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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
Owen Harris writesCHIRP Radio’s Best of 2023: Owen “Kiwi Brunch”
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2023. Our next list is from DJ Owen "Kiwi Brunch."
A year with less standout faves than usual for me, but some surprises that bear repeated listening. Rodney Crowell has delivered one of his best, The Chills remix puts the album where it should have been decades ago, and...
