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The AllMusic 2022

Year In Review

Channel your inner Poptimist as we present our favorite pop albums of the year. Powerhouses Harry Styles, Lizzo and Taylor Swift (pictured) dominated radio while K-Pop continued its worldwide growth with albums by Seventeen, Itzy, Blackpink and many more.

Aespa

Girls

Top Three hit EP from the K-pop girl group features an energetic blend of genres.

ATEEZ

The World EP.1: Movement

The thrilling ninth EP from the Korean octet presents the soundtrack to an unrelenting, pulse-pounding cyber-dystopia.

Avril Lavigne

Love Sux

Armed with a dozen pissed-off breakup anthems, the Canadian singer/songwriter reclaims her pop-punk crown.

Betty Who

BIG!

The Australian singer/songwriter opens up with confessional songs that give more depth to her joyous, empowering pop.

BlackPink

Born Pink [Version A] [Pink]

The superstar quartet's hardened, hip-hop-heavy sophomore LP eschews the usual K-pop polish in favor of big boasts and explicit honesty.

BTS

Proof

Expertly-crafted, three-disc anthology that packs hits, rarities, and personal curation from the K-pop septet.

Camila Cabello

Familia

The "Havana" singer celebrates her Latin American roots on her vibrant third album.

Carly Rae Jepsen

The Loneliest Time

The singer/songwriter's unmistakable charm holds together her sixth album's bubbly disco reveries and folky introspection.

Charli xcx

Crash

The multifaceted singer/songwriter celebrates and updates pop's past heyday -- including her own.

Charlie Puth

Charlie

The pop songsmith's third full-length buffers post-breakup pain with bittersweet, synth-based production.

Confidence Man

Tilt

Euphoric surge of '90s house-indebted dance anthems from this party-loving Australian quartet.

Demi Lovato

Holy Fvck

This raw, hard rock pivot from the erstwhile pop star is a thrilling, pleasant surprise.

FKA twigs

Caprisongs

Tahliah Barnett's first mixtape brings more spontaneity and sensuality -- and collaborations with stars like the Weeknd -- to her music.

Foxes

The Kick

Sleek set of escapist dance-pop from the English pop vocalist.

Harry Styles

Harry's House

Inviting third set from the English pop star that merges '70s influence, L.A. energy, and irresistible pop savvy.

ITZY

Checkmate

Charming, energetic fifth effort from the K-pop idols packs singalong choruses and dance-friendly beats into this quick EP.

Jackson Wang

Magic Man

Genre-hopping sophomore set matures the erstwhile K-pop star with grit and aggressive intent.

Lights

Pep

The Canadian singer's first album for Fueled by Ramen is an effusive and hooky rock-influenced production.

Lizzo

Special

The multifaceted talent follows her breakthrough album Cuz I Love You with confessional, musically adventurous songs.

Louis Tomlinson

Faith in the Future

This confident sophomore set from the former One Direction member is packed with moving singalongs and irresistible earworms.

NCT 127

2 Baddies

Their R&B- and hip-hop-heavy fourth LP matures the South Korean group with confidence and ease.

Rae Morris

Rachel@Fairyland

A lushly cinematic record that pairs old-world grandeur with modern art-pop sensibilities.

Rina Sawayama

Hold the Girl

The triumphant follow-up to the pop star's 2020 breakthrough debut pushes her genre experimentation and confidence to stadium-sized levels.

Robbie Williams

XXV

Teaming with Metropole Orchestra, the English pop star reworks some of his most beloved hits in grand, mature fashion.

Seventeen

Face the Sun, Ep. 1: Control

Rousing fourth album from the K-pop chart-toppers keeps the energy and intensity high across this genre-blurring set.

Sigrid

How to Let Go

Triumphant sophomore set from the Norwegian pop star proposes positivity and growth in the face of life's challenges.

Sofi Tukker

Wet Tennis

A summer-friendly set of party-starting electronic pop anthems from the worldly New York-based duo.

Stray Kids

MAXIDENT [T-CRUSH ver.]

Chart-topping seventh EP from the K-pop octet that adds more aggressive albums and smooth harmonies to their catalog.

Taylor Swift

Midnights [Moonstone Blue Edition]

A moody, dreamy album designed to be played in the wee small hours of the morning.

Tegan and Sara

Crybaby

Dialing back the pop gloss and adding some quirky production and an incredibly strong batch of songs, the duo remain as compelling as ever.

Tove Lo

Dirt Femme

The Swedish singer/songwriter's first album on her own label offers a fuller portrait of her music's confessional, sexual, and danceable sides.

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Charlie Puth