Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2018.

All month we've been getting lists of our volunteers' favorite music for this year. They submitted over 200 albums for consideration - here are the 10 that were cited the most often. The top spot on the list goes to an artist who's been makiing records since 2007 and whose brilliant style speaks to inner and outer worlds that's very much of its time while pointing the way to the future.

From all of us at CHIRP Radio, thanks for your listenership and support, and here's to 2019!

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2018. Our next list is from Founder and General Manager, Saturday 12-2pm DJ Shawn Campbell.

I tried to put these albums in order, but honestly, with the exception of #1, all of these changed places throughout the year. No doubt about #1, though -- without question, the album I listened to more than any other this year, and a great reminder that sometimes it's enough for music to simply make you happy.

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2018. Our next list is from DJ Mick Reed.

2018 was a great year for music. I don’t know what it is that causes artists to release their best material in waves like this but I am overwhelmed with joy whenever it does happen. 2016 and 2017 were such dry spells I didn’t have very high expectations and I’m thankful that this jaded precognition was challenged almost immediately. There were so many phenomenal releases this year I haven’t even been able to keep up despite my best efforts.

This list necessarily feels incomplete as a result and I know that if I had the chance to revise it in a few months it would likely include this year’s releases by River of Nihil, Portal, Kamasi Washington, Dur-Dur Band, Kero Kero Bonito, Earl Sweatshirt, Wume, Frontierer and many others I haven’t been able to give my full attention to yet. I’m hopeful that this wave of inspiration continues to gain momentum into 2019. With 50% of all new guitar purchases being made and DIY scenes in Chicago and elsewhere making better efforts to be more inclusive and prioritizing opening up space for marginalized voices to make themselves heard I don’t believe my hope to be misplaced.

Without further ado, here is my (definitely incomplete) list of Top Ten and Honorable Mentions for 2018.

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2018. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes.

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2018. Our next list is from DJ ZuZu.