Top 10 Albums of 2022: Can you guess which one comes in at No. 1?

It’s was so much fun to be a music fan in 2022.

There were great tunes being released — seemingly every week — from just about every genre, from mainstream pop, R&B and country to heavy metal and hip-hop.

It was a year that saw many superstar acts deliver the goods. Yet, it was also a time for lesser-known musicians — from critics’ darlings to newer acts — to impress.

We’ve spent time with the cream of the crop over the last few weeks, trying to organize a list of the year’s best albums.

After considerable time, and some major back and forth, we’ve come up with our Top 10 list. As expected, it wasn’t easy narrowing the list down to just 10 — and there were several gems left on the cutting room floor — but we’re still happy with the results.

After all, any list that includes both Beyonce and Slipknot is one we’d surely want to read.

Here are the top 10 albums of 2022:

1. ‘Renaissance,’ Beyonce

Think you know everything there is to know about this first-tier superstar? Queen Bey continues to prove that’s simply not possible, as she reinvents herself with seemingly each new project — all the while staying true to her artistry. This time around, Beyonce takes over the dance floor as she convincingly incorporates old-school house music into her R&B/pop mix. The grooves and samples are out of sight, skillfully sewn together by Nova Wav, The-Dream, Symbolyc One, A. G. Cook, Skrillex, Hit-Boy and a number of other producers — including Beyonce herself. And Bey’s vocal work has simply never sounded more luxurious than on “Renaissance,” which is her first solo album since 2016’s “Lemonade.” This is the work that will finally win Beyonce her long-overdue first album of the year Grammy.

2. ‘Everything Was Beautiful,’ Spiritualized

The album definitely lives up to its title, offering up seven wildly appealing songs over the course of 44 mesmerizing minutes. J. Spaceman (whose real name is Jason Pierce) is in full-on genius mode as he leads Spiritualized through this fully realized space-rock suite, stitching together elements of lush orchestral pop, fuzzed-out garage rock and intergalactic special effect sounds in this worthy companion piece to the 1997 masterwork “Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space.” It’s a dizzying — and, at times, more than a bit jarring — work of art, yet one that, for all of its lane changes, still feels totally cohesive.

3. ‘The End, So Far,’ Slipknot

Push play on “The End, So Far” and you might think there’s been some type of a mix up, as the moody subdued modern-rock sounds that initially fill your ears sound more like Trent Reznor or David Bowie than Slipknot. But make no mistake, you are listening to the heavy metal heroes from Des Moines, Iowa, on what is their most diversely appealing and arguably most ambitious album to date. There is plenty for headbangers to like here, as Slipknot delivers the rapid-fire rhythms, thunderous grooves and growling vocals that it’s known for. Yet, those signature elements share space with some more straight-forward rock attributes — such as clean, tuneful vocals and a stronger focus on hooks — and the result is Slipknot at its most radio friendly. And that’s one sentence we thought we’d never write.

4. ‘Autofiction,’ London Suede

The ultimate Britpop band is in brilliant form on its ninth studio album, a rough-around-the-edges rocker that marks a distinct stylistic detour from the more complicated and orchestrated work that it accomplished on its previous two albums (2016’s “Night Thoughts” and 2018’s “The Blue Hour”). The goal, as London Suede bassist and founding member Mat Osman explained in an interview with this newspaper earlier this year, was “to make something that felt a bit more live.” And they definitely succeeded in that pursuit, as the energy and passion of Suede’s fabled live shows certainly translates on the likes of “She Still Leads Me On” and “That Boy on the Stage.”

5. ‘King’s Disease III,’ Nas

Nas lives up to his legend — and then some — with the third, and definitely best, installment of his “King’s Disease” series. His storytelling skills — which surely rank among the very best in hip-hop history — are on full display as he rhymes his way through such captivating numbers as “Legit,” “Reminisce,” “Once a Man, Twice a Child” and the bonus track “Til My Last Breath.” And his lyrical flow? Could it even be possible that — after some 30 years in the game — Nas is only getting better in that regard? The 17 songs found on “KD3” argue in favor of that indeed being the case.

6. ‘Palomino,’ Miranda Lambert

Lambert stopped playing by Nashville’s rules a long time ago, preferring to follow her own artistic muse and, above all else, be true to her own voice in the music she makes. The result has been one excellent album after another, as the singer-songwriter has fashioned what may well be the finest country music catalog of the 21st century. Her ninth studio effort, “Palomino,” is yet another winner, offering up a mix of rocking anthems, country love songs and folksy pop numbers. And just when you think you have the album figured out, Lambert invites new wave icons The B-52’s to join the party on the joyous “Music City Queen.”

7. ‘Joy in the Morning,’ Tauren Wells

It’s another wonderfully uplifting offering from the Battle Creek, Michigan,-born singer, whose warm and soothing vocals are wonderfully showcased on this collection of 10 inspirational R&B/pop/gospel numbers. Wells’ third full-length studio album — following the past winners “Hills and Valleys” (2017) and “Citizen of Heaven” (2020) — charms in multiple ways, as he proves that he’s just as good at crooning emotional ballads like “Crazy About You” and “Has to be God” as he is racing through groovy uptempo gems such as “Fake It” and “Up.” Yet, what we really love about listening to “Joy in the Morning” is how it always leaves us feeling a little more hopeful.

8. ‘Back from the Dead,’ Halestorm

It only takes about eight seconds for listeners to realize they are in for a memorable time, as vocalist Lzzy Hale kicks off the Pennsylvania act’s fifth album by roaring out the proclamation, “I’m back from the dead!” From that moment forward, the game is on as Halestorm demonstrates all the reasons why it’s the greatest hard rock band in the world right now. Hale is an absolute force of nature, staking her claim among the most powerful vocalists to ever work in the genre, while the rest of the band pummels its way through one rocker after another. The album serves as another fine showcase for Joe Hottinger, who is truly one of the unsung guitar heroes in rock.

9, “It’s Almost Dry,” Pusha T

The Bronx-born rapper, who grew up in Virginia Beach, finally topped the Billboard 200 with his fourth full-length solo outing. And, really, it’s about time, given all the fine work he’s done over the years — first as one half of the hip-hop duo Clipse and then on his own. “It’s Almost Dry” is a remarkable effort, combining topnotch lyrics and vocals with outstanding production work from, among others, executive producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. It all comes together best on “Dreamin of the Past,” a memorable tune that samples the John Lennon classic “Jealous Guy” (as performed by Donny Hathaway) and features Kanye West.

10. ‘Hypnos,’ Ravyn Lenae

Having already made a name for herself in the industry with the release of three EPs in four years, the Chicago R&B vocalist exhibits true superstar potential on her full-length debut for Atlantic Records. Lenae’s smooth, often hushed, neo-soul vocal work is stellar throughout this 16-song set, which is highlighted by such soft-sell romantic numbers as “Light Me Up,” “Like You Do” and, especially, “Skin Tight.” This is modern downtempo R&B at its best.