Podcast Summary: All Songs Considered - "Our No. 1 Songs: 2022"
Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Robin Hilton
Guest: Stephen Thompson
Episode Overview
This episode of "All Songs Considered" takes a nostalgic journey back to 2022, with hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson reflecting on their top song picks from that year as part of a larger retrospective on 25 years of music discovery. The discussion centers on the standout tracks and albums that shaped 2022, how the hosts' relationships to music have evolved through years of intense listening, and the difficulty of narrowing down favorites in such a musically rich period. The tone is candid, warm, and full of deep admiration for the artists discussed.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Challenge of Picking Favorites
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Robin Hilton's Dilemma:
- Robin confesses 2022 was the first year he didn’t make a top 10 list, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of music.
- “I found it nearly impossible to whittle it down to just, oh, tier 10 albums, the 10 best songs, because I just loved so much stuff.” (01:15)
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Musical Overload:
- Both hosts agree that constant exposure (via projects like New Music Friday) makes it harder to choose just a few favorites, a problem compounded by the depth of the music scene rather than age.
- Stephen: “Are you sure this isn’t just we’re getting older?” (01:08)
Standout Songs and Albums of 2022
1. Wet Leg – “Chaise Longue”
- Although technically a 2021 single, the self-titled debut album dropped in 2022 prompting Robin’s selection.
- Robin: “I would have maybe given it to Wet Leg that year. But the album that it’s from came out in 2022, so that’s why I’m picking it.” (03:20)
- Stephen highlights Wet Leg’s sophomore album Moisturizer, calling it a “fearless follow-up.”
- Stephen: “All killer, no filler.” (03:40)
2. Lizzo – “About Damn Time”
- Acknowledged as a song that permeated mainstream culture.
- Stephen: “One of the songs that kind of permeated the monoculture...” (04:13)
- Not played, but referenced as a logical pick for the year.
3. MUNA – “What I Want”
- Stephen’s personal pick and from his favorite album of 2022.
- Stephen: “Yep.” (04:15) (in response to Robin guessing the track)
- Robin praises Katie Gavin's solo work as well.
- Robin: “Feels like it’s got a little more character to it.” (05:12)
4. Alex G – “Runner”
- Mentioned by Robin as another notable release from 2022.
- Song snippet played (08:44).
5. Porridge Radio – “Back to the Radio”
- Robin expresses heartbreak over the band’s breakup earlier in the month.
- Robin: “Love this band so much. They actually announced that they were breaking up this year. I was really heartbroken when they announced that.” (10:48)
- Stephen attributes this to “a hard economy for bands right now.” (11:00)
6. Tuvelou (Tove Lo) – “Dirt Femme”
- Stephen lauds the Swedish pop record, which he feels was overlooked.
- Stephen: “I feel like I was the only person in the world who was beating the drum for that.” (11:12)
7. Sunlux & Mitski & David Byrne – “This Is a Life” (Everything Everywhere All at Once soundtrack)
- Stephen’s “favorite cultural artifact of 2022.”
- Stephen: “A movie that was so fun and funny and strange and surprising, but also really deeply heartfelt. And it had a song that perfectly matched that mood.” (11:44)
- Robin draws a vocal parallel between Mitski and Sunlux’s Ryan Lott.
- Robin: “Mitsky sounds a little bit like Ryan Lott when he’s in his falsetto.” (12:40)
8. Ethel Cain – “Preacher’s Daughter”
- Praised by Stephen as an album he returns to frequently.
- Stephen: “That’s a record I went back to again and again. Still go back to again and again all the time.” (13:05)
9. Stromae – “Multitude”
- Stephen emphasizes the album's beauty and lasting appeal.
- Stephen: “Put out a gorgeous record called Multitude that year that was so, so beautiful.” (13:09)
10. Deanna Petkoff – “Devastatingly Mediocre”
- Celebrated as one of the greatest break-up “kiss off” songs.
- Stephen: “One of the greatest kiss off songs you’re gonna hear. If you’re breaking up with someone right now, find Deanna Petkoff’s song Devastatingly Mediocre and send it to them.” (14:08)
11. Rosalía – “Motomami”
- Mentioned by Robin as his album of the year, and Stephen agrees.
- Robin: “Anyone who’s been listening to the year end coverage of the best of 2025 is probably already tired of hearing this mentioned. But of course, this year we got Lux. And I know I picked it as album of the year.” (14:18)
- Stephen: “It’s absolutely beautiful. And, you know, Motomami is a very different record, but you still have that sense of perfectionism, that sense of just extreme expansiveness.” (14:51)
12. Noah Kahan – “Stick Season”
- Robin notes the significance and emotional impact of the title track.
- Song segment brings the episode toward a close.
- Robin: “We’ll go out on this and until next time, thanks, Stephen thank you, Robin. And for NPR Music, I’m Robin Hilton.” (16:30)
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
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On Music Abundance:
- Robin Hilton (01:15): “I found while hosting new Music Friday and consuming that much stuff that I found it nearly impossible to whittle it down to just, oh tier 10 albums, the 10 best songs because I just loved so much stuff.”
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On Wet Leg’s ‘Moisturizer’:
- Stephen Thompson (03:40): “All killer, no filler.”
- Robin Hilton (03:41): “It is a fearless, fearless follow-up to the self-titled record.”
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On 2022’s Diversity and Difficulty:
- Stephen Thompson (13:10): “Honestly, we’re now up to the point where I feel like I’m still discovering songs that I missed from 202022 and kind of still adding them to my playlists.”
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On Porridge Radio’s Breakup:
- Robin Hilton (10:48): “Love this band so much. They actually announced that they were breaking up this year. I was really heartbroken when they announced that, but it’s hard.”
- Stephen Thompson (11:00): “Yeah, it’s a hard economy for bands right now.”
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:20–01:45: Hosts open with reflections on 2022 and challenges of naming top songs.
- 01:56–02:53: “Chaise Longue” by Wet Leg plays.
- 03:30–03:41: Discussion of Wet Leg’s acclaim and sophomore album.
- 04:15–04:54: “What I Want” by MUNA plays.
- 08:44–09:32: “Runner” by Alex G.
- 09:32–10:48: “Back to the Radio” by Porridge Radio and discussion of band's breakup.
- 11:12–11:51: Praise for Tove Lo and cultural impact of “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
- 11:51–12:33: “This Is a Life” by Sunlux/Mitski/David Byrne plays.
- 13:37–14:08: “Devastatingly Mediocre” by Deanna Petkoff.
- 15:19–16:43: “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan closes out the episode.
Conclusion
This episode thoughtfully showcases the overwhelming abundance of great music in 2022, with Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson weaving personal anecdotes, critical praise, and genuine admiration for the artists and records they discuss. Their conversation is filled with warmth, humor, and insightful commentary, making it clear that picking the “number one” song gets harder each year. The hosts celebrate the year’s music not just by naming favorites, but by exploring the emotional impact and cultural resonance of these songs and albums—offering plenty of recommendations for both nostalgia and discovery.