Lisa Kocay’s Top 10 Albums Of 2022

In 2022, we saw acclaimed artists bring the heat. Warehouses, small venues, music festivals and more lit up the dancefloor with confetti, lasers, pyrotechnics and minimal production.

This year brought charting hits by numerous artists in the game. Some were born during the pandemic and others were created by the return to the club. No matter how these albums and EPs were crafted, they soundtracked my life.

Whether I was running, working at home, riding the subway, walking the streets of the New York City or preparing for a night out, I found solace in numerous albums and EPs this year. Many of these impressive hits led to sold-out shows at renowned venues such as The Brooklyn Mirage, the Hollywood Palladium, Red Rocks and Madison Square Garden.

Here, I share my top albums of 2022, which range from house to techno, dubstep and more.

Fred Again.., Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)

Fred again..’s third album beautifully chronicles snapshot moments of life as he brings together voice notes from friends, Instagram videos and samples of important records from his life. This can be seen on “Delilah (Pull Me Out Of This)” as he incorporates his friend Delilah Montagu singing her song “Lost Keys” on Instagram. Fred Again… seamlessly blends both the dark moments we face as well as periods of elation on his third studio album in 18 months.

Honey Dijon, Black Girl Magic

Honey Dijon’s remarkable Black Girl Magic LP boasts inspiring spoken word, soulful grooves, captivating vocals, swirling synths, percolating beats and more. The album was initially inspired by the sounds of New York and Chicago music and her experience as a clubber. Then, in 2020, the death of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter protests, the pandemic and President Donald Trump being in office led her to dedicate the album to love, whether for oneself or their community, as well as standing up for one’s beliefs. Black Girl Magic brings together the sounds of the dancefloor with the power of influential references.

TSHA, Capricorn Sun

TSHA proves to be a star to watch, which is most notably seen on Capricorn Sun. The 12-track LP features stunning vocals, enchanting piano, upbeat and bubbly bass, swirling synths, catchy lyrics and her hit song, “Sister.” TSHA indeed shows to be an eclectic, emotive and intricate producer who has the ability to transcend boundaries.

Charlotte de Witte, Apollo

Charlotte de Witte once again proves to be the queen of techno as she brings pulsing beats designed for dancefloor domination. Her stripped, aggressive and functional music is seen on her Apollo EP. Swirling and shimmering synths, pounding techno, whistling beats, ominous sounds and more are shown on Apollo. The EP was released on her esteemed label, KNTX.

Kerri Chandler, Spaces And Places

Legendary house producer Kerri Chandler is a true master of the game. The iconic artist had gone 14 years without an album release until he dropped Spaces and Places this year. The undeniable house heater boasts 24 tracks that range from soulful singing to jazz, pulsing basslines, piano, swirling synths and more. Indeed, the LP proves to be worth the wait.

Moore Kismet, Universe

Moore Kismet has shown time and time again that they produce texturally varied songs, featuring everything from heavy bass to shimmering synths, airy production, ominous bass, angelic sounds, percolating beats, effervescent sounds, dubstep music and more. Universe is no exception as it showcases their multifaceted abilities. Moore Kismet is the youngest producer to ever perform at Electric Daisy Carnival.

Manila Killa, Dusk

The 12-track body of work is sonically diverse, boasting everything from melodic dance to drum and bass, uplifting melodies and progressive sounds. The first song, “Soul,” brings listeners into a sonic trance, one that emanates the feeling of being in outer space amongst the stars, while closing out the LP is “The End,” an emotion-filled yet wordless record. The album’s title track features catchy lyrics, enchanting vocals and elated melodies. Manila Killa’s Dusk fuses emotional music and melodic dance to create his signature sound.

Elohim, Journey to the Center of Myself

Singer, songwriter, musician and producer Elohim seamlessly blends electronic and alternate music, thus creating a magical, comforting and distinct sound. Her mystical and soothing aura best comes across in Journey to the Center of Myself, which is entirely self-produced and self-written. The EP transcends through sonic blisses, such as otherworldly sounds, swirling synths, solace feelings, percolating beats and enchanting piano.

Excision, Onyx

The bass music king delivers earth-shattering drops, relentless walls of bass, apocalyptic sounds and even melodic bass—proving that he is a true multifaceted creative. Excision’s Onyx shows this versatility as he not only comes in hot with true bangers but he also explores different tempos that aren’t meant to be translated into a live setting right away. “Decimate” is meant to have a similar feeling to the T-Rex from “Jurassic Park” stomping towards you from a distance, while “Osiris” and “Temporary Blue” show his different sonic abilities.

Swedish House Mafia, Paradise Again

Swedish House Mafia returns with multiple hits on Paradise Again. The “Don’t You Worry” powerhouse trio brings together true bangers, a beautiful piano record, downtempo tracks, hip-hop, ominous production and more. The group—made up of Steve Angello, Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso—came together in the late 2000s of dance music, best known as the glowstick, glitter, pacifier, kandi, fluffy leggings and confetti-filled era.