2022 in Review (Also Cool's Top Albums)
Illustration by Malaika Astorga
Sounds Cool 2022 (Also Cool’s Top Albums)
Alvvays - Blue Rev (Polyvinyl / Transgressive / Celsius Girls)
“These are 14 zippy songs that echo in your brain long after they end, largely thanks to the group's ability to repeatedly knock reliable song machinery into a woozy disequilibrium.” — Jacob Ganz, NPR
Born At Midnite - Alternity EP (Arbutus Records)
“Born At Midnite show the range of their DIY stylings with ‘Alternity’, incorporating an invigorating drum beat alongside bouncing neon synths and slick guitar licks to create a stylish, swaggering whole. It’s the perfect setting for this tale of a high-class party, where everyone’s wearing designer clothes and bopping around in this rarified social strata.” — Rob H., Beats Per Minute
Boyhood - My Dread
“Stroke It” on Also Cool’s Playlist Refresh (June 24th, 2022)
“Central Frontenac’s Caylie Runciman—AKA Boyhood— has recently shared ‘Stroke It’, the second single from her upcoming album My Dread. Complete with Runciman’s signature contemplative instrumentation and frank delivery, ‘Stroke It’ indicates a deepened confidence in her artistic stride.”
Cola - Deep In View (Fire Talk)
Interview with Cola by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (May 17th, 2022)
“Rather, Deep In View relishes in poetic revelations in a era of lukewarm takes. With an observational tone akin to David Byrne’s commanding Talking Heads personas, coupled with direct, yet animated, guitar-bass-drum arrangements reminiscent of early works by The Strokes, Cola strikes political conversation on modern life with refreshing sincerity.”
DR. GABBA - Planet Piano
Review of DR. GABBA’S “MAGIC RIDER” by Malaika Astorga (May 5th, 2022)
We discovered DR. GABBA earlier this year when the Tiktok algorithm gods were feeling particularly generous. The anonymous space doctor pairs old-school video game graphics with bouncy, synth-heavy beats, which he used to roll out his 2022 album Planet Piano. "Plasma" and "Googoo Lagoon" were the standout tracks that took the algorithm by storm, but "Sunday 2pm" was our personal favourite. DR. GABBA has since gone on to play his first live show with non-other than Montreal electro-sweethearts Blue Hawaii in Los Angeles and will hopefully be blessing us with another synthy space journey sometime soon.
Dry Cleaning - Stumpwork (4AD)
“It’s post-punk but also incandescent slow rock; it’s hardcore vandalized with Dadaist-diary meditations; it’s cold and moody but also lush and friendly, alternately borderline industrial noise or dream pop.” — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork
Gloin - We Found This (Mothland)
Interview with Gloin by Holly Hilts (November 24th, 2022)
“While their 2019 album Soft Monster was loaded with head-bangers, there are some more soothing rhythms on We Found This, always with some level of distortion and dark underbelly (a Gloin signature).”
Grim Streaker - MIND (Mothland)
Grim Streaker featured in Also Cool’s FME 20th Anniversary Top Picks (August 30th, 2022)
“Brooklyn’s Grim Streaker sport weirdo sing-talk rock that you cannot help but bop to. Their latest album MIND is described as ‘a surreal, subversive world of four songs that reflects on the current state of mental health, laughable social constructs and the inescapable working grind.’”
Imogen Heap - Chordata Bytes I (Megaphonic Records)
“Heap helped define the popular soundtrack of the early 2000s. Her solo work and sole album as a part of the electronic duo Frou Frou have become touchstones for the millennials who grew up hearing Heap’s otherworldly, oft-modulated vocals on-screen. Now 44, the pop innovator continually resurfaces as a point of inspiration.” — Cat Zhang, Pitchfork
Isabella Lovestory - Amor Hardcore
Isabella Lovestory is a perfect balance of sexy bitchiness and everything we love about reggaeton. Her 2022 album Amor Harcore took Montreal's perrero princess to new heights this year, with countless shows across the globe, including some memorable shows in her hometown. It's an album to pre before a night out with your besties or blast while you get over your ex.
The Linda Lindas - Growing Up (Epitaph Records)
The Linda Lindas’ POP Montreal show review by Rebecca L. Judd (October 8th, 2022)
“The friendship between the four teens was palpable, and their appreciation for punk rock and its motifs of eccentricity lit the stage the whole night through. Between coordinated sways and jittering struts, the group carried themselves with carefree coolness that felt easy to absorb.”
Magi Merlin - Gone Girl (Bonsound)
Magi Merlin comes into herself and her sound with her explosive 2022 album, created in collaboration with her longtime friend, Funkywhat. Using themes of rage, raving, and ultimate self-expression, Magi hit the ground running with this release, launching herself across international stages for much of the year.
Maryze - 8
Review of “Experiments” by Malaika Astorga (March 7th, 2022)
“Inspired by her Celtic roots, years of studying jazz, and a healthy obsession with emo as a teenager, Maryze's music transcends genre while still providing one hook after the other.”
MICHELLE - AFTER DINNER WE TALK DREAMS (Transgressive)
“Much like its predecessor, the record sees each member narrate not only their own vulnerability, but that of their bandmates, encouraging survival and self-improvement over group harmonies and striking pop choruses. Their liberation is individual and universal at once.” — Sophie Williams, NME
Eliza Niemi - Staying Mellow Blows (Vain Mina / Tin Angel Records)
Interview with Eliza Niemi by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (August 4th, 2022)
“Between cello musings, folk experimentations and modular synth flirtations is Niemi’s most bountiful collaboration to date—a testament to her talent and creative kinship.”
OMBIIGIZI - Sewn Back Together (Arts & Crafts)
Interview with OMBIIGIZI by Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (October 1st, 2022)
“Through its exploration of both individual and collective identity, Sewn Back Together reckons with the realities of generational trauma, guided by familial teachings and a connection between Monkman and Sturgeon that transcends their collaborative brilliance.”
PACKS - WOAH (Fire Talk, Royal Mountain Records)
PACKS featured in Also Cool’s 2022 POP Montreal Top Picks
“Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, WOAH has Link returning to her solo, unbrushed songwriting roots with a refined lyrical palette and imaginative composition (and an ode to Ottawa commercial radio on the track ‘fm’).”
Shallowhalo - No Fun
“Yesterday’s Toy” on Also Cool’s Playlist Refresh (June 24th, 2022)
“Shallowhalo, NYC’s resident sparkly synth royalty, recently released their no-skip album No Fun—and ‘Yesterday’s Toy’ has been on repeat since the drop. For fans of Strawberry Switchblade, Kate Bush, and Cleaners from Venus, the track is a shimmering cascade of sound perfect for your summer playlist.”
SZA - SOS (Top Dawg / RCA)
“SZA has mastered the art of the inner monologue, transforming deeply personal observations into gilded songs that feel intimate, relatable, and untouchable, all at once.” — Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Pitchfork
Wombo - Fairy Rust
Released in the summer of 2022, Wombo's Fairy Rust has stayed on our daily playlists ever since. "Regular Demon" was an instant favourite, combining spooky sounds, slightly cryptic lyrics, and an elevated postpunk sound. Other Also Cool favourites from the album include "Sour Sun," "Below the House," and "RVW."
Listen to our year in review below!
