CHIRP Radio Best of 2014: Mauricio Reyes | Blog

Mauricio Reyes- Radio Maoheem writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2014: Mauricio Reyes

CHIRP Radio Best of 2014

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ (Thursdays 3-6pm) Mauricio Reyes.

How many Emo kids does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None, they all sit in the dark and cry.

#1The Albatross by Foxing (Triple Crown)
Foxing The Albatross BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

20 year old emo me is looking down at this choice, laughing and smiling(and crying...JK). Caught these guys at the end of 2013 and was instantly hooked. To me, the music is a cut above the rest of the new emo bands. At this point in life, I prefer my heartbreak over a bed of beautifully arranged music than some poppy punk. It's hard not to be entranced by Conor Murphy's vocals when he howls lyrics like "I swear I'm a good man/So why don't you love me back." Don't let the "E" word detract you from listening. **Note: this is a re-release. Originally released in Mid-November '13.

#2Piñata by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib (Madlib Invazion)
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib Piñata BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

This really is a marriage made in heaven. Freddie and Madlib bring their game to the next the level. Perfect guest spots including Danny Brown, Raekwon and Freddie's drunk uncle, Big Time Watts. The rhymes are hard and the beats are hypnotic. A tribute to Harold's is one of the many standouts, but Freddie's jaw dropping diss track towards Young Jeezy stands out the most. Gibbs simply DESTROYS Jeezy on "Real." Piñata 2 is A MUST.

#3Singles by Future Islands (4AD)
Future Islands Singles BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

Breakthrough dance moves of 2014. Every track truly could be a single, but "Seasons" is probably the single of the year. And Sam is the Man Of The Year. The man who gave us the "Reverse 80's" dance move should be rewarded. He is an inspiration and so is the album.

#4Run The Jewels 2 by Run The Jewels (Mass Appeal)
Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 2 BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

Listened to this once and thought, "Iss ok." Waited a few days, then was hooked and continued to listen to it for a week straight, which in the pre-streaming era would have been at least 3 months.

#5Broke With Expensive Taste by Azealia Banks (Prospect Park)
Azealia Banks Broke With Expensive Tastes BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

The past couple years everybody was thinking Azealia was batshit crazy. But it's totally insane that her former label did not want to release this album. Major props to her for sticking to her guns and believing in her own music.

#6Northtown EP by Shamir (GODMODE)
Shamir Northtown EP BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

The first 3 tracks are complete gems. If "Seasons" is the single of the year then "I Know It's A Good Thing" is my jam of the year.

#7Everyday Robots by Damon Albarn (Parlophone)
Damon Albarn Everyday Robots BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

I can listen to this man's voice all day long. And on some days in 2014 I did.

#8More Than Any Other Day by Ought (Constellation)
Ought More Than Any Other Day BUY: Reckless / Permanent / iTunes / Insound / Amazon

Designing a nervous breakdown.