Photo by Meanz Chan
Victoria Park has had a big year. As the driving force behind her band Pictoria Vark, the bass playing virtuoso – who has been a touring member in Pinkshift and Squirrel Flower – came into her own as a songwriter with the release of her debut album, The Parts I Dread, a personally-wracked, slow-burning earworm of indie rock storytelling inspired by her Midwestern surroundings, the good and bad of love, spells of anxiety, and getting through it. The listen led to her opening for modern post-hardcore luminaries La Dispute on this past autumn’s Wilderness 10th anniversary tour and was named a standout here as well as places far more reaching like Rolling Stone.
This is to say, Pictoria Vark knows her way around emotions all too well, and it shows in her favorite music from 2022, including some of the best out their at the top of their game as well as artists in hidden DIY corners we will probably be hearing more from in time. Venture to the musical spaces she loved, and stick around for The Parts I Dread if you haven’t already visited it…
Pictoria Vark’s Favorite Music of 2022:
1. Sadurn – Radiator [Run for Cover Records]
Highlight: “snake”
I had a really hard time picking my number one. It feels so hard to quantify, especially in a year of truly incredible, impactful music. But of all the music I listened to this year, the lyrics on this record are ones that have stuck with me the most and come back to me again and again, whether driving my car around Chicago or in the shower at 3 AM. This album has destroyed me and put me back together in a million different ways. So light a candle in the shower, try to tap into my special power 😉 Cheers to G and the band.
2. byung – Humid Memories [Self-released]
Highlight: “Silver Lining”
The second EP from singer-songwriter BJ Choe a.k.a. byung is an immaculate blend of ambient, emo, folk and indie rock. There’s a certain glisten in the production and mixing and in BJ’s voice that is so hard to ignore. It’ll move you to tears.
3. Bartees Strange – Farm to Table [4AD]
Highlight: “Mulholland Dr.”
Speaking of big choruses, Bartees Strange has some of the biggest hooks of this year. I can’t count how many times I’ve cried humming along to “Heavy Heart” or “Mulholland Dr.”, got myself hype to “Cosigns”, or reminisced about everything with “Black Gold”. Following up “Boomer” was no easy feat; Farm To Table is a winner with no doubt.
Stream Bartees Strange’s Farm to Table
4. Maggie Gently – Peppermint [Refresh Records]
Highlight: “About Leaving”
I remember listening to the private stream of this record on repeat for weeks on end from the moment I heard it. Maggie’s lyrics are peppered with concise wisdom, like “When things go bad, there doesn’t always have to be a reason” and “I lost my instincts but slowly I can grow them back.” A healing and tender record.
Stream Maggie Gently’s Peppermint
5. Sweet Pill – Where The Heart Is [Topshelf Records]
Highlight: “Diamond Eyes”
In a world of streaming and endless singles, album sequencing has become (in my opinion) an underappreciated art form. It’s what makes a record a Record. Where The Heart Is is perfectly paced and loops back around with equal perfection. Singable guitar riffs, unique song structures, and great lyrics and delivery from front person Zayna. Go birds.
Stream Sweet Pill’s Where the Heart Is
6. Mairead Band – Mayflower [Self-released]
Highlight: “Ten Towers Tall’
It feels rare to find music that feels truly subversive, outsider, unencumbered. This is one of those rare records. The acoustic moments are so cozy and the noise bits are unabashedly huge. An amazing listen front-to-back.
Stream Mairead Band’s Mayflower
7. Zora – Z1 [Get Better Records]
Highlight: “RUNNITUP”
There’s truly no box that encompasses Zora’s music like the one she’s made for herself. Z1 feels and sounds like radical joy at its finest, leaving the door open for whatever she wants to do next. I put “RUNNITUP” on my house music playlist for the tour with Sweet Pill and La Dispute and it remains my song of the year.
8. Gemma Laurence – Lavender [Self-released]
Highlight: Adrienne
An expert lyricist, Gemma’s second record is as intimate as it is expansive. Just humbled and amazed to witness her work. The group vocals that come in on “Watchdog” leave me with goosebumps every time.
Stream Gemma Laurence’s Lavender
9. Mitski – Laurel Hell [Dead Oceans]
Highlight: “I Guess”
In all honesty, I didn’t love this record the first time I heard it. But the longer I stuck with it the more it seemed to offer. Navigating the music industry is a laurel hell. Mitski is timeless.
10. Soft and Dumb – Soft and Dumb [Self-released]
Highlight: ‘work it”
One of Chicago’s best new bands, full stop. This record is dreamy, fuzzy, angular, everything. Soft and Dumb forever.
Stream Soft and Dumb’s Soft and Dumb
Honorable Mentions:
The Beths – Expert in a Dying Field [Carpark Records]
Stream The Beths’ Expert In A Dying Field
Maneka – Dark Matters [Skeletal Lightning]
MUNA – MUNA [Saddest Factory Records]
Sonagi – Precedent [Get Better Records]
Tomberlin – i don’t know who needs to hear this… [Saddle Creek]
Stream Tomberlin’s i don’t know who needs to hear this…
Pictoria Vark’s The Parts I Dread is available now on Get Better Records.
+rcmndedlisten 
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