Two of my favorite releases from 2022 (so far) have been released in the past couple weeks. The albums are so opposite in style and substance – and I’ve been flipping back and forth – it’s keeping me sane in many ways.

Painless by Nilüfer Yanya

Some of the most unique indie songwriting I’ve heard in a while. Every song is good. Her last full length, Miss Universe, was a very good album – this is otherworldly. And, hey, Pitchfork agrees.

Your Neighbors are Failures by Bitter Branches

Featuring members of hardcore bands Deadguy, Kiss it Goodbye, No Escape, Lifetime, Paint it Black, Walleye, and others. It’s everything you’d expect from that group and more. It’s everything I need to get through the insanity that is our world right now.

I am a lonely one
But not a sad one
I am a broken one
But not a lacking one
I am proud one
And I know

I’m not the only one

Let’s be broken together
Let’s be ugly together
Let’s not talk of weather
Or speak of things mundane
Let’s celebrate
Being
Insane

Let’s take pride
In finding your lane
Let’s build some regrets
And wear them like tattoos

Let’s find
Some fears
Carry them like weights

“Show Me Yours” by Bitter Branches