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The CHIRP Blog
The Audible Snail writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: The Audible Snail
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ The Audible Snail.
What does music sound like as it emerges? Fucked Up’s “Cicada” comes to mind as a single track to wrap around 2023. Grappling with isolationism, war, disease, late capitalism swinging its ax with rigor and rage, we seek art, sweetness, connection, reconciliation with age. 2023 marks a year of whiplash, reaching back for what was, pushing forward for what could be. Jenny Lewis’ Joy’All is a masterpiece of reflection — ‘What the fuck was that?!’ on the song “Puppy and a Truck” is as a good a sentiment as any. My top 10 albums of 2023 are complied of new and rediscovered and reinviting bands and artists. A bit emo, a bit alt country, a love of rock ‘n’ roll, psych pop & r&b for the soul, punk rock always, a splash of experimentalism, and some good ole Massachusetts hardcore. Listen to these albums to emerge—or molt.
10,000 Gecs by 100 Gecs (Dog Show Records)
“Hollywood Baby” by 100 Gegs might be the catchiest song of the year. The track certainly hit CHIRP Radio’s heavy rotation airwaves with reckless abandon when 10,000 Gecs was released in March. Hailing from St. Louis, 100 Gecs is an electronic duo who won hearts this year with their playful lyrics and bouncy refrains. The track “Frog on the Floor” is an absolute joyful masterpiece of youth, curiosity, and compassion. This album charts my top 10 because of its innovation, creativity, positivity, sass, and experimental prowess.
Matt Barr writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Matt Barr
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ and Assistant Music Director Matt Barr.
For me, this was a down year for music; not in quality, but in quantity. I didn't listen to half as many records as I did last year, largely because some housing issues physically interfered with my usual listening habits. My list of “2023 albums to check out” is long; still, I managed to find a lot of good albums, an I've submitted them as an unranked list. As usual, some of my favorites are sentimental. The Boo Radleys and Teenage Fanclub are far from their 90s heydays, but they're here due to my decades-long love for those bands (Yo La Tengo, Slowdive and The Dead Milkmen, weren't far behind). I enjoy reading everyone's lists and hope you do as well. See you again in 2024!
Eight by The Boo Radleys (Booster)
Favorite tracks: “How Was I to Know” “A Shadow Darker than the Rest”
Peter Zimmerman writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Pete Zimmerman
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Pete Zimmerman.
I listened to a ton of great music in 2023 (including every single record that came through CHIRP!) and these are the ones I listened to the most.
#1 The Window by Ratboys (Topshelf)
Michael Griffith writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Michael Griffith
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from volunteer Michael Griffith.
Maps by billy woods and Kenny Segal (Backwoodz Studioz)
Alex Gilbert writesCHRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Alex Gilbert
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Alex Gilbert.
There was so much great music released in 2023 that it was—once again—very difficult refining the list to just 10 albums. Ultimately, I chose the music that spoke to me the most directly: songs that I kept coming back to again and again, artists that I enjoyed enough to go see in concert, and albums that were undeniably unique in their musicianship. I know the following years will see me discovering so much I missed from these past 12 months, but for now, here’s a snapshot of my 2023.
#1 Roach by Miya Folick (Nettwerk)
