All things considered, summer 2022 is still miles ahead of 2020. No corona…just a divided country, peak anxiety and climate change. Good times! So, for the balance of July and the torpid month of August, here are some of my top indie songs of 2022 to bump until Labor Day.

Just Mustard – “Seed” (Heart Under)

Ireland’s Just Mustard is routinely described as noisy, dark shoegaze. Honestly I don’t hear the gaze but OHHH THE PEDALS. I can’t think of a song that better reflects Salt Lake City’s 107 degrees this month than Katie Ball competing with the undulating throb of “Seed.”

Buy Heart Under at Bandcamp.

“Dancing Blue” – Kikagaku Moyo (Kumoyo Island)

…and now for something completely different. Kikagaku Moyo channel a bit of desi pop from their studio in Tokyo for a perfectly loopy and carefree song from their May release, Kumoyo Island.

“Sick of Everything” – Gorgeous Bully (Am I Really Going to Die Here)

Manchester’s Gorgeous Bully presents 90 seconds of pure low-fi pop bliss for your summer errands! Buy Am I Really Going to Die Here, GB’s first full-length since 2018’s Closure.

“Dear Claire” – Love, Burns (It Should Have Been Tomorrow)

Okay, now I’m getting on a roll. I could do this all night but it’s after twelve, so just a couple more. At about 2:30 into “Dear Claire,” Phil Sutton of Love, Burns lays down the loveliest jangley Jazz Butcher guitar line since Mr. Fish himself passed away. So roll down the convertible car top and let the organ of “Dear Claire” bless your entire neighborhood. Hat tip to Janglepophub for flagging the new release.

It Should Have Been Tomorrow is available here.

“Lighthouse” – Mattiel (Georgia Gothic)

Ignore the ill-conceived cover art and you’ll absolutely be smitten by the horns and Mattiel Brown’s triumphant reflection of Chrissie Hynde on “Lighthouse.” BTW Chrissie is 70 this year. Yes, that makes me feel old — but Mattiel is all youth and Southern vim.

Buy Georgia Gothic.

“Sweet Company” – Vicky Farewell (Sweet Company)

Vicky Farewell’s “Sweet Company” is unadorned 50’s retro and tenderly un-ironic. How can you listen and not swoon?

“You and me, strong as can be
You walk by my side, so much joy to your stride
How lucky to be in sweet company
Patiently waiting, you’re so amazing.”

Hear Vicky Farewell’s full debut.

“The Dripping Tap” – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Omnium Gatherum)

I feel like I’ve reached an age where I shouldn’t have to type the words “King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard,” much less say them out loud. However the epic scorched earth hooks of “The Dripping Tap” are impossible to ignore. If you play just one 18-minute prog anthem this summer, it should be this banger from Melbourne’s King Gizzard. Definitely one of the top indie songs of 2022. Listen to King Gizzard’s masterful Butterfly 3000 or Omnium Gatherum here.