ALLSORTS of the TOPS that made me smile, sing along (and sob) in 2022.

Panda Bear & Sonic Boom "Everyday" Reset (Domino) "We were trying to do something that’s sort of nostalgic for a past that never existed and a future that never will exist"

Laura Veirs "Can't Help But Sing" Found Light (Raven Marching Band) Stellar post-split kick ass lady mother-flippin' full of HONESTY w/ a big smiling slap of joyful confidence to boot.

Down Time "Hoping For The Best" Spirit (self released) Lil' indie act from Denver (now decamped to LA) produces best mile high city pep talk ear worm during tough times.

Best Bets "Whataworld" On An Unhistoric Night (Meritorio) KIWI Dunedin-style singalong for the next bonkers decade.

Lucrecia Dalt Dicen¡Ay!(RVG INT) Inventive tropical electronics from Berlin via Columbia.

Angel Olsen "Go Home" Big Time(Jagjaguar) Still spinning out unforgettable lyrics and melodies that make me swoon.

Beth Orton "Fractals"  Weather Alive (Partisan) A marvelous return to recording dreamy pop mutterings w/ a little help from adventurous jazz pals like Shahzad Ismaily & Tom Skinner.

Horse Lords "Rundling" Comradely Objects (RVG INT) My kind of jam band that's not a jam band (for those who don't like jam bands).

Wilco "Cruel Country" Cruel Country(dbpm) Still nailing pissed off patriotism.

The Orielles "The Instrument" Tableau (Heavenly) Unexpected and impossible to nail down musical wanderings like the best score to an imaginary film.

Macie Stewart "Garter Snake" Mouth Full of Glass (Orindal) Half of OHMME singer-songwriter flexing solo super powers.

Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation "Let The Sunshine In" HOW GOOD IT IS (Night Dreamer) The gospel choir edition of one of TWO releases from Jimetta Rose this year but the other equally as inspirational (amen).

Bill Callahan "First Bird" YTI⅃AƎЯ(Drag City) An expert storyteller of birds, coyotes, cowboys & lotsa kinds of reality backwards feelings.

Aldous Harding "Lawn" Warm Chris (4AD) Speaking of hummable nonsense magic "How are things with me? All these lamps are free!"

Glue Trip "Marcos Valle" Nada Tropical (self-released) A Brazilian tongue in cheek "nada tropical") take on a classic bossa nova artist and mood.

Horsegirl "Beautiful Song"  Versions Of Modern Performance (Matador) Of the many delightful contributions on this album, this BEAUTIFUL SONG won me over with its sheer unpretentious nonsense magic (see Aldous above)

Sam Prekop "Step and Stair" The Sparrow (Thrill Jockey) Retro synths to fill up a room (and your brain) with relaxation.

Jana Horn "Time Machine" Optimism (No Quarter)

Sour Widows "Witness" (self-released) Grateful for this early single from this local SF trio currently recording their debut long player.  Like this single? Lend them a hand!

Iara Rennó LARÒYÉ L'Ọ̀NÀ Oríkì (self-released) Impossible to categorize (hooray), this Brazilian composer brings her own magic while sharing the spotlight w/ Curumin, Carlinhos Brown, trumpet player Rob Mazurek + up n' comer Tulipa Ruiz.

The Nunnery "Whirlpool Ride" Floating Gardens (self-released)  Midwestern loops on loops from solo act of Sarah Elstran.

Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin I Ghosted (Drag City) Best guitar grooves of 2023.

Nina Nastasia "Lazy Road" Riderless Horse (Temporary Residence)

Horace Andy "Today Is Right Here" Midnight Rocker (International Anthem) Now 71 (!) this is one of TWO new releases from this roots reggae legend as produced by Adrian Sherwood.

David Lance Callahan "Invisible Man" English Primitive II (Tiny Global Productions) Wolfhounds lead vocalist still cranking out inspired noise.

Eliza Niemi "Trust Me" Staying Mellow Blows (Tin Angel) Best album title of the year from this indie cellist and sincere (yet cheeky) songwriter.

Jim Nothing "Only Life" In The Marigolds (Meritorious)  Not a dude but a duo (James Sullivan & Anita Clark) from New Zealand.

Anteloper "Earthlings" Pink Dolphins (International Anthem) I miss you jaimie branch. <3

OKI "Kai Kai As To (Rippling Lake)" Tonkori In The Moonlight (Mais Um)  A Japanese musician of Ainu ancestry from the island of Hokkaido, Oki Kano creates magic w/ the tonkori (traditional stringed instrument) mixing dub & electronics w/ traditional Japanese folk music.