Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2024. Our next list is from Board Member Barry Owen.

Wow this was hard! I’ve probably got about 25 albums that I listened to a lot this year, but these 10 were my favorites (at least they are now!).

Could’ve easily made this an all-Chicago list this year - what a great time for Chicago music! Thanks to all the CHIRP DJs who turned me on to many of these records and artists!!

Bite Down by Rosali (Merge Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Just love this record front to back. No skips and On Tonight is one of my favorite songs of the year.

Letter to Self by SPRINTS (City Slang)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

This one blasted right out of the gate in January and I listened to it a bunch in those cold months for a little jolt. First heard on CHIRP!

Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee (Anti-)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

With this and Saint Cloud, Waxahatchee is full icon status. And this isn’t even in my normal wheelhouse. But it’s just stunning songwriting.

The Garden Dream by gglum (Secretly Canadian)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

First heard on CHIRP! Hard to explain why this album clicked for me, but after my first listen I’ve come back to it a bunch. Hope gglum keep the music coming and makes a visit to Chicago soon.

Audio Vertigo by Elbow (Polydor Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

First heard on CHIRP! Never really clicked with an Elbow album before, but loved these songs. Balu one of my favorite songs of the year and Knife Fight is also so great. Elbow hasn’t played Chicago in years but I’ll be there if they make it back.

Can’t Hold On To It by Plum (Plum)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

First heard on CHIRP! WOW, just love this record. Can’t wait to catch Plum live. This was an amazing year for Chicago music, and Plum is a huge reason why!

Every Heaven by Humdrum (Slumberland Records)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

First heard on CHIRP! This was on repeat after I first heard it in CHIRP in October. We Chicago music fans are so damn lucky for all the talent in our city!

Dream Noise by Spun Out (Spun Out Productions)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

This is an absolutely great record and missing the show they played in November at the Bottle is one of my great regrets of the year. I want a Spun Out, Plum, Humdrum bill somewhere ASAP!!

Phasor by Helado Negro (Private Energy)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

Just such a great vibes record. Makes me feel good from the opening notes all the way to the close.

Hardcore Workout Queen by Friedberg (Clouds Hill)

BUY: Reckless / Amazon

First heard on CHIRP! This came on late and has been on nonstop. Just love the energy and there are some gorgeous moments in this one too. Can’t wait to catch them live!!

Honorable Mentions

Favorite live sets: Nation of Language at the HOB, Mdou Moctar at EB, Royel Otis at Metro, Bully at EB.

Maybe my favorite song of the year was Tarkovski by Bodega (first heard on CHIRP). Others: Don’t by Honeyglaze, Walk Through Fire by Yannis & the Yaw ft. Tony Allen, Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee, Final Summer by Cloud Nothings, Dance Steve by Anna Butterss ft. Jeff Parker.

Other albums I loved that deserve a quick note:
Bill Mackay Locust Land
Oso Oso Life Till Bones (first heard on CHIRP)
Dummy Free Energy Honeyglaze Real Deal (first heard on CHIRP)
sunshy I don’t care what comes next
The Smile records were good