Four Underrated Music Drops That The World Slept On In 2022

I don’t know whether to blame everyone’s shortened attention span thanks to TikTok, or whether it was just a huge demand for vibes but, there was A LOT of music that dropped this year, that I didn’t see highlighted. You probably didn’t get a chance to dive into every album and EP that came from your favorite artists. Since there are still conversations of if “real music” is still around, there are a few drops that I picked up on this year that gave pure originality, experimentation, and expression that deserve their flowers. With the new year just kicking off, here are four albums you need to add to your playlist:

List Of 2022 Underrated Music Drops

Gemini Rights by Steve Lacy – Yes, we know that he scored a Number 1 on Billboard with “Bad Habit” . Mostly due to the hook going viral on TikTok. However, this album is a masterpiece itself. He explores his fluid sexuality, his double-sided nature, his feelings on codependency, and even his remorse over situations he allowed himself to get into. He invites Foushee and Matt Martians to be the features. It has notes of Frank Ocean, Prince, and some Janelle Monae. His guitar sounds like magic. This is one of those joints you gotta get on vinyl.

3000 by Ambre – New Orleans sure knows how to birth some soul and that’s exactly what Ambre brings on 3000. The album cover gives homage to community and family. Her light and airy voice floats on Wild Life, gives us an early 2000s-like hit with I’m Baby, and invites Jay Electronica to spit some poetry on Jay’s Reprise. There are notes of The Dream, Mereba, and Ciara. She mixes R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop into a perfect 8-song tape. 

Caprisongs by FKA twigs – twigs gave us a diasporic tour through sound. She gave us British versions of alternative pop, reggaeton, and R&B. She gave us features from Britain’s Unknown T,  Pa Salieu, Jorja Smith, Shygirl, Daniel Caesar, Nigeria’s Rema, Oakland, California’s Dystopia, and a leading club track with Toronto’s The Weeknd. She gave us dance tracks, introspective lyricism, and her ever-evolving experimental sound. She even gave a “thank you song” for all the support she has received through her ongoing DV case that is now set to go to trial in April 2023. We stand with you twigs and thank you for this 2022 drop. 

WASTELAND by Brent Faiyaz – Yes, we heard ALL MINE and WASTING TIME all on the radio but, this album was way more than just toxic vibes. This man created a movie through an album. If you listen to the album in order with the skits (EGOMANIAC, OBLIVION, WAKE UP CALL), he’s acting out a storyline. His supporting actors are Tyler, The Creator, The Neptunes, Drake, Alicia Keys, DJ Dahi, Joony, and Tre’ Amani. His plot tells of his truth, his lack of shame and the pleasures and dangers of living out his fantasies. I’m sure this drop was on top of Future’s playlist.