Every year brings with it some hope: new songs and albums to be released, new artists to discover or debut, new sounds for any emotion, old trends or favorites to make a comeback into the rotation. As far as my January—the beginning of a new musical year of What I’m Listening To—we can already see a slight shift in terms of favoring alternative/indie bands with a touch of R&B. Will this stick around? Only time will tell as we hold onto our rules: no more than 20 songs per month, no more than 1 song per artist (not including features or collabs), and no more than 3 songs per compilation album. At the end of the year, only songs from each of these monthly lists will be eligible for the Best Of list. So, yes, even if Taylor Swift appears every month she will not be allowed to dominate the annual list.

With that in mind, what Swift song made its first appearance in 2022? And what other tracks started this year off with perfect moodiness?

1. “Reasons I Drink” by Alanis Morissette ~ Nothing can give me a break from this torture like they do
2. “30/90” by Andrew Garfield from Tick Tick Boom ~ You just wanna lay down and cry
3. “With Me All Along” by Bronze Radio Return ~ We’ve come a long way since the early days
4. “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” by Edison Lighthouse ~ Her hair is kinda wild and free
5. “this is how i learn to say no” by EMELINE ~ Was it more appeasing when I was just pleasing?
6. “I Just Want to Make Love to You” by Foghat ~ I don’t want you keep a home / I don’t want you wash my clothes
7.  “Tiptoeing” by Hope Tala ~ I drag my heels ’cause I just can’t walk away
8.  “Sedona” by Houndmouth ~ I remember, I remember when your neon used to burn so bright and pink
9. “Dancing with my phone” by HYBS ~ I don’t think I even know myself anymore
10. “all my ghosts” by Lizzy McAlpine ~  And thought about kissing you underneath kitchen lights
11. “Beachboy” by McCafferty ~  So just smash your guitar / Smash your dreams
12. “MESS U MADE” by MICHELLE ~ I’m puttin’ that family love back on the shelf
13. “Colorado – Acoustic Version” by Milky Chance ~ Never been on the TV / Scratched me off of your CV
14. “This Year” by The Mountain Goats ~ I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me
15. “OK Love You Bye” by Olivia Dean ~ Four pints in, I’m someone else
16. “When It Lands” by Rainbow Kitten Surprise ~ Oh you tryna to get a deal? A deal? A deal
17. “How to Be Me” by Ren feat. CHINCHILLA ~ There are bruises on the walls
18. “Driving Myself Home” by Rose Betta ~ I rolled down all the windows / And I played a song I know
19. “Dos Oruguitas” by Sebastian Yatra from Encanto ~ Hay que partir y construir su propio futuro
20. “Come Back…Be Here (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift ~ This is falling for you and you are worlds away

In addition to my favorite songs, I’ve been listening to my usual background mixes: lo-fi, jazz, and—worst of all—Spotify’s Deep Sleep playlist (which has overtaken most of my ‘recently played’). I’m also trying to listen to a few more podcasts, such as Ologies with Alie Ward. For February, I’m expecting love songs and melodies, something vintage, and more indie/alternative. We’ll see what surprises us!

Till then, you can find the ongoing What I Listened To in 2022 playlist here.