Another year and another round of inevitable end of year round ups! This year, Passed Recordings will be adding their opinions to the mix – with each of us listing 5 albums that really impacted us over the last year.
Following their Passed Recordings debut, All you will ever wish for is to get back there, Take Me There tells us a little about their top 5 albums of 2022.
Susumu Hirasawa – Technique of Relief
I became absolutely addicted to Susumu Hirasawa’s music in the second half of 2022, especially this album which is just a masterpiece. He has such a unique style and blend of genres that I have never heard before, it’s like a mix of classical march music with electronic and art pop music. His music has this epic “wall of sound”, that is so inspiring and otherworldly.
Robert Schumann – Carnaval
I listened to a lot of classical music this year, but this is the one that stuck with me the most. I found out about this piece through a Haruki Murakami short story, where two classical music enthusiasts were discussing what the best piano piece was. And I would have to agree with them, as this piece throughout 20 different sections produces some of the most joyous and wonderful melodies I have ever heard from a piano. It’s a timeless masterpiece that boosts my mood as soon as I hear the opening phrase.
Carissa’s Weird – Songs About Leaving
Quite a contrast from the other two releases as this album is very dark and depressing, but also comforting at the same time. The slow guitars along with a piano and a violin fill up the soundscape with a sad but also beautiful feeling. The lyrics are sung and written so well, and are often absolutely heart wrenching as it tackles depression, suicide and loneliness. Not an album for the faint of heart, but it’s an album that stunned me the first time I heard it and has stuck with me throughout the year.
Perfume Genius – Ugly Season
An experimental masterpiece which mixes avant-garde ambient music with art pop. The lyrics resolve mainly around issues such as body image, gender identity and ugliness. The album art cover is also absolutely gorgeous and fits the sound of the album so well. This album handles the topics mentioned before so well, and has such a unique sound that stands out. “It’s ugly season, and I love it.”
Kali Malone – Living Torch
The best ambient album released this year in my opinion. Kali Malone has a unique and wonderful style, where she creates slow moving drones using a pipe organ and a synthesiser. The sound is absolutely hypnotising and so relaxing to me. I often put it on late at night before going to sleep.
