Top 50 Songs Of 2022

Here are my Top 50 Songs of 2022! Just a heads up, unlike all the previous iterations of this list, I decided to not rank these selections. After 16 years of running SOTO, I think I’m just good to let that generally arbitrary process go. So, these are in alphabetical order. Hit play on the Spotify playlist and read along. Or just let it glide on shuffle and don’t read anything at all. Your choice. Enjoy.

PS: Volume 1 – Hop back later this week for my Top 25 Albums of 2022. And yes, those will be in alphabetical order as well.

PS: Volume 2 – If you’re curious about my favorite tracks out of Austin this year, those are currently rolling out in my radio show, 101X Homegrown. Head to this Soundcloud link for full replays of the show.

Alex G – Runner

I’m not quite as enamored with Alex G as many others seem to be, but this song got me.

Alvvays – Pharmacist

The lead single off Alvvays’ stellar 2022 album, Blue Rev, and a track that instantly made me realize I had been missing them.

Automatic – New Beginning

A tight, driving, and aggressively catchy song from Automatic.

Beths – A Real Thing

The Beths are always hooky, but I really like the dash of frantic energy here.

Black Midi – Love Story (Taylor Swift Cover)

This cover from Black Midi somehow comes off as both ridiculous and genuine.

Bloods – Thinking Of You Thinking Of Me

Bloods really delivered on this pop punk, emo-leaning number.

Bodega – Pillar On The Bridge Of You

If you ask me, this is Bodega’s best song.

Bria – Where Have All The Cowboys Gone (Paula Cole Cover)

Not sure a better version of this track will ever exist. Way to go, Bria.

Brutus – Victoria

Stefanie Mannaerts’ vocal work is something else on this Brutus number.

Built To Spill – Gonna Lose

I love how confident and playful Built To Spill sound on this.

Camp Trash – Let It Ride

An emo gem from Camp Trash.

Carly Rae Jepsen – Talking To Yourself

I can always count on Carly Rae Jepsen to deliver an absolute banger.

Dehd – Bad Love

This Dehd track got stuck in my head a lot this year.

Enumclaw – Cowboy Bepop

An inviting, 90s-leaning slice of indie rock from Enumclaw.

Ex-Void – Churchyard

Ex-Void with an infectious guitar pop tune.

Fontaines D.C. – Jackie Down The Line

Dark but accessible work from Fontaines D.C.

Fujiya & Miyagi – Slight Variations

It was really nice to see Fujiya & Miyagi make a return this year.

Hatchie – Quicksand

Hatchie with a rather moody (and hooky) pop tune.

Holm – The Rope

I regularly revisited this quirky post-punk something or other from Holm (Mikkel Holm Silkjær from Yung).

Horsegirl – Anti-glory

An angular but kinetic track from Horsegirl.

Iceage – Pull Up (Abra Cover)

This song still strikes me as a strange one for Iceage to cover, but it sure does work.

Illuminati Hotties – Sandwich Sharer

A classic Illuminati Hotties ripper.

Interpol – Fables

I didn’t really catch on to Interpol’s 2022 album, The Other Side of Make Believe, but this well-layered, patient song did hit the spot.

Kiwi Jr. – Night Vision

Another year, another infectious tune from Kiwi Jr.

Linda Lindas – Growing Up

Yeah, the Linda Lindas are kids, but this song is too catchy to not like.

Me Rex – Skin It Itches

While I’m still undecided on whether “I like the way your name tastes in my mouth” is a weird lyric or not, I do really dig this Me Rex tune.

Methyl Ethel – Proof

I love the way this Methyl Ethel number moves.

Mitski – Love Me More

So dramatic, so good. Thanks, Mitski.

Momma – Rockstar

Momma with the smart-ass dial turned all the way up.

Mountain Goats – Training Montage

The “I’m doing this for revenge” line always makes me want to jump out of my chair. Go Mountain Goats, go.

Muna – Anything But Me

What a super clever song from Muna.

Nilufer Yanya – Midnight Son

I know I opted to not rank anything but if I had, there’s a 99% chance this inspired track from Nilufer Yanya would have landed in the top spot.

Panda Bear & Sonic Boom – Edge Of The Edge

This is such a lush and wonderful pop song from Panda Bear & Sonic Boom.

Plains – Problem With It

Plains (Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson) go so hard on this track.

Porridge Radio – The Rip

I appreciate that this Porridge Radio song steadily sounds as though it’s about to come apart at the seams.

Proper – Milk And Honey

Heck of a slow burn here from Proper.

PUP – Totally Fine

PUP with an oh-so-relatable kick to the face.

Reptaliens – I Feel Fine

Reptaliens technically dropped this at the very end of 2021, but I didn’t discover it until their 2022 album, Multiverse, was about to be released. Anyhow, it’s a delight.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – My Echo

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever with their usual earworm ways.

Rubblebucket – Earth Worship

What an endlessly listenable number from Rubblebucket.

Soccer Mommy – Shotgun

Soccer Mommy with one hell of a superbly crafted song.

Sorry – Let The Lights On

Infectious and creative work from Sorry.

Tove Lo – How Long

This is a really fun (and dramatic) track from Tove Lo.

TV Priest – One Easy Thing

“It’s useless but I am faithful.” Yeah, me too, TV Priest.

Wallice – 90s American Superstar

The quip about getting dropped from Atlantic continues to make me laugh. Thanks for that, Wallice.

Widowspeak – Everything Is Simple

This one from Widowspeak is such a stunner.

Wild Pink – ILYSM

Wild Pink with a massive and lovely song.

Yawners – Honey

I jammed this catchy Yawners track a lot in the car.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Burning

An absolute attention grabber from Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Yumi Zouma – In The Eyes Of Our Love

Yumi Zouma with an upbeat and very catchy tune.