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Sarah Spencer writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2019: Sarah Spencer

CHIRP Radio Best of 2019

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2019. Our next list is from DJ Sarah Spencer aka: Io the Resident Alien.

2019 marked my second year DJing at CHIRP Radio, and once again, I was fortunate to be exposed to a lot of great new artists. Although I took a little break from DJing after the birth of my son in July, I'm pleased to be rejoining the weekly schedule in January. You can be sure I'll continue to include these artists in my playlists in 2020.

 

#1   Designer by Aldous Harding (4AD)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Aldous Harding DesignerThis record is quiet, confident, and weird. And absolutely stunning.

 

 

#2   LEGACY! LEGACY! by Jamila Woods (Jagjaguwar)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Jamila Woods Legacy! Legacy!We are so lucky that Jamila Woods is from Chicago. A raw and profound album.

 

 

#3   Pony by Orville Peck (Sub Pop)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Orville Peck PonyThe masked cowboy begins the year by releasing his debut album on the Sub Pop label, and ends it on the cover of British GQ Style. The lone rider is going places.

 

 

#4   Cuz I Love You by Lizzo (Atlantic)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Lizzo Cuz I Love YouMusic that will have you dancing around the house and feeling so good to be in your own skin.

 

 

#5   Eraserland by Strand of Oaks (Dead Oceans)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Strand of Oaks EraserlandThis was my favorite rock album to come out this year. Timothy Showalter has a gorgeous voice, sometimes reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, and other times, Bono. The songs tug at the heart strings.

 

 

#6   Fear Inoculum by Tool (Tool Dissectional)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Tool Fear InoculumIt's their first album in 13 years, and while it doesn't break any new ground, the band sounds as good as ever. This is another solid addition to the catalogue of these prog rock icons.

 

 

#7   Remind Me Tomorrow by Sharon Van Etten (Jagjaguwar)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Sharon Van Etten Remind Me TomorrowThis is my first exposure to Sharon Van Etten, and as such I didn't have the folk-rock associations that many others do. I really enjoyed what she brought to this album: a mix of pop, electronic and rock. "Comeback Kid" is still probably one of my favorite pop songs of the year.

 

 

#8   Wooh Dang by Daniel Norgren (Superpuma)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Daniel Norgren Wooh DangThis record is warm blend of bluegrass, folk and country. It has moments that sound like pure Americana -quite the feat for the Swedish singer-songwriter.

 

 

#9   Athena by Sudan Archives (Stones Throw)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Sudan Archives AthenaGorgeous debut album from this violinist, singer-songwriter and producer.

 

 

#10   KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka (Polydor)
BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Michael Kiwanuka KIWANUKAA solid release from the London-based artist. Produced by Danger Mouse and Inflo, there is a lot to love on this modern, soul album.

 

Honorable Mentions:

The HU - The Gereg
Steve Mason - About the Light
FKA Twigs - Magdalene
Russian Circles - Blood Year
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors
Saariselka - The Ground Our Sky
Big Wild - Superdream

 

 

 

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

Topics: best of 2019

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