Well, let me be the first to say Happy New Year! 2023 is here and is already shaping up to be another great year. With 2022 now in the rearview mirror, I thought it would be fun to cover some of the things that stood out in my 2022. Last year personally felt like a big year of growth for yours truly, so I felt the basic need to cover the things that brought me joy over the past year. This is a list of my top 5’s in various categories. Let us look back at the year that was 2022, shall we?
*Quick little side note, for these to make the top 5’s they must have been released in the year of 2022. Shows/anime/albums/concerts/etc that were right after or before 2022 do not play.
Top 5 Albums: These were the albums that left a lasting impression. With the amount of new music that is constantly being released, it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. These five albums have been the ones that have stayed in my constant shuffle.
5. Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Kendrick really is King. After the commercial success of Black Panther: The Album, everyone was left waiting for Kendrick’s next project. It was easily one of the most anticipated albums of the year and surprise surprise he delivered. While I won’t say it is my favorite album of the year it is one of my favorite Kendrick projects. We get a vulnerable Kendrick as he opens up emotionally to his audience. We can often forget that behind the fame and accolades, we are all humans trying to manage ourselves as best as we can with our lives.
4. Joey Bada$$: 2000. Hip-Hop and I have a very on and off relationship. Sometimes it’ll be the only thing I listen to for months on end, and then there are times when I can’t stand the whole genre altogether. It can feel like there are only a few good hip-hop/rap artists left. With that said there are two more rappers that are making this list. One of them is Joey Bada$$. You can tell he studied the game and you can hear it in his lyrics. This album feels like it was released in the year 2000 which is a refreshing experience going through today’s hip-hop scene. One of the best surprises of the year for me and one that has me excited for his next work.
3. Denzel Curry: Melt My Eyes See Your Future. So I first heard of Denzel Curry because he was featured on a Glass Animals song “Tokyo Drifting” and at first I thought he brought a well needed edge to that track. A little bit of a bite to heat up that song for the rest of the albums. And while I heard that song, I never followed up on giving his music a shot. That was until I saw him on the Coachella lineup. Curious, I saw that he had just released this album at the beginning of 2022. The boy be SPITTING. Right out the gate of this album, Denzel takes no time to let you know he is legit. Incredible beats follow his hard-hitting bars that come together for a sick wombo combo that gives you hope for the genre. Clear a path because Denzel is gonna keep on walking.
2. Foals: Life is Yours: Foals can’t go wrong in my opinion. Always fun, a unique sound, unlike most current alternative bands, and always down for the night to get wild. There’s a sense of freedom in ‘Life is Yours’ as if there’s nothing you can’t go out and do. You want to go out and have the night for the ages? Foals is there for the first round of tequila shots. As the night goes on and the vibes are at an all time high, Foals flies Under the Radar, and by the time you realize that it’s 2am you’re already hearing The Sound of your alarm with the most earned hangover of your life. Foals is a party, and everyone’s welcome. Don’t believe me? see them live and I promise you a show you’ll never forget.
1. The Midnight: Heroes. The Midnight might be the biggest surprise band that I discovered this past year. Good friends send each other good music, and I gotta give the homies a shoutout for this one. ‘Heroes’ is a trip through 80’s USA, at least that’s what it feels like. From the synth beats to the lyrics with a focus on storytelling, and the overall feeling of The Midnight makes you feel as if you’re in a movie. The outcast in high school who’s got a crush on the popular girl, a night of self-discovery, and a can’t miss party in Brooklyn on a Friday night. We are the heroes of what we do with our lives, and in this album, the clock never strikes midnight. But
Top 5 Concerts: Albums are great to listen to at your leisure, but a concert is something that can stay in your heart. An experience that can alter either your night, your intake of illicit substances, or even your life. The drive to the venue, the excitement of going through the doors, finding your seats or plowing to the front row in GA, the lights, the roar of the crowd, all of these things are what makes a concert so special. These upcoming five encompass these feelings.
5. FKJ and OHMA at The Greek in Los Angeles. Without a doubt the chillest concert I’ve ever been to. Walking into The Greek theatre feels like you’re walking into Disneyland. The venue is in a league of its own and surprisingly fairly priced when it comes to drinks and concessions. I went into this concert with no expectations seeing as I had no idea there was an opener and my sister asked me to go with her and her fam about an hour before the show. OHMA, the opening band, made me feel as if I was walking through a forest in a fantasy land. An enchanted forest with two nymphs guiding you to an illuminating light at the heart of it all. After returning from Narnia, you get to hear the cool stylings of FKJ. What is most impressive about FKJ is that he is doing it all himself. every sound, chord, riff its all him. With the stage setup to look like his living room, it honestly feels like he’s inviting you into his home and the vibes are always welcome.
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Red Hot Chili Peppers are undoubtedly a “bucket list band.” Meaning you must see them live at some point in your life. Right in the middle of summer on a Friyay I was finishing up my radio responsibilities when Hammer informed me that they’d be at Levi Stadium that night. I made the spontaneous decision to go straight from work, and it was without a doubt the right decision. RHCP was electric in a packed stadium and had the whole venue addicted to the shindig. First the Foo Fighters, then RHCP, and next on the “bucket list” bands, Coldplay.
3. The Midnight at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. When I say I love the Fox Theatre in Oakland I mean I DUCKING LOVE THE FOX THEATRE IN OAKLAND. It is the perfect size, has immaculate vibes inside, and has a great floor to mosh in. Though The Midnight isn’t necessarily a mosh band, they are damn good. They brought their A-game no doubt, but the one that stole the show is without a doubt their touring saxophonist. THAT DUDE SHREDS. I’ve gone on record to say the saxophone is a top 3 instrument and this dude had the whole audience chanting his name. A legend and a bonified Shreddy Thompson. An incredible show and could’ve been my favorite show if it was for two major music events.
2. Coachella 2022: This feels like cheating, but in the words of the great NFL coach Mike Tomlin: “WE DO NOT CARE.” Music Festivals are a once in a lifetime experience that if you have the means you should absolutely go. I have done Coachella in the past and after having the most severe asthma attack of my adult life, I knew I had to be prepared for the dust of the desert. With proper planning, the health issues (at least for me) were a nonfactor. The lineup this past year was absolutely STACKED and there wasn’t a day with bad shows. Joji put on a sensational showcase of his singing ability, Disclosure and Slander had the audience in a constant state of euphoria, and The Weeknd, well The Weeknd might be the best closer in the game. That said, the performance that stole the show was undoubtedly Madeon. From his lights to his set list, to his dual-wielding DJ setup. It was the first time in my life I genuinely felt truly inspired to get into playing music. Coachella was easily a 10/10 experience, but there was one more event that hit a little closer to home.
1. New Rock Brew Rock: I know I might be a little biased, but how can I not put this at the one spot? A local concert extravaganza featuring not just Lovelytheband but also Silver Sun Pickups, like c’mon. Not only were the bands incredible, but the station got to debut a brand new beer (The delicious Kolsh 104.1). The energy from all of you was incredible, the beer was flowing, and the vibes were at an all-time high. The only issue was some dingus had maybe a beer too many before introducing Silver Suns…couldn’t imagine who that was……..
Top 5 Movies: These were the blockbusters that either hit the big screen or streaming sites. These films were in a league of their own and hot damn they were good.
5. Avatar 2: The Way of Water: 13 years in the making and it’s already the highest grossing movie of the year. Avatar 2 is visually breathtaking. An absolute triumph in set pieces and character design. The world James Cameron has created is truly a sight to behold. With that being said, I felt the wait for this movie definitely took away some of the wow factor that the first movie built. The first Avatar movie was unlike anything a lot of us moviegoers had ever seen before. Avatar 2 while impressive, just didn’t have the same “mmph” as the first. The action is exciting, the emotional spots hit for the most part, but the simple plot mixed with some cheesy dialogue keeps this from getting any higher on the list.
4. The Menu: The most different out of this list, The Menu was the perfect bite of hopelessness and reflection. From the scorned head chef to everyone attending the dinner, every character has a flaw that makes them garbage people. An Asshat foodie, a presumptuous food critic with her enabler friend, a washed movie star, stock bros, and two of the unluckiest characters in recent movies, this movie gives you flawed characters with little hope in redemption. And in that hopelessness is where a lot of the jokes lie, and to my surprise, they most often hit the mark. Both Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes are the key ingredients that make this movie a gourmet treat.
3. Bullet Train: This movie captures the true essence of what a blockbuster should be. Fun, exciting, and doesn’t feel like it goes on too long. Bullet Train is nothing but high adrenaline fun. Brad Pitt hits all the marks trying to be the one hitman not trying to kill any and everyone on this crazy train. All the characters ooze charisma. But no dynamic is better than the bond that brothers Tangerine and Lemon have. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry genuinely feel like brothers in every interaction. From them going over past jobs, to identifying characters as Thomas The Train characters, these two could and should have their own prequel or spinoff. The action is electric but also feels fluid despite the claustrophobic setting of the train. Plain and simple this movie is everything you want in a blockbuster and is exactly what the doctor ordered. A damn fun ride.
2. The Batman: Vengeance is back and it’s edgier than ever. A lot of us were skeptical about how Robert Patterson would do putting on the cape, and I gotta say he absolutely crushed it. Focusing on the first year of Batman starting as a vigilante, we see an immature, impatient, and most importantly emotionally broken Bruce Wayne. We’ve never seen such an unhinged interaction of the character on the big screen and that’s one of the reasons why it works. It makes you honestly question if Batman does more harm than good. The chemistry between him and Zoe Kravitz’s Selena Kyle is the light in this dark iteration of Gotham. Director Matt Reeves and actor Paul Dano seemingly did the impossible, making The Riddler not a joke character. This movie can feel maybe 20 minutes too long, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the best Batman movies and the best superhero movie of 2022.
1. RRR: This movie is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my life. My eyes were lucky to survive the eye-melting experience that was RRR. This movie is an epic tale of friendship, revolution, and love with a splash of dance for good measure. This movie will go down in history as the greatest Tollywood film of all time even then that’s not doing the movie justice. A man fights a nation singlehandedly and WINS, someone chest fly’s a TIGER, and that’s all in the first 10 minutes of the movie. No serious the first 10 minutes of the movie. Beautifully shot, the over-the-top action is cinema perfection, and the friendship between Raju and Aktar is a thing of beauty. This movie will have you wanting to Naatu Naatu for days on end. Rise. Roar. Revolt. Easily the best movie experience of 2022 and it’s not even close.
Top 5 Anime: This one is going to be tough, as anime is undoubtedly the media I consume the most. With so many incredible anime hitting the scene this year, I’m sure there will be some great shows missing, so maybe a tier list is needed… in the meantime though here are the five that I felt stand above all else this year. *There will be no anime movies on this list or shows that started in 2021 with a bit of a caveat.
(Quick Honorable Mention to Ranking of Kings. A masterclass in storytelling, world-building, character development, and “best boy” Boji. This show was one of the best “don’t judge a book by its cover” finds and worth diving into. Sadly it started in October of 2021 so it does not qualify.
5. Cyberpunk Edgerunners: If I had to describe this show in one word it is “Chaos.” Literally from the first second of this show, you are thrown right into the fire. Studio Trigger went all out and delivered the most unexpected gem of the year. David’s story is fast, explosive, and bittersweet. It loses points for only being 10 episodes when it felt like it needed at least 12 to flesh out some of the characters. With that said its fast-paced story and action are also one of its biggest strengths. An unforgettable soundtrack, art style, and the fact that this show SINGLE HANDEDLY saved the game it’s surrounded by should show you just how exceptional this show was. (Found on Netflix)
4. Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 3: Easily the best romcom anime in recent years. Like most slice of life/romance anime, everything leads up to the cultural festival. After two incredibly fun seasons of student president Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya trying to get one another to confess to each other, it is now time for to go all out. The supporting cast in the student council also shines as everyone is primed to make a splash at the festival. Wholesome, funny, and with one of the best rap battles in anime history (yes you read that right) you’ll find yourself Chika dancing in joy watching this. (Found on Crunchyroll)
3. Chainsaw Man. The hype behind this anime was unlike anything the genre had ever seen. From the opening trailer fans of the manga and fans of anime were foaming at the mouth to see what Studio Mappa was gonna cook up. And let me tell you, they cooked a FEAST. Even with ungodly high expectations, they manage to deliver one of the most insane anime quite possibly in history. The amount of love and care this property was given shows how dedicated everyone was to this project. The action is gruesomely gory, yet not enough to make you sick. The jokes landed, the character’s interacted so fluidly with one another, and Power stole the show. Denji’s quest to Makima’s chest is a fun, depressing, and literally, ball-busting. (Found on Crunchyroll)
2. Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2/Demon Slayer Season 2 Entertainment Arc: I know this is technically cheating seeing as both shows technically started their final/second season in late 2021. BUT these specific parts restarted in 2022 so I’m putting them in. They also get put together because they both aired new episodes on Sundays so you had arguably the most incredible Sunday lineup in the last decade. The Rumbling is here for the Survey Core and it is up to them to try and stop Erin from basically destroying the world except for his homeland. Violent, emotionally deep, and an opening song that broke the Billboard top 100 for best alternative song, Attack on Titan is ascending to what some already consider the best Anime of all time. With that said, there is another anime that is also making major waves and that is Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer came onto the scene running and there is no signs of it slowing down. After the unbelievable success of the film Demon Slayer Mugen Train, The bar has been set pretty damn high. Though I felt they got lazy in the first half of season two, seeing as they just broke up the movie into 12 episodes, the second course was the flashiest showing yet. Tanjiro, Tengen, and friends bulk up and put on one of the most visually beautiful fight scenes in anime history. It was a power hour every Sunday getting to watch these two juggernauts in the medium get back to back and it’s looking like we could get that again in 2023.
1. Mob Psycho Season 3: Insert meme. The finale of Shigeo Kageyama aka Mob was nothing short of perfect. Mob’s story of self acceptance with his ungodly psychic powers and how they are not what defy him is one that can resonate with anyone. The friendships between Mob and ghost friend Dimple, as well as his friendship with his “Sensei” Reigen, are beautifully captured with a one of a kind art style and hit every emotional note to a tee. The fights are bombastic, and toward the end, you can feel just how desperate and emotional the fights become between friends. For a show that took me up until years to give a shot, I am so lucky that I didn’t have to wait for as long as day one fans did because many fans were convinced that season 3 wasn’t even gonna happen. Not only did it happen, but it can also be looked at as one of the best “New Gen” animes and a perfect example of how to adapt a manga. (Found on Crunchyroll)
Top 5 Sports Moments: These are the best of the best in the realm of sports. Insane moments, new leagues forming, legends leaving their mark, it is in these moments that make sports so miraculous.
5. LIV Golf Tour takes a stroke off the PGA Tour: I will be the first to admit I know very and I mean VERY little about the ins and outs of the golf world. However, when the LIV Golf Tour was announced and professional golfers were getting signed to these multi-million dollar deals, everyone in the sports world turned their heads. With star golfers leaving the PGA and getting newer and financially beneficial better deals, one has to wonder what will happen in the years to come.
4. Matthew Stafford’s Redemption Arc: What felt like the saddest situation in NFL history then turned into one of the most Cinderella story endings we’ve had in quite a while. Everyone knew Matthew Stafford was talented, but being in Detroit for so long while never achieving even a playoff win, a lot of us felt that he was just another wasted talent doomed to the mediocrity that typically comes with being a Detroit Lion. (Lion fans I’m sorry you’ve gone through enough and congrats on a great 2022-2023 season). Stafford was finally released from his bonds to Detroit and was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and within his first year wins the Super Bowl. Proving once and for all that he had what it takes to be a Super Bowl winning quarterback and proven he deserves to be respected.
3. The Warriors Return To The Throne: A few narratives make this story so special. After tearing his ACL in the NBA Finals back in the 2019-2020 season, Klay Thompson then tore his Achilles a week before the 2021 season. Now finally back and “healthy” Klay made his triumphant return to the hardwood in what felt like a moment bigger than sports. After KD left The Warriors, many wondered if Steph Curry could be the leader of an NBA Finals team and the Finals MVP, solidifying his all-time greatness. Steph Curry did exactly that. Steph averaged 31 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead The Warriors back to the top of the NBA mountain.
2. Serena Williams’s US OPEN: As someone who has been force-fed tennis by family and former jobs, this was another example of sports feeling larger than life. After being one of if not THEE most dominant athletes in a sport, Serena Williams decided to make her last US Open one for the ages. Though she didn’t win the tournament, her upset against the #2 seed Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 in the U.S. Open’s second round. Though she lost her next match, the roars of the crowd made it feel like all of America was cheering her on. An incredible career to an all-time legend.
1. Messi Solidifies G.O.A.T Status At The World Cup: The grandest stage in all of sports and it was a fireworks show. Argentina took on defending World Cup Champs France in an all-time classic with stars on both sides putting on masterclass performances. French star Kyillian Mbappe lead his team back after being down 2-0 to a tied ball game. Just as it looked like France had all the momentum, Messi happened and took the lead in the 108th minute. Only for Mbappe to score a hat trick to tie the game up and go into a PK shootout. Messi scored his third, Mbappe scored his fourth, but it was Argentina that won in the shootout to finally to plant his flag at the summit of the world and stand at the top along with all the other sports legends.
The year of 2022 really did have some incredible moments. Blockbuster movies, internet breaking anime, and some all-time incredible shows. Now a week into the new year We here at New Rock can’t wait to get the ball rolling and make this the best year yet! This year I will keep a promise to be a weekly blog. As of this moment:
Blog Post 1/52 in the books!
