Album of the year for 2022 & the winner is......

2022 has been a strange year for music. Albums are getting less and less important for an artist. If you get a Tik Tok hit, your whole career could turn around. Even if the song never blew up when it was first released.

I enjoyed all six album of the year nominations, but one album did instantly hit different.

So it may have just landed, however SOS ruled my final weeks of 2022. SZA's debut was overlooked by many including me. Released in 2017, CTRL was a stunning debut from a super artist. I was lucky enough to catch her live pre COVID and live, she slays.

SOS spans a massive 23 tracks. Some shorter than others, however they are all fire. From the singled y'all know and love to the new cuts.

So SOS is the second studio album by American singer SZA, released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records on December 9, 2022.

The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

SZA worked with a variety of record producers and songwriters such as Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Benny Blanco, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Dahi, Gabriel Hardeman, Ant Clemons, Lizzo and Björk.

The album was preceded by three singles Good Days, I Hate U along with Shirt. The former two singles, as well as the track Kill Bill & the fourth single Nobody Gets Me, peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. 

Upon its release, SOS received widespread critical acclaim for its eclectic sound and SZA's vocal delivery, with several media publications ranking it as one of the best albums of 2022. So I am not alone in crowning this 2022's better than never, best release!

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 318,000 units, breaking the record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album. It marked SZA's first number-one album in the United States and spent two weeks atop the chart.

SZA you rule, I love your vibe, your style, the way you releases such a stunning album so late in the 2022 game. Well done this is a masterpiece.

EP FEATURE WEEK 2022 - Touch Sensitive - Cold Cuts

EP FEATURE WEEK 2022 - Kwame - thatboykwame

EP FEATURE WEEK 2022 - PinkPantheress – Take Me Home

 

Album of the Year (2022) announced this Saturday!

Who will it be?

See you Saturday for the winner reveal!

Album of the Week - Offical Music/Audio Videos

My Hottest 100 VOTES - 2022

 

VOTE NOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album of the Week - LITTLE SIMZ {NO THANK YOU}

Aussie Albums of 2022 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Three

1. Spacey Jane - Here Comes Everybody
2. Gang of Youths - angel in realtime. 
3. Vance Joy - In Our Own Sweet Time
4. King Stingray - King Stingray
5. Daniel Johns - FutureNever
6. Flume - Palaces
7. Slowly Slowly - Daisy Chain
8. Sly Withers - Overgrown
9. Dope Lemon - Rose Pink Cadillac
10. Sampha the Great - As Above, As Below
11. Hayden James - Lifted
12. The Chats - Get Fucked
13. Vera Blue - Mercurial
14. Julia Jacklin - PRE PLEASURE
15. Camp Cope - Running with the Hurricane
16. Ball Park Music- Weirder & Weirder
17. Confidence Man - Tilt
18. Meg Mac - Matter of Time
19. Ocean Alley - Low Altitude Living
20. Dune Rats - Real Rare Whale

Album of the Year Nomination #6 - SZA - S.O.S

Super late entry to the race, however S.O.S by SZA completely deserves an Album of the Year Nomination. 2022 has been a wild year for music with Little Simz, Stormzy and SZA all delivering amazing records in the final month for 2022.

The second studio album by SZA was released on December 9, 2022. Featuring guest vocals from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Also ahead of the albums release we had three killer singles, Good Days, I Hate U, along with most recently Shirt. Two of which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. 

I am in love with this album, Nobody Gets Me is an instant favourite for me. So joining The Weeknd, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar, Vance Joy, Beyoncé, SZA joins the class of 2022.

The winner of the Album of the Year will be announced in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

Short and sweet unlike SZA's sophomore album, get amongst a few tunes below. You can stream the album HERE.

S.O.S - Guests

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - SZA {S.O.S}

Festival Acts of 2022/2023 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part Two

1. Lil Nas X (Falls + Lost Paradise)
2. Spacey Jane (Falls + Lost Paradise)
3. Genesis Owusu (Falls + Lost Paradise)
4. Fred Again (Laneway Festival 2023)
5. Joji (Laneway Festival 2023)
6. Diplo (Field Day 2023)
7. Kaytradnada (Field Day 2023)
8. Arctic Monkeys (Falls + Lost Paradise)
9. King Stingray (Falls + Spilt Milk)
10. G Flip (Falls + Spilt Milk)
11. Amyl & the Sniffers (Falls + Spilt Milk)
12. Haim (Laneway Festival 2023)
13. Calvin Harris (Festival X)
14. Aitch (Field Day 2023)
15. Honey Dijon (Field Day 2023)
16. Ninajirachi (Field Day 2023 + Spilt Milk)
17. SG Lewis (Field Day 2023)
18. Tkay Maidza (Field Day 2023)
19. Denzel Curry (Field Day 2023)
20. Pink Pantheress (Falls + Lost Paradise)

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Black Girl Magic - Guests

Album of the Week - HONEY DIJON {Black Girl Magic}

Artists of 2022 - Summer Music Lists Special - Part One

1. Beyonce 
2. Drake 
3. Post Malone 
4. Jack Harlow 
5. Vance Joy 
6. Kendrick Lamar 
7. Flume 
8. The Weeknd 
9. Joji 
10. Charli XCX 
11. Lizzo 
12. Doja Cat 
13. Megan Thee Stallion 
14. Daniel Johns 
15. Fred Again 
16. Steve Lacy 
17. Taylor Swift 
18. BBNO$ 
19. Tove Lo 
20. Vera Blue 

Final Friday Feature: First Nation's ARIA's Excellence 2022, the Winners

The 2022 ARIA Music Awards (the 36th) were a First Nations record breaking event. With Baker Boy won the most trophies with five from six nominations, whilst there were wins for Budjerah, Archie Roach (1956–2022), The Kid Laroi and King Stingray.

So for the Final Friday Feature, let's celebrate the First Nation's ARIA's Excellence 2022, the Winners.

The ARIA Awards ceremony occurred on 24 November 2022, held at the FAB Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.

First up BAKER BOY. I was lucky to see him live at KFC island! His debut album, Gela has been a smash hit record. Featuring huge singles like Cool as Hell, Move, Headphones, Ride, Butterflies and more. His live show is electric. He has the nicest guy in Australian music vibe. It's been a huge year for Baker so with five ARIA's under his belt, I reckon 2023 will be another big year for Danzal James Baker.

BUDJERAH has equally had an awesome 2022. His EP Conversations is full of smooth vibes with sensational vocals. Last year Budjerah teamed up with PNAU and May-a. He can do no wrong. This young act with a massive voice has a very big 2023 ahead, I think!

ARCHIE ROACH, what can be said. Sadly uncle Archie passed in 2022. He jump on Triple J for a Like a Version though. He also won the ARIA for Best Independent Release. RIP Uncle Archie.

THE KID LAROI. Honestly what can be said about the Thousand Miles singer. He took out the Best Pop Release this year. The End of the World Tour happened in 2022. This was a big deal. Stay continued to be a hugely played track. The Kid Laroi is on the top of his game.

KING STINGRAY have incredible live energy. I caught a bit of their set this past weekend at Spilt Milk in Canberra. The crowd were loving them sick. Winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award this year, their self titled debut record has been a monster hit.Hailing from Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, the six piece even had a tune featured in a Les Mills, RPM release. Riding a stationary bike to Milkumana is wild!

Here is to 2023 being a huge year again for First Nations music!

Spilt Milk - Canberra 2022

All I can say about Spilt Milk in the nation's capital, Canberra is WOW!

Straight up was superstar PEACH PRC, who put on one hell of a show. The crowd loved every minute of her excellent set. Playing tunes like Josh, God is a Freak and Forever Drunk. PEACH PRC is totally one to watch!

As we headed to the main stage STAND ATLANTIC were shredding on the main stage. The Sydney four piece have a loyal fan base with loads of catchy tunes that really sound great live and on the radio.

Next up was some ARIA award winning legends KING STINGRAY. The Northeast Arnhem Land, NT legends really warmed up the crowd for the headlining acts to come. The crowd was also eating out of their palms.

New host of Triple J's Good Nights, LATIFA TEE set the decks on fire with classics like Kanye's Black Skinhead, The Veronica's Untouched and Alexis Jordan's hit Happiness. There was so much love and dancing in the Saturday sun.

It was time to dance, YOUNG FRANCO laid down some serious disco vibes. Long time fan, first time seeing him. The kids were lapping up the cool disco grooves. Drop Your Love for me was an absolute highlight before bolting back to the main stage for....

Back to the smaller Derbyshire Stage to see some 1300. Cardio, Smashmouth and their new Samsung inspired song were dope. The boys from 1300 really had super enjoyed. I loved this set for them.

G FLIP! What a performer. G FLIP played hit after hit on the main stage as the afternoon set in. With tracks like Queen, Get Me Outta Here, Gay 4 Me and About You, the set was outstanding. G FLIP will also appear on Triple J over summer! Exciting!

Maybe my favourite act for the day/night was HAYDEN JAMES. The DJ set was wild. Mixing in the biggest song right now Baddest of them All with a classic, Just a Lover the set was wild. Concluding with the epic Just Friends. The set was incredible. No vocalists however it was all killer ZERO filler.

One last time at the main stage it was time for, THE WOMBATS. They played hit after hit. For more Wombat love head to last Friday's Feature HERE. The final Friday Feature is an ARIA/First Nation's special this week.

Double dance to finish the night, with my central coast girl, NINAJIRACHI! The glitch, the hits, the addition of the Skin on Skin anthem, Burn Dem Bridges. So fun, got so close, NINAJIRACHI was living her best life!

Lastly it was time to get loose with, FISHER. With hits like You Little Beauty, Just Feels Tight, Wanna Go Dancin and the latest on Yeah the Girls. The crowd loved it, however it was not as big as the huge crowd for HAYDEN JAMES earlier on in the evening. Maybe the clash with FLUME was not a good move by organisers. However everything else with the festival was perfect! Had the ultimate blast.

Bring on the next festival in my 40's! Here is some selected audio hits and memories from the festival. Until next time.

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - STORMZY - {This Is What I Mean}

Friday Feature: The Wombats

The Wombats who formed in Liverpool (England, not Sydney's suburb) in 2003, consists of Matthew Murphy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Tord Øverland Knudsen (bass, backing vocals, keyboards) & Dan Haggis (drums, backing vocals, keyboards). 

The group have sold over 1 million albums worldwide, while their latest album hit number one on the UK Albums Chart.

The group met while they were students at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and released several EPs before their 2006 album Girls, Boys and Marsupials, which was released only in Japan. 

Their debut studio album, A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation, was released in 2007 & featured some tracks first released on Girls, Boys and Marsupials. 

After releasing another EP in 2008 and touring for three years, the band released their second album, This Modern Glitch, in 2011. 

They released their third album, Glitterbug, in 2015 and their fourth, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, in February 2018. 

Their fifth album, Fix Yourself, Not the World, was released this January. It reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release.

The group recently gave us their EP Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This?. This follows their latest single, I Think My Mind Has Made Its Mind Up. The trio continue to play a run of dates across Australia. Full details HERE

The Wombats are a constant fixture on the Australian live music front. Making them the perfect group for the second last Friday Feature for 2022.

See you next Friday for the final edition of the Friday Feature!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Spilt Milk Canberra 2022 MixTape

Seeya Saturday Canberra! Review to come when I recover same time, mid next week! Happy HUMP day!

The Other Brockhampton Album that dropped!

Album of the Week - BROCKHAMPTON – {The Family}

  

Second Nature - Guests

RnB Friday's - Sydney 2022

After heading back to Giants Stadium after a long break. 2019 was the last RnB Friday's.

After walking in through the massive Sydney crowd, DRU HILL was just wrapping up a set before JAY SEAN (he is actually from England) got onstage to sing some of hits biggest hits in roughly a 15 minute medley. Yep 15 minutes. I think I only knew Down from his set.

Next up was the horny SHAGGY. With the microphone disappearing down his pants a few times, the Boombastic star played his hits Angel, It Wasn't me along with some other tracks. However everyone was just there for It Wasn't Me.

Finally food time, so I could only briefly hear JEREMIH in the background. Yep hot chips for dinner! Love a stadium's food options.

Next up was someone I personally was looking forward to, ASHANTI. With so many of her well known hits being with Ja Rule, it was a bit of a mixed bag, how Foolish went off. The crowd were loving it. Playing other tracks like Happy, Only U, Rock Wit U (Awww Baby) plus Fat Joe's track What's Love, then the Ja Rule hits and memories. Mesmerize and Always on Time. It was a sing-a-long good time. Into You was also a vibe, taking on the classic Fabulous song.

AKON got the crowd pumped! Kicking off with Locked Up, running through hits including the sing-a-long friendly Right Now (Na Na Na) then off course Sexy Bitch! This followed fellow David Guetta collab Play Hard!

AKON was really on fire. His set was really interesting with Smack That bringing some sexy back!

Bringing the vibe down a little was TLC. Right near the end of the night after a big party set from AKON, TLC slowly warmed up the crowd getting more drunk by the moment. When Unpretty kicked in, the crowd started to warm up again. Creep was fun too, but of course the big ones came last. No Scrubs and that sing-a-long Waterfalls. 

Waterfalls did completely go off. It was one of the moments of the entire festival.

Next up HAVANA BROWN did a super DJ set along with one of her own tunes. Her set really brought the vibe up to bring out headliner, MACKLEMORE. Who also did bring a special guest up on stage for their collab, Chant. Yes Tones and I appeared at RnB Friday's.

Maybe not her usual style but she slayed on Chant. A song I am not really across, however live, it was a vibe. I only stayed for the first few Macklemore songs as I was well and truly dead. I think I recorded just under 40K steps for the day!

I did however see Thrift Shop and the amazing Same Love. He was however a great performer! Also nice to see Tone and I for the first time live.

For more you can check out my MixTape from last week, or check out some highlights music videos below.

Friday Feature: Winston Surfshirt

Winston Surfshirt hail from Manly, NSW. One of the best things to come from across the bridge!

Forming in 2015, with lead vocals + multi-instrumentalist from Winston, Bustlip on beats, The Bone on trombone, Bik Julio on bass guitar, Dool on keyboards and Mi-K on guitar.

The group started when solo musician, Winston Surfshirt, formed the eponymous six-piece funk, hip hop band in 2015 with Surfshirt on lead vocals and multi-instrumentals, Bustlip on beats, The Bone on trombone, Bik Julio on bass guitar, Dool on keyboards and Mi-K on guitar and keys.

Winston Surfshirt have played Falls Festival + Splendour in the Grass, whilst supporting Rüfüs on tour.

Their debut album, Sponge Cake, landed late September 2017. This was followed two years later byApple Crumble.

Their third studio album, Panna Cotta, was just released. So to escape all the Mariah Carey pre-Christmas madness here is a perfect soundtrack to ease you into the weekend.

I look forward to finally bringing you my RnB Friday's reactions tomorrow morning. Sorry crazy ass week this one! Also come back for a new feature album Monday, while one of the last Friday Feature's lands this time next week. Boy bye!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - Ninajirachi – {Second Nature}

RnB Fridays 2022 MixTape

I first went in 2019, now in a COVID free world, it's time to check out the class of 2022. Sadly none of my predictions, wish list from my 2019 post turned up.

Review, feedback to come next week. Until then let's warm up with a selection of hits and memories from this year's lineup!

Almost time to go. BYE!

Friday Feature: Joji

George Kusunoki Miller or Jōji Kusunoki Mirā (ジョージ・楠木・ミラー) is known professionally as Joji. While formerly being known on YouTube as Filthy Frank and Pink Guy. George Kusunoki Miller was born in Osaka, Japan. His father is Australian and his mother is Japanese.He attended Canadian Academy, an international school in Kobe, Japan, where he graduated in 2012. At age 18, he left Japan and traveled to the United States.

Joji's music has been described as a mix between R&B, lo-fi, and trip hop. Miller began his YouTube career in 2011 shortly after moving to the United States, gaining recognition for portraying oddball characters on the satire channels TVFilthyFrank, TooDamnFilthy, and DizastaMusic.

As Pink Guy, Joji released two comedy studio albums & an EP between 2014 & 2017.

In late 2017, Miller retired as a YouTuber to pursue a music career under the name Joji.

The debut album, Ballads 1, was released in 2018. It featured Slow Dancing in the Dark. 

His second record, Nectar landed in 2020. Featuring the atmospheric Sanctuary along with uptempo, with a big tempo change in the last half of the song, Run. 

In 2022, Joji gave us the US Billboard Hot 100 top-ten single Glimpse of Us. This was his highest-charting song. The track is featured on his third album, Smithereens, recently last Friday.

I have enjoyed Joji's music for a number of years now. It hits you in the feels, it can be fun, he releases music consistently while providing fun visuals to boot. He does right a damn good love song too. 

Check out his latest release below, along with this being one of the final Friday Feature's for 2022. Happy weekend! See you at RnB Friday's, maybe....

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of (NEXT) Week - SLOWLY SLOWLY – Daisy Chain

Friday Feature: Vera Blue

Celia Pavey is Vera Blue. As we head to the end of 2022, it's one of the last Friday Features for 2022. So let's make it count!

Releasing her third studio record, Mercurial late October, Vera Blue is back with a classy just over 30 minute pop record.

Featuring lead singles The Curse, Mermaid Avenue along with the super catchy Feel Better. Honestly Feel Better is my bop of the week! Appearing as Celia Pavey on season 2 of The Voice, coming in third, Blue is one of the only success stories out of the Australian series.

Blue's folk-inspired album This Music peaked at number 14 on the Australian ARIA Charts in 2013, while her debut album Perennial achieved Gold certification in Australia after its release in 2017.

With huge collobrations with Illy, Flume, Slumberjack & PNAU, Blue has a wide range, hitting up an Aussie hip hop hit single and dance/electronic vibes too with Flume. Scoring number two in the Hottest 100 of 2019! Just behind Bad Guy!

Young Melody with PNAU is one of the most underrated dance tunes in Australian dance music history.

I do hope Vera gets more fans after this album gets more plays. It's super good. Ten tracks, all killer no filler. Make sure below to check out her earlier tune, Hold too. It's a 2015 jam! Until next week!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos + Apple Music Interview

Album of (NEXT) Week - FRED AGAIN – {Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)}

Friday Feature: Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift may not have been who you have been expecting for this week's Friday Feature, however her tenth studio album, Midnights arrived last Friday afternoon.

So here we have it, the West Reading, Pennsylvania born Swift, moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at age 14 to become a country artist.

Signing a songwriting deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2004 & a recording contract with Big Machine Records in 2005. 

The 2006 self-titled debut album made her the first female country singer to write or co-write a US platinum-certified album entirely.

The came Swift's pop era with Fearless (2008) and Speak Now (2010), exploring a new genre of country pop. 

Taylor experimented with rock and electronic styles on Red (2012), which features her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one song, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

Her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014), featured the chart topping Shake It Off, Blank Space & Bad Blood.

Then came,  Reputation (2017) along with the number-one song Look What You Made Me Do. Making Swift the first act to have four albums each open with a million copies sold.

Her seventh studio album, Lover (2019), followed by the autobiographical documentary Miss Americana (2020). 

Swift's input during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the indie folk and alternative rock albums, Folklore and Evermore (2020), which incorporated fictional narratives; their lead singles Cardigan & Willow debuted atop the Hot 100. 

She began re-recording her Big Machine catalog after a public dispute over the albums' masters, re-releasing two in 2021—Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version). The latter's All Too Well (10 Minute Version) became the longest song to top the Hot 100. 

Swift has also played supporting roles in films, and directed the music films Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (2020) and All Too Well: The Short Film (2021). 

Having sold over 200 million records globally, Swift is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. 

Her accolades include 11 Grammy Awards, including three Album of the Year wins; 34 American Music Awards, the most for an act; 29 Billboard Music Awards, the most for a woman; and an Emmy Award. 

She has featured on rankings such as Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time, Billboard's Greatest of All Time Artists, the Time 100 and Forbes Celebrity 100. 

Honored with titles like Artist of the Decade and Woman of the Decade, Swift is an advocate for artists' rights and women's empowerment.

So like last year's Sunday Spotlight Legends series, Swift has earned a Friday Feature. Midnights is also a nice chilled weekend to set up the weekend.

So stream it, or some Swift classics below. There are a few more week's of the Friday Feature's before we head into a long, wet summer. See you next week!

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of the Week - bbno$ – {bag or die}

Friday Feature: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante. 

With over 120 million records sold worldwide, Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the best-selling bands of all time. The group have alone released two full length albums in 2022, making them the perfect Friday Feature.

RHCP are one of the most successful bands in the history of alternative rock. Holding records for most number-one singles, most cumulative weeks at number one (85) and most top-ten songs (25) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.

They have won six Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2022 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed in Los Angeles by Kiedis, Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons. 

Due to commitments to other bands, Slovak and Irons did not play on the band's 1984 self-titled debut album, which instead featured guitarist Jack Sherman and drummer Cliff Martinez. Slovak rejoined for their second album, Freaky Styley (1985), and Irons for their third, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987). Irons left after Slovak died of a drug overdose in June 1988.

With new recruits Frusciante and Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded Mother's Milk (1989) and their first major commercial success, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Frusciante was uncomfortable with their newfound popularity and left abruptly on tour in 1992. 

After a series of temporary guitarists, he was replaced by Dave Navarro, who appeared on the group's sixth album, One Hot Minute (1995). Although successful, the album failed to match the critical or popular acclaim of Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Frusciante and Kiedis struggled with drug addiction throughout the 1990s.

In 1998, following Navarro's departure, Frusciante rejoined the band. Their seventh album, Californication (1999), became their biggest commercial success, with 16 million copies sold worldwide. 

By the Way (2002) & Stadium Arcadium (2006) were also successful; Stadium Arcadium was their first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. 

Frusciante left again in 2009 to focus on his solo career; he was replaced by Josh Klinghoffer, who appeared on I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), before Frusciante rejoined in 2019. 

Their 12th album was the first of two for 2022, Unlimited Love, followed by their 13th album, Return of the Dream Canteen. Feel feel to stream it below along with some other classic RHCP hits below.

Until next week....