We’ve spent weeks combing through the mountains of music released in this chaotically beautiful year. After much reminiscing, discussing, and some (friendly) arguing — we finally arrived at our Best Of 2022. On today’s show, we sample from the smorgasbord of sounds that we feel best represent the year that was.

Get a taste of our top 10 albums: Kendrick’s Mr.Morale & The Big Steppers, Toro y Moi’s MAHAL, Automatic’s Excess, and Stromae’s Multitude, are but a few that made the cut! Listen on to learn more, and while you’re at it jam along to a couple selects off our favorite songs list. Yahritza y Su Esencia — the post-modern Mexican folk band fronted by 16 year-old Yahritza Martinez — is just waiting to become your new favorite, though the competition from leftfield disco queen Lisa LeBlanc is fierce. The line “wheel’s turning, but the hamster’s dead” from her from her standout track “Dans l’jus” has become one of the definitional phrases of 2022 around these parts. Plus, revisit a few… ok a lot of the most spun records across all of KCRW this year (they got that much play for a reason). We’re also revealing the most downloaded Today’s Top Tune(s), and even YOUR personal favorites.

Make this warm trip down memory lane even warmer with a donation on the last day of our Season of Giving Back Pledge Drive. When you make your year-end gift, your impact will be doubled thanks to a generous $25,000 challenge from KCRW Board Member Madhu Pocha and the O'Melveny Firm. Plus it’s your very last chance to be automatically entered to win those tickets to that slammin’ NYE party. Get yourself in the mix, and good luck!