My Favorite Media of 2022

Books

• Our Wives Under the Sea

  I gave a copy of this book to a friend, and I think she read most of it in the bath, texting me as it got stranger. I loved this book. I didn’t know I needed a WInterson/Vandermeer combo story, but it worked.

• Amatka

  On a similar theme to my other favorite this year, Amatka tells a strange tale reminiscent of the best spooky sci-fi I’ve read.

Movies

• Triangle of Sadness

  Seeing this right before a flight could’ve been a disaster, but fortunately my stomach is strong. I’ve seen this positively compared to the Menu, and I agree it’s far more biting and hilarious. I don’t think biting portrayals of the wealthy will change the world, but I still want more of them.

• Barbarian

  Fantastic, spooky, and surprising.

• Decision to Leave

  The build of tension and repeating themes of desire and memory were outstanding.

• Nope

  Much more sci-fi and speculative than I expected, and as funny was it was strange.

• Men

  Captured some of the strangeness of trying to return to the world as it decided COVID was over.

• Speak No Evil

  I told a lot of folks to go see this cultural misunderstanding horror film.

Music

I’ve done this album ranking for a few years now and I still don’t have much to say other than: music rules. If you want to read something smart about music, check out my friend Mehan’s work.

• Running with the Hurricane — Camp Cope

  Folk rock vocals with a gorgeous voice? Sign me up.

• Let’s Eat Grandma: Two Ribbons

  From the first track, this album rips. I listened to it a lot while riding up mountains, and it’s even fun to sing along with.

• Marina Herlop: Pripyat

  This reminds me of Asa-Chang and Junray with a dash of Björk.

• ‌Sharon Van Etten: We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong

  Her previous record wasn’t really to my taste, but this is my favorite since Tramp. A perfect album for a walk.

• The Beths: Expert in a Dying Field

  The Beths are keeping pop-punk alive and interesting.

• Florist: Florist

  Every Florist album owns bones. This one is haunting and beautiful.

• Nilüfer Yanya: PAINLESS

  One of the most unique and rad voices in music right now, with catchy tunes to boot.

• DoomCannon: Renaissance

  Great jazz jams.

• Big Thief: ‌Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

  Every single album Big Thief brings out is somehow a step forward. Adrienne Lenker sounds like being in love.

• Porridge Radio: ‌Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder To the Sky

  Queer English angst rock.

• Lande Hekt: House without a View

  An awesome upbeat counter to Porridge Radio.

• Alvvays: Blue Rev

  When I lived in Portland I got to see Alvvays play live, and it was a blast. With five years between this and their sophomore record, I thought they’d broken-up. Fortunately, they just got better at making music.