Happy New Year, one and all. 2022 was quite the year for music, seeing some of the biggest album releases from rising artists and familiar faces.

As we round up the year, we’re reflecting on some of our favourite tracks to come out of 2022. From the meteoric return of METRO BOOMING to a record breaking album from SZA. Scroll down to tune in.

OSCAR

 BIRDS – AYRTN

Ayrtn channels all that makes his music so ethereal in this lead track from 2022 EP ‘TOO AWESOME’. Using creative vocal chop sampling, the producer-rapper introduces a euphoric atmosphere fit for a snowy, wintery day. Intricate drum sequencing create a vibe that feels simple, yet is packed with technical excellence. With a his signature rap flow gliding over the warm instrumental, ayrtn creates a vibe that cannot not be replicated by anyone else.

ROBYN

THE MISSION – BAKAR

With multiple of his tracks gaining TikTok viral status in 2022, Bakar is a rapidly growing artist quickly gaining a reputation in the indie/alternative music scene – and it’s a good one. His recent song ‘The Mission’, which garnered over 18,000,000 Spotify listens, has become kind of synonymous with 2022 due both its virality and overarching theme: nepotism. With the trend of recognising and exposing nepotism blowing up over the past few months, Bakar’s tune reigns even more relevant than we first realised. Plus, it bangs. Truly a track that symbolises everything 2022 was about.

AVA

PERFECT (EXCEEBER) – MASON

2022 was the year that gave rise to tracks like Eliza Rose’s ‘Baddest Of Them All” amongst other hype-ups, and I am so here for it. These hyper groovy and confidence inducing type beats were responsible for making up the majority of my Spotify listening minutes this year. However, one song remains at the top of my list and well, has to be my choice for song of the year – this is ‘Perfect (Exceeber) from Mason. As much as only choosing one song is literally making me sweat – I, surprisingly, have no qualms with my final selection because who doesn’t love a self-assuring, and self-assured bop.

CHIOMA

KILL BILL – SZA

An obvious and easy choice? Of course. But possibly the most widely agreed on? Definitely. Sza’s sophomore album “SOS” was almost guaranteed success from its announcement. Garnering hype from heartbroken girl bosses all over the world, it was almost inevitable for at least two or three tracks to go TikTok viral, Kill Bill being TikTok’s anointed song (and we mustn’t forget ‘Big Boy’). The track gives a voice to toxic unhinged lovergirls everywhere. The slow melody echoed by the slightly high pitched ringing completely juxtaposes the espoused violence and pain, almost normalising Sza’s deepest darkest thoughts and allowing us to placate and embrace our female rage. Her group of echoing harmonies for the line “I might kill my ex”, are simply melancholically lovely. Eagerly awaiting the Quentin Tarantino-esque music video.

MARCUS

ON TIME/SUPERHERO BY METRO BOOMIN

Just when we thought the year in music was finally coming to a gradual halt, Metro Boomin decided to flip everything on its head. On Time is the first song on his latest album “HEROES & VILLAINS,” which opens with the angelic voice of John Legend. From there, we should have known the album was going to be phenomenal when we heard the iconic deep voice of Morgan Freedman. And from there, you expect the album to start. No. We are then treated to a major beat switch up which is accompanied by a monologue by Homelander from The Boys. The beat then seamlessly transitions into Superhero with Future. All in all, this production gave me the stankiest of faces upon hearing the transition, cementing it as my song of 2022.

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See also: CULTED SOUNDS: WHAT THE TEAM LISTENED TO IN SEPTEMBER