New Music of 2022

BY: India McCarty

2021 was an excellent year for music, from surprise-drop albums to long-awaited comebacks from legacy acts. So, what does the coming year have in store for music lovers? First, check out our list for the most anticipated music releases of 2022.

100 GECS

Hyperpop duo Laura Les and Dylan Brady took the music scene by storm with their weird and wonderful 2019 album 1000 gecs. 2022 will see the return of the group with album 10000 gecs, which will include the new single “MeMeMe.” The group is also expected to lay off the AutoTune effects that made it so well known, but they’ll continue to be one of the strangest groups today; one of the tracks is called “Doritos and Fritos.”

 

CARDI B

This drop is rumored, but all signs point to another album from the rapper. She’s released hits like “WAP” and “Up” and delivered guest verses for Normani’s “Wild Side” and Lizzo’s “Rumors.” It all looks like a very successful PR campaign to drum up enthusiasm for new music from Cardi B.

 

BEACH HOUSE

The band uses a new music rollout process for its eighth studio album and will be completed by February 18. Since November of last year, it’s been dropping “chapters” with another coming January 19, then the final February chapter. The album was produced by both group members and recorded with a live string ensemble.

 

KENDRICK LAMAR

This is another album that’s not confirmed yet, but fans are holding out hope for more music from the rapper. Last August, Lamar said, “As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” creating a fan frenzy. Lamar hasn’t released an album since 2017’s Damn. But he has guest-starred on tracks for other artists and even curated the soundtrack for Black Panther.

 

MITSKI

The indie songstress follows up critically acclaimed album Be the Cowboy with Laurel Hell. The album, set to drop February 4, will contain “Working for the Knife” and “Heat Lightning.” Mitski will also be heading out on a sold-out tour to support the album this year.

 

CHARLI XCX

After making a name for herself as the queen of hyperpop, Charli XCX is pivoting to big pop sounds for her latest album. Crash will be released on March 18 and will feature collaboration with producers like A. G. Cook and Ariel Rechtshaid, plus artists like Rina Sawayama, Christine and the Queens, and Caroline Polachek.

 

SZA

Another unconfirmed album, but the chances of new music from SZA are looking good. She’s been largely silent since releasing 2017’s Ctrl, apart from some collaborations with peers. However, many believe this is because her label, Top Dawg Entertainment, is holding back her music, something the singer alluded to herself. Last year, SZA dropped three tracks anonymously on SoundCloud, then later put them on official streaming services.