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 Sam Abrams.
10. Power Play EP by Bae Blade (Hot Haus Recs)
I need to get Bae Blade on the map. Coming out of Germany, Bae Blade is an electronic, techno, and ghetto house producer and DJ, and let me tell you—she does not disappoint. Ever since I saw her open for Amadeezy in the basement of Zenner in Berlin after a Partiboi69 set, I’ve been absolutely hooked. Power Play is her first official EP, and, “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” (Shakespeare). If you’re looking for the sweet, sweet taste of danceable techno, this EP is for you. It also features a remix by Randomer, which may be my favorite of the three tracks! While her EP marks a big move for her, I highly recommend checking out the rest of her high octane discography—perfect for wearing your shades indoors with a fan blasting in your face as you smile to the beat late into the night. Be sure to check out her monthly Rinse FM residency while you’re at it.
Listen: Bandcamp
9. Vie by Doja Cat (Kemosabe/RCA)
This feels obligatory for me. I started listening to Doja back in 2016, a couple of years after her debut Purrr! EP came out. We’re the same age. I’ve stuck with her through her candy-pop era, when she blasted into TikTok fame, became arguably too big, through her fan-dissing moment and contempt against record label obligations, fought for rap dominance via Scarlet, and has now declared her 80’s-fusion era with Vie. I gotta admit, this has been one of my least favorite Doja albums. That being said, I haven’t listened to a ton of new albums this year, so she makes the cut. This 80’s concept album is laced with Doja’s hallmark vocal variation and witty, raunchy rap verses and double entendres. It’s at times reminiscent of both Scarlet and Hot Pink. While I’m not obsessed with any singular tracks, I love the layered vocals in “Couple’s Therapy,” and my favorite track is definitely slow jam “Acts of Service.” She’s giving Janet Jackson at times. Overall, her producers done good. An overall solid enough contribution from Doj, I hope it’s what she wanted. My biggest dream for Doja is that she does whatever the f she wants.
Listen: Doja Cat webstore
8. Insomnian by Kai Akili (Forever Noir)
I’ve had the honor of seeing Chicago artist Kai Akili perform live, as well as meeting with him personally to learn about his art and trajectory for 2026. He’s been making the rounds in Chicago for years, both as a solo artist and music community organizer/promoter via his creative company and record label Forever Noir. Insomnian is his debut album, and while it is very short at 17 minutes, it holds its own among modern neosoul/hip-hop albums alongside the best of them. The beats are phenomenal and match well with Kai’s flow. The album starts with a tasteful “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” sample. The bass in “Aloe” is delectable and features another sound reminiscent of OutKast—a bassy reversed effect like that in “Vibrate” off of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. We’ve even got a bossa nova beat on “Letter to Forever.” His lyrics are both meaningful and catchy; he is a true storyteller. A deeply enjoyable body of work for neosoul, hip-hop and R&B lovers alike. While Kai has generously and passionately promoted and supported other artists, he’ll be leaning into his personal music career more than ever in the new year, so be on the lookout for him!
Listen: Kai Akili webstore
7. Fall In Love With Her by Sabrina Claudio (SC Entertainment/Empire)
This is yet another “love the artist, not particularly tied to the album” pick. Sabrina grabbed my attention near the end of my college days with her empowering track “Confidently Lost.” The main thing you need to know about her is that she’s a sexy modern R&B queen with interesting and vulnerable lyrics. While my favorite album by her is Based On a Feeling followed by Archives & Lullabies, she’s taken a more acoustic/singer-songwriter route with this release that makes for a lovely listen. “Need U To Need Me” features an interesting off-key string melody. “Sail” makes me think of the Jhené Aiko album of the same title, and I could easily see Jhené rocking a cover of it. “One Word” is a classic Sabrina R&B track, so it’s right up my alley. We’ve even got a Spanish language ultra-soft reggaeton track in “Mi Luz.” Overall, the harmonies are great as usual. The album is a sweet, feminine and poetic work that’s ideal for lighting a candle to while snacking on girl dinner on a rainy afternoon. She’s coming to House of Blues in March. I’ll be there, will you?
Listen: Sabrina Claudio webstore
6. Hipernáutica by Cráneo, $kyhook (self-released)
Here we go with the only Spanish album on my list! Oh boy, do we LOVE Cráneo! He is arguably the leading lo-fi Spanish rapper, and he’s been slinging us pure gold with some of the very best producers in the lo-fi game since 2014. While he’s known for working closely with his collaborator of many years and fellow rapper Lasser, he’s charted his own path more in recent years. This album pairs him with Spanish producer $kyhook, and he does NOT disappoint. His production style makes this Cráneo’s most American-sounding flow yet, a departure from his strictly lo-fi days. Favorite tracks include “Cryogen” (incredibly catchy hook and sensational bassline), “REM” (for its interesting production details that play with the lyrics), “Dream Dealer” (with that yummy 80’s 808 cowbell and a feature in Japanese by VaVa), big-time chopped and screwed banger “On Drugs” (possibly my #1 pick), and “La Frontera” (featuring 80’s city pop-esque saxophone). Cráneo is also an incredible film maker, and you can check out the short film (34mn) that goes with this album on YouTube. If you love rap, Spanish and/or bass-heavy hip-hop production, you’ve GOTTA check this out.
Listen: Slothbrite webstore
5. Verses GT by Verses GT (LUCKYME)
We’re getting into CHIRP rotation tracks, y’all! I wrote the internal review for this album back in September, and boy oh boy is this a tantalizing one. Verses GT is Nosaj Thing and Jacques Greene, combining their electronic dance production powers for good. I saw these two perform at smartbar in 2024, so when I saw this album up for rotation at CHIRP I had to snag it. This album is the soundtrack for a dark, smoky club at 2am. Overall, it’s pretty minimal, but deliciously produced. My favorite track is absolutely the understated club hit “Your Light” featuring vocalist George Riley. Mentally, it just lifts you into another plane (it was my 77th most listened to track of 2025). While instrumental, "Unknown" also stands out as a top track in a similar vein. Slower track "Forever" featuring KUČKA is driven by sweet and clear vocals framed by echoey percussion and pads. The last vocal track "Angels" is similar, instead featuring TYSON's deeper and soulful voice. “Intention” keeps the party going as an ambient background track to your hazy Friday night in the club. This album should not be overlooked by electronic production lovers.
Listen: Bandcamp
4. Space Cadet by CARRTOONS (+1)
You may remember this one from back in October, when it hit #4 on the CHIRP charts! I also reviewed this one, never having heard of CARRTOONS at the time. I was blown away by the funky, jazzy, multi-artist dream this album is. Ben Carr is not only a bassist, but a multi-instrumentalist and producer who has really started to make a name for himself with his collaborations. He's produced for Jadakiss, Usher and Roy Ayers, with co-signs from Pete Rock and DJ Jazzy Jeff and multiple Tiny Desk appearances. Let’s get to the tracks. Hip-hop heavy hitter "Cascade" features triple threat of The Kount, Wiki, and Rae Khalil's drippy-slow rap and a rainbowy retro synth sound reminiscent of the track's title. "Tightrope”’s got a downtown vibe, flowing with verses from Phonte and Topaz Jones and a top-down hook from BeMyFiasco. Euphoric "Measure Up" features soulful instrumentals and Joanna Teters' soaring vocals. "Thursday Disco" featuring Haile Supreme is another winner with its Jamiroquai meets Thundercat-esque sound. Pale Jay brings the languid soul spirit of Marvin Gaye on "Green Eyed”. This is his fourth official album, about love and jealousy in the age of social media.
Listen: Bandcamp
3. Sincerely, by Kali Uchis (Capitol)
Similarly to Doja Cat, I have a connection with Kali in that I’ve been listening to her since her first EP (Por Vida), and we’re the same age. I’ve seen her perform live on both her Red Moon in Venus and Sincerely, tours, and shed many a well-deserved tear. I consider her to be a revolutionary and trailblazing artist. Her extensive discography is equally in Spanish as much as it’s in English, and explores a plethora of genres which she absolutely obliterates with her talent and ingenuity. While she blew up on TikTok around the same time as Doja Cat, she’s maintained an incredibly down-to-earth image. Sincerely, is the most Lana Del Rey-esque body of work we’ve gotten from Kali yet, and I am utterly here for it. Some of my very favorites include “Sugar! Honey! Love!,” “It’s Just Us” (hello, cowgirl!!!), “Silk Lingerie” (big-time nod to “Million Dollar Man” by aforementioned LDR), “Fall Apart,” (sensual and jazzy), “Angels All Around Me…” (the second half has this beautiful “70’s in NYC” vibe) INTO “Breeze!” (gotta listen to them consecutively for the full effect). In short, Kali is a bad bitch who's got something in her discography for everyone!
Listen: Kali Uchis webstore
2. If You Asked For a Picture by Blondshell (Partisan)
I had my bi re-awakening at Blondshell’s show back in June. I had been familiar with her track “Sepsis” for about a year prior, but she rocked my world at her live show with her and her band’s extreme levels of cool. She was the first artist who I heard publicly denounce ICE. Blondshell is an alternative rock band through and through, with phenomenal songwriting from frontwoman Sabrina Teitelbaum. This is their second album and it’s just as strong as the first, if not stronger. It’s filled with angsty tracks about subpar men and tough parental relationships (aka hella relatable). Highlights include the angsty FWB anthem “T&A,” mommy issues track “What’s Fair,” harmonic and sweet “Two Times” (my 14th most listened to song of 2025), “23’s A Baby” which reflects on the struggles of your 20s from the lens of her parents’ choices, and sexy, romantic “He Wants Me.” They released a deluxe version of this album as well (Another Picture) featuring a never before heard track (“Berlin TV Tower”), a live version of “Thumbtack” and featured artist remakes/covers of five of the album’s tracks. Blondshell is going places.
Listen: Bandcamp
1. 20 Second Century by Galimatias (self-released)
Galimatias has been my favorite producer since he dropped EP Urban Flora with Alina Baraz. His domain is electronic alternative R&B, and he’s known for his ingenious depth of sound. He’s from Denmark, but has been living in L.A. for a number of years now. Us diehard Gali fans had been awaiting this release for five long years, and were blessed with its arrival in November. I hosted CHIRP’s Both Sides Now vinyl listening bar event last month, and played his previous album Renaissance Boy in anticipation of his new release. This half hour album is designed to be listened to intentionally, and in one sitting. Gali really kills it on the vocals more than ever before on this album, he’s clearly been training. Favorites include emotional “Just One Time” about how his deaf brother will never be able to hear his music, moving “Firestorm” into “Polyester City” and all it’s California irony, artistic and flippant R&B banger “Responsible” featuring Bas, and modern, eerie jazz meditation “Vipassana 2025.”
Listen: Galimatias webstore
Honorable Mentions
C0FFEE! by Saba
The Stargazer EP and Eye to the Telescope: Stargazer Edition by KT Tunstall
LUX by Rosalía
AIN'T NO DAMN WAY by KAYTRANADA
The Rub by Your Smith