Many days late and many bucks short, I have finally completed my Top 100 Songs of 2022.

I couldn’t find a consensus for #1 song. I don’t recall this happening in my previous year end playlists (which now date back a decade!). It came down to songs ranked one though four, and I kept moving the #1 slot amongst them.

My #1 song ended up being “After the Earthquake” by Alvvays. It’s a bright and bouncy song siloed in warp speed, layers of riffs and a constant pounding like someone running faster and faster from the world.

#2, “The Shade” by Rex Orange County (no, he’s British not from the OC) is the catchiest track of the year. His voice, normal, sweet, and real, rings in my ears like the morning tweets of the birds. He’s a talent. I loved last album, and this year’s was a great followup.

Quarters of Change was my favorite new band of the year, hands down. I’m surprised “Ms. Dramatic” wasn’t my #1 song. Damn close.

“Karaoke” by Beach Bunny (#4) and “Matilda” by Harry Styles (#6) will probably have the most future nostalgia. These were my two favorite songs by my little girl. Good taste!

“Gone Girl” seemed big, rhythmic, catchy, and a spotlight of her vocals (which I was less than thrilled to see lip-synched on SNL), but I could have put one of many others from SZA’s new album in this #6 spot, the album was that good.

People talked a lot about MUNA’s new album but not enough about their feature on The Knocks “Bodies” (#7).

Let’s talk Remi Wolf, whose “wyd” (#8) is one of two LIVE recordings that made the playlist. Impressive when you hear how much she wails. Also, Remi spits the verse of the year with her flow and cadence:

All these little bitches telling me what to do /
They really gettin’ me hot /
I got a bone to pick /
Ain’t got a bone to lick

I’m not surprised Beyonce (#9) is so high on this list, she may be the biggest and most talented pop star since Michael Jackson. Speaking of pop stars, Taylor Swift’s “Anti-hero” (#27) and Charli XCX “Yuck” (#36) cracked the list.

Should “Call from You” by Anxious (#14) have been higher? I LOVE this song. It’a a mix of everything I loved from the emo / screamo bands of my youth: The Used, Thursday, New Found Glory, The Deftones, and so on. There’s a fine balance of rock. rhythm, and melody that bands have to take when screaming in parts of the song. Well, Anxious, you did it.

Do you know who Djo is? Listen to “Change” (#18) and then do some quick research. Yeah, that’s Steve lol.

Artist whose popularity exploded this year? Fred again…I’ve never really been into electronic music, but his music gets me (#22 and #52). Same with Swedish House Mafia (#58).

Breakout artist of the year? JVKE. Yeah, he’s a knockoff Post Malone. But he’s melding classical music in a way that Post doesn’t. It’s alluring. Check out “this is what heartbreak feels like” (#24) and Jungle’s remix of “golden hour” (#40).

Compared to most years, this year does not have many rap songs. I just wasn’t captivated by much. But JID (#41) still showed up to show he’s a lyrical switchblade, quick, sharp, and quick. Coast Contra (#16) is another groups I’ve been digging.

Speaking of rap, how good is “Mirrors” (#16)? Maybe it’s nostalgia since it sounds like a Kanye (and did you notice the intentionally ripped flow from Kanye in a verse?) beat rapped by a 90s group in their prime.

It was a good year in music. Not great. Not even close. But good is good.