Track #22 of 2022: 6L Gtr by The Chats

Let the Top 22 Tracks of 2022 begin! 

First up is a corker of a track from those Sunshine, Queensland lads The Chats. Holy crap does this song cook!

Bruce Springsteen: Only The Strong Survive (Album of the Week)

The Boss is back with a massively awesome tribute to soul music. Only The Strong Survive is deeply felt effort for music that is truly American through and through. We all love soul music as much as you do, sir, and it really shows on this record!

One of my faves...

First Aid Kit: Palomino

They might hail from Stockholm but they sound like they are from West Virginia. First Aid Kit is the very essence of great folk music. Their latest record is called Palomino and it's completely wonderful. I hear some Brill-building sound on it in addition to all the great folk tropes.

Here is one of my faves...

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Changes

The ever-prolific Melbourne lads known as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have released their third album...in October of 2022!  Changes comes hot on the heels of Laminated Denim and Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava. Being a massive fan of this psych-pop band I highly recommend all three records. 

Changes is my favorite of the lot because it has a funkier groove to it. Here is one of my faves from the record...

Palace: Shoals (Album of the Week)

London's Palace is back with a dreamy, shoegaze delight. Shoals is pure bliss and the perfect salve for the longer nights at this time of year. The record creates its own magical world of wonder.

Here is the opening track...

Skullcrusher: Quiet The Room

The north woods may have a fresh coat of snow and be showing much evidence of winter but I'm still thinking about autumnal music. A perfect soundtrack for that sentiment is Skullcrusher's Quiet The Room. 

It's the first full length record for Helen Ballentine and the Tarrytown, New York native delivers an evocative and haunting piece of music. It's perfect for the quickening pace of darkness falling across the land.

Here is one of my faves...

Michelle: After Dinner We Talk Dreams

NYC's Michelle released their sophomore effort earlier in the year and it finally managed to make its way to me (via my son). After Dinner We Talk Dreams is the kind of pop/soul music I used to listen to in the 80s. Mostly I was an indie guy but there were certain artists (Anita Baker, Al Jarreau) that couldn't help but love. 

Michelle reminds me of those artists and with the added bonus of that 21st century vibe. Here is the opening track...