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17 underrated artists around the world – Hidden Gems

The ever-evolving landscape of the music industry churns out a number of big names every decade. Be it The Beatles or Taylor Swift, there are a number of talented music artists and bands that left a lasting impression in the world of pop culture. However, there is also a big chunk of artists who remained underrated throughout their careers that deserve to be talked about. In our 17th anniversary special, we wanted to have a look back at the underdogs and celebrate their musical impact on the world.

There are 17 artists from around the world who are underrated

Carly Rae Jepsen

I am sure you remember 2012’s smash hit song ‘Call Me Maybe’ but staple dance pop is not just where Carly excels. Her 2019 album ‘Dedicated’ is one of the finest pieces of music released in recent times and more people need to pay attention to Carly!

John Mayer

John Mayer has definitely carved a place for himself in the music industry for over two decades but he still remains in the underrated category. Even now, most people know Mayer for his eccentric pretty boy image but he has evolved to become much more than that.

Rick Astley

Yes, I know you have been ‘Rickrolled’ many times on the internet by meme pages and trollers. However, the ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ singer could not make his way out of the hit song and has remained criminally underrated over the years having peaked in the 80s.

Alessia Cara

The 25-year-old artist definitely has a long way to go in her musical career, but that does not change the fact that she is underappreciated in the current pop scene. Her 2021 album ‘In The Meantime’ is an example of how much she has evolved from her ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’ days.

Harry Nilsson

Harry Nilsson was regarded as the most underrated singer-songwriter in the post-war era. While Nilsson is not a forgotten artist to any degree, people mostly only know him for songs like ‘Coconut’ without realising his profound knowledge of pop culture.

Topaz Jones

Until now, Topaz Jones has had only one mainstream hit with the 2016 single ‘Tropicana’ which garnered 11 million Spotify streams. However, the rap artist has since then struggled to find a mainstream hit.

Kimbra

Kimbra is a lot more than the girl who featured in a Gotye song. She has the ability to fuse genres like pop, R&B, jazz, and rock to create a unique sound that stands apart from the crowd.

Ravyn Lenae

It is not uncommon for contemporary artists to fly under the radar but Lanae is a lot more than just that. While her music lies in the roots of R&B and soul, her vocals and musical sensibilities transcend the limitations of any genre.

Katy B

Katy B influenced the UK charts back in 2011 but was on a hiatus for the longest time. The artist has now returned to the music industry with new tunes for her fans.

MC5

MC5 is considered one of the forefathers of punk rock and garage rock. While they have been cited as one of the most important bands in the development of alternative rock, not a big chunk of people are actually aware of them.

The Rare Occasions

Who would’ve thought that a euphoric rock band created nearby Boston would become infamous for its rock songs? Their hit songs like ‘Notion’ and ‘origami’ are bound to keep you hooked for a long time.

Dayglow

This one-man band with songs like ‘Close To You’ and ‘Hot Rod’ has carved a fanbase for itself.

Bebe Rexha

Bebe Rexha might have featured on hit songs like ‘Me, Myself & I’ but has not yet evolved as a solo artist. Bebe is poised to be a big star but for now, remains underrated.

Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is on his way to becoming perhaps one of the most notable LGBT musicians around the world. His singles ‘Bloom’ and ‘My My My’ are beyond just catchy.

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie has carved herself a fanbase that is limited to only UK. However, her global recognition is still a long way to go.

Charlie Puth

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like Charlie Puthhas not made a number of chartbusters. But in recent years, his popularity seems to have taken a dive putting him in the underrated category.

Grimes

Grime has become the indie darling of the past decade but is seldom mentioned in discussions about successful artists. It looks like grimes is not interested in breaking into the mainstream as her indie bubble serves her well.

Netflix wants you to stop sharing your password with people outside the household

They say sharing is caring, but Netflix believes in the opposite. Earlier, people were allowed to share their Netflix passwords with friends, colleagues, relatives, etc. However, according to the new rule, sharing your Netflix password with people outside the household can be hailed as a criminal offence.

Sharing a password with others is not new; even the platform creators know about it. Netflix, being one of the top most OTT platforms in the world, is already tasting a subscriber loss in the last couple of years, and that’s the sole reason the platform is testing a new way of allowing account sharing, but for an additional fee.

The platform addressed the issue long ago, but they only looked into it seriously once they started noticing a revenue fall. The company lost a massive number of subscribers for the first time in 10 years and realized the need to end password sharing for their benefit. As per reports, to stop password sharing, the company might start charging per head.

Netflix has been testing the new password-sharing option in some countries and charging $3 (₹250 approx) for people who wish to use their friend’s Netflix account. The company has not revealed its plan to start the same in India yet, but the day is not far when you’ll have to pay an additional amount for consuming Netflix content from your friends’ accounts.

Netflix is trying its best to cover the loss by initiating new schemes, and charging people for account sharing is one of them. Recently, they started a new affordable ad-supported plan in the US, and the results are positive. In India, Netflix offers four plans – mobile-only plan @₹149, basic plan @₹199, standard plan @₹499, and premium plan @₹649.

Lenovo unveiled a bunch of affordable devices ahead of CES 2023

Ahead of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2023, Lenovo unveiled a bunch of affordable devices loaded with standout features. The annual tech event is destined to happen from 5th January to 8th January 2023 and will showcase the best of the tech world. The list of devices unveiled by Lenovo ahead of CES includes IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (12”, 8), IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8), Lenovo Tab M9 and Lenovo 500 USB Type-C® Universal Dock.

IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook (12”, 8)

The IdeaPad Flex 3i is a ChromeOS-powered two-in-one thin and light chromebook with plenty of connectivity options. The yet-to-be-launched chromebook sports a slightly larger 12.2-inch display than the previous generation and is available in two configurations – 4GB + 64GB or 8GB + 128GB with updated Intel N100 or N200 Processors and with either integrated Intel graphics or dedicated NVIDIA graphics.

The two-in-one chromebook can be used as a laptop or tablet and can be held in various modes, such as stand-in tent mode, on a table or a desk. The chromebook is promised to have a long battery life of up to 12 hours and a couple of stand-alone features like Rheinland low blue light certification, an optional backlit keyboard, and an ergonomic drop-hinge that lifts the keyboard 15 degrees for a comfortable typing experience.

IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8)

Another exciting gadget Lenovo unveiled ahead of CES 2023 is its next-gen IdeaCentre Mini, a sleek 1L desktop PC with a built-in power supply unit (PSU) and an updated design. The sleek and compact device can be placed anywhere and will play another role as a room decor. The chassis of the IdeaCentre Mini is designed in such a way that it allows easy access to its dual-vortex cooling fan and memory chip.

The IdeaCentre Mini (1L, 8) features the latest Intel Core processor, two DDR4 memory chips, SSD storage8 of up to 1 TB, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and ample ports with a Type-C Thunderbolt 4.0. Through Lenovo Smart Storage Solution, one can store all the files in the cloud and access them with a tablet, smartphone, or laptop when needed and when they are away from the desk.

Lenovo Tab M9

The lightweight M9 tablet boasts a 9-inch display with a 1340 x 800 px resolution to help you have never-ending entertainment with a satisfying multi-media experience. The Tab M9 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 (octa-core) chipset, and its display is housed in a stylish dual-tone metal casing. The M9 has a 5,100 mAh battery with support for 15W charging via USB-C.

The tablet offers up to 128GB of storage and is enhanced by Dolby Atmos® spatial audio experience with dual stereo speakers, making it a perfect choice for someone who wants to enjoy OTT shows and movies on the go. The M9 tab offers a comfortable in-hand experience and is backed by the MediaTek® Helio G80 Octa-Core processor, Android™ 12 operating system, along with a 2MP front-facing camera and an 8MP main shooter.

How Big is Disney?

You can’t say you haven’t heard the name Disney. The mass media and entertainment conglomerate has been in the show business for about 100 years, and thanks to its iconic cartoon character ‘Mickey Mouse’, who helped them become a household name throughout the globe. The company was founded by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney on October 16, 1923, with the name Disney Brothers Studio.

Laugh-O-Gram

Disney Brothers Studios wasn’t the first company co-founded by Walt Disney. Before Disney, he started a film studio, Laugh-O-Gram, with his friend and animator Ub Iwerks. In here, Walt made a short film called ‘Alice in Wonderland, the first in his series of famous Alice Comedies. The company went bankrupt, but the short became a hit after New York film distributor Margaret J. Winkler bought it.

Walt Before Mickey

Walt’s fate changed when he got a contract to create six Alice Comedies series, but before signing it up, he decided to move from Kansas City to Hollywood. He convinced his business associate Iwerks to move, and he agreed due to the then circumstances – Walt’s brother, Roy, was recovering from tuberculosis there, and he wanted to become a live-action film director.

In 1926, the first ever official studio was established at Hyperion Avenue, and it was named Walt Disney Studio. Margaret J. Winkler, the distributor of the Alice Comedies series, handed over the distribution work to her husband, Charles Mintz. The relation between Walt and Charlez wasn’t going well, as Walt wanted to move away from the mixed format to all animation.

In 1927, Charlez decided to start a new series of films under the distribution of Universal Pictures. He asked Walt to create a new character, and as a result, along with Iwerks, he created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of the peppiest artworks from the studio. Later on, Charlez decided to reduce fees of Walt instead of raising them, and it became the reason Walt backed out with Iwerks.

The Birth of Mickey Mouse

Walt lost the rights to Oswald’s character in 1928, and to conquer that, he co-created a new character who resembled Oswald in appearance, Mickey Mouse, one of the most famous cartoon characters in the world. The world thinks that Walt Disney is the man who created Mickey Mouse, but it was actually his best friend, Ub Iwerks, who designed the cartoon in 1928.

Mickey is the offspring of two fathers, Walt – the known father and Iwerks – the father who never got the limelight. Mickey is an anthropomorphic mouse who usually wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves. He is one of the world’s most recognisable fictional characters of all time, and his calm personality is inspired by the character of Champ, portrayed by Charlie Chaplin in many silent films.

The Gutsy Move by Walt Disney

After the formation of Mickey Mouse and enjoying the success of movies from the Silly Symphonies series, Walt decided to make Disney’s first-ever feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When Walt decided to go for a realistic approach to make the film, his brother Roy warned him by saying it would bankrupt the studio.

However, Disney decided to trust his guts and created scenes from the movie as if they were live-action. It took Disney three years to make the movie, as the budget lifted from $0.15 million to $1.5 million. The gutsy move helped the movie to become the highest-grossing film of all time; it collected around $8 million at the box office, equivalent to $150,796,296 in 2021.

La La Disneyland

The idea of creating an amusement park came into Walt Disney’s mind when he visited Griffith Park with his daughters, Diane and Sharon. While watching them ride the merry-go-round, he started thinking about the idea of a place where adults and their children could have fun together, and the answer to his question resulted in him constructing Disneyland.

The Halt of a Walt

Walt Disney Studio and the other ventures associated with the company made Walt Disney one of the most popular personalities in the world. The pioneer of the American animation industry died on 15th December 1966 after a month-long fight with lung cancer. He was the first to be nominated for Academy Awards in six categories, and throughout his career, he won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations.

The Disney Renaissance

After the death of Walt Disney, the company continued making live-action films but almost abandoned the animation industry until the late 1980s when the “Disney Renaissance” began with the 1989 released movie – The Little Mermaid. The Renaissance period was from 1989 to 1999, when the company produced critically and commercially successful animated films, mostly musical adaptations of well-known stories.

Valuation

Assets: US$203.63 billion (2022)

With over 2,00,000 employees, Disney’s current* net worth is about $98.88 billion.

Television and Entertainment Networks Owned by Disney

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

National Geographic Channel

ESPN (Disney owns an 80% stake)

A&E (50% equity holding with Hearst Corporation)

The History Channel (50% equity holding with Hearst Corporation)

Fusion TV

NBC Universal

Disney Junior

Disney Radio

Disney Channel

Streaming Services Owned by Disney

Disney+

ESPN+

Hulu

Hotstar

ABC+

Studios and Other Companies that Disney Owns

Pixar Animation Studios

Marvel Entertainment Inc

Caravan Pictures in Hollywood

Core Publishing

Walt Disney Studios

Vice Media (10% stake)

Lucasfilm Ltd

Hollywood Records

Theme Parks Owned by Disney

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Paris

Fantasy Land

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Mermaid Lagoon

American Waterfront

Mickey’s Toontown

Avengers Campus

Arendelle – World of Frozen

Image of Adventureland

Adventureland

Image of Liberty Square

Liberty Square

Image of American Waterfront

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Key People

Walt Disney, Founder

Roy O. Disney, Founder

Susan Arnold, Chairwoman

Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer

7 Interesting Facts about Disney!

Before changing its name to the Walt Disney Company in 1986, the company operated under names like Disney Brothers Studio, Walt Disney Studio and Walt Disney Productions.
When Charlez threatened Walt to start his own studio and kept most of his animation staff with him, Iwerks was the only animator who remained with Walt.
Mickey Mouse was originally named Mortimer Mouse, but Walt’s wife urged him to change it to Mickey Mouse, and the rest is history.
Disneyland Park (previously Disneyland), a theme park constructed in 1955 in Anaheim, California, is the only park designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney.
The Jungle Book (1967) was one of the last films Walt worked on, and it remained as Disney’s most successful film for the next two decades.
The actors who voiced Mickey (Wayne Allwine) and Minnie (Russi Taylor) began dating, and the cartoon romance became real life as they got married.
When Mickey Mouse turned 50, they put him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to celebrate his achievement in the entertainment industry. He was the first animated character to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Avatar: The Way Of Water Review: A Flawed Blockbuster

Avatar: The Way Of Water

Duration: 192 Minutes

Director: James Cameron

Writers: Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, James Cameron

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet, and Joel David Moore

The wondrous lands of Pandora took everyone by surprise back in 2009’s Avatar which became the highest-grossing film to date. After 13 years of anticipation and production delays, James Cameron has finally made his way to the water to deliver a sequel. There is a lot of hype and scepticism surrounding Avatar: The Way Of Water and I entered the cinemas after wrapping up work on a Friday evening expecting a visually stunning cinematic experience, the film definitely delivers in that arena. However, does having stunning visual effects at a time when CGI-heavy films release every Friday enough to captivate the audience? This is where Avatar: The Way Of Water takes a beating!

Story

Over a decade has passed since the first film in the Avatar universe and Jake Sully has gotten busy building a family with his Na’vi love Neytri played by Zoe Saldana. The family and his tribe face an imminent threat from the ‘Sky People’ aka human beings who return to Pandora to resume their exploitative activities and seek revenge. This threat brings out the protective father inside Sully who travels across the seas to seek refuge on a coral reef Island with the Metkayina clan. This is pretty much the story of the new Avatar film without jumping into spoiler territory.

The first Avatar film was not a pioneer in its story either, these films rely on a simple story structure but are backed by awe-inspiring visuals which make up for a cinematic delight. However, this time round the visual spectacle did fall short to make up for a half-baked story. There are indeed plotholes here and there sprinkled throughout the film and Jake’s sudden decision to go from a clan leader to seek refuge away from the forest does not entirely make sense. The water sequences in ‘The Way Of Water’ come roughly after 50 minutes in the film and stay till the end. It is clear that Cameron wanted to shed a light on humanity’s ill-treatment of our ecological resources. There is a well-drawn-out whale hunting sequence in the film that broke my heart and made me shed a tear. Overall, while the story is stretched out and feels repetitive at times it is bearable.

Visuals

One clearly does not watch blockbuster films for their Shakespearean narrative. People are drawn out to the cinemas to experience the extraordinary stimulus of breathtaking visuals with films like Avatar, and there is no doubt that the film hits the ball out of the park in that arena. Some shots here will have you wondering ‘How the hell did Cameron pull this off?’ All the water sequences in the sequel are beyond just stunning. Cameron plays around with the frame rates during sequences which adds on to the hyper-reality he’s built in this franchise.

Stunning In Parts

It is easy to set high expectations from blockbuster films to ultimately be disappointed. However, my expectations with Avatar: The Way Of Water were set pretty low thanks to the internet discourse around the film franchise. Even with low hopes, the film fails to captivate the audience’s attention to the highest degree. It can easily be chopped down by at least 10 minutes to keep it crisp. Character motivations are all over the place, some plot points don’t entirely make sense, and the conclusion leaves more to be desired even though a long climax takes place right before it. Cameron takes heavy inspiration from his previous film Titanic for The Way Of Water’s climax, which is not a complaint! Ultimately, the second visit to Pandora was overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time.

Rating – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Best Films of 2022 – Supreme Entertainment!

2022 felt like a breeze at the movies after the gloomy pandemic times. The Indian audience especially was at a unique place as we got to enjoy films portraying different cultures, languages, and stories across the country while the big Hollywood blockbusters also made their way to the cinemas. 2022 was not perfect for films as the boycott culture took over Bollywood, but films were appreciated and celebrated nonetheless. Here is a look at the best films released in 2022.

Note – This list does not rate films thus the mentions are in no specific order

Top Gun: Maverick

Starting off with the biggest blockbuster of the year. Tom Cruise flew his way to the theaters piloting the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and won our hearts. The sequel for the original Top Gun film was long overdue but Tom reportedly did not want to reprise the role of Maverick for a cash-grab project. With Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise cemented the fact that he is still a box office cash machine and perhaps the last of the stars.

RRR

While RRR was expected to make a splash at the Indian box office, nobody expected the SS Rajamouli directorial to carve its place in global pop culture. The film was screened at the esteemed TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles where Americans were seen doing the ‘Naatu’ dance, a treat to say the least! The film currently has a lot of Oscar buzz around it even though it was not nominated from India. After conquering the American box office, RRR also shined in Japan making it a true Indian global blockbuster.

Everything Everywhere All At Once

If you want to feel what an acid trip feels like without actually taking any then you need to watch The Daniels’ directorial right away. This film explores the concepts of the multiverse better than Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness by a mile (Sorry Marvel!) The film revolves around the character of Michelle Yeoh who is coursing her way through an existential crisis, dealing with family troubles, and… the IRS?! You’ll get what I am talking about once you watch this mind-bending film.

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Who thought that a Chip ‘n Dale movie in 2022 will be anything else but a cash grab? 2022’s direct-to-Disney+ film Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers was a breath of fresh air amid corporations trying to use the nostalgia bate in order to put butts in the theatre seats. The film follows the titular characters thirty years after the television show has gone off-air. Chipmunks Dale and Chip live different lives but are forced to reunite when a cast member of the original show mysteriously disappears. People who love pop culture are in for a treat as the film is filled with fun references, even an ugly Sonic one!

Gangubai Kathiawadi

This twisted tale of Gangubai Kathiawadi surely loses its steam by the time it ends but successfully builds a world, characters, and set designs that are awe-inspiring. The film is based on S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges’ spine-chilling book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai,’ and showcases Ganga’s rise to power from a sex worker to a celebrated queen of Kamathipura in Mumbai. Alia Bhatt’s performance in the film was widely appreciated and the film lit up at the box office at a time when big superstars failed to get the cash registers ringing.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect marked R. Madhavan’s directorial debut. The film was not just critically claimed but also made decent collections at the box office. The film is based on the life of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayan and spans across his days as a graduate student at Princeton University to getting accused in the ISRO espionage case. The film premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and was released in multiple languages. SRK fans can enjoy his extended cameo in the Hindi version of the film.

Jhund

What happens when celebrated Marathi director Nagraj Manjule and the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan collaborate on a film project? The result is the captivating film Jhund which leaves the audience stunned with its honest portrayal of kids growing up in slum areas. The film is based on the life of football coach Vijay Barse, the founder of Slum Soccer NGO, and how he gets slum kids hooked on a sport to distract them from nefarious activities.

Chandramukhi

2022 was the year of regional films in India and this Marathi film took people by surprise! The Prasad Oak directorial film revolves around the love story of a Tamasha singer/dancer and a rising politician. The film is a period piece that explores the concept of adultery, relationships, women’s exploitation, and the influence of politics on people’s lives. The film was based on Vishwas Patil’s novel of the same name – Chandramukhi.

Kantara

This film was a case study for Indian filmmakers on changing audience behavior. While a film like Kantara could easily get smashed between blockbusters before the pandemic, it managed to become one of the biggest hits in the post-pandemic era. The film revolves around the conflict between humans and nature with a twist of Bhootha Kola. The film depicts Supreme God Vishnu’s third incarnation on earth called the Varaha Avatar. The riveting climax made Kantara a must-watch for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike.

Bullet Train

If you’re a fan of the Quentin Tarantino genre of films then Bullet Train is the perfect fit for you. You must have seen situational comedies but how about a situational crime thriller? The film revolves around five assassins boarding a fictionalized version of Japan’s bullet train and all hell breaking loose! It features an ensemble cast of Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Bad Bunny, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a surprise cameo I would not like to reveal. Watch it for the laughs, thrills, and exhilarating climax!

The Batman

The only superhero movie worth mentioning in this year’s top films is Matt Reeves’ directorial The Batman. While Marvel had a lukewarm year in 2022 with only Black Panther: Wakanda Forever being an amazing film, DC had its fun with The Batman and Black Adam. Matt Reeves’ iteration of the caped crusader was somehow darker than its previous versions featuring Ben Affleck and Christian Bale. One can only hope that this version of Batman stays on as DC’s primary Batman as they’ve got a lot of Dark Knights running around the multiverse!

The Adam Project

What happens when Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, and Zoe Saldana feature in a film together? You get a heartwarming tale sprinkled with a lot of action. The film features Ryan Reynolds as a pilot from the future who goes back in time and meets his younger self while trying to discover the reason behind his wife’s disappearance. The film was helmed by director Shawn Levy who is all set to direct the upcoming Deadpool 3, so the project rests in safe hands!

Elvis

While we definitely need a break from the biopic trend going around in mainstream movies, Bas Luhrmann’s directorial Elvis is one film I do not mind. The film is based on the life of the musical star Elvis from his rise to fame to his death and everything in between. It features a top-notch performance by Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker. While the film focuses a lot more on the Colonel’s character than Elvis himself, it manages to pull an interesting narrative overall. Watch it for the trippy visuals!

Minions The Rise of Gru

Minions The Rise of Gru sheerly made it to the list by its influence on the world when it was released back in July 2022. The ironic meme posting around the film actually made me go buy a ticket for the film and watch it surrounded by a bunch of kids having the times of their lives! Funnily enough, Minions The Rise of Gru was one of the few films in Hollywood in 2022 that actually managed to get near the billion-dollar mark at the box office at a budget of only $80 million.

Enola Holmes 2

If you’re interested in suspense thriller films that don’t lean towards a dark narrative then Enola Holmes 2 is the perfect little film for you. This film features Millie Bobby Brown’s Enola Holmes starting her own agency and struggling to make ends meet until the day a factory worker seeks her help to find her missing sister. The film also features a hearty cameo by Henry Cavill which is a treat to say the least.

Special Mentions –

Prey
Thiruchitrambalam
Beast
Vikram
Zombivili
The Gray Man
Turning Red
Don’t Worry Darling
Orphan: First Kill
Ambulance

Best Music Albums of 2022 – The Pop Melodies!

The western music industry had taken backstage due to the COVID pandemic which led to a number of canceled shows and delayed albums. However, with 2022 bringing back live shows with relaxed COVID protocols and artists being able to get back on track with recordings and releases, this year saw an influx of new music dropping throughout. Be it Drake, Beyoncé, or Harry Styles, the heavy hitters of pop music dropped new music left and right. Here is a look at all the best albums from 2022 –

The Weeknd – Dawn FM

The Weeknd had big shoes to fill with Dawn Fm as his 2020 album After Hours was a blockbuster hit globally. The 2022 album actually showcased how far Abel has come as a performer if we look back at his 2011 mixtape – House Of Balloons. The Weeknd’s music has often followed a theme of light/dark having multiple yin-and-yang elements sprinkled across all over his music. With Dawn FM, the artist takes the same theme to the next level and maybe even concludes. For what can be called his most upbeat album to date, Dawn FM by The Weeknd makes his way to our top albums list.

Favorite Track – Here We Go… Again (ft. Tyler, The Creator)

Harry Style – Harry’s House

I’ve spent the better part of my 2022 watching Harry Styles perform all over the world with his fans screaming ‘Leave America’ wherever he sings ‘As It Was’ live. And let me tell you, I had a ball! The wonderboy of One Direction has now evolved to become a solo showstopper and the Harry’s House album is a testament to what was waiting to be unleashed for all those years. It’s always a rocky road when a teen idol becomes a solo star and Harry’s own One Direction team is an example of the same. However, the artist has managed to break free from the shackles of the ‘boyband’ image and build a solo brand for himself. Harry’s House is a delightful entry to our top albums list.

Favorite Track – As It Was

Taylor Swift – Midnights

The imprint Taylor Swift has left on modern pop culture is unparalleled, but I am not a big fan of the megastar. While I love some of her songs, others not so much. But her Midnights album was the one where a completely evolved Taylor was presented to her fans and general listeners. Swifties around the world too were taken aback by the self-loathing and reflective nature of the lyrics this album had which was a departure from Taylor’s usual expression of music. The unfiltered and raw version of this pop icon makes Midnights a worthy mention in our list.

Favorite Track – Anti-Hero

Drake / 21 Savage – Her Loss

Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind album was a disappointment for me where tracks like Calling My Name and Sticky failed to intrigue the music enthusiast inside me. However, with Her Loss, we were presented with a much more carefree Drake coupled with 21 Savage’s exhilarating collaboration. The new collab between the two artists felt like a direct and fitting revolution from 2009’s So Far Gone. With Her Loss, the Certified Lover Boy makes his way to our best album list in all his Canadian glory.

Favorite Track – Rich Flex

Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

It took five years for Kendrick Lamar to drop an album after ‘Damn’ and all I can say is that it was worth the wait! The Pulitzer-winning rapper explored the depths of his soul with his new album as opposed to serving the chartbuster formula like his previous one. In his fifth and glorious studio album, Lamar has turned his back on the limelight of being a pop icon and highlighted his own insecurities and belief systems which is a daring feat for a star of his magnitude to do.

Favorite Track – We Cry Together (ft. Taylor Paige)