We're happy to be nominated in four categories for the Reader's 2024 Best of Chicago poll. Find them all here and cast your ballot by December 31!
The CHIRP Blog
trombone.alex writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Alex Leong
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Alex Leong (a.k.a. trombone.alex).
Mint Chip by Kamikaze Palm Tree (Drag City)
Perhaps an acquired taste, Kamikaze Palm Tree provide a healthy dose of dance beats, dissonance, and WTF?
Shelby writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Shelby Hagstom
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from Live Music Events Coordinator Shelby Hagstrom.
#1 Dance Fever by Florence and the Machine (Polydor Records)
CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Barry Owen
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from Board Member Barry Owen.
I listen to CHIRP, Kidzbop and everything else, in about that order these days so I don’t get to listen to or see as much as I used to. But these albums were on regular rotation for me this year.
These picks are not ranked, but Wet Leg was definitely the most played around my house this year. So much so that my 5 & 3-year-olds regularly requested the “underwear song” aka Chaise Longue. Just hope they weren’t listening to or memorizing some of the albums other lyrics…
Artist of the year and show of the year for me was Low and their show at Metro early in the year. RIP Mimi Parker. Can’t wait to see everyone else’s lists and discover some great albums!
Wet Leg by Wet Leg (Domino)
Erin Thomas writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Erin Thomas
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Erin Thomas.
#1 Blue Rev by Alvvays (Polyvinyl and Transgressive)
Matt Garman writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Matt Garman
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ and Programming Committee member Matt Garman.
It was such a good year for music, probably a result of many artists finally releasing material they had been sitting on since before, or during, the pandemic. See below for the things that really moved me in 2022.
Rather than compose an encompassing review of each album, I'm just going to freewrite whatever comes to mind when I think about each release.
#1 Wet Leg by Wet Leg (Domino)
This album is packed with catchy, droll earworms that made me feel happy and clever just listening to it. The music videos are fantastic. I want to hang out with Wet Leg. I want to know what the Isle of Wight is like. They are a culmination/reflection of so much great post-punk and pop that it's NO WONDER it ended up being my favorite release of 2022.
The nonsense opinions swirling around that this band is somehow fake and didn't write their songs because they emerged fully-formed is 100% misogyny. No one would say that about a male-identified-fronted outfit. So if that's you, look within. Meanwhile I'll be over here partying with Wet Leg in the living room, dancing on the chaise and pretending to drink warm beer.