Favorite Albums of January 2022

Steven McCash counts down his favorite albums from January 2022.

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2022 did not come to play when it comes to new music. The month of January delivered a number of albums that are sure to be in the discussion of being on yearly best of list in eleven months. Heavyweights like The Weeknd, The Lumineers and Elvis Costello all delivered phenomenal albums in January along with up-and-comers Billy Talent, Sun June, Bonobo and Yard Act. I listened to a lot of the latest music from January, but somehow was able to narrow down my five favorite albums of the month. I can not wait to see what February has in store for our ears.

5. The Dollyrots Down the Rabbit Hole

The husband-wife duo that makes up the pop-punk group The Dollyrots have released an album that longtime fans have been clamoring for. The 24-track album Down the Rabbit Hole consists of B-sides, rarities, and cover songs. If you are new to The Dollyrots, just picture every teen movie from the late ‘90s and the upbeat pop-punk music played in them. Every time I hear The Dollyrots I have the urge to watch 10 Things I Hate About You and that is a compliment of the highest degree.

4. Twin Atlantic Transparency

Sometimes a band needs a change of scenery to inspire themselves and that’s just what Scottish-rockers Twin Atlantic did in order to create their new release, Transparency. The band saw the departure of their drummer last year amid the pandemic as they also left their label, Virgin EMI. The band shook off the negativity that came with both of those events and switched up their sound with the new album. They ditched the arena-rock sound of their debut album Vivarium as well as the pop-heavy direction of their last album Power for a more fun, lighthearted sound that is very synth heavy. Front man Sam McTrusty tackled a variety of topics on the album including the difficulties of marriage and parenthood, bromances, and the ridiculousness of social media.

3. FKA Twigs      Caprisongs

Actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, do-it-all FKA Twigs released what I believe is her best album yet this month. Caprisongs is a departure from some of the deliberately slower stuff Twigs has released in the past. The self-declared mixtape is full of Afro-Beats, synth lines and beautiful falsettos making it the most radio friendly album in her discography. One of the highlights of Caprisongs is The Weeknd duet on the lovesick “Tears in the Club.” The song finds the two singing about heartache and pain over booming dance floor beats.

2. Earl Sweatshirt           Sick!

It’s only January and the rap world has been put on notice for Best Album noms. The latest release from Earl Sweatshirt is a phenomenal album from start to finish. Sick! is a pure rap album at its core and one that only Earl could make. It is a slick, sharp, and direct record that hip-hop fans should have on repeat for the rest of the year.

1. Amber Mark Three Dimensions Deep

The events of the world over the last two years put many people’s dreams and aspirations on hold or sent them in a different direction. New York singer-songwriter Amber Mark came on the scene in 2017 with her grief-stricken debut EP 3:33AM and followed that up the next year with a second EP, Conexão. After such an emotional debut, Mark struggled to match the intensity on the follow-up EP. The loss of her mother, who is the source material behind 3:33AM, the pandemic, and the uncertainty of her music career gave Mark the needed inspiration to write an extraordinary full-length debut. Mark finds herself bouncing through multiple genres on Three Dimensions Deep with no trouble. The growth Mark went through making the album is apparent as her songwriting takes center stage through her coarse voice.

Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75

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