2022 Songs of the Year, Top 10, by co-editor Greg Jones

10) Thomas Bryan Eaton – “Younger man”
-A bit of armchair philosophy told in narrative form? Consider me interested. Add in some meaningful blues, a killer organ, and a great lead vocal… and you have yourself a top ten track on the year. Eaton has a solid vocal tone that allows the lyrics to feel quite comfortable; the overall genre on the track is hard to pin down, but it’s sure to find a lot of fans at the intersection of folk and Americana. The understated overall melody and chilled out groove of the track allows the melancholy of the lyrics to really emerge; once the choral vocal enters on the bridge, the track moves from good to great. Give it a spin and enjoy every section; more than just a song, this piece captures the complexity of a relationship with moments of bliss and sadness alternating to create truly great art.

9) Seph Cove – “August”
-This track from Seph Cove is probably what people think you mean when you tell them you read a blog that has indie folk music. It’s got a brilliant acoustic element with some amazing quality vocals. The lyrics are thoughtful and relatable. There’s this amazing bass vocal in the opening section that I really enjoy. But around the 1:20 mark begins an atmospheric section that moves from “quaint folk tune” into something absolutely magical; the song soars in the best way possible. The dynamics on this track are some of the best songwriting I ran across in all of 2022. I’ve listened to thousands of folk songs this year and this one is one of my favorites for a wide range of reasons. It is a masterful production.

8) SYML – “Sweet home”
-If you’ve been following my playlists and writing for any length of time, you won’t be surprised to know that I’ve chosen a song that “sounds like CSNY.” The harmonies on this track remind me a great deal of “Helplessly Hoping.” There’s a peacefulness to this composition that I absolutely admire and adore. Also, if you have ever experienced the blessing of returning home (even if it’s a person and not a place), this song will certainly resonate. I can always tell when my ear really loves a song because I won’t even try to sing along; in the case of SYML, I just sit and listen to their flawless harmonies. It’s a captivating piece of folk songwriting and I’m so glad I found it.

7) Ben Rector – “Living my best life”
-Okay, so real talk when it comes to pure style, this probably isn’t even in my top 10 of Ben Rector songs. But you know why this song is here? Because it’s a major theme for my life right now “living my best life.” I know that’s not the case for everyone, but it is for me. Rector continues to capture the ability to identify and embrace beauty, “learning to eat the fruit that is in season” better than anyone making music. I love the way Ben Rector creates these feel-good melodies while also featuring relatable, real life lyrical concepts. I can’t listen to this song without feeling good about life. It’s an immediate mood improver, and for that I have to include it on this list.

6) Lexie Carroll – “if i built my home from paper”
-*takes deep breath* I literally took a deep breath before I could write about this song. That’s what it means to me. I love Lexie Carroll’s gentle sincerity in songwriting; I love Lexie Carroll’s incisive, deep songwriting. The combination of the subtle piano, the electronic backing, and the beautiful lead vocal makes for something truly spectacular. The lyrics are about the trouble that we face in this broken world and feeling more at home when we’re with someone special. There’s an almost spiritual meaning to the song about finding peace with someone. If this one hits you like it did me, you’ll be impressed.

5) Marianne BL – “Stick season” (Noah Kahan cover)
-It’s quite rare for me to feature a cover, so when I do it’s because it really speaks to me. This version of “Stick season” is genuinely better than the original. The piano is simple and approachable, but it’s the passion in the vocal that really works on this one. It’s hard to believe that these are not the vocalist’s own words. The subtle layering for the vocal harmonies on this recording capture something sweet and magical. I have listened to this song over and over and over in 2022. It’s been a real blessing to my soul and I hope you all enjoy it as well.

4) Jacksonport – “Fresh flowers”
-This was the first song I loved in 2022. I know this because it’s at the top of my list and because I remember it. I remember being blown away by the acoustic guitar work and the almost whispered quality of the vocals. The expressive harmonies on this track are absolutely gorgeous. The different elements of the song from the orchestral to the vocal all create some unique textures and layers for a piece of auditory bliss. You can listen to thousands of songs and never find anything even remotely close to this beautiful song. “No more work to lose… just half a bottle of booze and a sky of blue. I find myself holding fresh flowers.” It’s a song about embracing and loving life right where you are; it turned out to be a bit of an anthem for my year personally as well. I love this one.

3) Ten Minute Detour – “What can I do”
-Sometimes I love song because it’s the total package rather than for one specific aspect of the song. That’s the case with this delightful track from Ten Minute Detour. A dash of soul, some classic rock, and a bit of vintage pop all rolls into a song with all the hit panache of a mid-70s rock band. The snappiness of the track works well with the vocal harmonies. If you don’t sing that “what can I doooooo” on the chorus with the band, you really might want to get to the doctor. It’s such an alive, vibrant song. I dig everything about it.

2) Robert Leslie – “In another light”
-Before this year began, I had never heard of Robert Leslie. By the end of this year, I had listened to his music (and especially this track) many, many times. Leslie sings with a whimsy that I find absolutely entrancing. It’s a complex melody that reminds me of equal parts Beach Boys and Webberian musical theatricality; the end result is absolutely wonderful. The lyrics are about seeing someone soon “in another light.” The lyrics pop back and forth between relatable emotionalism and fantastical imagery; the end result is a song that has a sense of wonder and mystery unlike anything I’ve heard in years.

1) Joe Purdy – “My loving arms”
-I can’t quite explain why I love this song so much; it just speaks to me. I’ve been a fan of Purdy for several years now, but the plainspoken sincerity of this track really seeps deep into the pores of the music lover. You can hear just how much his heart feels for the person the song is about; the relaxing guitar, lonesome harmonica, and poetic lyrics all work together for something truly magnificent. Purdy is one of the best living songwriters, and this gem off of his 2022 release Coyote represents the absolute best of folk music for me.