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CHIRP Radio writesCHIRP Radio’s Top Albums of 2021
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio has been sharing its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. The list below shows the most-often cited records out of the 200+ albums mentoned.
The most-often cited recording is the third release from the band fronted and led by creative force Michelle Zauner. It's a record that, like many on the list, uses music to express hope, joy, anger, amd optimism in a world that seems to take two steps back for every step forward. In his review of the album, Austin Harvey describes it as "...the sound of Zauner accepting the past and moving into an unknown future with the sun shining." That's pretty much all anyone can ask for, and it's a joy that these records can help us with that.
From all of us at CHIRP Radio, HAPPY NEW YEAR and best wishes for 2022!
#1 Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast (Dead Oceans)
A sharp, shimmering wide-ranging classic of an album (Slinky dance numbers! Warm and fuzzy dream pop! Smart singer-songwriter tracks!) that I'll be listening to for years to come. --Shawn Campbell
Shawn Campbell writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Shawn Campbell
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Founder and General Manager Shawn Campbell.
Albums! We still love you! Lots of good records came out this year, including...
#1 Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast (Dead Oceans)
A sharp, shimmering wide-ranging classic of an album (Slinky dance numbers! Warm and fuzzy dream pop! Smart singer-songwriter tracks!) that I'll be listening to for years to come.
Owen Harris writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Owen Harris
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Owen Harris.
Leave Love Out Of This by Anthonie Tonnon (Rough Trade)
Wildewoman writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Allison Parssi
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Music Co-Director Allison Parssi.
When going back and thinking about my favorite releases this year I asked myself, what albums did I come back to in my free time? What would I listen to on my commute to work, while I cleaned the house, while on a bike ride? There were a lot, and I didn’t limit myself to a set number. Many of them break genre barriers. Many are emotional. Many are danceable. All of them are beautiful.
Occult Fractures by Arthhur (self-released)
Chicago rockers are back with their high energy sophomore release. Arthhur pairs witty and political lyrics with a cacophony of sounds you can’t help but dance to. The project is ambitious in the best way. What else can you say of an album that successfully combines elements of disco, funk, soul, punk, and krautrock? The group’s ever-expanding imagination takes center stage and brings the listener on a wild adventure with them.
D Rock: Apocalipstick Beatz writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Danielle Sines
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ Danielle Sines.
What was 2021 to me? The thrill of vaccination. The first show back in a sweaty Lincoln Hall singing DRAMA, just as I hoped for last year on my end the year list. I got to play live music again with my band, Impulsive Hearts - and our first show back was opening for fellow CHIRP volunteer & Outreach Director Marites Velasquez of Ovef Ow at the Beat Kitchen. <3 I hosted an open mic event in my backyard with Girls Rock! Chicago which was fun, and so beautiful that I met new friends and cried. My A-Z record challenge is coming along; I end this year on “T” of “The Tallest Man on Earth.” I hope that 2022 continues to bring us new music that we can share, connect with and become obsessed with.
#1 Emphatically No. by Cheekface (New Professor)
In another year that months seem to blend into the next with no real delineation between 2020 or 2021; Cheekface’s witty, sarcastic and honest songwriting delivered a punch in the face I needed to wake me from the malaise. The sarcasm oddly put me in a good mood, screaming, “yes, someone finally gets it!” Admittedly, I became pretty obsessed with this record, when they rolled through town in October, I was first in line to get tickets, but was slightly nervous. Not because of Covid, mind you, but rather because I was so obsessed, possibly built them up to be too great, and perhaps also because I was mentally prepared for the lead singer to be a jerk?! I’ve dated people like this before - heck even have been in bands with them - cool, sly, funny guys who actually are sociopaths. But to my delight, the band sounded great and lead singer Greg Katz was charming, grateful and even made space for bassist and vocalist Amanda Tannen; sharing that she co-writes songs and that the band wouldn’t be a band without her friendship and musicianship. This feels especially personal to me, because her sing-song lyrics and coos remind me sooo much of a version of myself when I played in a band with aforementioned sociopath. If you don’t like talk singing akin to Lou Reed or British post-punk bands like The Fall, and proto-indie bands like Minutemen, you probably will hate it. But that’s fine - coz everything is fine, everything is fine.