Matt's Top Ten Releases Of 2022

Thank you to everyone who visited or bought from us through the year, it's been a huge help through these troubling times (for everyone). It truly means the world to us! See you next year!

Here are Matt's top picks, in no particular order.

Didn’t take to Sweden’s Viagra Boys straight away. Was recommended them when discovered Amyl and the Sniffers and they didn’t have that directness, which I now appreciate - a bit like the punk rock of Fucked Up - they’re a bit more layered. Love the collab with Jason from Sleaford Mods, the simplistic but endearing Big Boy.

Saw them at Green Man this year and they were a definite highlight.

Not much Ohsees/OCS/Osees I don't like but this years album was especially good - a raw punky offering even covering the incredible Rudimentary Peni with Sacrifice.

Genre: Sludge/Noise Rock/Metal
Songs: Slaughterhouse, The Mask, Wicked Puppet Dance.
Label: Flenser Records

Rich recommended this one - a raw slab of Big Black-inspired noise rock with hints of Doom Metal. 

Orville Peck has the baritone voice of Elvis and his country sounds have become a staple of the cafe playlist at 222 (Swansea location) this year.

Amazing to see what Adwaith have achieved since their formation at The Parrot and to witness them headline the Walled Garden Stage at Green Man this year. Plus they played a fantastic sold out show at 222 earlier this year. The only act to ever win the Welsh Music Prize twice.

This album showed new depths and maturity.

Another cafe favourite - Gwenno’s third album of swooning electronica has captivated ears this year - the album is majority sung in Cornish but the song N.Y.C.A.W - Nid Y Cymru Ar Werth (Wales Is Not for Sale) became a little anthem for the year.

Admittedly a latecomer to Gary Mundy’s output, I really enjoyed discovering the noise-inspired work of Ramleh and his other projects this year culminating in seeing the Ramleh show in London this year.

I really love his work as Kleistwahr, which seems a little more mournful and reflective.

Surfbort have been a highlight for a few years now. Punk with a massive cheesy grin. Finally got to see them this year too which is where I got the new album which sadly doesn’t seem to have UK distribution. Just glorious punk rock fun.

Saw these with Surfbort and they impressed. Doom-laden riffs with punk attitude and a great stage presence. They’ve done loads of shows this year and I highly recommend catching them.

I found Surfbort through Amyl and the Sniffers (they supported them in the US) and similarly found Pussy Gillette through Surfbort. Heavily indebted to the Stooges this Texas 3-piece rock hard with infectious riffs and gritty attitude.

Just don’t steal the lady's banana!