Scott Tady: These 19 albums were 2022's best

This past year was manic. You didn't have time to listen to every major album release.

But I did.

Hey, duty calls, right?

So, yes, I got your back, with this handy list of 2022's best albums, ready for you to explore at your convenience. As always, we count backwards from a non-traditional number.

19. Thee Sacred Souls, "Thee Sacred Souls"

A warm kiss of '50s doo-wop surrounded by '60s R&B flavors hallmarks the debut of this San Diego trio. Catch them Jan. 26 at the Thunderbird Music Hall, Pittsburgh.

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18. Rina Sawayama, "Hold The Girl"

The Japanese-English pop singer provides both dance club thumpers and lyrical substance.

17. Shemekia Copeland, "Done Come Too Far"

A voice this commanding would be entertaining singing the fine print on your credit card statement. But when you pair her mighty voice with socially conscious lyrics and a diverse sampling of blues chops, we're talking about a standout effort.

16. A.A. Williams, "As The Moon Rests"

"A classically trained musician with a taste for 'all things heavy,'" accurately reads the Apple Music profile for this English singer-pianist-cellist-guitarist. Goth-y folk, alternative and metal with hypnotic atmospheres, this hour-plus collection finds catharsis in the darkness.

15. Noah Cyrus, "The Hardest Part"

Miley Cyrus' youngest sibling surprised many with this rookie release laden with compelling emotion and plain-spoken honesty. Musically, it's a seamless weave of indie-folk and pop country. Check out "Every Beginning Ends," a duet with Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.

14. The Regrettes, "Further Joy"

Led by 22-year-old singer/lyricist Lydia Night, the L.A. punk band embraced a poppier sound with hooks that grab you, and relatable themes of angst and hope. See The Regrettes on July 12 opening for Yumnblud at Stage AE outdoors.

13. Elvis Costello, "The Boy Named If"

Rowdy rock 'n' roll with Costello remaining a master of interesting, unpredictable lyrics.

12. Lizzo, "Special"

Fun, funky, sassy, empowering dance-pop. "About Damn Time" was a song-of-the-summer contender. Catch her May 13 at PPG Paints Arena.

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11. The Smile, "A Light for Attracting Attention"

Progressive-rock time signatures − in a King Crimson vein − paired with taut, intriguing melodies, plus vulnerable, atmospheric vocals make for a fascinating side project starring Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke.

Top 10

10. Beyonce, "Renaissance"

Queen B gets frisky and feisty as modern disco beats make you want to dance your problems away.

9. Soccer Mommy, "Sometimes, Forever"

Indie rock with mesmerizing, moody melodies and lush textures. Soccer Mommy is the stage name for 25-year-old Nashville artist Sophia Allison.

8. Horsegirl, "Versions of Modern Performance"

Chunky, jagged guitar layers hypnotize, as lo-fi vocals add to the intrigue of the debut full-length from this Chicago post-punk trio.

7. Kevin Morby, "This is a Photograph"

Kansas City-bred singer-songwriter Morby uses indie-rock, banjo twang, sax, fancy strings and spoken word as foundations for his smart and entertaining songs.

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6. Just Mustard, "Heart Under"

Noise-rock. Post-punk. Shoegaze. Whatever you want to call it, this Irish band makes cool, creepy, cathartic music channeling the frustrations we all felt this long, long year.

5. Angel Olsen, "Big Time"

We all could use a new late-at-night album prodding us to ponder the important questions, like What-am-I-doing-with-my-life-and-relationship(s)? Angel provides that divinely, singing sweetly like Emmylou Harris or other classic-country women.

4. The Sadies, "Colder Streams"

This Toronto band infuses its alternative country with some garage-rock energy and a lightly psychedelic vocal sound that adds a layer of mystery.

3. Father John Misty, "Chloë and the Next 20th Century"

Jazz lounge-y ruminations on dark pasts, a fearful future and glimmers of hope. The cinematic, vintage Hollywood sound allures. "Goodbye Mr. Blue" brings a Glen Campbell quality.

2. Harry Styles, "Harry's House"

Fresh, catchy, romantic, relatable pop presented in numerous shades and textures while maintaining a seamless, cohesive quality.

1. Wet Leg, "Wet Leg"

A playful irreverence graces the fuzzy, alt-rock sound of this female duo from the Isle of Wight. "Chaise Longue" and "Wet Dream" are as catchy as any song from 2022, though don't sleep on "Oh No" pointedly jabbing at our obsession with cellphone social media scrolling.

2022 brought a bevy of commendable albums.

I'd round out my Top-29 in order with Hurray For The Riff Raff, "Life on Earth"; Kendrick Lamar, "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers"; Wilco, "Cruel Country"; The Beths, "Expert in a Dying Field"; Kehlani, "Blue Water Road"; Pup, "The Unraveling of PUPTheBand"; Taylor Swift, "Midnights"; Mitski, "Laurel Hell"; Bonny Light Horseman, "Rolling Golden Holy"; Band of Horses, "Things are Great."

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Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: 2022's top albums ranged from disco to doo-wop; country to pop