Louder: Why So Many Hits This Year Sounded … Familiar

Plus: SZA, Boxed Sets, Angelo Badalamenti and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 16, 2022 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor Some tracks are based on old samples in such an artful, creative manner, it nearly reinvents the original. (I'm thinking of an obvious choice, for me, here: Madonna's "Hung Up," rooted in a clip of Abba's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (a Man After Midnight)"). And some songs grab old samples and just sort of plop a newer artist into the mix, making the sample, and its familiarity, the entire point. The latter trend was a dominant one in 2022. Perhaps you felt like you heard a lot of Fergie's "Glamorous" (that was Jack Harlow's "First Class"); or Rick James's "Super Freak" (it was probably Nicki Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl"). Jon Caramanica explains what was happening this year, and what it meant, in a year-end notebook with a lot of illuminating side-by-side audio. Our critics also looked at 16 standout boxed sets (you still have time to buy some gifts, right?) and chatted about the year's best songs on Popcast, while our photo team compiled one of my favorite annual features, the year in arts pictures. Jon Pareles named SZA's new album a Critic's Pick; Elysa Gardner profiled Samara Joy, a young jazz vocalist with a best new artist Grammy nomination and a big following on TikTok (and a few dates at Lincoln Center this weekend); and James Poniewozik remembered the composer Angelo Badalamenti with an appreciation for his "Twin Peaks" theme. Did That Hit Arrive in 2022 or 1987? This Year, It Was Hard to Tell. Songs with familiar samples dominated pop and performed well on the charts, lending upstart artists a trick to break through — and tossing older ones a lifeline. By Jon Caramanica Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT YEAR IN REVIEW Boxing Up the Past: The Year in 16 Pop, Rap, Soul and Jazz Sets Anniversary editions (from Norah Jones and Neil Young), a dive into the hip-hop underground (via C.V.E.) and rediscovered live jazz (from Elvin Jones and Charles Mingus) arrived in 2022. By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica, Hank Shteamer and Lindsay Zoladz How We Saw the Arts This Year: Best Photos of 2022 These are the images that defined a remarkable time across the worlds of art, music, dance and performance. By Marysa Greenawalt, Laura O'Neill, Jolie Ruben, Elena Noel Santos and Amanda Webster 2022: The Songs of the Year Let's talk about tracks by Ice Spice, Cardi B, Ethel Cain and many more of the 70 picks on our critics' lists. The Breakout Stars of 2022 Here are the actors, pop stars, dancers and artists who broke away from the pack this year, delighting us and making us think. By Maya Salam THE CRITICS Jemal Countess/Getty Images CRITIC'S PICK SZA Revels in Mixed Emotions on 'SOS' On her second album, the singer with an unpredictable and emotionally charged flow expands her sound as she ponders all her conflicting impulses. By Jon Pareles Allison Dinner/EPA, via Shutterstock THE PLAYLIST The Weeknd's 'Avatar' Anthem, and 8 More New Songs Hear tracks by Rosalía and Cardi B, Saint Levant & Playyard, Little Simz and others. By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica and Lindsay Zoladz FEATURE Samara Joy's Voice (and Social Media) Is Helping Jazz Find Fresh Ears The 23-year-old singer had something rare in the genre — a viral moment — and will compete for best new artist at the Grammys in February. By Elysa Gardner Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS Scott Garfitt/Associated Press Atlanta Rapper Gunna Reaches Plea Deal in YSL Gang Case The artist born Sergio Kitchens was among the 28 people, including the rap star Young Thug, who were charged this year with violating Georgia's racketeering laws. By Joe Coscarelli and Richard Fausset Tory Lanez Is Accused of Shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Here's What to Know. Megan Thee Stallion testified on Tuesday in the assault trial against Mr. Lanez. The case had previously played out on social media and in music released by the rappers. By Jack Ross and Julia Jacobs Lawsuit Over Lyrics in Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' Is Dismissed Swift had been accused of stealing lyrics from a 3LW song released in 2000 that contains the lines "Playas, they gonna play/And haters, they gonna hate." By Ben Sisario THE CHARTS Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Returns to No. 1 The singer's holiday anthem, first released in 1994, ends Taylor Swift's six-week run atop the Hot 100 singles chart. By Ben Sisario Suspected Crush at London Concert Leaves 3 Critically Injured The police responded to reports that a large crowd had tried to force its way into the O2 Academy Brixton, one of Britain's most popular music venues. By Euan Ward, Desiree Ibekwe and Alex Marshall OBITUARIES Nancy Wegard for The New York Times Angelo Badalamenti, Composer for 'Twin Peaks,' Is Dead at 85 The filmmaker David Lynch turned to his haunting work again and again, for "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive" and other neo-noir films. By Anita Gates Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK The 'Twin Peaks' Theme Isn't Just a Song. It's a Portal. Angelo Badalamenti, who died at age 85, left behind the bum-bommm that feels like home. By James Poniewozik Maarten de Boer/NBCUniversal, via Getty Images Stephen Boss, Dancer and Reality TV Star Known as tWitch, Dies at 40 Mr. Boss spent nine years with "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" as D.J., guest host and, eventually, an executive producer. By Julia Jacobs AN APPRECIATION What Set tWitch Apart as a Dancer? His Generous Spirit. Stephen Boss, known as tWitch, who took his own life, didn't just move to music. He was music. By Gia Kourlas OBITUARIES Don Lewis, Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Music, Dies at 81 He invented the first system for integrating multiple instruments using a single control panel, predating the MIDI controller by years. By Clay Risen Hamish Kilgour, Whose New Zealand Cult Band Had Reach, Dies at 65 He was a powerful drummer and, most notably, a founding member of the Clean, which inspired indie bands like Pavement, Yo La Tengo and Superchunk. By Natasha Frost Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. 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