CJLO Top 100 of 2019

The year and the decade have come to an end and what does humanity have to show for it? Not much, besides some great music.

Of course I devolve into hyperbole here, but the myth of progress over the past 10 years has unmistakably been shattered. The climate is in crisis and we continue to degrade the ecological integrity of our planet at an alarming rate; democracy is in a global chokehold as authoritarianism and myopic populism are on the rise; our minds are under assault by 'alternative facts' and devious new forms of digital propaganda; gaps of socioeconomic inequality grow more cavernous as do partisan divides; racism and bigotry is emboldened; uncertainty, desperation, and violence loom on the bleak horizon.

But then there is the music. At least we can take solace in that. Music and art are more necessary than ever, to restore faith in each other, to give hope, to feed our weary souls and offer rare opportunities for ecstasy, euphoria, and transcendence. So before we focus our 2020 vision, lets take a look back at the sonic redemption of 2019.

Thus we come to our top 100; a distillation of CJLO’s transmitted contributions to the non-commercial musical landscape over the past year. The talent that is enshrined in this chart is, truly, an embarrassment of riches. I urge you to gaze upon it and defy you to resist the enchantment of its dazzling splendour. In addition to the hundred entries below, check out the spotify playlist so you can not only see but hear this mammoth annual chart, countdown-style from #100 - #1. And a mighty chart it is; I’m very proud of all our astute DJs for decisively championing such top-notch, non-commercial music.

Going through this chart reminded me of how many fantastic Canadian and local artists are making music right now. It has undoubtedly been said before but we really punch above our weight don't we? In particular it gives me great pleasure to see Lungbutter take the #1 spot - their place at the top is justly earned with a superb vinyl debut that balances dark beautiful noise with molasses-thick grooves and poignant poetic prowess, cementing their place as luminaries of the local underground. Honey got my vote for MTL album of the year and based on the wide support it received from staff & show hosts at the station, I was not alone in this assessment.

And as always, shout-outs to our tireless metal MD Andrew of Grade A Explosives for crunching the numbers, and our graphic designer Angelica of BVST for the nifty image.

That about does it for us in the CJLO Music Department for 2019 - stay tuned for our top 100 of the decade in January! And in the meantime, put my cynical opening rant to the back of your brain and have yerselves a merry little New Year.

*Our charts are compiled from actual airplay, broadcast live on 1690 AM in the Montreal region, as well as via our website at www.cjlo.com,  denotes Canadian Content