Album of the Year 2022
This year flew by so quickly, but with its urgency we were blessed with another great year for music releases. Many of us attended countless concerts we will never forget, many of which had also been completely sold out almost immediately as everyone finally became comfortable attending them again.
Here at Death Moth Press, we wanted to give you our staff’s top choices for Album of the Year for 2022.
Dorothy - Gifts From The Holy Ghost
Chosen by one of our co-owner’s, Belindajean LaBoy
On April 22nd, Dorothy released their third studio album off Jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation. From the moment I heard the first track, it helped me get through the ups and downs of this entire year. The album from start to finish has an amazing message for not only the listeners but also for the vocalist herself, it’s all about healing and overcoming the downside of life from loneliness to addiction to help find your life's purpose. Unapologetic in its message, it helps all listeners to not feel alone and be able to resonate to anyone going through a tough time. I found this album when I needed it most and continue to listen to it in order to lift myself back up, hopefully it can do the same to anyone needing the same thing. You’re not alone, depression is a serious mental health issue but you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for help.
"We are all one human family."
Dorothy - Gifts from the Holy Ghost (Released on April 22nd, 2022)
Nothing More - SPIRITS (Released on October 14th, 2022)
Tallah - The Generation of Danger (Released On November 18, 2022)
Fit For An Autopsy - Oh What The Future Holds (Released on January 14th, 2022)
Motionless in White - Scoring the End of the World (Released on June 10th, 2022)
Get to know our Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Photographer; Writer Belindajean LaBoy: Instagram | Facebook | Email | Website
Nova Twins – Supernova
Chosen by one of our writers, Andres Schiffino
What do you get when you combine raw punk energy with hip-hop and a heavy influence of nu-metal and electronica? You get the brilliant sonic artistry of Nova Twins. The English duo is as diverse as their musical tastes. Georgia South is of Jamaican and Australian ancestry and Amy Love is of Iranian and Nigerian descent. Together they have proven there is a place for uber-talent women of color in the rock scene.
In 2020 the Nova Twins’ debut album Who Are the Girls? introduced the duo to the word and the title was apt. People were blown away by Nova Twins’ unique look and sound. The sophomore album Supernova has the pair firmly in rock star mode. Supernova was the result of the duo playing increasingly larger and more diverse crowds changing their perspective on their art and identity. Social movements in the years preceding their debut also greatly influenced the pair as their status as women of color in a white male-dominated scene gave them a unique perspective.
Supernova starts off with the darkly funny “K.M.B (Kill My Boyfriend),” displaying the irreverent attitude of the Nova Twins. The heaviest tracks are “Enemy,” “Toolbox”, and “Choose Your Fighter” while “A Dark Place For Something Beautiful” is hauntingly beautiful and sorrowful. The Nova Twins show greater range in their songwriting on Supernova and have shown that under the glam eccentricities of their outward appearance, they are indeed serious musicians.
Combining doom metal with punk rock, Manchester’s Witch Fever cast a spell on audiences with songs that are gloomy and intoxicating. Using music to expose religious hypocrisy, societal prejudice, and bigotry while also being insanely fun to listen to, Witch Fever is tapping into an occult power. "Blessed Be Thy" and "I Saw You Dancing" are powerful cuts off Congregation.
Since their explosive debut in 2017, the Los Angeles-based Starcrawler have impressed critics and fans with their heavy, sludgy sound reminiscent of Black Sabbath. Frontwoman Arrow de Wilde has the right mix of Iggy Pop energy and the Runaways rock chick swagger to lead a band as hard-hitting as Starcrawler. She Said continues Starcrawler’s back-to-basics approach to hard rock.
Skull Fist is at the forefront of traditional metal, a new music scene that looks to the past for inspiration. The Toronto trio has released one album every four years since 2011. Their latest album, Paid in Full is 33 minutes of intense metal music with “Long Live the Fist” being a standout.
Australia has always produced the hardest rocking, beer-drinking party bands. The Chats are the latest band to carry the tradition. The trio plays a brand of blistering punk rock they call “shed rock.” Get Fucked is the band’s sophomore album and is even louder, faster, and more vicious than their debut.
Get to know our Writer, Andres Schiffino: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
The Home Team - Slow Bloom
Chosen by one of our writers, Jenica Lawson
2022 has been a defining year for me personally, I’ve grown as a person, had some terrifying ups and downs but came out on the upside and if my life of 2022 was a slideshow ‘Slow Bloom’ by The Home Team would be playing in the background.
Re-releasing their album ‘Slow Bloom’ as a deluxe version in late July of 2022 with 2 bonus songs redefined the album as a whole. With fan favorites such as ‘Watching All Your Friends Get Rich’ and ‘Right Through Me’ the band added ‘FOMO (Bored of You)’ and ‘Grievance Pay’ in my rightful opinion this album just has absolutely no skips. It blends the nostalgia of early 2010’s pop-punk and the new sound of alt-punk, it deserves a listen through for any fan of Dance Gavin Dance and Pierce The Veil.
Motionless in White - Scoring the End of the World
Chosen by one of our writers/photographer, Shelby Chandler
2022 was an incredible year of success for artists all across the globe. With an immense amount of incredible albums released during the year, it makes choosing a favorite a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, I was able to narrow it down to one album and one EP for our year in review.
Metal powerhouse, Motionless In White, released their sixth studio album, “Scoring The End Of The World”, on June 10th. The Scranton, PA quintet consists of members Chris ‘Motionless’ Cerulli (vocals), Ricky Olson (rhythm guitar), Ryan Stikowski (lead guitar), Justin Morrow (bass guitar), and Vinny Mauro (drums). The album features the perfect blend of guitar riffs, melodies, and breakdowns, while also staying true to their signature sound. Their fifth studio album, “Disguise,” was a tough act to follow, but MIW blew fans away with STEOTW. This is an album that can be put on repeat without it tiring (and it has been for me since its June debut). The album features collaborations with Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose, Lindsey Schoolcraft, Caleb Shomo of Beartooth, and Mick Gordon. The album has gained monumental success; “Red, White & Boom” is a track being featured on NHL 23. When listening to the album, it is hard to narrow it down to a single favorite track; however, I do have a top three: “Scoring The End Of The World,” “We Become The Night,” and “Porcelain”.
“Scoring The End Of The World” tracklist:MeltdownSign Of LifeWerewolfPorcelainSlaughterhouse (feat. Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose)MasterpieceCause Of DeathWe Become The NightBurned At Both Ends IIB.F.B.T.G.: Corpse NationCyberhex (feat. Lindsey Schoolcraft)Red, White & Boom (feat. Caleb Shoo)Scoring The End Of The World (feat. Mick Gordon)
Keep up with Motionless In White: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music
Shelby’s Top 2:
Warped Tour Royalty, Black Veil Brides, dropped their EP “The Mourning” on October 21st. After their origination in 2006, the Hollywood-based rock band has gained millions of monthly listeners across multiple streaming platforms, as well as over half of a billion YouTube streams, cumulatively, for all music videos. BVB consists of members Andy Biersack (vocals), Jinxx (rhythm guitar and violinist), Jake Pitts (lead guitar), Lonny Eagleton (bass guitar), and Christian ‘CC’ Coma (drums). For long-time fans of the group, the EP is a beautiful mix of the past and what is to come of this group in the future. My favorite track off of the EP, “Savior II,” is my favorite track of the band (overall).
“The Mourning” tracklist:
Devil
Savior II
The Revival
Better Angels
Keep up with Black Veil Brides: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music
Get to know our writer/photographer, Shelby Chandler: Website | Instagram
Destroy Lonely - No Stylist
Chosen by one of our photographers, Nick Bruno
In 2022 we saw tons of new artists emerge with great albums especially in the underground rap scene, but one really stuck out to me. Destroy Lonely’s “No Stylist” Destroy Lonely, or Lone has been around in the music industry for some time but recently with his new album he really showed his ability to create music over all different types of beats and experiment with new styles. His “underground” and experimental sound is what I believe made the album so popular. Lone offered a new sound and something different to the rap scene that you see tons of rappers trying to replicate. My personal favorite songs off the album are “LNLY” and “VTMTSCOAT” for their unique and catchy sound. Destroy Lonely even went as far as dropping a Deluxe with popular songs like “NEVEREVER” and “Blitz”. Lone even brought this album on tour and his stage presence has just been insane. Even if you are in the back of the crowd everyone is still turning up and having a good time. Destroy Lonely is part of a music label called “Opium” with the main owner Playboi Carti. Other rappers on the label include Ken Carson, Homixide Meechie, and Homixide Beno of Homixide Gang. This year they have really been on the rise even though Carti hasn’t dropped music in close to 2 years. These artists aren’t new to music, but have recently started to blow up over the past year. Ken Carson, being one of the biggest artists on the label, went on a headlining tour a few months ago bringing Destroy Lonely to open for him. Ken performed his popular album “X” while Destroy Lonely performed some of his earlier songs. This all changed when Lone dropped “No Stylist” which received over 8.5 million streams in the first week. Lone saw the potential and immediately after the tour with Ken went on his own headlining tour bringing other Opium member Homixide Gang to open, selling out almost every venue. This year Opium has really made a bigger name for themselves and I can’t wait to see what's next for them in 2023. Hopefully it means Carti drops.
Do you agree with our staff or have any albums that didn’t make the cut that you would say is Album of the Year?
Let us know on our posts on our social media pages, links below.
