Our Top 10 Lists have been named in honor of late Blog Director and DJ Clarence Ewing, who pioneered and published this annual feature for nearly a decade.
Our next list is from Matt Barr.
There is great new music released every year, and anyone that tries to tell you otherwise is just too shut down to find it. They obviously aren't listening to CHIRP. Below are the albums that did something for me this year.
10. You Are the Morning by Jasmine.4.t (Saddest Factory)
Lots of great rock and folk songs on this debut by UK trans artist Jasmine Cruickshank. Produced by the boygenius crew.
Recommended tracks: "You are the Morning" "Skin on Skin" "Kitchen"
Listen: Bandcamp
9. Gut by Baths (Basement's Basement)
I get caught up in the repetitive grooves of this album, topped with the melodic wail of Baths Will Wiesenfeld.
Recommended tracks: "Sea of Men" "Peacocking" "Eden"
Listen: Bandcamp
8. Songs in the Key of Yikes by Superchunk (Merge) | Based on the Best Seller by Sloan (Yep Roc)
Yes, I'm cheating here but I wanted to squeeze 11 albums in my top ten. These bands have been two of my favorites for over 30 years, and while neither is likely to reproduce my favorite sounds from back then, they both sound revitalized this year with their new records. Comfort food, perhaps, but still filling. Favorite tracks
Recommended Superchunk tracks: "Bruised Lung" "Stuck in a Dream"
Recommended Sloan tracks: "Live Forever" "So Far Down"
Listen: Superchunk | Sloan
7. Cotton Crown by The Tubs (Trouble In Mind)
Seeing these guys twice this year bostered my love for this simple album of fun jangle pop.
Recommended tracks: "Freak Mode" "Chain Reaction" "One More Day"
Listen: Bandcamp
6. The Besnard Lakes Are the Ghost Nation by The Besnard Lakes (Full Time Hobby)
Not as epic as their last album, this one still follows the Canadian band's game plan of being kinda creepy yet equally pretty, with harmonies inspired by the late Brian Wilson.
Recommended tracks: "Carried It All Around" "Battle Lines" "Pontiac Spirits"
Listen: Bandcamp
5. Off the Record by Makaya McCraven (International Anthem)
Actually a collection of four EPs, each recorded at different times with different musicians, this new album lacks the cohesiveness of its predecessor In These Times, but instead has a wide variety of funky grooves to fit all kinds of moods.
Recommended tracks: "News Feed" "Dark Parks" "Sweet Stuff"
Listen: Makaya McCraven webstore
4. Adult Romantix by Winter (Winspear)
Easy to love this shoegazey pop album with hushed, airy vocals.
Recommended tracks: "Just Like a Flower" "Hide-A-Lullabye" "Misery"
Listen: Bandcamp
3. Ripped and Torn by Lifeguard (Matador)
Chicago noise rock album that fits in with everything that came before it, despite the band members being too young to remember it.
Recommended tracks: "A Tightwire" "T.L.A." "How to Say Deisar"
Listen: Bandcamp
2. Talulah's Tape by Good Flying Birds (Carpark)
This Indy band makes it sound easy to write and record a bunch of crafty little pop rock tunes. Let's see if they end up as prolific as influencers Guided By Voices.
Recommended tracks: "Fall Away" "Every Day Is Another" "Dynamic"
Listen: Bandcamp
1. Raspberry Moon by Hotline TNT (Third Man)
This album takes the number one spot more for creating a vibe than anything else. The hazy, mid-tempo pop fueled by fuzzed-out guitars feels warm and comforting.
Recommended tracks: "Candle" "Julia's War" "Was I Wrong?"
Listen: Bandcamp
Honorable Mentions
Mei Ehara – All About McGuffin
Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy
Water From Your Eyes – It’s a Beautiful Place
Coach Party - Caramel
OK Cool – Chit Chat
Smut – Tomorrow Comes Crashing
Guerilla Toss – You’re Weird Now
Far Caspian - Autofiction
Anamanguchi – Anyway
Sharp Pins – Balloon Balloon Balloon
They Are Gutting a Body of Water - Lotto
Big Thief – Double Infinity
Gelli Haha - Switcheroo
Moontype – I Let the Wind Push Down on Me
Momma – Welcome to my Blue Sky
Geese – Getting Killed
Sault – 10
FACS – Wish Defense