With artists like Lil Nas X, Taylor Swift, Lorde and Kanye West all releasing full-length projects last year, 2021 was an exciting year to be a music fan. Hip-hop crept further into the mainstream while artists like Playboi Carti pushed the envelope with well-received experimental albums. Adele’s delicate, intimate “30” demonstrated that tried-and-true styles could still top the charts.
However, 2022 seems even more promising for music releases. Top artists across all genres are slated to release albums this year. In fact, some can hardly wait. The Weeknd’s brilliant “Dawn FM” and Gunna’s “DS4EVER” released on Jan. 7. This list will explore some of 2022’s most anticipated albums, preparing you for the fantastic musical year ahead.
- FKA twigs – CAPRISONGS
It’s hard to know what to expect from the 33-year old British singer at this point in her career. FKA twigs’s 2019 masterpiece “MAGDALENE” couldn’t be placed into a singular genre, but rather, it blended elements of electronic, R&B, pop and hip-hop together to paint an elaborate picture. The sheer brilliance of “MAGDALENE” sets the bar high for “CAPRISONGS”, a mixtape dedicated to her zodiac sign, Capricorn. FKA twigs is shaking things up this time around by featuring other artists on her work, notably Daniel Caesar and Jorja Smith. “Tears in the Club” featuring The Weeknd, the tape’s lead single, suggests a more mainstream approach, but the sound of the entire project will remain a mystery until its Jan. 14 release.
- Beach House – Once Twice Melody
Beach House, the Baltimore-based dream pop duo, has always kept their fans satisfied with consistently brilliant releases ever since their 2006 self-titled debut. “Once Twice Melody” will be their eighth studio album, and they’ve taken a unique approach for its album rollout: releasing it in small batches. The double album consists of 18 tracks, but eight are already out. Two “chapters” with four tracks each came out on Nov. 10, 2021 and Dec. 8, 2021. Based on what’s been released, we’re in for a treat. Beach House seems to be sticking with the ethereal, wavy sound that has entranced their fans for decades. “Once Twice Melody” is slated for a Feb. 18 release.
- Brent Faiyaz – WASTELAND
Despite singing the most memorable chorus of 2016 in Goldlink’s “Crew”, Brent Faiyaz still feels like a fresh face in the R&B scene. Since 2016, the soulful star has kept himself busy, with a slew of albums, EPs and guest appearances. Faiyaz’s talent has been recognized by his contemporaries, landing features on Juice WRLD’s “Death Race for Love”, Tyler, the Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost” and teaming up with Drake for the single “Wasting Time”. Senior Rithvik Vanga, a fan of Faiyaz’s work, is excited for Faiyaz to continue refining his craft. “His debut album, “Sonder Son”, did not live up to people’s expectations, but with his 2020 album, he redeemed himself, releasing tracks like “Clouded” and Been Away” which have been fan favorites, especially for me. I expect him to continue where he left off, releasing another hit album,” Vanga commented. “WASTELAND”—previously known as “Make It Out Alive”—has no set release date, but it said to release soon.
- Kendrick Lamar – KL5
There might not be an album name to latch onto yet, but all signs point towards the Compton rapper dropping a new album in 2022. Lamar seemingly disappeared from the public eye following his contributions to the 2018 Black Panther soundtrack, but that changed in late 2021. There were his energetic, if not meme-worthy, contributions to his cousin Baby Keem’s “The Melodic Blue” as well as the development of pgLang, his multi-media company. Lamar is also going to take the stage at Super Bowl LVI in February. All four of Lamar’s previous albums have been unmistakably distinct, yet they all share the forward-thinking, socially conscious approach that we’ve come to revere. Whichever avenue Lamar decides to take his fifth album in, it’ll surely be a highlight of 2022.
- BROCKHAMPTON – BH7
The supposed final BROCKHAMPTON album (currently untitled) was slated to release last year, but was delayed to 2022, according to group leader Kevin Abstract. Despite their upcoming album being their final one, BROCKHAMPTON has been actively recruiting new members and putting them through tryouts. The group’s 2021 release “ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE” was generally well-received but still fell short of the energy and cohesion found in the fan-favorite “SATURATION” trilogy. With an influx of new members, it remains to be seen how BROCKHAMPTON’s sound will change. Regardless, the group’s last album will certainly be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
These are just a few of the most anticipated albums headed our way in 2022. With additional rumors circulating around new projects from heavyweights like Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert and Pusha T, 2022 is sure to be a year brimming with brilliant releases.
