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The CHIRP Blog
Austin B. Harvey presents: The Liquid Diet writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Austin B. Harvey
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Softball Team Manager/DJ/Assistant Music Director Austin B. Harvey.
We made it. Here we go.
#1 Spread Joy by Spread Joy (Feel It)
The Chicago band's debut is a tight 10 songs in 13 minutes. What you get from this mini-album is a heaping helping of spastic, delirious post-punk that marries the distorted yelps and angular beats of Love Is All with Dadaist monologuing, Gang of Four-adjacent guitar work, and basslines off in a plane of their own. Deliriously technicolor rock that you can dance to. It so satisfying seeing members of bands from Chicago's scuzz-punk era of the 2010's reconstitute newer and better bands, making records that are as much statements of purpose as they are statements of potential.
Mauricio Reyes- Radio Maoheem writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Mauricio Reyes
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes.
#1 Actual Life by Fred Again... (Warner Music UK)
Actual Life 2 is just as good!
Libby writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Libby Wait
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Assistant Music Director Libby Wait.
#1 On All Fours by Goat Girl (Rough Trade)
Marites Velasquez writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Marites Velasquez
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Outreach Director Marites Velasquez.
Oh, 2021. We did our best. At least we got to enjoy new music along the way. Here are my favorites:
#1 Volcano Park by Meat Wave (self-released)
Every new release from Meat Wave seems to top the one before, and this EP did not disappoint. I know it's good if it's been on repeat. Favorite track: "Yell At The Moon"
Val Woj writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Val Stokowski
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Val Stokowski.
With how much great music we’ve been gifted in 2021, I knew crafting this year’s best-of list would be an undertaking. I present to you the most excessive year-end list I’ve ever made: starting with overall top 10 albums, followed by 15 honorable mentions (in alphabetical order), favorite albums from Chicago-based artists, then top 10 EPs.
*Note: Arthhur’s Occult Fractures was in the top spot for my Chicago list, but anything less than #1 overall didn’t seem fair. It’s my favorite album of the year.
My 2021 resolution was to stay organized…2022 will be to simplify.
#1 Occult Fractures by Arthhur (self-released)
