25 Best Albums of 2022 … So Far

So I was scrolling through Twitter the other day…

Yeah, I know, I know, big mistake.

…anyway, I was shocked to see that many fans considered 2022 to be the best year of music in recent memory.

Really?

Clearly 2022 isn’t without its wins – I mean, that’s the reason why you clicked on this post, right? – but in terms of the mainstream scene, hip-hop and R&B have been as dead as a slug swimming in table salt. With a couple of exceptions, fans have to dig pretty deep to find this year’s gems.

Thankfully, I’ve done that digging for you!

With 2022 already half over, let’s look back at 25 standout releases so far. Keep in mind this list is in no order, although the top contender for Album of the Year should be a surprise to no one.

2022 has a LONG way to go before we crown it music’s best year but these 25 albums are doing their best to raise the bar.

Honorable mentions:

NIGO, I Know NIGO

Raheem DeVaughn, From Lust Till Dawn

FKA Twigs, Caprisongs

Method Man, Meth Lab Season 3 : The Rehab

EarthGang, Ghetto Gods

Czarface, Czarmageddon

Inspectah Deck, 7L and Esoteric – better known by their comic alias Czarface – are nearly a decade into their union and still show no signs of slowing down. Czarmageddon continues their streak of blistering bars and rapid-fire comic-book references. Half the fun is picking up on the random pop culture references but, for the less nerdy among us, there’s enough lyrical technique to keep any hip-hop head inspired. Czarmageddon is hip-hop’s version of a Disney+ series and the Czarface crew continue to be the most entertaining super-villains in the game.

Denzel Curry, Melt My Eyez See Your Future

Wanna know why I love Denzel Curry so much? Because when Sippy Cup Twitter gets on my case for criticizing modern rap with claims off  “oh you just don’t like anyone under 40,” I immediately point to Denzel Curry – a 27-year-old phenom who has youth AND skill on his side. But he’s more than my personal trump card, he’s a meticulous MC that seems to be getting better with each release. Once known for his frantic delivery, Melt My Eyez See Your Future slows things down a bit, giving Denzel’s audience a peek at the man behind the microphone. That means less, bangers, more introspection, but the same old great delivery and wordplay. I expect Melt My Eyez See Your Future to be a divisive release – especially for fans expecting Denzel’s typical brand of chaos – but this album boasts incredible growth, proving once again that he’s at the head of his class.

Saba, Few Good Things

In 2018, Saba turned heads with Care for Me, a somber ode to his deceased cousin. As its name suggests, the follow-up is a bit more hopeful, but Saba’s trademark introspection remains strong. Though he’s in a better place, he often remains unsure of himself and the album helps him search for answers. Saba may raise the intensity here and there but he’s at his best when he’s more low-key and looking inward. Few Good Things is another compelling entry in Saba’s catalog, who quietly is becoming a standout among his peers.

Robert Glasper, Black Radio III

Robert Glasper’s Black Radio series has become bright spots in the often drab R&B scene of the past decade. As always, Black Radio III feels like a soul festival, boasting an array of both R&B and hip-hop luminaries. But, as you’d expect, it’s the R&B-leaning offerings that shine brightest, with its blend of neo-soul and jazzy interpretations harkening back to the glory days of the early 00s. Whenever Twitter starts screaming about the apparent death of R&B, send them a link to this album. Glasper’s doing his best to keep the spirit alive.

Conway the Machine, God Don’t Make Mistakes

Another year, another best-of list dominated by the Griselda gang. Well, sort of. Conway confirmed earlier this year that he’s parted ways from family members Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher but that hasn’t slowed the Machine’s rage. God Don’t Make Mistakes may feel like the 32,432,423 Conway project to date, but it’s just his sophomore album and his hunger is as evident as ever. Conway raps with an urgency and intensity that’s increasingly rare today and the album’s boom-bap production is the perfect backdrop for his threatening thesis. But what makes Conway a true artist is that he’s not afraid to leave the braggadocio in the backseat to tackle more weighty issues, including his well-publicized brush with death and his bouts with Bell’s Palsy. Pound for pound, Conway is one of the best MCs in rap at the moment. The Machine rolls on.

Syd, Broken Hearts Club

Read our review here

Transitioning from group to solo success is never easy, but Syd tha Kid made it look like light work, effortlessly morphing from fronting the acclaimed band the Internet to her first solo LP, Fin. Thankfully, Syd avoids the spectre of the sophomore jinx on Broken Hearts Club, a moody story of love found and lost. Gone is the once-aloof Syd who always seemed too cool to deal with relationship drama. This album is much more vulnerable, and often experimental at times. Broken Hearts Club is a bold step in the maturation of Syd the artist, showing that she does have the range of a star.

Termanalogy and Paul Wall, Start 2 Finish

Yes, the People’s Champ is on a best albums of 2022 list and I’m here for it. Paul Wall and Termanalogy display incredible chemistry on Start 2 Finish. Flexing over high-end boom bap production laid down by heavyweights like Pete Rock and Statik Selektah, the duo remain in sync as Termanalogy lets his bars fly while Paul Wall slides in with his trademark charisma. Though it may seem like an oddball paring on paper, Start 2 Finish proves these two are a perfect match.  

PJ Morton, Watch the Sun

PJ’s music is like the audio version of a summer breeze – inviting, cool, unassuming, and honestly, easy to take for granted but always a welcome addition. Watch the Sun is one of his better albums to date, mixing soul with tinges of gospel with an array of A-listers to help out. Nas! Jill Scott! El DeBarge! STEVIE WONDER! But make no mistake, PJ is the star here, with his gentle grooves and warm tone creating an inviting atmosphere. I typically cringe at the term “vibez,” which has become a code word for dull, uninspiring R&B. Not in this case – PJ’s vibes set the tone for breezy summer afternoons and laid-back evenings. We have to stop taking his genius for granted.

Amber Mark, Three Dimensions Deep

Fun fact: R&B fans have been waiting on Amber Mark’s debut album almost as long as rap heads have been begging for a new Kendrick Lamar release. Amber’s 2017 mini-album and 2018 EP were bursting with promise, and Three Dimensions Deep, her official debut, fulfills it. Though sci-fi and spacey in nature, there’s no doubt that there’s a solid R&B album amongst all the intergalactic talk, with Amber leading the way with strong writing and surprisingly layered vocals. She’s not afraid to take risks with her tone, making this a very unpredictable journey. Three Dimensions Deep is often unconventional but remains rooted and relatable. It’s a pop/R&B blend done right.

Tank and the Bangas, Red Balloon

In a musical era defined by dreary and (almost literal) one-note production, Tank and the Bangas is the shot of adrenaline the industry needs. The New Orleans-based quartet possesses one of the best live shows in the game right now, and that energy is kept throughout Red Balloon, an eclectic mix of soul, funk and hip-hop that seeps with substance. The band doesn’t shy away from commentary about Black life and environmental awareness, nor are they too cool to just have a good time. It’s by far one of the most fun albums of the year and, hopefully, will be the major breakout they’ve long deserved.

Mahalia, Letter to Ur Ex

As the old ladies at my church used to say in protest of long-winded sermons, “it ain’t gotta be long to be strong.” Mahalia’s five-track EP barely runs 15 minutes max but is still miles ahead of most R&B releases this year. As the title suggests, Letter to Ur Ex is a short, yet salty breakup record that’s less about rants and finger-pointing and more about coping with relationship trauma. Every track is expertly produced and solidly written – Mahalia’s performances tie the whole messy package together. If this teaser is just a taste of what’s in store for her next album, she could have a full-fledged hit on her hands.

Alex Isley and Jack Dine, Marigold

Alex Isley has R&B in her DNA. The daughter of Ernie Isley of the iconic Isley Bros, Alex has writing, producing and vocal credits with some of the biggest artists in the game – including a handful featured on this post. But with producer Jack Dine at her side, she’s more than ready to enjoy the spotlight herself, with Marigold arguably shining as her best offering so far. Marigold is a mostly mellow outing, matching her impressive tone for a gentle, warm journey. What Marigold lacks in peaks and valleys is made up for in a complete, consistent listening experience. For those missing the glory days of the neo-soul movement, Alex’s lush vocals and soothing production are the fix you need.

Eric Roberson, Lessons

How does Erro follow up “Lessons,” AKA the best R&B song of 2021? Easy, with Lessons the album – which currently stands as one of R&B’s better moments of 2022. Roberson’s strength has always been his hallmark sincerity, which again is the driving force behind this release. If “Lessons” the song is the story of Roberson reflecting on his life as his bride walks down the aisle, Lessons the album is the story of the journey to the altar, detailing the highs and lows of dating – the initial infatuation, the fear of failure and the joy of finding that one great love. Erro’s albums almost always hit the mark, and Lessons keeps that streak alive.

Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz, Rise and Fall of Slaughterhouse

I’ll be very honest with y’all, I was very skeptical of this project. Not that I ever doubted the skill of Crooked or the Yaowa himself, it’s just that album detailing the nasty demise of the Slaughterhouse supergroup seemed needlessly messy. They seemed above such Twitter-baiting tactics. But this is much more than clickbait – it’s a brutually honest concept album that doesn’t just air dirty laundry, it’s a sobering reminder of what the hip-hop world truly lost. We already knew Joell and Crooked had incredible chemistry (see their 2020 EP H.A.R.D. for proof) but the sorrow is palatable here. They’re not upset that they lost the bag, they just regret letting down fans and possibly losing two brothers in the process. It’s a shockingly vulnerable release that has way more heart than you’d expect.

Che Noir, Food for Thought

I love to see Che Noir winning. As God Intended, her 2020 collaboration with the incredible Apollo Brown, proved that the art of female MC’ing is far from extinct, and Food for Thought, her most recent concept album, is a clear attempt to keep the masses fed. As usual, Che isn’t big on flash or frills – instead, it’s all forceful bars and thoughtful concepts. Her pen remains absolutely lethal and she cuts down the competition while dropping thoughtful reflections on her life and relationships. Che’s music always boasts a maturity beyond her years, with Food for Thought being yet another satisfying serving.

Ransom, No Rest for the Wicked

Here’s the beauty of a Ransom project – there’s never any question about what you’re getting. As hip-hop’s resident bar-barian, you’re guaranteed nothing but scorching lyricism every time you hit play. Though Ransom is mostly known for his sinister soundscapes – even this album cover looks straight out of the last season of Stranger Things – No Rest for the Wicked’s strength is its alluring soul samples. It’s the perfect contrast to Ransom’s rugged delivery. No Rest for the Wicked certainly isn’t for those who like their hip-hop tik-tok friendly but for those of us craving the art of storytelling, Ransom delivers. As always.

Lady Wray, Piece of Me

Soul In Stereo die-hards already know: As random as it sounds, Nicole Wray’s 1998 debut album is still one of my favorite albums of all time. I’m not even sure why – sure it’s a great album, but it may be because it dropped during a defining moment of my youth. Lady Wray certainly knows how to capture moments, as is evident with Piece of Me, a slice of 60s soul that feels authentic in every way. Even the album’s mixing sounds like it’s emanating from your uncle’s old record player. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t Nicole cosplaying as Carla Thomas. Piece of Me is a soaring release that isn’t afraid to incorporate modern elements (a dash of hip-hop here, a pinch of modern R&B there) to give this tribute piece a little spice. Lady Wray knows that moments matter, which is why Piece of Me is such a strong love letter to R&B’s roots.

Benny the Butcher, Tana Talk 4

If Benny’s Tana Talk 3 was his breakout moment, the sequel solidifies his spot. Tana Talk 4 raises the stakes in every way – the guests are bigger, the production bolder and even the concepts are grander. It takes a lot of guts to reimagine a track as iconic as “10 Crack Commandments,” but Benny doesn’t flinch. Sure, the topics remain par for the course ­– movin’ weight and Benny’s ascent to the top of the rap game take up most of the runtime – but his witty wordplay and boundless charisma assures that there’s never a dull moment. Tana Talk 4 doesn’t bring a lot of new ideas to the table but Benny’s winning formula remains intact.

LAYA, Um, Hello

Read our review here

When you’ve been doing this album review gig for as long as I have – longer than some of you reading this have even been music fans, sheesh – it’s pretty rare that a new artist comes along with something so new and fresh that you’re completely caught off guard. That’s why I was so happy when that girl LAYA came through to shake the table. Um, Hello is her first release under the Warner Records umbrella but mostly includes her independently released material. That’s fine by me, because those songs KNOCK. LAYA’s trippy production – from woozy beats to blends of Missy Elliott and Brandy hits – and her offbeat personality make every song an adventure. Whether she’s cosplaying as Sailor Moon or beating down haters on “Bitter,” every track has a quirky authenticity not seen since the days of Timbaland’s Supafriends. In a game where her peers are happy to stick to the script, LAYA is tearing up the pages and writing her own rules. We need more of this.

Lucky Daye, Candydrip

Read our review here

Here at Soul In Stereo, we live by these four important words: Lucky. Daye. Don’t. Miss. And we haven’t been let down yet. Diehard Lucky fans were a bit nervous early on when it looked like his sophomore effort, Candydrip, might detour into more … gasp, mainstream lanes. But that’s just a necessity for a rising star like Lucky. Trust me, it all works out. Candydrip is a confection that marries both modern-day stylings and more traditional soul into one cohesive package. Some of the production is absolutely gorgeous, and Lucky knows how to match his vocals in kind. 2022 hasn’t had a ton of standout R&B releases yet, but we can always count on Lucky to deliver. Those four words never lie.

Snoop Dogg, BODR

What do Snoop, Michael Jackson and Nas all have in common? All three have never been able to escape the shadow of their most beloved album. In Snoop’s case, no matter how great his LPs are (and some of them are very good indeed), the consensus always seems to go back to “well, it’s not as good as Doggystyle.” No, BODR is NOT as good as Doggystyle (not too many rap albums in the past 20 years are that good, in fact) but it’s by far one of the best Snoop albums in recent memory. Bacc on Death Row harkens back to the heyday of Snoop’s West Coast dominance, and he sound rejuvenated over the 90s samples and throwback G-Funk. BODR is one of the most pleasant surprises of 2022 and proof that legends never die.

Vince Staples, Ramona Park Broke My Heart

I get it, Vince Staples’ self-titled 2021 project wasn’t for everyone. While I considered it one of the best albums of the year, others felt it was a little bland, lacking the vibrancy of earlier efforts like FM. Well, Vince heard y’all. Ramona Park Broke My Heart is a much more vibrant and relatable release, but maintains the same introspection of his best works. Vince clearly wears his heart on his sleeve, detailing heartbreak, pain and his quest to heal as honestly as possible. But despite the heavy topics, the atmosphere keeps the energy high, even when Vince himself is feeling pretty low. The dynamic works very well, and Vince continues to build upon his impressive legacy.

Phife Dawg, Forever

Phife’s posthumous album doesn’t come with the hype of Kendrick Lamar or Pusha T’s releases, but that doesn’t keep it from being the most heartfelt album of 2022. Crafted together from unfinished demos, the release is a reflection of Phife’s life post A Tribe Called Quest – working to regain his health, embracing his family while he still can and celebrating the joys of hip-hop itself. In many ways, the album is constructed like a tribute to super producer J. Dilla, with Phife lamenting that he wasn’t able to connect with him before passing. To counter that, this album’s many guest stars work to not make that mistake with Phife himself – Redman, Q-Tip, Rapsody and more come through to bid farewell to Tribe’s trailblazer, along with some gorgeous production to tell that story. Forever is a surprisingly emotional experience, but not one of sorrow. It’s a celebration of hip-hop’s legacy and one of the unsung heroes who helped us fall in love with it.

Pusha T, It’s Almost Dry

Read our review here

For better or worse – actually, it’s always better – you know what’s coming on every Pusha T verse before he yells YUUUUUUGH into the microphone. Those hoping that It’s Almost Dry, Pusha’s latest LP, diversifies his portfolio, well, you might wanna shop elsewhere. This is exactly the album you’d expect – boastful tales of powder and power from Va’s favorite son. Production from cohorts Kanye West and the Neptunes pave the way as Pusha bends his trademark coke bars to his will. And, of course, the highly publicized return of Malice shows that the brothers Thornton continue to have an undeniable bond. It’s Almost Dry is another gem in a crown that Push has worn for more than two decades. Yeah, we’ve heard these war stories before – but few tell them as well as Push.

Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Read our review here

Five years is an eternity in today’s fast-moving music scene. That makes Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, Kendrick’s first release in half a decade, arguably his most important LP to date. Unlike most of his generation, Kendrick hasn’t fallen into the trap of dropping hollow releases or resorting to Twitter antics to keep his name trending. In fact, his recent absence, especially during the social unrest of 2020, had even his most ardent fans and colleagues questioning his commitment to the cause. His response? “I am not your savior.” Playing out like an open therapy session, Kendrick bares his soul as only he can – blatantly admitting his faults and fears while empowering listeners to not look to celebrities for leadership, but to look within. Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is a mature, thoughtful tome of an artist staring in the mirror, confronting his own demons. It’s by no means an easy listen – the radio cuts and club bangers are all but nonexistent – but Kendrick’s brutal honesty and next-level artistry make Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers one of the best albums the genre has seen in years. It’s the first album to receive a 5-star review on this site in a full decade – clearly the wait was worth it.

Which albums did I miss? Are you a salty Cole fan mad that the Dreamville mixtape didn’t make the cut? Leave your suggestions and death threats below.