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Nicholas K Reetz writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Nick R.

CHIRP Radio Best of 2022

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2022. Our first list for this year is from volunteer Nick R.

I tend to listen to music by doing deep dives into artists I'm interested in starting with their oldest work and moving forward in time from there. I also go to see these bands live whenever possible and listen to any related artists in the days leading up to the show.

Given both of these factors, my list focuses almost exclusively on great albums/EPs released by bands I've seen live this year. It is quite likely I've missed a lot of new albums that I would enjoy, but I'm OK with that.

Without further ado, here are the 2022 albums that I enjoyed most.

 

 

 

#1 See Through You by A Place to Bury Strangers (Dedstrange)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

A Place to Bury Strangers See Through YouPulsating noise rock that doesn't hold back on this new album from APTBS, which is the brainchild of the guy who runs Death by Audio. I loved this album so much I caught APTBS in both Milwaukee and Chicago. Highly recommend catching APTBS live!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2 Arrangements by Preoccupations (Flemish Eye / Jagjaguwar)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Preoccupations ArrangementsSolid brooding post-punk with tinges of noise-rock throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3 Malign Hex by Meat Wave (Swami Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Meat Wave Malign HexIn my opinion the moodiest album yet from Chicago's own Meat Wave. Keeps the razor sharp riffs while opening things up to a noiser approach of their catchy punk style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4 A Light For Attracting Attention by The Smile (XL Recordings)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Smile A Light For Attracting AttentionA new and lovely (and surprisingly very guitar-centric) collaboration album between Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5 Get Fucked by The Chats (The Chats)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Chats Get FuckedCatchy no-nonsense 2-4 chord punk rock from this Australian 3-piece. Best album of theirs yet in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#6 Moonburn EP by Tropical Fuck Storm (Joyful Noise)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Tropical Fuck Storm Moonburn EPAmazing Australian art punk! They blew the top off of Lincoln Hall when they played in October.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#7 The Mars Volta by The Mars Volta (Clouds Hill)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Mars Volta The Mars VoltaThe long awaited return of The Mars Volta! The album's music in general is much easier to digest than their previous prog-leaning post-hardcore albums, but it still incorporates lots of interesting songwriting choices that keep the album in The Mars Volta's progressive style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#8 The Katy by The Katy (Lovechild Productions)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

The Katy The KatyA wonderful new album from the keyboard-centric Cleveland indie combo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9 Highgrade by Tirzah (Domino Recording Company)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Tirzah HighgradeDreamy remix album updating Tirzah's music from Colourgrade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#10 It Was A Home by Kaina (City Slang)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Kaina It Was A HomeExcellent soul/pop/R&B from this Chicago-based artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mentions

*Mahal by Toro Y Moi
*Pompeii by Cate le Bon
*Billionaire Blastoff by George Crustanza

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Categorized: Best Albums of the Year

Topics: best of 2022

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