FAVORITE MINNESOTA ALBUMS OF 2022
Reviews by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
Once more, we are looking back at our favorite Minnesota releases of 2022. The hardest part of this project is always trying to think of new ways to say “This album fucking slaps, check it out.” So definitely check out the Honorable Mentions as well, because I just ran out of ways to uniquely compliment these amazing albums.
Andrew’s Favorite Albums:
Lunch Duchess "How It Ends"
Charmingly bleak and clever, "How it Ends" is a fun and poppy rock album. Much of the album has a shuffling groove that feels referential to 1970s pop music while still sounding modern, especially on the song "Love for the Dead". The title track is my personal favorite, being dark lyrically with upbeat and bright instrumentation, the song covers the overwhelming topic of... well, "How it (all) Ends"
Favorite Track: How It Ends
Related Article: LUNCH DUCHESS "CRYING FOR FUN" ALBUM REVIEW
Elle PF "I Woke Up Today Laughing"
The variety of styles on "I Woke Up Today Laughing" will draw you in and keep you entertained from the beginning of the intense synth pop of “Freak” to bouncy near dance track "Don't Think Too Much" to the self-descriptive bass and guitar forward track "Punk Song." Nearly every song is lyrically about relationships falling apart or a desire to be alone, whether or not it's for the narrator's best interest. Despite the subject matter, the album never feels like a downer, as often the instrumentals are in contrast with the lyrics. This brief album will leave you wanting more, and fortunately Elle PF has released a few singles since "I Woke Up Today Laughing" was released almost a year ago.
Favorite Track: Punk Song
Airship Caravan "CROWD CONTROL"
Airship Caravan takes a huge step forward on "CROWD CONTROL" The shredding guitars are massive, the drums are thunderous, and the whole group gives arena ready bluesy-rock vibes. The album has riffs for days and nearly every chorus invites you to sing along. This album is sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Favorite Track: Shame
Related Article: AIRSHIP CARAVAN "COFFEE BEANS" VIDEO
Chastity Brown "Sing to the Walls"
Chastity Brown's beautifully voice takes center stage on this soulful album. Every song is tinged with hopefulness and encouraging to the listener, while often acknowledging there is still a long road ahead. The instrumentation on the album is fantastic and further emphasizes the emotions in the lyrics. This album is outside of my usual genre, but it's so good it draws you in no matter your genre preferences.
Favorite Track: Golden
Related Article: MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 8/3/22
Jail! "Eureka!"
Burning through sixteen songs in under twenty-five minutes, "Eureka!" appears to be a concept album about a giant Evil Sea Monster known as Gigantopithecus attacking Manhattan or maybe the Evil Sea Monster is fighting Gigantopithecus, it's not really clear. Each heavily distorted track progresses the story forward, and I catch a bit more of the narrative every time I give the album another listen. The lyrics are a bit hard to follow, especially on songs like "Gatling Gun" where you are bombarded with a wall of distortion and punching percussion, but it is absolutely a glorious ride worth taking. Or was it a simulation all along?
Favorite Track: Gatling Gun
Related Article: MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 11/30/22
Keep for Cheap "Bundle"
The much anticipated debut album from Keep for Cheap is everything we hoped it would be. "Bundle" epitomizes the band's self-described genre of prairie-rock, falling somewhere between folk-rock, Americana, and blues-rock. The lyrical content feels like distilled friendship. It's like listening to a friend talk about their day in an intimate way, whether it's a Segway ride downtown, anxiety around buying alcohol at Target liquor, or the sweet moments they describe about falling in love.
Favorite Track: Hide My Emotions
Related Article: ALLERGEN // DAD BOD //KEEP FOR CHEAP // SPAN - MAY 8, 2020
Poliça "Madness"
"Madness is a gorgeous and hypnotizing electropop album that will have you moving your body, whether it's the slower, sway inducing title track "Madness (featuring Tim Fain)" or the more up tempo opener "Alive". The vocals throughout the entire album are haunting and dream-like, blending into each song's soundscape and giving the listener the option to focus on lyrics or just sit back and have the whole audio wave crash over you.
Favorite Track: Alive
Honorable Mentions:
Careful Gaze "WRATH LIKE FLOWERS UPON MY BROW"
Unturned "Dreams of Being on Television”
Prairie Clamor "True Songs"
Early Eyes "Look Alive!"
Delicat "The Sad, The Bad and the Ugly"
Dark Bunny "Dark Bunny"
Brandon Pulphus "Buttah 3"
Birth Order "Farewell, Square Horse"
The Von Tramps "GO"
OKnice "Have You Tried Being Happy?"
