Drew writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: DJ Drew

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our next list is from DJ Drew.

Being new to this as I am, and not really feeling strongly about a Ranking priority (they're ALL good), this is just a list of my top favorites.

Wait. I revise that -- Jeremy Cunningham is really #1. It's really that good. At the bottom of the Top Ten, I have my top ten for last year. And if I could, I'd put Liam Kazar Due North at the #1 position for both this year and last, because I really do feel strongly about ranking his album #1.

A Better Ghost by Jeremy Cunningham (Northern Spy)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

From start to finish, an astonishing, beautiful, strong, compelling album. Up there with McCraven, Parker, and all the others in terms of talent.

Mil Coisas Invisíveis by Tim Bernardes (Psychic Hotline)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The album has a great inner vibration. The more you listen, the more you want to listen again. And again.

Eli Winter by Eli Winter (Three Lobed Recordings)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Shebang by Oren Ambarchi (Drag City)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Anything that Jim O'Rourke participates in, I'm going to love -- sometimes just because O'Rourke was part of it, and in other cases, like this one, I love it on its own.

Cheat Codes by Black Thought & Danger Mouse (BMG)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble II by Elijah McLaughlin Ensemble (Tompkins Square)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

In the Moment by Nicolas Van Poucke (Night Dreamer)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Night Dreamer label releases artists recorded straight-to-disc. No takebacks. There's an amazing clarity, electricity, energy in Poucke's performances. (Also check Night Dreamer for a Seu Jorge + Rogê release — bonkers good)

Beanna by Mejiwahn (Vinyl Me, Please)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Love the aural spacial environments created here.

Canti di guerra, di lavoro e d'amore by Silvia Tarozzi & Deborah Walker (Unseen Worlds)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Such beautiful modern interpretations of traditional Italian roots and working class Mondariso (female rice field worker) songs.

Cruel Country by Wilco (dBpm)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Honorable Mentions

BEST JUST-UNDER-THE-TOP TOP TEN 2022
• João Selva, "Navegar"
• Ryley Walker, "So Certain EP"
• Sloan, "Steady"
• Brian Jackson, "This Is Brian Jackson"
• Jimetta Rose & the Voices of Creation, "How Good It Is"
• Ian Maksin, "The Alchemist"
• Daniel Ponder, "Some Of Us Are Brave"
• Photay w/Carlos Niño, "An Offering"
• Ran Blake, "Driftwoods"
• Nnamdï, "Please Have A Seat"
• Matt Ulery, "Become Giant"

BEST "OLD, BUT NEWLY-RELEASED/RE-RELEASED" ALBUMS 2022
• Jon Brion, "Meaningless"
• Anthony Moore, Flying Doesn't Help"
• Mountain Man, "Made the Harbor (Ten Year Deluxe) • Psychic Temple, "Psychic Temple Plays Music for Airports"
• Charles Stepney, "Step By Step"
• Wilco, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" mega release

TOP TEN 2021
#1 Liam Kazar, "Due North"
• Gustavo Cortiñas, "Desafío Candente"
• Madlib, "Sound Ancestors"
• Bobby Lee, "Origin Myths"
• Elias Davis, "Playing With Color"
• Shad, "Tao"
• Bola Sete, "Samba in Seattle"
• Kalab, "Mixed Myanmar #1"
• Ruthann Friedman, "Hurried Life: Lost Recordings 1965-1971"
• Jeff Parker, "Forfolks"