By: Jordan Bontrager
Staff-Writer
My name is Jordan Bontrager, and I’m excited to be starting a weekly column about all things music. As a musician of 15 years, I want to spread the love and understanding I have for music everywhere I go. To introduce my music taste, I thought I should count down what I thought were the top five albums of 2022.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers: Unlimited Love (9/10)
I don’t want to say too much about this album since I have an upcoming review for it, but I deeply enjoyed this record. The Peppers saw the return of longtime on-and-off guitarist John Frusciante into the lineup, and it benefited them in so many ways. The mixes were excellent, and the band just seemed to be completely in sync with one another. My only problem with the album is the length; with 17 tracks, it could have been condensed. Other than that, another fantastic Chili Peppers record for the books.
Favorite tracks: Black Summer, Not the One, It’s Only Natural, The Heavy Wing, Tangelo
- Jack White: Fear of the Dawn (9/10)
Famed White Stripes frontman Jack White released two albums in 2022, and this one was my favorite of the two. This did feel like a White Stripes record at times, and Jack White’s rock sensibility is just incredible. Jack White is a legend. Not sure what else there is to say on that front.
Favorite tracks: Taking Me Back, Fear of the Dawn
- Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (8/10)
Kendrick Lamar has never released an album below an 8/10 for me. This album is honest and down-to-earth, and that’s my favorite kind of songwriting. In my opinion, Kendrick Lamar just might be the greatest hip-hop artist of all time. Never a bad release from Mr. Duckworth.
Favorite tracks: N95, Father Time
- Sly Withers: Overgrown (8/10)
Sly Withers is an Australian emo band and they are awe-inspiring. In 2021, they released Gardens which was also in my top 5 of that year. This album was the follow-up to that release. The guitar tones and songwriting were stellar, and frontmen Jono and Sam singing in tandem as they typically were as amazing as ever. Very good album.
Favorite tracks: Passing Through, Sunday
5. The Lumineers- BRIGHTSIDE (8/10)
Honestly, this is the weakest Lumineers record I’ve heard, which is really saying something since it is still my fifth best album of 2022. Incredible songwriting as usual, which is what we’ve come to expect from the Lumineers.
Favorite tracks: BRIGHTSIDE, BIRTHDAY
