AVC Immedia’s Best Songs of 2022 So Far…
Audio
10 March 2022
KOJEY RADICAL - PAYBACK
Euan: I’d thoroughly recommend Kojey’s album “Reason to Smile”. It’s mellower than I expected but still has his cutting edge and razor sharp lyrics. Payback is the standout track for me, it reminds me of Arrested Development and that’s no bad thing.
HBz - ALOHA HEY
Euan: HBz are more famous for doing pretty awful remixes of classic tunes but they nail this one. It’s bright, breezy and a shot of fun in a world where it can be in short supply sometimes.
FIREBOY DML AND ED SHEERAN - PERU
Euan: This is so damn catchy. If I hear this first thing in the morning I’m guaranteed to be walking round going “Peru… para” all day long. Acts like Fireboy DML and Ckay are doing a great job of turning the world on to their contemporary Nigerian sounds.
ARRDEE - COME AND GO
Euan: I love ArrDee’s sound. It’s raw but he brings the fun in the lyrics and uses music in a way few others in his genre do. And he’s only 20. When I’m not being jealous of his talent, I know that when people hear his songs they’re going to have a smile on their faces.
LEONY - REMEDY
Euan: I have nothing insightful or deep to say about this track. It’s just a banging hi-energy pop dance tune.
THE WEEKND – SACRIFICE
Helen: I’m still waiting for The Weeknd to put out a bad track! With more than a whiff of Michael Jackson circa 1982 and a huge helping of 80s nostalgia, ‘Sacrifice’ is a pretty perfect pop song. The video looks like a trailer for Blade 4 but don’t let that put you off!
LOLA YOUNG – SORRY
Helen: At just 20 year old, Lola Young recently graduated from the BRIT school – famous alumni include Amy Winehouse and Adele – and with Lola’s soulful sound there’s no doubt comparisons will be made. But I don’t get the impression that will daunt this confident young woman whose lyrics are refreshingly honest and relatable.
YOLA – DANCING AWAY IN TEARS
Helen: When I first heard this song I thought I already knew it – it has that ‘classic’ feel to it on a first listen. Yola’s vocals are gloriously soulful and warm and the arrangement – which includes a brass section (I LOVE a brass section) – gives the song a deep and rich quality. Try not to sway when you listen – I dare you.
LIAM GALLAGHER – EVERYTHING’S ELECTRIC
Helen: Our kid’s all grown up (well as much as we’d ever want him to!) Liam’s always struggled to be taken seriously in his solo work, charismatic – yes, attitude and snarl – tick! But hold on a minute – turns out the man can write a decent tune too! Everything’s Electric is the first solo song of Liam’s that has the quality of an early Oasis track – may it be the first of many to come!
GANG OF YOUTHS – IN THE WAKE OF YOUR LEAVE
Helen: As someone who hit who hit peak-teen in the 90s – I always get a bit excited when a decent new guitar band appears on the scene! When I first heard this track I thought they were from Manchester or Liverpool – turns out they’re from Australia. The song does a beautiful job of incorporating strings to the fast-paced guitar beat, giving it that anthemic feel. Oh and the video is brilliant – watch it immediately.