KCRW’s Top 30: SZA, NEIL FRANCES, Charlotte Adigéry + Bolis Pupul

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LA duo NEIL FRANCES close out a year full of KCRW chart glory as 2022’s final number one artist. Photo by Victoria Smith.

SZA dropping SOS (her rabidly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s Ctrl) aside, our final chart of 2022 doubles as a rundown of the top-tier artists that have held it down for us in some way shape or form all year long.

Remixes continue to rule the day with new entries from Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) giving Nation of Language the seal of approval for indie-dance nights everywhere; Braxe + Falcon smoothing out Jungle’s sample-tastic “GOOD TIMES;” and avant-house legends Soulwax applying their expertise to the solo stylings of The XX’s Oliver Sim. 


Follow our Top 30 Spotify playlist, and stay in the know about all the great tunes coming your way in 2023.

Top 30 Albums (12.13.2022)


1 NEIL FRANCES High (Feat. PawPaw Rod) [Single]
2 Gorillaz Cracker Island
3 Pearl & The Oysters Pacific Ave [Single]
4 Supershy Don't Let Go [Single]
5 Gabriels Angels & Queens - Part 1
6 Jungle GOOD TIMES (Braxe + Falcon Remix) [Single]
7 Eddie Chacon Holy Hell (Mndsgn Remix) [Single]
8 SAULT 11
9 SZA SOS
10 De Lux Do You Need A Release (Remixes)
11 Kelela Raven
12 SAULT Untitled (God)
13 Barry Can't Swim Like The Old Days [Single]
14 Flevans A Short Distance to Fall
15 Nick Hakim COMETA
16 Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs When the Lights Go
17 Say She She Wrap Myself Up in Your Love [Single]
18 Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cool It Down
19 Thee Sacred Souls Thee Sacred Souls
20 SAULT Earth
21 Louis Cole Quality Over Opinion
22 Nation of Language Across That Fine Line (Joe Goddard Remix) [Single]
23 Oliver Sim Sensitive Child (Soulwax Remix) [Single]
24 Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul Topical Dancer
25 Mount Kimbie MK 3.5: Die Cuts / City Planning
26 Lee Fields Sentimental Fool
27 Metronomy Small World (Special Edition)
28 Panda Bear & Sonic Boom Reset (Expanded Edition)
29 The Blessed Madonna Serotonin Moonbeams [Single]
30 DOMi & JD BECK NOT TiGHT