Here's the Music Observer round up of standout EPs of the past year. (My top picks of this year's singles can be found here, and albums are here.)
THE MUSIC OBSERVER 10: EPs
Andrea von Kampen - Sister Moon I fell in love with Andrea’s brand of delicate musical delivery as soon as I heard it. This EP collects just four songs, but they're all carefully constructed and presented straight from the heart. Andrea takes a seed of an idea, nurtures it lovingly until it’s grown just enough, and then shares it generously with us.
This is perfectly illustrated in the third and fourth tracks, ‘August’ and ‘Juniper’, both relatively short but both feeling like exactly enough. The piano break near the end of ‘Juniper’ is gorgeous, a well-judged variation which gives the song that final flourish to elevate it. [Listen here.]
CLOVES - HER Two years ago I listed CLOVES' album in my top 10, and it's been more than great to hear new music coming from her again more recently. The EP was finally completed at the beginning of December, not long before I wrote this. A sense of presence runs through it, along with the kind of immersive atmosphere CLOVES conjures up from the very air she breathes.
It feels fractionally lighter (as in, less dark) than her 'Nightmare on Elmfield Road' era, but still hazy and intimate; and perhaps a little more melodic also. [Listen here.]
Drew Thomas - Meridian Drew Thomas’ latest EP provides a great showcase for his talent at writing determined, powerful and unapologetically anthemic songs.
Freyja Elsy - Modern Artifice An absolute vibe; one of those EPs that’s a true experience to listen to. It’s smooth and soaring, shaded, dusky and beautiful. ‘Over It’, at track two, is outstanding, expressing feelings of monotony and disillusionment with expansive and all-encompassing layers of synth loops and pulsing beats. Experimentation abounds, but always retaining a solid core of profoundly effective sound. [Listen here.]
Grace Calver - My Life And Its Disasters A record packed with grungy, alt/indie-pop goodness. This is Grace’s debut EP, for which she carefully and patiently laid the groundwork with a series of strong singles. Over five tracks, Grace showcases different facets of her character and musical approach; it’s a singular, well-packaged, rounded listening experience. The music leads you by the hand from start to finish, guiding you through this montage of life moments. [Listen here, and read my full thoughts on the EP here.]
Greysha - Fresh Out The Feeling A debut EP, some time in the making as Greysha characteristically took her time crafting, honing and perfecting every meticulous detail.
Here, the cinematic alt-pop queen of the West Midlands shows off her deepest, most dramatic talents.
Lizzie Esau - Deepest Blue This is a collection of five songs, all very strong in their own right. They work together very well, marking a high for Lizzie's story so far and also an illustration of how strong her song catalogue already is. This EP serves as a great introduction for those who don't know her yet, and something to celebrate for her fans.
'Lazy Brain' is emotionally revealing song, paced perfectly to reflect the theme of the track. The expansive 'Roadkill', gorgeously fuzzy, punchy 'Jellyfish', and captivatingly raucous 'Killer' feature as the centrepiece of the record, and we're played out with old favourite 'Bleak Sublime' - what a vibe. [Listen here and read my previous thoughts on 'Jellyfish' here.]
Oliver Beardmore - Tailspin A key part of the ongoing shoegaze revival, Oli has produced this beautifully broad record, which feels like something of a manifesto for the future of the genre.
Opening with the carefully electrifying 'Nothing's Like It Was Before' (which edges from subtle opener to huge, filter-swathed chorus), the EP then develops the theme skilfully in 'The Smiles Don't Reach Their Eyes'. 'Fade' is more open and novel, and energy levels increase ready for 'The Risk', which is packed with spectacle. The brilliantly-named 'Details Leave, Sentiment Remains' is punchy and meaningful to round off this impressive and all-embracing collection. [Listen here.]
Queen Cult - For Now, Not Forever Heavy and dramatic, combining all the best elements of alt rock, cinematic post-punk and — particularly in the final track, ‘Anxious Delight’ — strong hints of modernised 80s synth rock. That intriguing, trademark dark riff which starts 'Lollipop' is brilliant way to open this EP, hinting at a band doing things a little differently. That track soon open into a huge power-chord driven extravaganza. 'Better Believe It' is built on a fabulous riff, and a really effective high/low, thin/fat structure; one of my favourite tracks of the year. [Listen here.]
Wrest - Bedtime Rhymes An EP that deserves and demands time and space. Wrest’s expansive, broad and thoughtful is displayed perfectly here. ‘It’s On Me Love’, the opener, is moving and romantic and, from there, the band skilfully maintains this intimate touch for four more tracks. Every track is a highlight, like a wide peak within a single transcendent song. Near the end of the EP, ‘Keep Going’ encourages us, with absolute believability, to do just that; and the ‘Florida’ rounds it all off with wistful strains of acoustic guitar.
Wrest are capable of producing music which easily transcends the boundaries of folk - firmly rooted in their Scots culture - and alt-rock music, appealing to a wide audience. It’s intelligent, emotive stuff; continually memorable moments; vivid imagery. And all painted in lush, organic beauty. [Listen here.]
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
The Great Leslie - 21st Century Problems Honest, crunchy, proficient indie-rock guitar music which stays admirably clear of cliché. (Look out for their Abbey Road session album, 'Live From Studio Two', also.) [Listen here.]
The Japanese House - ITEIAD Sessions Beautiful produced, subtle, live musicianship of the highest order. [Listen here.]
Kindelan - Can't Sleep Dreamy, soul-inspired thoroughly modern folk, with jazzy touches. (Later in the year, Kindelan released a 7-track album, 'you can reach me if you try' which takes these themes and expands on them - also recommended). [Listen here.]
Lucy Gaffney - Daydream in Tokyo An record infused with a lovely sense of light. [Listen here.]
Macy - Third Person Poppy, funky and confident - a very impressive debut EP. [Listen here.]
Megan Black - Full Circle (Part 1) Bluesy, 70s-rock influences combined with tough messages and pleasingly strong vocals. [Listen here.]