The year 2022 has been fantastic for music fans. As the industry and wider world have begun to recover from the pandemic, countless artists have returned to both the studio and the road to remind us there’s nothing quite as joyful as new music. Here are the five best artists I added to my playlists in 2022.
5. Wet Leg
Friends Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers make up the duo Wet Leg, which released their adventurous self-titled debut in April of this year. I actually discovered them through my mum, listening to their viral single ‘Chaise Longue’ on her living room speaker, a song which went viral in 2021, raking in over three million streams on Spotify and propelling the duo to fame. Giving them a try requires a deep dive as no two of their songs are the same. I’ve heard them described as Marmite – you either love them or you
hate them – but if their indie rock sound might be up your alley, their debut definitely belongs in your rotation.
4. Crawlers
Crawlers treated the crowd to a fantastic set on the main stage of this year’s Community Festival, inciting me to dive into their back catalogue as their thumping track ‘Placebo’ remained stuck in my head. However, it was their appearance on the Festival Republic Stage at Reading Festival that firmly cemented their position on my playlists. The energy of frontwoman Holly Minto captivated the crowd in a way not often seen: her unique voice and technical skill makes her a rare talent. For those who are fans of bands like Foo Fighters, Muse, and Queens of the Stone Age, I highly recommend Crawlers’ new mixtape Loud Without Noise, particularly ‘Feminist Radical Hypocritical Delusional’ and ‘I Can’t Drive’ – one for my fellow provisional licence girlies.
3. Alfie Templeman
Ella's own photos.
Speaking of Community Festival, it was Alfie Templeman who garnered arguably the best crowd reaction from the main stage, rivalled only by The Wombats. Despite the fact I was absolutely exhausted by the time he began his set (after risking heat exhaustion in the front row for most of the day waiting for Nothing But Thieves), Alfie’s charisma immediately reinvigorated me. His indie pop sound and infectious happiness kept the crowd going, particularly the tracks ‘Wait, I Lied’ and ‘3D Feelings’, which have since become two of my favourites. If you’re missing a bit of uplifting music in your life, make it your new year’s resolution to give Alfie a try.
2. STONE
To say I was devastated when Nothing But Thieves had to pull out of Live at Leeds in the Park this year is an understatement (a favourite band of mine, if you hadn’t already guessed). However, I was still able to have a great day, and this was mostly thanks to STONE. I found them in a rom-com-like fashion, hearing their music from across the Temple Newsam grounds and feeling drawn towards them, as many other attendees were. The Liverpool band’s post-punk sound is incredibly refreshing to those of us desperate for a modern spin on old punk traditions. Every track is an anthem; I particularly recommend ‘Let’s Dance to The Real Thing’ and ‘Waste’, tracks perfected by bassist Sarah Surrage’s skill. Frontman Finlay Power is a keen instigator of mosh pits, making their performances some of the best experiences I’ve had this year.
1. Black Honey
One of my best friends invited me to Colours Hoxton to go to Black Honey’s 28th October Halloween show this year. He’s a big fan and I had never really listened to them before, but I decided to give them a try and I’m so glad I did. They were easily able to command the small venue and their live sound was amazing. Frontwoman Izzy Baxter Phillips was like a deity as she walked out on stage, the crowd going absolutely insane as she emerged wearing a Halloween costume which included a replica of her head on a spike (which I was half-hoping she would throw into the crowd). Not to discount the rest of the band, who produced an incredible sound I’ve found myself addicted to, particularly bassist Tommy Taylor, who has a mesmerising natural charisma when playing live. I would recommend the tracks ‘Run for Cover’, ‘Charlie Bronson’, and ‘Spinning Wheel’, and if you enjoy them you can catch the band at KOKO in April. Also, make sure to keep an eye out for their third album A Fistful of Peaches, releasing in March 2023. You won’t regret it.
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