KCRW Top 20 (9/30 - 10/6)

Fall is in full swing and - it's crazy to think - it's officially time to start thinking about year-end lists! This past week produced several more end-of-year Top 10 list contenders with an eclectic slate of releases from Chromatics, Angel Olsen, Danny Brown, Wilco, Nick Cave, and DIIV - several of whom will no doubt be popping up in next week's KCRW Top 20. But first, let's take a look back at the week that was, shall we?

Topping this week's chart is Signal, the debut album from Los Angeles-based trio, Automatic. Armed with motorik rhythms, post-punk energy, and a flair for catchy melodies - Automatic's sound is familiar, while also totally fresh. Signal is one of my favorite releases of 2019 and will no doubt have a place in my Top 10 albums list for the year. If you're headed out to Lake Perris this coming weekend for Desert Daze, don't miss them as part of Saturday's line-up.

Brittany Howard is in at #2 this week with her powerful solo album, Jaime. If you are a fan of Howard's work as frontwoman of the Alabama Shakes, particularly 2015's more psychedelic Sound & Color, you should definitely cue up Jaime for a spin. Brittany Howard has a busy week ahead in Los Angeles, with a live appearance on Morning Becomes Eclectic, followed by two nights at The Theatre at Ace Hotel this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Men I Trust continue to be a KCRW DJ favorite in their second week on the chart with their long awaited Oncle Jazz album, and making their first appearance on the chart this week is Broken Bells, who return with a new single called "Good Luck." While no album announcement accompanied the release of "Good Luck," it's a pretty safe bet that something new from Dangermouse and James Mercer is on the horizon. Plus, Aussie duo Hermitude bring the boogie disco flavor with an assist from Buddy and BJ The Chicago Kid on "OneFourThree."

Check out (and subscribe to) the playlist below.