The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 8, 2022

Next week, we'll release our final overall list of this year's best overall albums. But our ongoing best of 2022 coverage continues right now with a look at this year's top newcomers in music.

Above is our list of the 15 best-reviewed debut albums of 2022, ranked by Metascore. Note that albums must have at least 7 reviews—and be a full-length LP (or mixtape) rather than an EP—to be eligible for inclusion. Albums are ranked by Metascore prior to rounding based on scores as of December 6, 2022.

7 of 16 photo by Warp Records

84You Belong There by Daniel Rossen

(#9) A longtime vocalist and guitarist for Brooklyn indie rockers Grizzly Bear (and also one half of the indie folk duo Department of Eagles), Daniel Rossen released his full-length solo debut this year, a full decade after his only other solo release (the EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile). Though guitar, naturally, is an emphasis on the folk-prog hybrid You Belong There (which also features percussion from fellow Grizzly Bear member Chris Bear), the album also showcases Rossen's newly learned skills on horns and acoustic bass.

“You Belong There is a genuinely transporting, multi-dimensional song cycle and a glimpse into a fascinating musical mind that demands repeated plays. It’s destined to appear on album of the year lists but its depth and sense of ambition will ensure its treasures last well beyond 2022.” —musicOMH

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