Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2024. Our next list is from Substitute DJ and Discogs Manager Nik Hunder.

There was a lot to parse through this year and it wasn't always of great quality. I can't confidently say that some artists performed better than their previous records (including one on this list). However, I did listen to the greatest diversity of genres this year, a feat that seems to keep one upping it self each year.

I put this list off as long as possible because even into December, there are releases I'm looking forward to. I also got into many albums that were not released in 2024. To name a few: D'Angelo's Black Messiah, Rufus Wainwright's Poses, Pavement's Terror Twilight, Pearl Jam's Yield, and among many 21st century releases.

I managed to pick the CHIRP No. 1 record last year but don't expect any of these albums to crack the top 10 this year.

#1 Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay (Mom + Pop)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Post-Pop): My album of the year is always obvious to me and Imaginal Disk is no exception. Magdalena Bay's sophomore release is a concept album that explores if you had an operating program inserted into your brain. It is incredibly well paced and momentum driven that takes the listener far into space by the beginning of last third of the record.

Regardless whether it was a concept album or not, it demands to be listened to in order. I don't think I've even tried to listen in shuffle.

I've dubbed Imaginal Disk a post-pop (a currently non-existent genre as of writing) album. It is clearly a variation of pop but is completely divorced from Top 40s or even indie pop (its not even a Jubilee by Japanese Breakfest).

I'm not sure what its inspiration was but it checks that maximalist pop (like Haunted Painting by Sad13) music I enjoy. If Mercurial World was fun internet pop, Imaginal Disk demands that you take them more seriously.

#2 Rita Payes by De camino al camino (Sony Music Local)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Folk/Bossa Nova): Catalonian trombonist and vocalist Rita Payes' De camino al camino is so pure and I wish I had the patience to write something like it (I'm more prone to write an Imaginal Disk).

It's delicate—good during the day and even better at night. Americans play poor classical guitar but in its most traditional usage (Latin), Payes' mother Elisabeth Roma is a treat, occasionally interweaving with a string quartet that leads songs to their energetic peaks.

Recorded so well, each percussive element, string plucked, vocal sung is so sharp making De camino al camino feel unique and warm.

#3 Keeper of the Shepherd by Hannah Frances (Ruination)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Folk/Folk Rock): A theme among my top four albums is great pacing and this is no exception. Compared to Imaginal Disk with its energetic peaks and recessions, local artist Hannah Frances lets the listener down easy across seven tracks that are perfect for the winter season.

Rich harmonies from a suite of guitars, string and saxes create individually perfect tracks for each dimension of a farmhand's duties.

#4 pink balloons by Ekko Astral (Topshelf)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Punk): I had a pretty unique way of finding Ekko Astral's almost completely sarcastic debut, pink balloons. The bass player, Jael Hotzman is a D.C. climate reporter and when you do one thing well, you tend to do another just as well—this being no exception.

Full of Washington D.C references, the band makes this album go by in record time, even for a punk record, and while clocking in at 35 minutes thanks to well-placed dwell periods. The lyrics are so interesting sometimes they may be a horror story but that may be what you want if you need to have a good day.

#5 Not God by Finom (Joyful Noise)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Indie Rock): This was a hard album to put in 4th place. I truly love Finom as a band and each of the individual projects of the duo (Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham). I can't decide if I love them or Ratboys more but their 2020 release, Fantasize Your Ghost, was my top album of that year.

This album (again, well paced like the above) is full of credential-showing, let-loose rock tracks that combined with the solo projects, shows these two can make any genre work for them. I appreciate when artist record their vocal as they would perform it live (Macie provides a little screaming treat on Hungry).

The only bass-permitted on a Finom record is the kind laid down by V.V. Lightbody. It's a first for Finom who previously relied on a bass pedal—the more guitars the better is once again true.

#6 Love Heart Cheat Code by Hiatus Kaiyote (Brainfeeder)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Neo Soul): This begins the part of the list where I wasn't sure if the No. 8 record was the No. 5 or the No. 7 was the No. 10. In typical Hiatus Kaiyote fashion, Love Heart Cheat Code is full of multi-meter, soul influence with busy keys, an occasionally abrasive track or two, and sparkling details.

It's the minimalism found in Imaginal Disk dressed in its own innovative fashion by the band that has no close counterparts. With changes so anticipated and stark this is an album to physically feel with your body.

#7 Mantras by Katie Pruitt (Rounder)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Country): I haven't dabbed back into country music since my 2005-2012 outing. The genre moved into singing about topics I wasn't terribly interested in, especially in my teen years.

I don't perfectly relate to the topics sung about in here, but I understand the sincerity which drew me to it. Coming out of its sincerity, enjoy the telecaster rock tracks—Katie has a powerful voice. This record definitely lands on the Chicks and Sheryl Crow side of country.

#8 Final Summer by Cloud Nothings (Pure Noise)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Indie Rock): I forgot to get into this one until six months after its April release which is a real loss for me but was a appropriately timed as i started listening in the final days of summer.

The extended intros, straight through rock tracks and ones with hooks served me well combination with Pavement's Terror Twilight on an off-the-grid adventure I took this year.

#9 Mi Latinoamerica Sufre by Meridian Brothers (Ansonia)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Cumbia/Afrobeat/Rumba): Any Meridian Brothers album you listen to will likely be the most unique thing you hear that year—its quirky and well-informed, hypnotic at times.

Bandleader Elbis Álvarez gave one of the most interesting talks at 2023 Big Ears about the regional differences of folk music and how despite being from Bogota (and presenting the bands music as Columbian folk), he gets accused of being inauthentic because of the urban-rural differences in the country.

#10 Milton + Esperanza by Milton Nascimento, Esperanza Spalding (Concord)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

(Latin Jazz): Esperanza Spalding (serving as Music Director in addition to vocals and bass) wrote as many styles of jazz into this Latin jazz centered record. There is hard bop, some free jazz, and even a ragtime section.

Brazilian jazz legend Milton Nascimento was planning to retire but this record stopped him. It's the last thing he will ever put out. Its a beautiful testament to his career thanks to the creativity of Spalding.

Honorable Mentions

When I'm Called by Jake Xerxes Fussell (Folk), 100% Sahara Guitar by Etran De L'Aïr (Desert Rock), The New Sound by Geordie Greep (Psychedelic-Rock), pink baloons by Ekko Astral (Punk), and Power by illuminati hotties (Indie Rock).