I shouldn’t really do this, as there are just so many opinions on music; but here I go anyway.
The scene now is worse than ever, and until the “charts” are based back on sales, rather than streams, with the accompanying corrupt marketing campaigns, and utterly corrupt algorithms that the major streamers use, we’re fucked.
But here I go. . .
Album of the Year – The Hanging Stars; Hollow Heart
The Hanging Stars, once again put out a very listenable, neo-psych, country, pedal steel heavy masterpiece; probably their best yet. Thoroughly modern, thoroughly retro. As John Peel said years ago about The Fall, “always different, always the same”.
Single of the Year:
A tie! Between that horribly, irritating TUI advert song, that was in my head all year, and is undoubtedly older than 2022; Juniore, Ah bad d’accord
And the always listenable Asteroid No. 4, and their change of scene, into a female-based synth pop sound, with Set Your Sights:
CB
Curious Bystander 