We’re halfway through 2022, and a plethora of artists have delivered some grand music. In no particular order, here are our picks of the best music releases of 2022 so far.

Best albums so far

November Ultra - Bedroom Walls - Republic Records

After writing songs for acts such as Jaden Smith and Kungs, French/Spanish/Portuguese singer-songwriter November Ultra stepped into their own spotlight with their debut album Bedroom Walls, which finds the singer tantalizing listeners in English, Spanish, and French throughout 11 luxurious tracks.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - IV - self-released

After an eight-year wait, Austin band Letting Up Despite Great Faults unveiled their studio album IV, which radiates with 10 tracks of dreampop elation.

Death Note Silence - Collide & Collapse - Kingside Records

Hailing from Quebec, industrial deathcore act Death Note Silence found themselves earning performances in their region alongside Obey The Brave and Born of Osiris following their 2018 self-titled album. For Collide & Collapse, the band dive into topics such as the pandemic ("7 Billion Connected"), assault ("Deadman Trial"), and their local music scene ("Fuel").

Vonamor - Vonamor - Time to Kill Records

Italian darkwave act Vonamor delivers some surprising twists and turns with their self-titled debut album. The nine-track album finds the band providing haunting music in multiple languages, including Chinese and German, with a swirl of electronic beats to gravitate listeners to the dancefloor.

Otoboke Beaver - Super Champon - Damnably

Japanese punk rock band Otoboke Beaver are known for their chaotic stylings, and their 18-track album Super Champon, which features distinctive song titles such as "Where Did You Buy Such a Nice Watch that You Are Wearing Now" and "Dirty Old Fart Is Waiting for My Reaction" delivers some manic punk rock fervor in under 22 minutes.

Carpenter Brut - Leather Terror - Universal Music

Synthwave artist Carpenter Brut changed things up while working on their studio album Leather Terror; they chose not to use guitar on the album and let the synths take center stage. With special appearances from acts such as Gunship and Greg Puciato, Leather Terror marks a complete musical shift in the artist's treasured discography.

VR Sex - Rough Dimension - Dais Records

Post-punk act VR Sex (Drab Majesty's Andrew Clinco) unveiled their nine-song release Rough Dimension, which dives into the often-sordid streets of Los Angeles.

Animalweapon - Set Of Constraints - Polychromatic Records

These past two years have put a strain on everyone’s mental health. For electronic artist Patrick Cortes a.k.a Animalweapon, they showcased their own battles with their eight-track release Set Of Constraints. The 32-minute release feels rather therapeutic at times with shimmering electronics floating through celestial musical landscapes.

Ho99o9 - SKIN - DTA Records

Since the release of their 2017 debut album United States of Horror, alternative hip-hop act Ho99o9 have been gaining fans with tours alongside Korn, The Prodigy, and Avenged Sevenfold. Following some EPs and mixtapes, the act unveiled their sophomore album SKIN, which finds them enhancing their songwriting skills to an astonishing result. With appearances from Slipknot's Corey Taylor ("Bite My Face") and Saul Williams ("Skinhead"), the 12-track album bounces around the realms of hip hop, metal, punk rock, and industrial.

Best songs so far

Alto Arc - "Bordello"

"Bordello" from experimental pop supergroup Alto Arc (which features Hundred Waters’ Danny L Harle, producer Trayer Tryon, Deafheaven’s George Clarke, and make-up artist Isamaya French) slithers with strong influences from influential industrial act Skinny Puppy.

BoyWithUke - "Long Drives"

Massachusetts indie-pop artist BoyWithUke takes on the tough aspect of long-distance relationships ("We just FaceTime, is this a sign? I'm fallin' out of your life") with the earworm "Long Drives."

Dev Lemons - "One Whole Me"

Philadelphia indie-pop artist Dev Lemons distances themselves from typical love cliches ("If I can't breathe without you, baby, then what's that say about me?") and finding comfort with space from their partner ("And now I love alone time as much as I love you") with the bouncy cut "One Whole Me."

Sniffany and the Nits - "Piggy Bank"

London punk band Sniffany and the Nits gets gears racing with their ode to Sex and the City titled "Piggy Bank."

Hvndfvst - "Looming"

Great Lakes Basin art rock act Hvndfvst's "Looming," which stems from their EP Big Sweeties, offers a dreary look at one’s past mistakes (“I never wanted this/Looming in my selfish wit”) over dripping guitars.

Floya - "Wonders"

Featuring former members of Time, The Valuator and Alazka, Floya have been turning heads in the German rock scene. Their debut single "Wonders" is one of the best pop-rock tracks of the year.

November Ultra - "Nostalgia/ Ultra"

"Nostalgia/ Ultra" is an awe-inspiring highlight of November Ultra's debut album Bedroom Walls. The nine-and-a-half-minute cut blossoms with heavenly synths and a heartwarming section including the singer’s grandparents.

Chat Pile - "Slaughterhouse"

With "Slaughterhouse," Oklahoma City noise rock band Chat Pile delivers a smoldering track that sounds like it was recorded in the bowels of Hell with vocalist Raygun Busch unleashing vicious cries of "Hammer and grease."

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah - "We Ain't Came To Lose"

Taken from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge soundtrack, "We Ain't Came To Lose" finds Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon & Ghostface Killah taking sides in the battle between the Ninja Turtles and Shredder in a lyrical standoff.

Lorna Shore - "Sun//Eater"

New Jersey’s Lorna Shore continues their symphonic deathcore assault with the punishing cut "Sun//Eater," which stems from the band's forthcoming studio album Pain Remains.