Music is extremely prevalent in students everywhere, whether it’s old, or new. Through a series of interviews from students at Northwood, The Omniscient has collected opinions on the top album released in 2022, and whether they believe Harry Styles deserved the title of “best album of the year” which he won at the Grammys for his album Harry’s House.
When asked if she thought there was an album that would’ve been a better fit for the Grammy Album of the Year instead of Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, sophomore Jessiah Cotton weighed in with her idea
“SOS by SZA, it was the best album ever.”
This was a popular opinion among students.
SZA earned her fame with her debut album Ctrl which was released in 2017. Fans had been eagerly waiting for a second studio album which she delivered in December of 2022. The album features various artists from Phoebe Bridgers to Travis Scott. The album was named “best new music” on Pitchfork, a notable American music blog.
The second most popular album students said was Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is rapper Kendrick Lamar’s fifth studio album, released in May of 2022. The album details Lamar’s experiences, delving into topics like family dynamics, relationships, and infidelity. It features various guest artists from Kodak Black and Baby Keem to Beth Gibbons of Portishead. The album was Lamar’s final project with the recording company Top Dawg Entertainment.
Junior Cavory Granger shared her favorite album of 2022.
“I definitely think that God Save the Animals should’ve won. I really like how Alex G interpreted his new found religion into his music, and added some very crazy beats into something you would not think would be associated with religion.”
God Save the Animals is Alex G’s ninth studio album. Starting music with his band The Skin Cells, Alex G released his first album Race in 2010 when he was only 17 years old. God Save the Animals highlights his evolution as he discovers religion and grows into a successful musician with a dedicated fanbase.
Granger also shared her thoughts on why she believes Harry Styles didn’t deserve the grammy.
“His music is very basic, and I don’t think any of it was even original to him, a lot of it was more his team.” Though some students agreed with Cavory, others were pleased with Styles’ win.
When asked her thoughts on Styles’ win, “I think it’s well deserved,” senior Emily Butcher said.
“I mean I feel like he deserves it, he does put a lot of talent into [his music]. He’s very very talented. He worked hard. I think he did deserve the Grammy,.” senior Ella Crowley said.
Harry’s House is Harry Styles’ third studio album. Released in May of 2022, though recorded and written mostly in 2020 and 2021, the album features a variety of different styles from funk and pop to synth-pop. The album was praised for its production though some critics believed it lacked substance at times.
