2022 saw some pretty great country albums from major superstars like Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and Kelsea Ballerini. While Morgan Wallen’s 2021 Dangerous was named the Academy of Country Music’s 2022 album of the year, Luke Combs scored the Album of the Year honor for Growin’ Up in 2022 at the CMA Awards in November.
Grammy-nominated albums in country music at the upcoming 2023 awards ceremony, include nods for Lambert, Combs, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, and country icon Willie Nelson, who, at 89 years old, released an album called A Beautiful Time this year.
It wasn’t easy to pick the best country albums of 2022, but we did some hard listening and reflecting to find what we believe are the best five records in country music in the last 12 months.
5 - "Ashley McBryde Presents Lindeville"
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A Grammy nominee for 2023, Ashley was spot-on with this album. Produced by Osborne Brothers’ John Osborne, Ashley said of the work when it came out, “I hope everybody laughs a little bit. Sometimes you look and realize this town is such a mess; everybody here is a disaster. And in the same breath, in that same three minutes, everybody’s okay. And I love those times.”4 - Lainey Wilson's "Bell Bottom Country"
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This one is sure to be a classic, and as Lainey said many times in promoting the new work, which came out in October, “It’s country with a flare.” It sure is.
3 - Kelsea Ballerini's "Subject to Change"
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Such a relatable album; this amazing work and gathering of fun and sad songs came straight from Kelsea’s heart and reflected her struggle with divorce and her joy at lifelong friendships.
2 - Luke Combs' "Growin' Up"
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The CMA’s 2022 Album of the Year; this solid work proved why in just a couple of years time, Luke Combs became a country superstar that now sells out 60,000-seat stadiums. A Grammy nominee for the 2023 Best Country Album.
1 - Miranda Lambert's "Palamino"
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Palomino made several all-genre top album lists for 2022. Every song on the project is a gem. This is also up for Best Country Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
