The God is in the TV team are big fans of end of year lists – something that you’ll know if you’ve been on the site recently and seen our writers sharing their favourite album’s of 2022. We actually enjoyed the stress of writing those pieces that much that we’ve decided to make things even more difficult and individually share our top ten tracks of 2022.
According to music streaming data alone, over 100,000 songs are uploaded to digital servicing providers daily, so this was quite a task to conquer. Until you compose a list like this, you don’t realise how many aspects there are to consider – “is a song that reminds me of a particular event this past Summer more deserving of a place in the list than one that i’m listening to a lot at the minute?” and so on.
After spending a long time perfecting my list, I’m proud to present you all with my top ten songs of 2022.
10. Sea Fever – ‘Beleaguered Land’
Back in June, Manchester five piece Sea Fever released their first new tune since their 2021 album Folding Lines and it impressed from the first listen. ‘Beleaguered Land’ is a no-nonsense indie track about escapism that boasts driving bass and melodic guitar. With the eclectic supergroup’s second album due in 2023, ‘Beleaguered Land’ is the perfect track to tie fans over.
9. Jamie T – ‘St George Wharf Tower’
‘St. George Wharf Tower’ is the second single from Jamie T’s latest album, The Theory of Whatever. Contrasting with the rest of the tracks on the album, the gentle track places the spotlight on the indie troubadours poetic lyrics as he takes inspiration from the iconography of London. With five years his last album, ‘St. George Wharf Tower’ in particular is a track that perfectly encapsulates how Jamie T’s talents as a songwriter and musician have evolved.
8. Death Cab for Cutie – ‘Asphalt Meadows’
25 years into their career, Death Cab for Cutie recently released their 10th album, Asphalt Meadows and the title track is a classic indie rock affair. Featuring irrational time signatures and laced with unique synth effects, the track possesses a vibe of pure nostalgia that left me thankful that the band are still releasing new music.
7. The Wombats – ‘Worry’
Indie rock trio The Wombats released their fifth album, Fix Yourself, Not the World, earlier this year and one track in particular stuck out to me. Taking us on a journey of Murph’s anxiety and life as an over-thinker, the upbeat ‘Worry’ showcases his talent of pairing self-deprecating and even downright depressing lyrics with cheerful melodies.
6. Lucy Spraggan – ‘Balance’
Serving as the second track to be lifted off Lucy Spraggan’s seventh studio album, ‘Balance’ is an emotionally charged track that tackles the importance of learning to love yourself. Written after a session that Lucy had with her therapist, the empowering track is laced with the honesty and authenticity that sets Lucy’s work aside from that of other artists.
5. The National – ‘Weird Goodbyes’
The National and Bon Iver teamed up in August to release ‘Weird Goodbyes’ – an autumnal track that features string contributions from the London contemporary Orchestra. Described by the National frontman to be about letting go of the past and moving on, then later being overwhelmed by second thoughts, it’s a moving track that somehow succeeds in being both gentle and catchy at the same time.
4. Sea Girls – DNA
After the release of their second album Homesick in January, London four piece Sea Girls wasted no time in delivering their next slice of guitar driven indie – this time, in the form of a limited edition 7” for Record Store Day. The infectiously catchy ‘DNA’ would have been right at home on Homesick and as we’ve come to expect from Sea Girls, the lyrics are as poignant as ever. Described by frontman Henry Camamile to be a monumental celebration of being strange, the angst stricken track ponders belonging and identity.
3. Foals – ‘2am’
Foals front man, Yannis Philippakis described ‘2am’ as one of the poppiest songs that the band have ever written and I’d have to agree. Bursting with the same energy that the indie rockers pour into their live sets, ‘2am’ was the perfect taster to the band’s seventh album, Life Is Yours and it’s no surprise that it soundtracked this year’s festival season. Boasting irresistible rhythms, pulsating beats and a playful guitar hook, it’d be criminal to even think about removing it from my playlist anytime soon.
2. Metronomy – ‘Things Will Be Fine’
Back in January, indie-electronica outfit Metronomy gave us a glimpse into their seventh studio album, Small World, with ‘Things Will Be Fine’. Diverting from their lively, synth fuelled sound, Small World sees the five piece strip things back as they explore unknown territories and ‘Things Will Be Fine’ perfectly reflects that change. Oozing with charm, the melodious track grapples with harnessing hopeful, sunny optimism in the face of difficult situations.
1. Johnny Marr – ‘Human’
Earlier this year, Johnny Marr released his fourth studio album, Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4 and it’s beautifully redemptive closing track blew me away. Featuring an acoustic guitar, the track sees Johnny take more of a stripped back approach than we’re used to hearing from the guitar legend. Johnny’s skills as a lyricist have gone from strength to strength since he launched his solo career, with ‘Human’ boasting some of his most poignant ones to date. My best friend sadly passed away a few days after the album’s release and not only did I find a great deal of comfort in the lyrics, but I found a sense of hope. So much so that I decided there and then that this would be my #1 song of 2022.
