The 25 Best Tracks of 2022
A good round up piece often starts with a quick recap of the main cultural and political talkings points of the last year but so much has happened we thought we'd focus on ourselves this time. We've been going through a lot of changes throughout 2022, re-branding the whole company to DMY, launching our brand new website and laying the foundations for our new DMY Community which we'll be kick-starting early next year.
One thing that will never change is our passion for music and luckily there's been loads of great tracks released over the last 365 days that have had us smashing the repeat button. You can expect much more from us in 2023 as we embark on this exciting new chapter, but for now, the DMY team have put our heads together to compile 25 of the tracks we believe deserve a special mention.
25. Pip Millet - 'My Way'
24. ELIZA - 'Straight Talker'
23. Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin - 'Diarabi'
22. CASISDEAD - 'Traction Control'
21. Jim Legxacy - 'candy reign (!)'
20. p-rallel - 'Get Down' ft. Kasien
19. Koffee - 'Pull Up'
18. Novelist - 'Don't wake me'
Read next: Welcome to Lewisham: Novelist is paving the way for a new generation of talent in his manor
17. Léa Sen - 'I Feel Like I’m Blue'
16. Kehlani - 'tangerine'
15. Finn Foxell - 'LEADERS'
14. Mura Masa, Pa Salieu, Skillibeng - 'blessing me'
13. Tiggs Da Author feat. Rimzee & Wretch 32 - 'OCD Riddim Part 2'
12. Shanti Celeste - 'Cutie'
11. Eartheater - 'Mitosis'
10. Joy Orbison x Overmono - 'Blind Date'
Something about this track felt super special when it first dropped back in September and we've had it on repeat pretty much ever since. Bringing together two of UK dance music's new superpowers in Joy Orbison and London duo Overmono, this frenetic, moody party anthem is the trio's first collaboration in over 3 years and lives up to the hype orbiting both acts right now. Aside from the dizzying club-leaning production and vocal sample from ABRA's 2015 track 'Human,' the single dropped under an equally cool joint alias "Joy Overmono". It's the little things, right?
9. bar italia - 'miracle crush'
Since dropping their first tape back in 2020, Bar Italia have emerged from obscurity to become London’s coolest up-and-coming band. Signed to Dean Blunt’s World Music imprint, the group have taken some big steps forward this year, capturing the aura of mystery surrounding them and transforming it into a cult following with their limited capacity, back-alley live shows and DIY music videos. Put out without warning back in summer, the post-punk-inflicted anthem ‘Miracle Crush’ is one of their grittiest and most intoxicating to date.
8. Strandz - 'Don’t Let Them See You Cry'
With all the talent currently killing it in the world of UK rap, breaking through and becoming noticed might seem like a daunting task - but this is something South Londoner Strandz has taken in his stride. Blending his love for old school hip hop with his distinctive charisma and buttery flows, his second release of 2022 ‘Don’t Let Them See You Cry’ helped to catapult the German-born, Nigerian-raised rapper from hot prospect to star in the making status. Consider us hooked.
7. Lauren Duffus - 'Habits'
Lauren Duffus’ journey into production began during the first lockdown in 2020 as a way for her to navigate a period of grief. Since landing herself a spot on the artist development programme NTS WIP, Duffus has steadily grown her profile as one of the capital’s most unique creatives. Possibly her best release of the year, ‘Habits’ is a moody electronic anthem showcasing why she's one of the most interesting new acts about right now.
6. Two Shell - 'home'
You’ll have to cast your mind back to January to remember the release of Two Shell’s slippery dance track ‘home’. The London double-act have become one of the most talked about electronic acts this year for two reasons: their innovative dance-floor conquering anthems and their unapologetically avoidant approach to almost everything they do. Originally pressed on wax the November before, this track first started to do the rounds on the clubbing circuit back in 2021 but only got its official release at the start of this year. 'home' flexes a proudly un-polished, cartoon-like sound and ignited what has been a prolific break-out year for the duo.
5. Jamie xx - 'KILL DEM'
Since his acclaimed 2015 record ‘In Colour’, Jamie xx has only released a handful of solo material. So when the widely loved producer came out with ‘KILL DEM’ towards the end of summer, it unsurprisingly generated a lot of buzz and quickly became one of our favourite tracks of the year. Influenced by Notting Hill Carnival, the dub-infused heater bottles the energy of the festival’s vibrant parades, booming sound systems, and lively parties, paying homage to the Caribbean celebration with a shuffling, dance floor-ready beat.
4. Stormzy - 'Mel Made Me Do It'
When Stormzy came out with this track in September it marked a real moment for the UK rap scene. Clocking in at over 10 minutes long, the track’s star-studded music video instantly went viral on social media thanks to 35 celebrity cameos, including José Mourinho, Louis Theroux, Usain Bolt, Jonathan Ross, Little Simz, Dave and more. Sonically, the single sees the Croydon rapper go back to his musical roots, shedding the gospel/pop-grime sound he’s veered into on previous projects to remind everyone of his legend status in the scene. While his last album, 2019’s ‘Heavy Is The Head’, reflected on the pitfalls of acclaim, ‘Mel Made Me Do It’ and his recent album ‘This Is What I Mean’ proves he’s more than happy to wear the crown.
3. Dean Blunt - 'LONDON TONIGHT FREESTYLE' feat. Skepta, Novelist, A$AP Rocky
Following the release of his ‘Black Metal 2’ album in 2021, enigmatic East Londoner Dean Blunt’s output this year has adopted more of a sporadic, scatter-gun approach with a number of one-off singles, including ‘London Tonight Freestyle’ - a huge link up which brought Skepta, Novelist and A$AP Rocky all under one roof to create a piece of history. In typical Blunt style, he leaked the track back in July, 4 months before its official release. Featuring production from Blunt himself, ‘London Tonight Freestyle’ sees three of the biggest UK and US rappers join Dean on vocal duties for one of the year’s most unexpected collaborations. Fans online were quick to label the freestyle “history right here” as well as calling it a “legendary link up” and we’re inclined to agree.
2. Yung Lean ft. FKA twigs - 'Bliss'
Some tracks have that iconic feel the moment they drop and Yung Lean’s link up with FKA twigs on ‘Bliss’ earlier this year has exactly that vibe. It was the first single to release in roll-out for the Yung Lean’s latest mixtape ‘Stardust’ and touched down with a noticeably more energetic sound than his usual moody affair. Dropping alongside a strong contender for video of the year only adds to the track’s charm, showcasing the inimitable chemistry between two of Europe’s most interesting and creative artists.
1. Nia Archives - 'Baianá'
Some artists might struggle to top a breakout year as prolific as Nia Archives achieved in 2021 - but the new-gen junglist just continues to get better. Informed by the music she grew up listening to, the London-via-Leeds producer and vocalist is leading a new era of ravers, taking over UK dance-floors with her refreshing, future-facing sound. Nia’s growth in the studio can be heard coursing the veins of previous hit singles ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ and '18 and Over’, however, September’s release ‘Baianá’ showcases her work and style as a producer more than ever. Layering a sample of traditional Brazilian choir Barbatuques' track of the same name atop a wave of Bossa Nova, jungle, and Baile funk, the effervescent single is our feel-good anthem of 2022 and offers yet another glimpse at the limitless potential this rising star possesses. Last month, Nia became the first electronic artist to be named BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year and it’s no surprise why. When you’re putting out tracks as good as this one, people are going to take notice.
Be sure to check out our 25 Best Tracks of 2021 Spotify playlist below to find all of our favourite songs from the year in one place.
