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Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Tyler Clark
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Tyler Clark.
Do you follow yearendlists.com? You should. I just found out about it earlier this year, at the beginning of what I've been calling List Week, but would probably more accurately be described as List Month. Anyway, if you love best-of polls, the folks behind this website do the hard work for you; for the last decade or so, they've been curating the most important year-end critics' lists into one easy-to-navigate source. (I swear, this isn't an advertorial; I'm just doing this cheerleading for free.) It's been a fascinating rabbit hole to fall down during the long nights of early winter, especially as this year's lists began showing up. Take a look over there right now, and you'll see something that I find pretty exciting: an absolute lack of consensus. Unlike recent years when acts like Beyoncé and Fiona Apple flattened all comers on the way to top honors in 20+ lists each, 2023 has leaned more towards parity and risk-taking when it comes to album rankings.
By my count, the following artists have taken home top honors on at least one poll of note this year: Yves Tumor, Kara Jackson, Jungle, Nation of Language, Jim Legxacy, Nourished By Time, 100 Gecs, Asake, Caroline Polachek, ANOHNI and the Johnsons, Bully, Kali Uchis, Sampha, Sam Wilkes, Yo La Tengo, Enji, Blur, Olivia Rodrigo, Horrendous, Lana Del Ray, boygenius, Ratboys, a.s.o., Beach Fossils, Jessie Ware, Amaarae, Margo Cilker, Say She She, Kelela, Gunna, Young Fathers, Guided By Voices, Victoria Monet, Brent Faiyaz, Karol G, Mitski, Corrine Bailey Rae, Jeff Rosenstock, HEALTH, Meshell Ndegeochello, Sufjan Stevens, SZA, Wednesday, and Lankum.
If that seems like more artists than usual vying for those top spots, that's because it is; according to my unofficial math, 2023 already has more best album winners (44) than any other year this decade, beating the previous decade high of 42 in 2021 and easily eclipsing totals in 2022 (38) and 2020 (32). You'll find three of the records mentioned above on my personal list, which you're about to read; however, in the spirit of this year's relatively high chaos factor, you'll find yet another new #1 at the top. What can I say? I've never been one for order.
See if you agree or disagree with my picks below; then, for even more year-end coverage, visit the Local Mythologies newsletter over at Substack.
#1 Cartwheel by Hotline TNT (Third Man)
It's a shame this was released in November; if it'd dropped in May, just when you need a shoegaze record with a power-pop heart that sounds like it's being played from the bottom of a pool? Well, things would be different, at least.
Eddie writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Eddie Sayago
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Eddie Sayago.
2023 and me. It's been an odd year to say the very least, personally, professionally, locally, globally. But as I tell myself every time I get on the microphone in our cozy studio, let's focus on the music. To quote a few pop culture critics, women were (and are) the saviors of pop culture this year. The highest grossing movie of the year was about a female protagonist and was written and directed by a woman. The best songs and albums of the year are from women. The most successful concerts (and concert films) were led by women. Nine of the ten entries on my list are female artists or a band led by a woman. The aforementioned most popular movie of 2023 had a phenomenal soundtrack with female artists providing some of the pop music to grace the silver screen. All genres of music were made better this year thanks to women, from dance pop to rap. Here are ten of my favorite albums of 2023, along with a top ten list of my favorite songs that made this chaotic year bearable.
#1 SOS by SZA (Top Dawg)
Favorite song: "Ghost in the Machine" (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
camlind7@gmail.com writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Cam Lind
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from volunteer Cam Lind.
#1 Orange Folder by Orange Folder (Self-released)
This DIY band released an album of previously recorded tracks and then promptly broke up. It's really a shame because I would have loved to see this perfect indie band live. Listen if you're nostalgic for college radio.
Riley Beck writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Riley
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from volunteer Riley.
JAGUAR II by Victoria Monét (Lovett Music; RCA)
Andy Vaso writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Andy Vasoyan
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Andy Vasoyan.
2023 was an absolutely magnificent time to be sad, and some of the best albums this year wrestled with themes of alienation, ennui, and loss on a titanic scale - the year of boygenius. In an effort to keep things a little bit less somber, some of those heartbreakers have been moved to the honorable mention category, opening space for a few records about moving through grief and coming out on the other side. There’s something for folks at every point in their healing journey.
& the Charm by Avalon Emerson (Another Dove)
The story of Avalon Emerson’s transition from a buzzy techno DJ to a dream/synth pop chanteuse is going to be the first thing most people hear about this album, but that’s a disservice to & the Charm’s lovely, welcoming energy. Lush beats and layers soak the liminal spaces that Emerson’s songs occupy: at every level, & the Charm is never exclusionary, off-putting, or stern. A Berghain bouncer, Emerson is not. Top Tracks: Astrology Poisoning, Karaoke Song, Entombed in Ice