Also, you can check out the songs on all platforms using the embedded links on the titles.

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22 — Flutterama by Half-Handed Cloud
Experimental Indie Pop

John Ringhofer might be a little too good at this complex eclectic pop music thing and in many ways, this is both his strength and weakness. Flutterama is an album full of many memorable moments. But for an 18-track album that lasts for a little over 31 minutes, I couldn't help feeling like some things could have been fleshed out better or left on the threshing floor. Still, I have to appreciate that Half-Handed Cloud has always created the music that he wants and this originality makes the project special. Quick Recs: Trick Leash, I’m The Weakest Link, Bustin’ Stronghodes

21 — Coming Clean by Spencer Annis
Singer-songwriter, Indie Pop

Spencer Annis’ previous album, Safe Place, was my introduction to his music and I remember being drawn to his blend of reverent lyrical honesty and familiar indie-pop sensibilities. On this new album, it feels like the gloves are off and he is expressing himself with more creative freedom than ever before. Quick Recs: Right With You, Jehovah, In The Upper Room

20 — Between The Joy & The Sorrow [Part 1 & 2] by Ian Yates
Folk, Folk Rock

I feel like it’s a bit unfair to combine these two albums, but seeing as they are two parts of one cohesive story, I think putting them together works. Ian Yates has always struck me as an artist that can do whatever he wants, and although, I will always have a softer spot for the indie rock/indietronica feels of his previous albums — particularly Deconstruction, Vol.1 and DNA — there’s a maturity and calm that bleeds through the 2002 projects that keep me coming back. Quick Recs: Don’t Leave Me Here, Shadow, Wolves

19 — From The River To The Ends of The Earth by Mr. & Mrs. Garrett Soucy
Folk

When I discover artists, my introduction to their music can make or break my experience with them moving forward. Listening to this album got me invested in exploring this duo’s discography and that’s probably the best compliment I can give it. It’s subtle yet powerful in its themes and lyrical approach. One of my favourite folk experiences of the year. Quick Recs: 1,2,3,4; Two Sisters, No Longer Egypt

18 — BORN AGAIN by Jess Ray
Heartland Rock, Singer-songwriter, Folk

In a sense, I’ve come to take for granted how good Jess Ray is and I think this affected my initial reception of this album. I always loved the singles but it took me a little time to warm up to the album as a whole. When it comes down to it, Born Again has many gems to explore if you can give it the time it requires. Quick Recs: Lilies & Sparrows, What Have We Been Believing In, No Home

17 — Two by Fyr Fytr
Indie Rock, Alternative, Shoegaze

As one of the earlier releases of 2022, I was worried that this album will suffer from recency bias as more music came out. With every relisten, it still holds up as one of the best emotive indie rock releases of the year, with nostalgia-inducing guitar licks and shoegazey production choices scattered throughout the album. Quick Recs: And if my Heart is a Goldmine, Call to You, Only One

16 — Weary Hymns Along The Way by Wild Earth
Indie Rock, Synth Pop, Electro Pop

Standing as one of the most upbeat albums on this list sonically, Wild Earth manages to explore dark themes with a message of hope and love permeating its core. My love for this band has always been connected to their synth expressions and they did not let me down on this one. Quick Recs: Wake Me Up (Maranatha), O The Mystery, Carry It On

15 — Pression by Civilized Creature
Experimental Hip-Hop, Chillwave, Downtempo

There are a few artists that I have expectations of like Ryan Lane’s Civilized Creature. I feel this is because he occupies such a unique space within the scene that I rate him so highly and can’t help but anticipate what he may do next. Pression is not my favourite album by CC, but it’s still one of the best releases of 2022 by far. Quick Recs: Recall, Better Bet, For You

14 — Doorways & Tombstones by Jonathan Allen Wright
Indie Pop, Indie Rock

This album is one of the most fun listening experiences I had this year. There’s a sentiment that is usually expressed about finding beauty in simplicity and I think this album represents that sentiment well. JAW doesn't do anything particularly groundbreaking here and he doesn't need to. The album is honest, interesting and reverent while feeling familiar and nostalgic. Quick Recs: Doorways and Tombstones, An Industry, Haunted Halls

13 — Good Grief by Liv Douglas
Indie Folk, Singer-songwriter

Anyone who has been here long enough knows I am interested in Christians that explore the damper and darker emotional aspects of the human experience. Liv Douglas does this beautifully with her soothing airy vocals and expressive lyrics. This is an album that is born from pain, but it approaches its themes without falling into the trap of self-gratuity that many albums of this nature tend to fall into. Quick Recs: Tired, I’m Not Okay, Takebacks

12 — Faint by Colorvault
Electro Pop, Art Rock

Colorvault is the worst-kept secret of 2021/2022. I remember discovering them and wondering how long it would take for major Christian music platforms to get to their music. It didn’t take very long before they began to feature on all the top lists — and for good reason too. Young Oceans, Alex Taylor and A. Bishai have created something extraordinary here that deserves to be heard. It’s heartfelt worship bursting with creativity and poise. Quick Recs: Carry Me Along, With Us Still, Radiance

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11 — Subjects In Motion by Young Oceans
Chamber Pop, Art Rock, Indie Folk

An album mostly full of covers has no business being this high on this list but Young Oceans has a way of making familiar (depending on how much of his discography you have listened to) songs feel new and fresh. I’m usually very cynical about reinterpretations of songs even if it’s by the same artist because I usually get attached to the originals. Subjects In Motion made me love some songs even more than their initial renditions. Quick Recs: First Love (Subjects), This Wild Earth (Subjects), Walls Come Down (Subjects)

10 — Other Side by Zach Winters
Indie Folk

On every one of these lists, I seem to have places where I cheat a little. This album was originally released as two separate EPs in 2021, but with minor production reworks on the first half of the album, Zach Winters released it as a full album this year and here we are. This is a solid indie folk album from start to finish that was written to address themes of uncertainty, fear, love and hope. Quick Recs: Signs Are Down, SLO (Coastal Song), Valencia

9 — From The Vine by WYLD
Electronica, Chillwave, Downtempo

Standing as the only instrumental album on this list, I’m amazed by the way this album grew on me. WYLD created a diverse, intelligent and fun album that grabs the attention of the listener on the first listen. Perhaps the best thing about the album is how it can blend seamlessly into the background as you go about your day. Quick Recs: One Another, The Way, Those Who Love

8 — Full Hearts, Empty Spaces by Allen Odell
Dream Folk

This is another album on this list heavily influenced by grief and loss. While his first album Childlikeness feels like a cornucopia of different ideas, it is clear from the first few tracks of this album that this is a concept album that stays within the pocket of emotions and themes that it wants to explore. Quick Recs: West Lawrenceville, Decatur, Lamb’s Ears

7 — The Bible Belt Sessions Volume II by John Lucas
Folk

Feels like we stepped into the folk section of this list, doesn't it? Truthfully, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Volume I of this series. So you can imagine my surprise after listening to this for the first time. I loved this album a little more than I’m willing to admit. John Lucas and his friends crafted an experience that I will be returning to a lot over the years. Quick Recs: Throw the First Punch, The Hills of Appalachia, Manna or Poison

6 — BE by Allswell
Chamber Pop, Indie Rock, Indie Folk

There was a point this year when I thought this was going to be my top album of 2022. It may have fallen off a few spots but this is not a knock on its quality, it just so happens that there are albums this year that I preferred. The production value of BE is one of the best of 2022, with lush strings, warm piano ballads, sombre percussions and heartwarming harmonies. There’s everything to love about this album. Quick Recs: Unforced Rhythms, May I Receive, Anyone Who Claims

5 — Jubilee by Muntjac
Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Singer-songwriter

Nothing warms my heart more than being able to see and hear clear progression and growth from an artist that I love. I discovered Mark Hutchinson’s Muntjac last year through his 2021 album, Stranger. It’s outstanding to listen to just how much he has grown in the mastery of his craft in the space of just one year! Muntjac is one of the best storytellers on the scene today and I can’t wait to see where his career goes. Quick Recs: Watchmaker, Ypres Train, Year of the Drought

4 — Future Forever by Jonathan Ogden
Alternative Fusion

What genre of music does Jonathan Ogden make exactly? It’s hard to tell and I mean this in the best way. Chillwave, indie rock, dream pop, electronica, lo-fi and alternative R&B are all terms you can use to describe his sound over the years and to a large extent, they are all present in his debut album. On this album, he takes the boldest step away from his Rivers & Robots moniker and it’s a beautiful experience all around. Quick Recs: Garden, No One Like You, Everything New (Rebuild/Restore)

3 — Esther by The Welcome Wagon
Indie Folk

Thomas Vito and Monique Aiuto are another indie duo that I listened to for the first time this year. In the past two months, Esther has become very dear to my heart from both a worship and musical perspective. For fans of folk music, this will hit you right in the feels from the first track and for those who are looking for sacred and reverent lyrics in their music, this will grow to become a gem in your music library as well. Quick Recs: Noble Tree, Have Mercy on Us, Nunc Dimittis

2 — From The Womb of the Morning, The Dew of Your Youth Will Be Yours by Ronnie Martin
Synthwave, Electro Pop

Ronnie Martin’s album is my most played album on this list. It’s a magnificent journey full of lush and dazzling synth patterns complimented by stellar songwriting and composition chops. I gushed about this album enough in my review earlier this year and I continue to encourage every fan of electronic music to give it a listen. Quick Recs: For What Vanity, There Go the Ships, And Leviathan; Snow Like Wool

1— (I Am) Origami Pt. 4 - Marathon Daze by John Van Deusen
Indie Rock, Indie Pop

I have a bit of a complicated relationship with the (I Am) Origami series. I liked the first one well enough, I adored the second and was sorely disappointed by the third. So it took me a little while to listen to Marathon Daze. Thankfully, it is a strong return to form, sharing the most similarities with the second and yet managing to sound better and more assured in itself. Without a doubt, this is the best indie rock album I listened to in 2022 and it slowly grew into becoming my album of the year. Quick Recs: Heart Lake, Broken Record, Any Less Than My Best

SSV Best Of: Ambient & Post-Rock 2022

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Bonus: Top EPs of 2022

The Jonah Project – Dawn

Eikon — Your Love Is

The Jonah Project — Dusk

Tekoa — Hymns + Disparity

The Jonah Project — Night

Zambroa – By What Standard?

Jonny Henninger – Amidst

Amanda Opelt – A Hole In The World

Eliza King – A Fire Making Holy Ground

Jeremy James Whitaker — cling and remember

Christian Singleton — I Won't Let Go

Tenielle Neda — Love ‘Cause We’re Loved

Zoetic — Courage & Cowardice

The Substant — Prayers

Gwil Davey — Prayer Meeting

Lesley Perez — when will we learn to let go?

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That’s it for today.

Catch you at the next one!

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I just want to thank everyone here for an amazing 2022. I have enjoyed writing these pieces and geeking out about the music that I love. See you on the other side. Happy new year in advance.

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