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Entries categorized as “Best Albums of the Year” 499 results
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.
Jason Moody writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Jason Moody
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Jason Moody.
Cruel Country by Wilco (dBpm Records)
Noah Janes writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Noah J.
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from volunteer Noah J.
Laurel Hell by Mitski (Dead Oceans)
Nicholas K Reetz writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Nick R.
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our first list for this year is from volunteer Nick R.
I tend to listen to music by doing deep dives into artists I'm interested in starting with their oldest work and moving forward in time from there. I also go to see these bands live whenever possible and listen to any related artists in the days leading up to the show.
Given both of these factors, my list focuses almost exclusively on great albums/EPs released by bands I've seen live this year. It is quite likely I've missed a lot of new albums that I would enjoy, but I'm OK with that.
Without further ado, here are the 2022 albums that I enjoyed most.
#1 See Through You by A Place to Bury Strangers (Dedstrange)
Pulsating noise rock that doesn't hold back on this new album from APTBS, which is the brainchild of the guy who runs Death by Audio. I loved this album so much I caught APTBS in both Milwaukee and Chicago. Highly recommend catching APTBS live!
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