Welcome to the heart of our countdown of the best albums of 2022. Before continuing, check out parts one, two and three.

Part 4 includes pop heavyweights Harry Styles and Demi Lovato, premier hip-hop artists Freddie Gibbs and Denzel Curry, a collaboration between rapper Black Thought and producer Danger Mouse (making his second appearance on this list), The Internet’s Steve Lacy (who might just win a bunch of Grammys next February), one of the biggest names in rock in Muse, rock royal Neil Young, genre-fluid artist Father John Misty and alt-popper Lights.

30. Denzel Curry

Melt My Eyez See Your Future – Loma Vista Recordings

For his new album, Denzel Curry shed his alter egos in favor of speaking directly from the heart. He tackles social issues alongside his deeply troubled introspection. He glides effortlessly over the beat on “Melt Session #1,” reflecting on his struggles with friends, romance, stress from work and his mental health. On “Walkin,” he raps on issues of class, the desperation that comes from poverty and how these issues feed into a larger cycle of unrest that destroys the mental wellbeing of those affected by it. JPEGMAFIA and, surprisingly, Buzzy Lee (Sasha Spielberg), make an appearance on “John Wayne,” where Curry explores systemic racism in the U.S. Musically, the album is tinged with piano flourishes, synth touches and jazzy instrumentals.

29. Muse

Will of the People – Warner Records

On the group’s ninth record, Will of the People, Muse pulled off a fairly difficult feat in creating a record that takes its past sounds and blends them in a masterfully cohesive way. The album features some of the heaviest riffs that Muse ever recorded while also bringing back the orchestral piano balladry from which Matt Bellamy and co. had moved away. Fans of Black Holes and Revelations and The Resistance: rejoice! The arrangement and instrumentation are some the band’s best in years, each passing track expertly crafted to the point that even the interludes shine. Bellamy’s signature falsetto returns on hyper-urgent rock ballad “Liberation,” which features multipart vocal harmonies and driving rhythms. It’s good hear Bellamy deliver with the vocals front and center. It’s the band’s best work in years.

28. Father John Misty

Chloë and the Next 20th Century – Sup Pop

Despite the fact that Josh Tillman has mocked jazz tropes before (see his “Jazz Imposters” social media posts), Chloë and the Next 20th Century, his fifth album as Father John Misty, relies heavily on it. It’s full of upright bass, brushed drumming and saxophone, while the singer croons about lost love. Yet the album maintains his familiar lyrical realism.

Tillman maintains his knack for storytelling on Chloë. With quirky callbacks to late-night television, “Funny Girl” paints the portrait of a charismatic woman whom people are effortlessly drawn to (including the narrator), but who seems to take up all the oxygen and fill all the space in the room with her personality. She’s a “five-foot Cleopatra” with a “manic smile.” There are details missing, but Father John Misty finds a way to tell you all you need to know about this girl in three and a half minutes.

27. Lights

Pep – Fueled By Ramen

Lights has often reinvented herself in both image and sound, and her fifth studio effort is the most complete portrait of the singer to date. These 13 tracks fill the spectrum from moody and introspective to sarcastic and fun. But no matter what, you can dance to it. Various friends pop in and out throughout, like Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun for the infectious grooves of “In My Head.” He lays down the beat as Lights delivers tongue-in-cheek lines about individuality, singing “Maybe I’m a loser, maybe love is dead, but I’m’a keep on dancing to the drum in my head.” “Prodigal Daughter,” meanwhile, takes her to places she’s never explored on a record. It’s a divine fusion of a drum and bass pattern, with Lights singing a soul-inspired melody.

26. Neil Young and Crazy Horse

World Record – Reprise Records/Warner Records

Neil Young isn’t looking to set any world records on his new album. Instead, this new collection of songs feels like a cross between a time capsule—or world record—of how we got ourselves into this big climate change mess, and a set of guidance about finding a way back. It’s a mix of loose, rambling folk rock and Americana arrangements and richer, feedback-squelched guitar-led sonic tapestries played by longtime band Crazy Horse. On an album of easily digestible three-minute songs, centerpiece “Chevrolet” is a 15-minute epic. It at first sounds like a sort of ’60s love song to a car, but is actually about Young’s changing attitude to his love for cars. What he once viewed as freeing has actually been part of the problem the whole time, and he has no intentions of going back.

25. Danger Mouse and Black Thought

Cheat Codes – BMG

This one’s one of the biggest unexpected team-ups of the year. The metaphor of a “cheat code” comes into play with how the knowledge and experience Black Thought built led him to get a leg up on the competition. On “The Darkest Part,” Black Thought explores the darker recesses of his psyche and past. The washed-out piano chords and backing choir that Danger Mouse implements help to deliver the haunting quality of his prose.

There’s even a DANGERDOOM reunion, of sorts, on “Belize,” with a posthumous vocal performance from MF DOOM following Thought’s punchline-heavy verse over the shimmering organs and heavy bass. Most of the guest appearances hit hard, including A$AP Rocky, and El-P and Killer Mike of Run the Jewels. If you’re a fan of either Black Thought or Danger Mouse, this may be your album of the year.

24. Steve Lacy

Gemini Rights – RCA Records

With the catchy lyrics of “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy gained a massive fanbase and popularity for Gemini Rights. The single became the first song to simultaneously top Billboard’s hip-hop, R&B and rock and alternative charts. The artist, previously best known for his work in The Internet, had a lot to unpack for this album, despite the simple aesthetic. He combined strong songwriting and real-life storytelling with melodic vocals and soft piano keys. The album is an exploration of his relationships with lovers and friends. Steve Lacy blends his harmonic choruses of stretched notes with his psychedelic production. Funky and bubbly bass chords strum through Lacy’s confessions of hookups, inner demons and other issues. And now, he’s an artist coming for your living room stereo.

23. Demi Lovato

Holy Fvck – Island Records

The album is surprisingly diverse, and occasionally downright heavy, fusing grunge, hard rock, industrial and bedroom pop. It’s also a dramatic departure from the artist’s poppy background. What doesn’t waver from Demi Lovato’s past work are the singer’s vocals, which remain as crisp and powerful as ever. Few songs encompass the spirit of Lovato’s early work than “SUBSTANCE.” Lovato’s maturity really shines through in the lyrics, which actually take a dark tone despite the upbeat vibe. Things turn decidedly in the alt-rock direction on Royal & the Serpent collaboration “EAT ME.” With its self-referential lyrics, “SKIN OF MY TEETH” offers a wink and a nod to Lovato’s own struggles. Lovato’s vocals absolutely explode to their highest reaches on the bridge.

22. Freddie Gibbs

$oul $old $eparately – Warner Records

While it’s not a literal faustian bargain—requiring him to sell his soul for all his heart desires—Freddie Gibbs recognizes that the choices, sacrifices and risks taken can take their toll on a soul as he climbs to the top. $oul $old $eparately offers a unique perspective on the relationship between success and misery in ways others haven’t been able to touch. Gibbs reflects on how many lines he had to cross during his career to meet end goals. At first, he’s adamant he doesn’t lose sleep over the decisions he’s made. But by the end of the album, he’s broken and trying to pick up the pieces. The album is a masterpiece.

21. Harry Styles

Harry’s House – Decca Records

From an album that’s very deep to another that’s a lot of fun, Harry’s House moves and sounds almost exactly as you would expect from Harry Styles, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. From lead single “As It Was”—which is undeniably catchy and perfectly attuned to the vibes of summer beginning to settle in—Harry Styles establishes a sound grounded in casual pop and nonchalant songwriting. It’s lighthearted, yet still tinged with enough innuendos and creativity to keep the album sounding fresh.

“Cinema” oozes sexuality, depicting Styles in front of the silver screen with references to concession snacks. Styles is wholeheartedly sensitive throughout the songs. He looks out for his partners, noticing them grow and paying attention to their emotions. It’s a major advantage to his work, grounded in his boy band beginnings when silly love songs dominated albums. Harry Styles has yet to have a lapse in success.

30: Denzel Curry. 29: Muse. 28: Father John Misty. 27: Lights. 26: Neil Young and Crazy Horse. 25: Danger Mouse and Black Thought. 24: Steve Lacy. 23: Demi Lovato. 22: Freddie Gibbs. 21: Harry Styles.

The 67 best albums of 2022: 20-11