Best Of ...
Best of IM's Monthly New Music Picks 2022
by Kristine England
Revisiting some of the new music releases this year, it's been tricky to choose only ten. Get ready for country, funk, metal, post classical, and more. Honorable mentions: Ghost Woman (July), Anna Calvi (May), Crows and Blue Violet (April), Fickle Friends (January), Black Lips and Bonnie Trash (October).
Yard Act
The Overload
At first listen, this seemed reminiscent of the Fall (never a bad thing), yet Yard Act's documentation of discontent is certainly very contemporary. The reviews are in, and consensus says this band's debut lives up to the hype.
"The Overload"
I Just Want To Be Wild For You
"Loneliness"
MAITA
The featured track's chorus is simply beautiful and its sentiment certainly relatable. Maria Maita-Keppeler and engineer/electric guitarist Matthew Zeltzer entered the studio just before the pandemic hit and continued work as it raged.
Messa
Close
"Pilgrim" begins with beguiling vocals amid middle eastern folk. Two and half minutes later, the song transforms into a doom-metal opus, with singer Sara Bianchin presiding over Sabbath-esque riffs.
"Pilgrim"
"Wild Flowers"
Warmduscher
At the Hotspot
At the Hotspot is dirty, nasty funk, by a group described as “in your face,” “seedy,” and “dangerously debauched. ” I've adopted this song as a personal anthem.
Moderat
More D4ta
German electronic “supergroup” Moderat (comprised of Sascha Ring (Apparat) and Modeselektor members Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary) is back with its first record in six years. According to fans and critics, it was worth the wait.
"Fast Land"
Bryan Senti
Manu
Violinist Bryan Senti has released his first post-classical record, with indigenous folk influences from Colombia and Cuba (celebrating the music of his parents’ native countries).
"Manu"
Tami Neilson
Kingmaker
Neilson teamed up with Willie Nelson on this featured track, the duet an ode to her late father (and a beautiful tearjerker). The latest from the Canadian native now living in Auckland, NZ has been hailed by The Guardian, “the queen of Kiwi country at her imperious best.”
"Beyond the Stars"
Amythyst Kiah
Pensive Pop
To call Kiah’s latest a collection of covers does a disservice to the singer-songwriter. She truly reinvents each song. This performance of Green Day’s “Hitchin’ A Ride” is so powerful and haunting, you’d never guess the song was penned by someone else.
"Hitchin' a Ride"
Danielle Ponder
Some of Us Are Brave
The former public defender is a fierce champion of Black feminism, beautifully depicted in the video for the title track. The buzz is been building about this soulful, forceful singer/activist, whom Glide Magazine has dubbed, “a new vocal powerhouse.”
"Some of Us Are Brave"
“Captain” Kirk Douglas
New Unknown
"Captain" Kirk Douglas is best known as the guitarist for The Roots. Here, under the name Hundred Watt Heart, he’s released his second solo album. This is a groovy, funky affair with incredible percussion and killer riffs.
"We Can Be One"