NPR Music 2022 Staff Picks: Nate Chinen

There was so much music to process in 2022 — and so much of it warranted close listening. What I found myself gravitating toward was the sound of revelation, a word that I could apply to most of the albums and songs on this list, in different ways. We spent the year reintegrating and rehabilitating, finding a new way back to the old ways. Here is the best of what got me there — first albums, then the songs.

Top 10 Albums of 2022

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• Immanuel Wilkins, The 7th Hand
• Mary Halvorson, Amaryllis
• Rosalía, Motomami
• Tyshawn Sorey, The Off-Off Broadway Guide to Synergism
• Makaya McCraven, In These Times
• Danger Mouse & Black Thought, Cheat Codes
• David Virelles, Nuna
• Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ghost Song
• Patricia Brennan, More Touch
• Julian Lage, View With A Room

Top 10 Songs of 2022

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• Beyoncé, "VIRGO'S GROOVE"
• Tom Skinner, "The Journey"
• Beth Orton, "Lonely"
• SZA, "Shirt"
• Kendrick Lamar, "N95"
• Moor Mother, "Arms Save (feat. Nicole Mitchell)"
• Nduduzo Makhathini, "Emlilweni"
• Wilco, "Falling Apart (Right Now)"
• DOMi & JD Beck & Thundercat, "BOWLiNG"
• Matthew Shipp Trio, "World Construct"

(Read more of Nate Chinen's picks for the best music of 2022)

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