Not a Top 25 List (2022)
Hello, hello! Congratulations on making it to the end of the year.
This is LikeWater’s third year of “Best Albums of 20xx” and this year, I wanted to try something different. My year was filled with so much motion–both internal and external. Big things happened! Like moving cities and getting closer to my career. Little things happened! Like switching streaming services cause I suddenly had beef with Spotify (then going back to Spotify). Lots of emotion too. Trying to figure out who I am, who I want to be, and what I want from my life.
In this year of discovery, I gravitated towards music that brought me the space to reflect. That brought me peace and helped me feel centered.
I also realized I don’t have it in me to write the Top 25 of 2022. It feels too permanent when I’m not really sure what brings me joy most days. So here are some artists and projects that are on my mind as I close out the year. Each project a break from my reality, room for contemplation, or room for praise. It’s not all-inclusive. Some albums aren’t even from 2022 but it’s all good. Thanks for being here with me.
Let’s get into it.
11 - Sault
On 11/2/22, Sault released five albums as an offering to God. These five albums are 11, AIIR, Earth, Today & Tomorrow, and Untitled (God). My favorite of them is 11. Songs like “Higher” and “River” feel like prayer, while songs like “Fight for Love” and “Envious” feel like love. All around beautiful. Sultry and smooth too. No one’s really sure who’s all a part of Sault as they make it a point to stay anonymous, but one voice I can always distinguish is Cleo Sol’s. Her music has meant a lot to me over the years, from her song “Young Love” to every song on her last solo project Mother.
Onwards! - Contour
The keyword for Onwards! is intention - every beat, every word, every pause has a purpose. I learned a lot in the researching of this jazz-influenced album which discusses Blackness as it pertains to the past, present, and future. I feel like my words won’t do the artistry of this album any justice so here’s a link to a great interview. What I like most about this album is that it allows you to be. You’re not sure where the beats or words will take you, but you can surrender to them.
Favorite Songs: “Crowded Afternoon”, “Eke No More”, “Repossess” (feat. Semiratruth)
Hypnos, Gemini Rights, & Ivory
Hypnos was an artfully arranged and beautiful debut album from Ravyn Lenae. It’s hard even picking favorites because each song is so different than the last. Her voice is angelic–belting lyrics that center on self-love, self-discovery, and complete expression. I was excited to hear from her this year. I still remember 2016, blissfully listening to her song “Moon Shoes” and dancing lightly in my room. Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights took us through the scorn that comes with heartbreak (“Cody Freestyle”), and the inevitability that you’ll love again one day (“Give You the World”). Omar Apollo’s Ivory is filled with beautiful ballads and a lot of soul. I loved this year for him. I could listen to all these albums and appreciate a new song from them each time.
Hypnos - Ravyn Lenae
Favorite Songs: “Inside Out”, “Skin Tight” (feat. Steve Lacy), “Light Me Up”
Gemini Rights - Steve Lacy
Favorite Songs: “Give You the World”, “Cody Freestyle”, “Sunshine” (feat. Fousheé)
Ivory - Omar Apollo
Favorite songs: “Killing Me”, “Endlessly Interlude”, “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All)”
Blue Phases - Lablue & Astronne
Blue Phases is an absolutely beautiful neo-soul album with songs in both English and French. Producer Lablue provides electronic/jazz beats for Astrønne to sing gently to. I originally stumbled across their song “Femme de Crépuscule”, danced to that for a while, and shortly fell in love with the rest of the songs on their album. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Favorite songs: “Femme de Crépuscule”, “Sous la pluie”, “Home”
Getaway - Orion Sun
ORION SUN. So much love is given to her smooth vocals and her velvety ass melodic beats. I can and have listened to this project on repeat, over and over again.
Favorite Songs: “concrete”, “dirty dancer”, “celebration”
Destin Conrad
2021 and now 2022 is the year of Destin Conrad. In 2021, he released his debut album COLORWAY. This year, he followed that up with an album entitled SATIN. Both are amazing projects. Sultry, fun, and melodic r&b.
Favorite songs from COLORWAY: “IN THE AIR”, “yo confidence”, “BILL$”
Favorite songs from SATIN: “SATIN” (feat. Jean Deaux), “IT’S YOURS”
cktrl
The multi-instrument-toting, London-based artist cktrl uses minimal-to-no vocals, a saxophone, and a clarinet to create a beautiful landscape of music. There’s not much to do when you listen to his music but allow it to wash over you.
His EP yield, was released in 2022. I also recommend his short ep zero from 2021. I was really taken aback by his COLORS performance as well.
Favorite songs from yield: “yield”, “night i pine”
RENAISSANCE - BEYONCÉ
Renaissance is a given. “I’M THAT GIRL”, “HEATED”, "and “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” alone gave me enough energy to get through the year. Yes Beyoncé, America does have a problem and yes Beyoncé I AM THAT GIRL. She gets it. Truly. Beyonce’s longevity, talent, and sheer range is something we should talk about every single day. Each album of hers is unique and needed. When this album dropped, I needed to be UPLIFTED and it did just that.
++ more
A few artists I mentioned earlier I didn’t get a chance to feature: Nick Hakim, Pink SiiFu, Yaya Bey, Fana Hues, Dijon, and BadBadNotGood. They all have a special place in my heart for making this year feel a little less isolating. They helped me to me understand myself while having some songs to belt out to. I thank these artists for baring themselves.
I’ve attached some of my favorite songs from each of their projects above (for my people on their phone, favorite songs only show if you’re on the computer :/). As well, here’s my Spotify. Feel free to look around.
As I end this year, there is a yearning in me that I can’t explain. I’m excited for 2023. Let’s see where it’ll take us.
With love,
Daisha