GLI Press: My Favorite Albums of 2020

These are my favorite albums of 2020. This list appears along with others on the CHIRP Radio blog.

#1 UNTITLED (Black Is) by SAULT (Forever Living Originals)

Who are these people? The mystery is just one aspect of a deeply effective recording that seemingly came out of nowhere. A bunch of albums have been produced by this entity in a relatively short time span (including UNTITLED (Rise), released within months of this one and just as phenomenal). More, please.

#2 We're New Again: A Reimagining by Gill Scott-Heron and McKaya McCraven (XL Recordings)

Classic meets new, and the space time continuum is that much better for it.

#3 20/20 Vision by Anti-Flag (Spinefarm)

There's been a steady supply of artists willing to name names during the political sh*t show we currently live in. Few do it harder or angrier than Anti-Flag.

#4 Branches by Square Peg Round Hole (National Sawdust Tracks)

Just the thing to lower the blood pressure after reading the latest news report about...everything.

#5 A Beautiful Revolution, Pt. 1 by Common

As Rap enters its "I'm a grown-a** adult" phase, one of its elder statesman drops something charged-up but also earnest and heartfelt. His plain-spoken voice and lyrics have been something solid to hold on to in these times.

#6 Synthetic Soul by Chiiild

"If there's a God / I hope she's Black / And when I die / She brings me back to life"

#7 Printer's Devil by Ratboys (Topshelf)

Their 3rd album, and they have yet to make a bad one. Or even a mediocre one. This is a seriously good band. Seriously. You should listen to them.

#8 Don't Break My House (S/T) (Self-Released)

The local duo of Josh Fox (former CHIRP volunteer) and Sean Dixon. Music like this makes me feel so blessed to live in Chicago, where this kind of adventurous, eclectic music is being made.