fromis_9 - DM
https://youtu.be/4gXmClk8rKI
"Live" version
https://youtu.be/3GRAlqUxaFk?t=81
Kind of a perfect pop song in my books. The retro, disco-y elements aren't on the nose or played out, killer bassline and sweet melodies, vocals are sequenced thoughtfully and utilize the members' different vocal timbres, and the impressive and tasteful whistle notes in the bridge are the cherry on top. The vocals in the "live" version sound too clean and processed to my amateur ears, but the instruments provide a fresh yet familiar listen. Maybe too (K)-poppy for most Lessonheads, but I love it.

billy woods - Asylum
https://youtu.be/Jprzsxj5k8U
"Mengistu Haile Mariam is my neighbor" raps. I don't know what to say; it's just incredible. Often takes me a long time to begin listening to the rest of the album because I replay it so much.

The Weeknd - Out of Time
https://youtu.be/2fDzCWNS3ig
Feels like we've maybe met full saturation for city pop when even The Weeknd is using samples (original: https://youtu.be/KZyS-ms6-RA), and I'm still waiting the backlash when it'll be deemed uncool, but I don't have any criticisms.

The Weeknd - Here We Go...Again feat. Tyler
https://youtu.be/_WMkhkbF6js
The first half sounds beautiful even if The Weeknd is kind of going doing his typical thing lyrically and stylistically, and it transitions smoothly and effortlessly into Tyler's verse.

Hikaru Utada - BADモード
https://youtu.be/VJGCeAWIfEA
Live version (believe this was done for the album's pre-release and is now on Netflix like you mentioned)
https://youtu.be/T6hGvAkuzbM
Perfect opener for album that always puts me in a better mood, and I really like this live version as well. Love that Utada was able to create this kind of album deep into their career and is getting some international recognition and reaching new fans too.

I'm writing more than I expected, so I'll just list the rest and mostly let the songs speak for themselves.

Hikaru Utada - 気分じゃないの (Kibunja Naino) (Not In The Mood)
https://youtu.be/uctD_1SKqtM
Please work with Floating Points more.

Denzel Curry - Walkin
https://youtu.be/fOO1mWLGhh8

MONDO GROSSO - 最後の心臓 feat. suis
https://youtu.be/VrY1VdonZZo
Love the contrast sonically and lyrically between the verses and chorus.

Black Country, New Road - The Place Where He Inserted the Blade
https://youtu.be/YPrs3DqraWM

Big Thief - Flower of Blood
https://youtu.be/T053RL-OwXw
Might be the kind of Big Thief I want to hear more of most.

Parannoul - Ending Credit
https://youtu.be/YlO7ijyVGTQ
Didn't realize how much I needed a somewhat typical and cathartic post-rock climax in 2022.

Vince Staples - WHEN SPARKS FLY
https://youtu.be/5fFV0dWpQPE
The sample makes this song for me (https://youtu.be/3PsP3ITNNIU). I am too experienced and have listened to too much hip-hop, so I realized the gun metaphor on the first listen, but I thought he did it well, and I am glad that Vince thinks a little more highly of his audience than to pull a Nas "I Gave You Power" moment.