From hidden gems and comeback tracks to lead singles and earworm songs, 2022 saw the release of many songs that we couldn’t stop listening to. We’ve ranked the best of the best, compiling a list of the 10 standout songs of 2022 (and 10 honorable mentions) that are bound to get stuck in your head.
“This Is Why” is an incredible return to music for Paramore.
The band isn’t afraid of switching up their style and embracing their truths. “This Is Why” explores the concept of privacy and who is entitled to what information. Unapologetically, Paramore is letting you know why they don’t owe anyone anything.
“Minnesota Is A Place That Exists” finds Glaive at the intersection of pop rock and his glitchore roots.
An earworm track destined to get stuck in your head with lyrics of love-gone-sour, it’s a standout in the 17-year-old hyperpop sensation’s discography.
Starting off strong with a play on musical nostalgia, Yung Gravy’s “Betty (Get Money)” is an absolute groove.
Brought alive by the throw-back pop culture references, the song brings a youthful light to luxurious living. Associating the most extravagant experience with relatable name drops, all on a beat that is sure to make you move along. Yung Gravy keeps true to his dedicated style with the undoubted inclusion of his signature sound motifs.
“Beg For You” is one of the best collaborations pop music has seen in quite some time.
Charli and Rina are both pop icons in their own right, but when they come together they create something truly spectacular.
“Touch Tank” is a refreshing track that pulls you in with gentle innuendo, and vocals that can only be sung with a smile.
Quinnie juxtaposes that gentleness with some of the most breathtaking simplicities about completely trusting another person with your mind, body, and soul (but mostly body).
In true Joji fashion, “Glimpse Of Us” is a heartbreaking tale of love lost and yearning over the one who got away.
Joji manages to turn a new leaf toward a more mature sound, while not moving uncomfortably far from his roots.
“Cherry Thrill” is a step in an entirely new direction for Movements. It was purposely created to try something different and yet, it still feels so authentically them.
While lyrically sensual and suggestive, “Cherry Thrill” is still suave and soothing. It’s a dance-and-sing-along-in-the-car kind of song, but not in Movement’s signature sad way. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Being their first release in many, many years, “The Foundations of Decay” is a gritty song with religious motifs that feels like an authentic step in the next direction My Chemical Romance plans to take.
It’s intense, apocalyptic, and just damn good.
“About Damn Time” is about as groovy and danceable (if not more) as any Lizzo track. Speaking on girl power at any age and size, “About Damn Time” sees Lizzo not only having hope for the future, but being excited about it too.
If you needed a bad bitch anthem, look no further. Lizzo’s always got you covered.
Balancing sorrowful, lamenting lyrics with a scandalous hope for the future, “So Good” is an interesting changeup in Halsey’s discography after the release of 2021’s If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. If you needed any reminder after the year of “punk-sey” that Halsey’s still a popstar, look no further than “So Good”, our Song of the Year.
Deciding our choices for Song of the Year is never easy, and 2022 proved to have many worthwhile contenders. We’ve noted ten tracks that, while they didn’t make our top ten, are still some of our favorites from this year:
- THOUSAND BELOW – “Sabotage”
- LIZZIE MCALPINE – “Ceilings”
- WATERPARKS & BLACKBEAR – “Fuck About It”
- BAD OMENS – “Just Pretend”
- BLINK-182 – “Edging”
- TAYOLOR ACORN – “Psycho”
- PVRIS – “Animal”
- ARCTIC MONKEYS – “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am”
- MEET ME @ THE ALTAR – “Say It To My Face”
- JACK HARLOW – “First Class”
All review blurbs written by the Ascribe Magazine editorial staff/contributors. List entries are nominated by readers and the Ascribe team. Placement is voted on by the Ascribe staff/contributors.
Listen below to our end-of-the-year picks for 2022.
