The year is almost over, and everyone is looking back at how fast it actually went by. It seems like only yesterday that we were compiling the best media content of 2021. However, 2022 has been a surprisingly great year for music fans all across the globe, especially for Pakistanis. It has also been equally bizarre as 80s synth sounds have made a blazing comeback on the charts. Coke Studio Pakistan also made a comeback with a revamped vibe and its freshest season in ages. As a result, there is a sense of distinct variety throughout our list of the best songs of 2022.
We compiled this list by asking each member of the Sound Crush team about their favorite tunes of the year. Every individual has their own unique taste in music, with some being obsessed with Desi Pop and others loving pure anthems. Consequently, the best songs of 2022, according to Team Sound Crush, originate from all over the world. These tracks also belong to various genres and aren’t just limited to one type of music. Without further ado, let’s celebrate 2022 by looking back at the songs that meant the most to us this year!
Zohaib Mustafa, Director Business Development: Tu Jhoom by Naseebo Lal x Abida Parveen
As a matter of fact, Coke Studio Pakistan made an explosive comeback at the beginning of this year. For the longest time, people had started to lose faith and belief in the long-running iconic music series.
Tu Jhoom starts our list of the best songs of 2022 because it singlehandedly brought Coke Studio back to life. In fact, the track marked the first collaboration between the two Pakistani music legends, Naseebo Lal and Abida Parveen.
Curator and producer Xulfi appeared on everyone’s musical radars the moment the Coke Studio premiere dropped. The former member of Call gave the otherwise stale series a much-needed revamp, and Pakistanis were blown away.
Moreover, the different styles of both Naseebo Lal and Abida Parveen were mixed masterfully.
Their respective genres and voices complemented each other so well that Tu Jhoom became an anthem for the masses.
Tu Jhoom truly felt like the beginning of a new journey to celebrate life, and it was a musical triumph.
Talal Ahmed, Business Development Manager’s Addition to the Best Songs of 2022: Pasoori by Ali Sethi x Shae Gill
Actually, one of the biggest tracks of the year was easily another Coke Studio release, Pasoori. The song took over not only Pakistan but the world as well, with around 464 million views on YouTube. It broke plenty of records, from being the most searched song on Google to one of the most streamed globally. So, naturally, it wouldn’t make sense to talk about the best songs of 2022 without including Pasoori.
Ali Sethi was already an iconic and major part of the Pakistani music industry before Pasoori’s release. Shae Gill benefitted the most from the collaboration, as she quickly rose to the top of the industry. As a result, Pasoori became Coke Studio’s most successful song to date, transcending boundaries and bridging distances through compassionate themes.
Pasoori’s whole vibe spreads love and identity, which is why it resonated with everyone all across Pakistan and the world. Even the accompanying video is so visually stunning that one just can’t get enough of anything related to Pasoori.
Shehzad Fazal, Digital Marketing Executive: Dreamers by Jung Kook (of BTS) ft. Fahad Al Kubaisi
Additionally, 2022 was an exciting year for major sports events as well. Both the ICC Men’s T20 and FIFA World Cups took place back-to-back. The whole world has been united by sports and fixated on their TV screens at the same time. And the best part is that every FIFA World Cup comes through with anthems to remember for ages.
This year was no different, as Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi made a grand official soundtrack for the tournament. Putting Dreamers on our list of the best songs of 2022 was a no-brainer.
Initially, people were skeptical about a member of the divisive boy band BTS helming such an important track. The artist announcement was met with a lot of criticism regarding how Jungkook wouldn’t be able to pull it off.
Previous anthems like Waka Waka by Shakira had set the bar so high that an unfair bias was already established. But the South Korean singer proved everyone wrong as he released a song truly worthy of the FIFA World Cup. It induces feelings of pure hype, hope, and excitement with its simple yet relatable lyrics. The incorporation of the Arabic parts is appropriately well done too and that was important to perfectly nail.
Consequently, the Fahad Al Kubaisi-assisted Dreamers actually felt like the most fitting tune for the World Cup in Qatar.
The artists also performed the anthem at FIFA’s opening ceremony, to the satisfaction and joy of viewers globally.
Osama Farooq, Content Writer’s Pick for the Best Songs of 2022: Less Than Zero by The Weeknd
Like we mentioned before, the 80s synth-inspired New Wave genre made a huge comeback in 2022. In fact, many mainstream artists tried to integrate it into their pop music throughout the year.
The Weeknd was one of the few artists who managed to release an album with the perfected synth vibe. The standout track from Dawn FM just had to be added to our list of the best songs of 2022.
Because Less Than Zero is an absolute masterpiece in terms of production, lyrics, and The Weeknd’s emotionally resonant vocals. Its acoustic ending is just the cherry on top, as it takes you on a vintage trip to the past.
The song also somehow sounds futuristic at the same time, which is why it is musically excellent.
Honorable Mentions
Additionally, there were many more picks from the rest of Team Sound Crush for the best songs of 2022. Our Web Developer, Muhammad Usman, chose the Punjabi Hip Hop banger “FINAL THOUGHTS” by the iconic AP DHILLON.
We then asked our Graphic Designers about their favorite tunes of the year.
So, Furqan Ali picked the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack, I Ain’t Worried, by the Pop Rock band OneRepublic.
Hina Khalid couldn’t get enough of Moonrise by the amazing Atif Aslam. And finally, Hassan Khan Durrani absolutely loved No Love by the Indo-Canadian R&B artist Shubh.
That completes our list of the best songs of 2022. It has been an amazing year for music, and we can’t wait to listen to what 2023 will bring!
However, as we count down the days, you can revisit your favorite 2022 songs with Sound Crush.
All of the Sound Crush speakers are on sale for 20% off right now. The best songs of 2022 deserve to be listened to on the best speakers, and Sound Crush offers exactly that!
Nonetheless, do let us know if we missed any songs that you think deserve to be on this list! What were your favorite tunes of 2022?
