2022 in Canadian music explained

The following musical events and releases that happened in 2022 in Canada.

Events

• April 2 – 17th Canadian Folk Music Awards
• May 15 – Juno Awards of 2022
• June 13 – SOCAN Songwriting Prize
• July 8 – Prism Prize
• September 11 – 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards
• September 19 – 2022 Polaris Music Prize
• November 6 – 44th Félix Awards

Albums released

• 88Glam, Close To Heaven Far From God - August 26

A

• Bryan Adams, So Happy It Hurts - March 11
• Alexisonfire, Otherness - June 24
• Altameda, Born Losers
• Alvvays, Blue Rev - October 7^[1]
• Matt Andersen, House To House - March 4
• Anyway Gang, Still Anyways - May 6
• Apollo Ghosts, Pink Tiger - March 11
• Aquakultre, Don't Trip - July 22^[2]
• Arcade Fire, We - May 6
• Arkells, Blink Twice^[3]
• Jann Arden, Descendant - January 28
• Art d'Ecco, After the Head Rush
• Shawn Austin, Planes Don't Wait - June 29^[4]
• Aysanabee, Watin - November 4, 2022^[5]

B

• Jason Bajada, Crushed Grapes
• Tim Baker, The Festival - October 21^[6]
• Adam Baldwin, Concertos & Serenades - September 23
• Matthew Barber, No Singing or Dancing
• Alexis Baro, Mi Raiz^[7]
• Brad Barr, The Winter Mission - January 21^[8]
• Basement Revolver, Embody - February 18^[8]
• Bedouin Soundclash, We Will Meet in a Hurricane - October 28
• Daniel Bélanger, Mercure en mai - October 14
• Beppie, Nice to Meet You
• The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Prayers for the Death of Fame
• Bibi Club, Le soleil et la mer
• Billy Talent, Crisis of Faith - January 21^[8]
• The Birthday Massacre, Fascination - February 18
• Black Atlass, Infinite - August 5
• Jully Black, Three Rocks and a Slingshot - September 23
• Jean-Michel Blais, aubades - February 4^[8]
• Blue Hawaii, My Best Friend's House - February 18^[8]
• Blue Moon Marquee, Scream, Holler & Howl
• The Blue Stones, Pretty Monster - November 4
• Bob Moses, The Silence in Between - March 4
• Boslen, Gonzo^[9]
• Jacob Brodovsky, I Love You and I'm Sorry^[10]
• Broken Social Scene, Old Dead Young - January 14^[11]
• Mariel Buckley, Everywhere I Used to Be - August 12^[2]
• Basia Bulat, The Garden - February 25^[8]
• By Divine Right, Otto Motto - September 30

C

• Lou Canon, Reimagine the Body - January 26^[8]
• Charbonneau & Amato, Synth Works Vol. 2 - March 4^[8]
• Nuela Charles, TBA^[2]
• Tanika Charles, Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly - April 8
• William Cloutier, On ira^[12]
• Jason Collett, Head Full of Wonder - November 4
• Counterparts, A Eulogy for Those Still Here - October 7

D

• Destroyer, Labyrinthitis - March 25
• Julie Doiron and Dany Placard, Julie & Dany - April 29^[13]
• Dragonette, Twennies - October 28
• Drake, Honestly, Nevermind - June 17
• Drake and 21 Savage, Her Loss - November 4
• Dvsn, Working on My Karma - October 28

E

• Eccodek, Recalibrate - May 20
• Elephant Stone, Le Voyage de M. Lonely dans la lune - February 18
• Andre Ethier and Joseph Shabason, Fresh Pepper^[14]

F

• Christine Fellows, Stuff We All Get
• Florian Hoefner Trio, Desert Bloom
• Frontperson, Parade^[15]
• Jeanick Fournier, Jeanick Fournier - October 7^[16]
• Angelique Francis, Long River
• Fucked Up, Do All Words Can Do - March 25

G

• Ali Gatie, Who Hurt You? - August 12
• Geoffroy, Live Slow Die Wise - January 19^[8]
• Ghostkeeper, Multidimensional Culture
• Alice Glass, PREY//IV - January 28^[8]

H

• Nate Haller, Party in the Back - November 18
• Harm & Ease, Camino Loco
• Georgia Harmer, Stay in Touch - April 22^[17]
• Headstones, Flight Risk - October 14^[18]
• Kevin Hearn, There and Then: Solo Piano Improvisations - February 11^[8]
• Tim Hicks, Talk to Time - September 2^[19]
• High Valley, Way Back - May 20^[20]
• TheHonestGuy, How to Make Love
• Andrew Hyatt, Four Good Years

I

• iskwē and Tom Wilson, Mother Love^[21]
• Iva and Angu, Katajjausiit

J

• Emmanuel Jal, Shangah - July 8
• JayWood, Slingshot
• Carly Rae Jepsen, The Loneliest Time - October 21
• Berk Jodoin, Half-Breed
• Joyful Joyful, Joyful Joyful - April 29^[22]
• Junior Boys, Waiting Game - October 28

K

• Kellarissa, Voice Leading^[23]
• Francois Klark, Adventure Book
• Pierre Kwenders, José Louis and the Paradox of Love - April 29^[24]

L

• Steph La Rochelle, Wildflower
• Avril Lavigne, Love Sux - February 25^[25]
• Lisa LeBlanc, Chiac Disco - March 18^[8]
• Lights, Pep - April 1^[8]
• Limblifter, Little Payne - October 31
• Les Louanges, Crash - January 21^[8]
• Alexander Ludwig, Highway 99 - August 26^[26]
• Lysandre, Sans oublier

M

• Mama's Broke, Narrow Line^[27]
• Dan Mangan, Being Somewhere - October 28^[28]
• Mares of Thrace, The Exile^[29]
• Cory Marks, I Rise - November 11^[30]
• Tate McRae, I Used to Think I Could Fly - May 27
• Madeline Merlo, Slide - September 23^[31]
• Metric, Formentera - July 10^[2]
• Moist, End of the Ocean - January 14
• MorMor, Semblance
• David Myles, It's Only A Little Loneliness - September 23

N

• Nemahsis, Eleven Archers
• Nickelback, Get Rollin' - November 18
• Eliza Niemi, Staying Mellow Blows^[32]

O

• Oktoécho, Transcestral
• OMBIIGIZI, Sewn Back Together^[33]
• Johnny Orlando, all the things that could go wrong – August 19^[2]
• Our Lady Peace, Spiritual Machines 2 - January 28

P

• Marcus Paquin, Our Love - November 25^[34]
• Peach Pit, From 2 to 3 - March 4^[8]
• Orville Peck, Bronco - April 8
• Powfu, Surrounded by Hounds and Serpents - December 2
• Chad Price, Introversion
• PUP, The Unraveling of PUPTheBand - April 1

R

• Josh Ramsay, The Josh Ramsay Show - April 8
• Rare Americans, You're Not a Bad Person, it's Just a Bad World (July); Songs That Don't Belong (December)
• Allan Rayman, Roadhouse 02 - March 18
• The Reklaws, Good Ol' Days - November 4
• Reuben and The Dark, In Lieu Of Light - September 9
• Jessie Reyez, Yessie - September 16
• Amanda Rheaume, The Spaces in Between
• River Tiber, Dreaming Eyes - December 9
• Ariane Roy, Medium plaisir^[35]
• The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Rise

S

• The Sadies, Colder Streams - July 22^[2]
• Jay Scøtt, Rap Queb Vol. 1
• Joseph Shabason and Nicholas Krgovich, At Scaramouche - October 7^[36]
• Jairus Sharif, Water & Tools
• Silverstein, Misery Made Me - May 6
• Simple Plan, Harder Than It Looks - May 6
• Dylan Sinclair, No Longer in the Suburbs
• Sister Ray, Communion^[37]
• Samantha Savage Smith, Fake Nice - April 22^[8]
• Sloan, Steady - October 21
• Stars, From Capelton Hill - May 27
• Kiefer Sutherland, Bloor Street - January 21^[38]
• Stereos, Cheap Thrills - November 4
• Sykamore, Pinto - August 12^[39]

T

• Tanya Tagaq, Tongues - March 11^[8]
• Julian Taylor, Beyond the Reservoir - October 14
• Tegan and Sara, Crybaby - October 21
• Three Days Grace, Explosions - May 6
• Maylee Todd, Maloo - March 4
• Tory Lanez, Sorry 4 What - September 30
• Devin Townsend, Lightwork

V

• Voivod, Synchro Anarchy - February 11^[8]

W

• Patrick Watson, Better in the Shade - April 22
• The Weather Station, How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars
• The Weeknd, Dawn FM - January 7^[8]
• Wild Rivers, Sidelines
• Royal Wood, What Tomorrow Brings
• Roy Woods, Mixed Emotions - August 5

Y

• Nikki Yanofsky, Nikki by Starlight - October 21^[40]
• Yoo Doo Right, A Murmur, Boundless to the East^[41]
• Young Guv, Guv III (March 11); Guv IV (TBA)^[8]

Deaths

• January 17 - Karim Ouellet, singer-songwriter
• February 3 - Donny Gerrard, rock singer
• February 17 - Dallas Good, country/rock musician (The Sadies)^[42]
• March 14 - Eric Mercury, songwriter
• April 5 - Boris Brott, conductor
• April 16 - Bill Bourne, folk musician
• April 18 - Jerry Doucette, rock singer and guitarist ("Mama Let Him Play")
• April 25 - Susan Jacks, pop singer
• April 25 - Shane Yellowbird, country singer-songwriter
• April 29 - Walter Rossi, rock singer and guitarist
• May 29 - Ronnie Hawkins, rock singer
• June 16 - Big Rude Jake, swing jazz singer-songwriter
• August 7 - Gord Lewis, bassist (Teenage Head)^[43]
• December 15 - Shirley Eikhard, singer-songwriter^[44]
• December 29 - Ian Tyson, singer-songwriter^[45]

Notes and References

1. https://www.thefader.com/2022/07/06/alvvays-pharmacist-blue-rev-release-date/amp Alvvays return with new song "Pharmacist" and third album details
2. https://www.cbc.ca/music/summer-2022-guide-14-albums-you-need-to-hear-1.6489772 "Summer 2022 guide: 14 albums you need to hear"
3. David Friend, "Arkells tap into Canadian talents of Tegan and Sara, Lights and others for new album". Toronto Star, June 23, 2022.
4. Web site: Shawn Austin getting road legs back on Some Things Never Change tour . Richard. Amery. The Lethbridge Alberta Beat. June 2, 2022. June 23, 2022.
5. Calum Slingerland, "Aysanabee Details Debut Album 'Watin,' Shares Video for 'Nomads'". Exclaim!, September 12, 2022.
6. Chelsea Brimstin, "Tim Baker releases new single ‘Year Of The Dog,’ announces sophomore album ‘The Festival’". CIND-FM, July 22, 2022.
7. Matthew Wright, "Alexis Baro: Mi Raiz". Jazz Journal, February 8, 2023.
8. Kaelen Bell, "Exclaim!'s 32 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2022". Exclaim!, January 4, 2022.
9. Gabby Sgherri, "Boslen’s GONZO & Losing Your Mind Has Never Sounded Better". BeatRoute, July 6, 2022.
10. Ben Waldman, "Jacob Brodovsky loves it here, and he's not sorry: Local singer-songwriter is unapologetic in his embrace of his home, and the artists who inspire him". Winnipeg Free Press, January 17, 2023.
11. Kaelen Bell, "Broken Social Scene Announce New Album of B-Sides and Rarities". Exclaim!, December 8, 2021.
12. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1855872/william-cloutier-vainqueur-de-star-academie-2021-premier-album "William Cloutier, le vainqueur de Star académie 2021, lance son premier album"
13. Nina Corcoran, "Julie Doiron and Dany Placard Announce Julie & Dany, Share New Song “Mayo”: Listen". Pitchfork, January 27, 2022.
14. Christina McCallum, "André Ethier and Joseph Shabason's 'Fresh Pepper' Is a Mystery Box Challenge Gone Right". Exclaim!, June 23, 2022.
15. Alan Ranta, "Kathryn Calder and Woodpigeon Are an Immaculate Machine on Frontperson's 'Parade'". Exclaim!, April 29, 2022.
16. Cindy Caron, "Jeanick Fournier, gagnante de Canada’s Got Talent, lance son premier album". L'Express, October 25, 2022.
17. Megan LaPierre, "Georgia Harmer Does Her Musical Lineage Proud on 'Stay in Touch'". Exclaim!, April 21, 2022.
18. https://cgcmrockradio.com/headstones-flight-risk-october-14-2022/ HEADSTONES - Flight Risk (October 14, 2022)
19. Web site: TIM HICKS TO PERFORM DURING LABOUR DAY HALFTIME SHOW, PRESENTED BY WEATHERTECH. August 29, 2022. September 2, 2022. Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
20. Web site: High Valley goes "Way Back". March 18, 2022. Country Standard Time.
21. Alisha Mughal, "iskwē and Tom Wilson's 'Mother Love' Is a Stunning Exercise in Contrasts". Exclaim!, July 21, 2022.
22. Allie Gregory, "Joyful Joyful Announce Self-Titled Debut Album". Exclaim!, February 22, 2022.
23. Luke Pearson, "Kellarissa Crafts Stirring Electric Hymnals on 'Voice Leading'". Exclaim!, March 31, 2022.
24. Kaelen Bell, "Pierre Kwenders Announces New Album 'José Louis and the Paradox of Love,' Shares New Song". Exclaim!, January 26, 2022.
25. Allie Gregory, "Avril Lavigne Plots 2022 Headlining Canadian Tour". Exclaim!, November 26, 2021.
26. Web site: Alexander Ludwig Pays Tribute To B.C. Highway With Debut Album . August 26, 2022. John R. Kennedy. iHeartRadio.ca. Bell Media. December 3, 2022.
27. Morgan Mullin, "Halifax roots-folk duo Mama's Broke are back with album Narrow Line". The Coast, July 15, 2022.
28. Scott Lewis, "Dan Mangan announces new LP, shares single ‘Just Know It’". CIND-FM, September 14, 2022.
29. Paul Blinov, "Mares of Thrace Return Nerdier (and Heavier) Than Ever". Exclaim!, March 21, 2022.
30. Web site: Cory Marks releases new EP 'I Rise'. November 11, 2022. November 18, 2022. Music-News.com.
31. Web site: Songland' Winner Madeline Merlo on Working With Sam Hunt on New 'Slide' EP: 'It Was an Amazing Phone Call to Get' (Exclusive). Stephen. Andrew. Popculture. September 25, 2022. September 26, 2022.
32. Kaelen Bell, "Eliza Niemi Announces Debut Full-Length 'Staying Mellow Blows,' Shares Video for New Single 'Sushi California'". Exclaim!, March 10, 2022.
33. Alan Ranta, "OMBIIGIZI Make Noise with a Purpose on 'Sewn Back Together'". Exclaim!, February 9, 2022.
34. Allie Gregory, "Marcus Paquin Announces Debut Solo Album 'Our Love'". Exclaim!, September 14, 2022.
35. Tanya Beaumont, "Medium plaisir, le premier album complet d’Ariane Roy". Ici Radio-Canada, February 12, 2022.
36. Kayla Higgins, "Shabason & Krgovich Announce Joint Album 'At Scaramouche,' Share Idyllic New Single". Exclaim!, August 10, 2022.
37. Megan LaPierre, "Sister Ray Unveils Debut Album 'Communion,' Shares 'Visions'". Exclaim!, February 24, 2022.
38. Alex Hudson, "Kiefer Sutherland Celebrates Toronto on 'Bloor Street'". Exclaim!, October 1, 2021.
39. Web site: Sykamore releases her debut album, Pinto. Nanci. Dagg. Canadian Beats Media. August 16, 2022. August 21, 2022.
40. Web site: Nikki Yanofsky – Nikki By Starlight. September 9, 2022. Fem Music. September 19, 2022.
41. Chris Bryson, "Yoo Doo Right Find Transcendence Through Repetition on 'A Murmur, Boundless to the East'". Exclaim!, June 9, 2022.
42. News: Hudson . Alex . Dallas Good of the Sadies Has Died . . February 18, 2022.
43. News: Hristova . Bobby . Autopsy confirms Teenage Head guitarist Gord Lewis as Hamilton's 3rd homicide victim this year . . August 11, 2022.
44. David Friend, "Canadian songwriter Shirley Eikhard, who penned ‘Something to Talk About,’ dies at 67". Toronto Star, December 15, 2022.
45. David Friend, "Folk legend Ian Tyson, known for 'Four Strong Winds' as part of Ian & Sylvia, dies". CP24, December 29, 2022.