On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, The Top Twelve Best Albums of 2022.

Anyone that knows me knows, music is my life. There’s not one day I don’t have music on whether it’s in my Jeep, apartment or working out. I’d literally be dead without music.

2022 finally produced more great music, movies, television shows, live concerts and Broadway plays as Covid took a hike and we were back to business as normal (ish) as possible. Throughout the United States, production companies, movie studios and entertainers alike, were more comfortable working this year since the historic pandemic that forced the entertainment industry to shut down in 2020. As a result, 2022 gifted us with some of the best live shows, television series and studio albums in years.

Country, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rap & Rock music was at its finest as some of the most well-known artists released their best work in years. Let’s take a peek at my twelve best albums of the year.

Twelve

Kim Petras | Slut Pop

The entire world now knows who Kim Petras is, thanks to her collaboration with Sam Smith’s number one, mega-hit, “Unholy.” What you probably don’t know is she has been releasing music for years. Her debut studio album “Clarity,” is pop gold perfection and her single “Heart to Break,” is a fan favorite club banger. Also, did you know she is trans? Yep, the gorgeous goddess was born a man and knew in her early years of grade school that she was destined to be a female pop star. On her EP, “Slut Pop,” Kim vividly illustrates, especially in the song XXX, her sexual desires and demands from random encounters, even cheating with husbands, brothers and daddies. It’s at times cheesy and over the top, but that’s the point. It manages to be both sleazy and sexy, solidifying Kim as a force to be reckon with.

Eleven

Kendrick Lamar | Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Kendrick takes a step away from the limelight and turns to himself, highlighting his insecurities and beliefs. “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,” is such an important album exploiting more of Kendricks personal life. Extremely impressive and ambitious, this album indicates a new era for Lamar.

Ten

The Black Keys | Dropout Boogie

In a moment when rock music barely exists in the pop conversation it once dominated, The Black Keys are nothing close to a dropout, with an album that continues to prove their pop/rock dominance in an often-misconstrued debate among fans. On “Boogie,” Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney create the garage-punk sound that made them famous during their early years. With new drops of blood on their eleventh studio album, The Black Keys remind us why we still rock out to them to this day.

Nine

Thomas Rhett | Where We Started

Since releasing his debut album, “It Goes Like This,” Thomas Rhett has implanted his massive influence on country music. With his sixth studio album, “Where We Started,” Rhett combines heartfelt love songs and chill party anthems for which he’s come to be loved and known for. Every song on the album is a reminder of how great Thomas Rhett’s hooks are and his amazing ability to tell a story is remarkable.

Eight

Camila Cabello | Familia

Front woman of the short-lived, but successful pop group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello skyrocketed to superstardom with the release of her debut album, “Camila.” Her huge hit “Havana,” was one of the biggest songs of 2017 and 2018 that cemented her it girl status into the music industry. On her third studio album, “Familia,” Cabello pays homage to her Cuban roots; her family, friends and loved ones. On stand out track, “Psychofreak,” she sheds light on her anxiety, pressures of social media and the drama surrounding her departure from Fifth Harmony. She also heals her broken heart from superstar Shawn Mendes. The two had a pretty decent run on and off, over the past five years. “Familia,” is Camila Cabello’s strongest work to date and proves she’s not just another run of the mill, cash cow pop star; she’s here to stay and has the talent to back it.

Seven

Drake & 21 Savage | Her Loss

When studio album “Her Loss” was released this year, Drake & 21 Savage’s unique collaboration was a pleasant surprise to rap and hip/Hop fans. When you combine a bona fide rap star with arguably the most impactful Hip/Hop singer and MC in the world, you get a sophisticated, larger than life production. Track after track is one hardcore rap song after another showcasing their unbelievable talent together. As their incredible styles collide, Drake & 21 Savage are unstoppable and anything is possible.

Six

Nickelback | Get Rollin’

2000’s radio was dominated by Canadian rock band, Nickelback. They continued to sell out stadiums across the world and became the most successful rock band to be both praised and mocked at the same time. Yes, yes everyone jokes and gives the band a tough time. Rock fans think they phone in their “rock” music and release weak, mediocre alternative music at best. Whatever your opinion is of the successful rock band, Chad Kroeger and crew continue to elevate their sound, flirting with heavy metal on “Get Rollin.” The album is a legit blend of metal and rock, with energetic bangers throughout.

Five

Taylor Swift | Midnights

Taylor Swift, music’s girl next store, was stripped from her good girl image she banked on and expressed her darker, sassy side in 2017’s pop masterpiece, “Reputation.” On “Midnights,” Taylor revisits that image and surprisingly curses throughout many songs on the album, including my personal favorite, fuck. Taylor is more confident than ever and admits to her own faults on hit single, “Anti-Hero.” She not only mourns from an unexpected loss in New York City, but finds a new friendship that allows Taylor to be more vulnerable than ever. The songs are obviously catchy, but also are smart, honest and thought-provoking. Her songwriting is killer, too. Whether or not you’re a “Swiftie,” prefer her country or folklore music or don’t get the hype, one thing is universal, Taylor Swift is one of the most talented singer/songwriters of our generation.

Four

Miranda Lambert | Palomino

Music’s country blonde bombshell and icon Miranda Lambert, hits the American road showcasing some of her best songwriting of all time on “Palomino.” Lambert treks all over the United States, producing creative songs of a rambling life out on the road. Her purpose is more focused than ever giving listeners a colorful insight into the life of America’s Sweetheart. Miranda Lambert has accomplished many feats in her career that most artists dream of; performer, songwriter, singer, chart topping duet partner and a celebrity-coupledom survivor. Miranda’s done it all.

Three

Machine Gun Kelly | Mainstream Sellout

Colson Baker, A K A, Machine Gun Kelly, has had quite the year. From his highly publicized, XXX relationship with sex-siren Megan Fox and a frightening battle that he’s supposedly losing his mind abusing drugs and alcohol, one thing is true, Kelly has a gift. His ability to write and sing about his mental state, girls, lavish party life and exude this genuine, almost puppy dog like exterior, is quite sincere. He’s raw, extremely emotional and relatable. Machine Gun Kelly is a musical genius and watching him on stage and in the media is a heartbreaking, uplifting and entertaining spectacle all at once. It’s too early to determine if MGK will have any tenure in the music industry, but he’s certainly having the time of his life.

Two

The Weeknd | DAWN FM

The opening sequence of The Weekend’s electrifying, dance-pop album, “DAWN FM,” is narrated by none other than Jim Carrey, commanding that the listener relaxes and embraces their new life with open arms. If you think that Justin Timberlake is reminiscent of Michael Jackson, you need to reevaluate that decision. The Weeknd never seizes to amaze, producing up-tempo bangers and slow burn doozies throughout the entire album. The first four tracks, especially his groundbreaking cut, “Take my Breath,” will put you in a transient state as it seems the bangers never end and that the “king of pop,” has resurrected from Neverland heaven. It’s almost scary how similar Abel sounds like MJ. The album is nothing short of brilliant thus putting him in an exclusive batch of diverse artists.

One

Avril Lavigne | Love Sux

The “princess of pop/punk” exploded back into the music industry in the Fall of 2021, with her angst-fueled single, “Bite Me.” Produced and written with Travis Barker from Blink-182, “Bite Me,” is an ode to an ex-lover warning him of the aftermath and her capability to fuck up his entire life. It was clear Avril Lavigne was back and better than ever. “Love Sux,” strategically released during the most romantic, hallmark cash induced month of the year, Valentine’s Day 2022 was hit by cupid in the best way possible. After a hiatus from music and nothing released rememberable enough to hit the charts or airwaves in years, “Love Sux,” was a triumphant return to the moody, pop/rock rebel and brutally honest Avril we all had grown to love.

This is her best album to date as each song hits incredibly hard and is relatable to everyone. Whether at the time of listen or events in your past, “Love Sux,” manages to touch your soul, elevate your anger, cry and help you get even. Most importantly, Avril tells fans it’s okay to hurt, it’s normal to want to ruin your ex and any mental illness falling like an avalanche in your life is perfectly okay, that life will improve. Well done, Avril.

Carrie Underwood | Best Country Album of the Year

DENIM & RHINESTONES

Honorable Mentions:

Imagine Dragons | Mercury – Acts 1 & 2

Snoop Dogg & DJ Drama | Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It

Harry Styles | Harry’s House

Cole Swindell | Stereotype

Most anticipated album of 2023 | Gorillaz, Cracker Island