2022 ROUND UP 1: BEST RECORDS OF THE YEAR

Best stuff I listened to new this year that isn't too old

This is the first in a small series of pieces looking back on my experience of 2022. A run-through of the new-ish records that I most enjoyed this year. By that I mean stuff that was new to me in 2022, and released this side of 2020. I’ve also not included stuff I was involved in in any way on this list - that includes Brachliegen releases.

Of course this isn’t an accurate representation of actual listening habits (eg no Big Black version of The Payback, no Jon Hassell), but that’s fine.

I’m going to broadly separate into mood or sound-world, but more for ease of navigation for you, the reader - these are not strict categories at all. No ranking anywhere.

I’ve linked to everything possible to do so, I hope this is something you can dip in and out of while listening.

Noise

Michael Ridge - Microcassette Sessions & More Microcassette Sessions

I discovered Michael’s work tag hunting on Bandcamp. His understanding of his own process is outstanding, and is really forcing me to up my dictaphone techniques.

Sun Yizhou - Noise Floor

The release that led to me contacting Sun for his Brachliegen release Ruin. Great no-input abstraction.

Prayer Rope - Without Seeing And Without Knowing

Proper straight ahead noise, proof that the classic critique of non-figurative work (‘anyone could do that!’) is both completely true of noise and entirely not the point. It’s very hard to create work this compelling with no limits.

Misery Engine - El Sayyid Nosair

Righteous, perfect noise. Learn while you listen! The tape also came with a great poster.

Rhythmic Work

ex.sess - Relic

One of many great ex.sess releases this year. Hard in exactly the right way.

Tom White - Restless Leg

Great physical music, the wonderful boundary of improvised and non.

Drone

En Creux - Phantasm

Hard to pick from all the En Creux releases this year, but this one edges slightly by being the most immediate on first listen.

Jo Montgomerie - Collection2: Solway

Amorphous flowing work. The kind of thing you forget you are listening to, even when loud. Perfect bus music.

Yann Gourdon - Yann Gourdon

On the much dronier end of the wider Alpine early music thing. I’ve found myself turning over from side B to side A more than once. Also the last record I recommended to my dad.

Melody

Percival Pembroke - Other Worlds

A perfect melodic sensibility - picking up the baton that Rob Haigh left in New Cross back in the 80s.

Xeno & Oaxlander - Vi/Deo

After a few years away from them, X&R have moved on & beyond ‘coldwave’ in ways I wouldn’t expect - proper Munich gloss and digital drums.

Eli Kessler - Scary Of Sixty First OST

Is this soundtrack outstanding? Not really. Is it even well composed for the film? Debatable. But I’ve listened to it too many times for it not to be on this list.