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Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Co-Director Clarence Ewing.
It's been another great year for music. As the years pass, I’m even more grateful for the existence of outlets like CHIRP Radio (and its spiritual siblings across the country) that continue to flourish at exactly the same time commercial music radio has bottomed out.
Here are 10 albums that perked my ears up in 2022, and here’s to more in 2023 and beyond...
#1 Social Music at Troost Vol. 3: (Other) People's Music by 75 Dollar Bill featuring Sue Garner, Cheryl Kingan & Chris Nelson (Social Music 2022)
The kind of rustic, crunchy, fiery, funky, raw, and groovy stuff that pairs just as well with a frozen winter day as with standing in front of a midnight summer bonfire.
#2 Gratitude by Abiodun Oyewole (Fire)
A master class in rap magic. Oyewole is an original member of The Last Poets, who were doing Hip Hop before it had a name. This is the latest chapter of his lifelong exploration and celebration of Black Consciousness and the moral authority of the spoken word.
#3 The Overload by Yard Act (Zen F.C.)
By combining the fire of Public Image Ltd., the bone-dry wit of Pet Shop Boys, and the verbosity of an undergraute writing their first full-length novel, this band has captured what I suspect is the general mood among Brits at this time, especially the younger ones.
#4 Myriad Sounds by Claude Cooper (Friendly)
Whenever Netflix eventually decides to greenlight the British remake of Cleopatra Jones, they've got the whole soundtrack right here.
#5 IRÉ by Combo Chimbita
From Pureto Rico. There's only one way I can think of t odescribe this music. Sexy. This is darn sexy music.
#6 What Do the Stars Say to You by Ron Trent presents WARM (Night Time Stories)
Local Chicago legend returns with new material after 11 years. Perfect for putting on earphones and stepping outside of a world that only wants to make you feel angry, depressed, disapointed, and scared.
#7 Wilds by The Soundcarriers (Phosphonic)
If My Bloody Valentine had existed in London during the swingin' psychedelic '60s, they might sounds something like this.
#8 Laminated Skies by Raw Poetic and Damu The Fudgemunk (Def Presse)
Rap meets R&B meets neo-soul, and the world is better for it
#9 Lanmou Lanmou by Dowdelin (Underdog)
All kinds of influcneces here, with plenty of melodic and rhythmic twists to keep things interesting
#10 Texas Moon by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges (Dead Oceans)
Their follow up to 2020's Texas Sun, further freining an already great sound.
Next entry: CHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Matt Jaccarino
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