2022: The Year at On Repeat

A quick look back at the year that was.

Good morning!

2022 is coming to an end. So, we’re doing what all newsletters do in the final days before the odometer ticks over to 2023; we’re taking a quick look back. 

We’ll get back to our regular cadence on Monday. Promise.

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Welcome to On Repeat’s annual Year In Review. And by annual, I mean inaugural since this is the first one.

After a couple of years going without, this felt like a year of “more.”

• More going places.

• More people.

• More music.

I think I listened to more music this year than ever. I’m gonna try and break that record next year. I spent more time clattering away on my laptop as well. Dunno if I’ll eclipse this year’s keystrokes, but it won’t be for lack of trying.

It was also a year of learning.

For example, I learned that if you’re going to do video interviews, ensure you have a way to transcribe them ahead of time. Just trust me on this one.

2023 stretch goal: More of this, but less on-camera sweating. I’ll also try to avoid using the word “yeah,” like a comma. Wish me luck.

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There were guest posts and cool projects I was all too happy to share with everyone.

I went 0-for-everything on making it to a live show this year but did get to talk to some killer bands. I’ve already got a few of those in the works for the coming weeks.

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What would a year-end piece be without one final, simple reminder to subscribe?

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Because I’m a glutton for punishment love a good challenge, I decided to review 100 new (to me) records this year. I ended up at 103ish. I’ll be doing that again next year too.

And you had some things to say about what I had to say.

Many people weren’t happy that I didn’t care for Bruce Springsteen’s recent soul covers album. Lots of letters to the editor on that one (please keep those coming, by the way. I genuinely enjoy hearing from you, even when it’s not what I want to hear).

But the reviews that resonated most were often for records suggested by readers. Specifically, Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock.

I was floored by how much this record meant to so many. Laughing Stock is an album that a lot of people here hold really dear. I would’ve never seen that coming, and it was fun to give it the signal boost it deserved.

Got one you’d like to see reviewed? Sound off in the comments, or reply to this email.

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There were guest posts and collaborations. There will definitely be more of those (writer/podcasting friends: hit me up!).

And, of course, there was music. Tons of it (that’s why we’re here, right?). Spotify says I listened to 118 genres this year, and I think we covered a good 90 of those. Some were more popular than others. Some fell flat. Nothing’s perfect.

Liesl 𐂂 @LostLavenderer

I think spotify wrapped this year should have a category for 'songs you obsessively looped for a week and then never touched again'

The best part:

I learned a lot about what works/what doesn’t this year, but the biggest takeaway is that I’m not doing any of it alone. The best part about this newsletter is the community.

None of this would matter without your:

• Clicks

• Comments

• Discussion

• Rants

• Raves

• Recommendations

• Shares

• Suggestions

• Support

They’re truly what makes this little corner of the internet special. Keep ‘em comin’!

I’m excited for 2023. I hope you are too.

Have a wonderful New Year! See you Monday.

Thanks for being here,

Kevin—