2022 is finally here. A new year is always packed full of potential, offering both a chance to start over and an opportunity to continue building on past success.
Enter 22 in ‘22. We’re kicking off the new year with issue 402, showcasing 22 of the bands and musicians who are poised to have a stellar 2022. Featuring the Regrettes, Carlie Hanson, BLACKSTARKIDS, WARGASM, Holly Humberstone, Nova Twins and over a dozen other artists, we’re celebrating the new year as a chance for us all to grow and continue transforming the music of our era.
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We’ve always been passionate about new music, from our early support of pathbreaking artists such as Nirvana, Korn and Paramore to issues focused on rising bands and artists you need to know. With 22 in ‘22, we’re doubling down on our belief that music is always evolving. Artists emerge every day who have the potential to transform music as we know it, and we’re beyond excited to be along for the ride.
This month, we’re highlighting six distinctive cover stars (yes, you read that right!).
Our first issue 402 cover (402.1) features a trio of rising stars. Leading it off are the Regrettes, who are breathing new life into garage rock with their emotionally compelling, minimal brand of songwriting. They appear alongside Carlie Hanson, an artist who is ready to “blow the fuck up already” with her upcoming debut album. Rounding out the trio are Kansas City rockers BLACKSTARKIDS, who have found a unique ability to make their patently retro sound feel like something we’ve never really heard before.
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Our second 22 in ’22 cover (402.2) features three more artists we positively love. WARGASM detail the vision and ambition that infuses their upcoming debut record, one of 2022’s most hotly anticipated releases in the world of heavy music. Holly Humberstone joins them, just on the heels of being declared the BRIT Awards’ “Rising Star” for 2022 — a title that was previously afforded to Adele, Sam Fender and Florence And The Machine. The cover also features Nova Twins, who share their perspectives as Black women in rock and how they found the drive to build “a movement alongside other amazing artists that are also championing the fight.”
Issue 402 is packed full of interviews with other artists and creatives, featuring people who are working with hip-hop, punk, pop, metal and everything in between. We spoke with U.K. act Static Dress, who are showing that the wellspring of early 2000s post-hardcore continues to flow as strong as ever. Overnight sensations the Linda Lindas also connected with us, revealing the vision and energy that has transformed them into punk rock’s youngest stars.
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Also in the issue, Wet Leg speak to the dynamic sound that has led them to be characterized as “sad music for party people and party music for sad people.” And hyperpop wunderkind glaive reveals how he’s finding time to blow up as a star when he’s not sitting in high school detention.
But there’s even more. Issue 402 is full of interviews with a number of artists, from your recent favorites to your next discoveries. We’re featuring Ethel Cain, Jack Kays, EKKSTACY, Zeph and many other artists to watch in 2022.
Check out issue 402 along with our cover variants and other details here.
