KCRW’s Top 30: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LCD Soundsystem, Louis Cole

There’s much to be said for a top five facing so squarely towards the future, while at the same time tapping such a deep well of nostalgia. Early ‘00s staples Yeah Yeah Yeahs and LCD Soundsystem retain their strong footing among the chart’s top tier while tackling (potential) impending airborne doom as filtered through the lenses of their respective signature post-punk, dance rock sounds.

Simultaneously, our reigning number one champs Gabriels show no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. They further cement their place in music’s future through an uncanny knack for reconstructing the most fervently beloved sounds of the past. Fellow top-fivers Sault and Louis Cole run similar twists on the reconceptualized-soul-sounds-of-yesteryear playbook. 

The rest of the list has experienced a degree of turnover (we’re counting seven first time entrants) worthy to rival the most dramatic display of autumn foliage that you could hope to show us. Seriously though, if you’re somewhere with foliage, please show us. We’re in LA…

Soundtrack the turning of the leaves, or a crisp-yet-blindingly-sunny SoCal day with those sweet mid-70s temps courtesy of our ultra-handy Top 30 Spotify playlist.

Top 30 Albums (10.18.2022)