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The CHIRP Blog
Eddie writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Eddie Sayago
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Volunteer and Writer Eddie Sayago.
This year has been many, many things. A lot of it was terrible and yet also a lot of this year was wonderful. These are ten albums that provided the soundtrack to another strange year.
#1 Collapsed In Sunbeams by Arlo Parks (Transgressive)
Favorite song on the album: "Too Good"
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Clarence Ewing
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ and Online Media Co-Director Clarence Ewing.
Despite all the continuing problems in the world, 2021 was a fantastic year for music. As usual, I was able to enjoy just a sliver of what was out there, but even that resulted in a stack of sounds of amazing quality.
There was so much great stuff, in fact, for the first time I’ve been creating my lists I couldn’t figure out a ranking order. So here are 10 records from 2021 that stood out to me, listed alphabetically…
Abantu / Before Humans by BLK JKS (We Are Busy Bodies)
A big, dramatic explosion of drums, guitars, and horns from South Africa exploring an impressive range of rhythms, moods, and styles. The musical equivalent of an international thriller novel, with a strong social message. Put it on and let your mind wander.
Mike Scales writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Mike Scales
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Metal Detector Mike Scales.
Here's 10 of my favorites from this year in no particular order, except Turnstile is definitely #1 : )
#1 GLOW ON by Turnstile (Roadrunner)
Mike Nikolich writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Mike Nikolich
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from DJ and Music Reviewer Mike Nikolich (DJ Mike on the Friday Spin).
Best of lists are always difficult to compile, but 2021 was an exceptional year for music. I picked LPs that I either personally reviewed for CHIRP and/or played multiple times on my CHIRP shows.
Leave The Bones by Lakou Mizik & Joseph Ray (Anjunadeep)
Joseph Ray is a Grammy-winning electronic musician who began his career in the UK and now is based in Los Angeles. In 2015, he visited Haiti and discovered the Audio Institute, a music school for Haitian children. There he met Steeve Valcourt, one of the nine members of local band Lakou Mizik, and result is one of the best albums of 2021.
The sixteen tracks, which combine traditional Haitian roots music and electronic beats, are hypnotic and thoroughly mesmerizing, using indigenous instruments like the minuba, ogaan, plus lots of shakers, synths and samples. The tracks “Kite Zo A,” “Bade Zile,” Lamizè Pa Dous,” and Ogou” are pure delights, but every track is worth exploring.
Kelsey Stimple writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2021: Kelsey Stimple
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2021. Our next list is from Substitute DJ Kelsey Stimple.
In 2021, like 2020, I still spent a lot of time listening to music in my apartment or wandering around my neighborhood. But shows came back! Though it all feels uncertain now in December 2021, I am glad they felt safe for a while, and hopefully they will again soon.
I decided to do an unranked list this year and really limit myself to 10 albums (only cheating by mentioning three additional EPs below). Here are my favorites:
True Love by Hovvdy (Grand Jury)
