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Bobby Evers writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Bobby Evers
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our first list is from DJ Bobby Evers.
In spite of everything, this has been an incredible year for music. I am a little self conscious about my list being predominately white women writing sad breakup songs, but this is where I'm at right now in the year 2021. I do have a top 3, but the rest are unranked and equal in my eyes.
#1 Home Video by Lucy Dacus (Matador)
Lucy Dacus came back with a vengeance this year in an album that was both a shower AND a grower. She gives us glimpses into her past relationships and friendships, turmoil with sexuality and religion and the insecurity of living in a small community. She presents herself as the kind of friend who will tell you the hard truths you need to hear and destroy herself for her love for you. May we all try to be that friend to someone. AOTY.
#2 Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast (Dead Oceans)
This was really Michelle Zauner's year: a bestselling memoir, a landmark indie pop album, a video game score, a sold out tour. She did it all and deserves everything. Close second for AOTY. Tied with #3.
#3 Little Oblivions by Julien Baker (Matador)
Julien really hit her stride this year with her best album yet. "Hardline" and "Heatwave" are pretty evocative. Tied with #2.
Daddy's Home by St. Vincent (Loma Vista)
In spite of the hard-edged lead single, this is actually a pretty quiet beautiful album, that evokes a kind of '70s movie soundtrack about a rookie cop who goes rogue to take down the whole system, and maybe even learn a few things about herself on the way.
Local Valley by José González (City Slang)
Swedish singer-songwriter José González really said "I am going to make an album that sounds exactly like my past work" and we are all better for it. It is EXACTLY what I want from a José González album. How could he manage to be as good as his old stuff? What a blessing of an album.
Mood Ring by Kississippi (Triple Crown)
Just a fucking great synth pop record.
Sour by Olivia Rodrigo (Geffen)
Charting new territory in the breakup album, Rodrigo makes perfect pop for anyone with a pulse.
Sinner Get Ready by Lingua Ignota (Sargent House)
Not my usual genre but the work Ignota did here is undeniable. She looked into my soul and terrified me into conversion.
Wink by CHAI (Sub Pop)
I will preach the gospel of frenetic joy that is CHAI until I am blue in the face. They are so goddamn fun and this record saw them moving in a new direction that is undeniably good.
A Beginner's Mind by Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augistine (Asthmatic Kitty)
classic Sufjan sound. Not the Sufjan we deserve, but the one we need.
Honorable Mentions
...go out to Phoebe Bridgers' 2020 Punisher album which remained the album I listened to THE MOST in 2021. Also shout out to Red Taylor's Version which has dominated the conversation for weeks. Also shout out to SHAD's Tao album which is SO GOOD. Also Snail Mail Valentine. Also, the song "Certainty" by Big Thief got in my head every day in the months of Sept, Oct, and Nov.
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