Top 10 EP's of 2021
Hello everyone, this is the first of our end of year lists this year!
I've decided to start with our Top 10 EP's from the year as there have been some incredible EP releases this year that deserve your attention. I would highly encourage you to give these 10 EP's a listen, as some of the best music from the year is included on them.
10
Ultra Q - Get Yourself A Friend
Ultra Q are a 4-piece band from Oakland, led by Jakob Armstrong, Enzo & Chris Malaspina, and Kevin Judd. Formerly known as Mt. Eddy, I have been a fan of the band for a few years now, so this EP was one I was looking forward to hearing. All of the songs we heard before the release were ones I enjoyed a lot, 'It's Permanent' being an instant favourite to me.
For Fans Of: 00's garage rock, indie rock, The Cure
Listen to 'Get Yourself A Friend' here.
9
Lauran Hibberd - Goober
Lauran Hibberd was someone who exploded in my playlists when her 2019 single 'Sweat Patch' dropped, and after a run of incredible singles since then she released her second EP 'Goober' this year. On this EP I feel like we see some of Hibberd's best songwriting to date, my favourites being 'Old Nudes', 'You Never Looked So Cool' and 'How Am I Still Alive?' a collaboration with Lydia Night of The Regrettes.
For Fans Of: Indie-Pop, Fuzzy Rock, The Regrettes
Listen to 'Goober' here.
8
Fickle Friends - Weird Years, Season 2
Those of you who have been reading these posts for a while know that I have been a fan of Fickle Friends for a few years now after falling in love with their debut album. Last year saw the release of 'Weird Years, Season 1', and this year we got the incredible 'Weird Years, Season 2'. This EP showcases everything I love about Fickle Friends in one package. Some of their best songwriting to date is here, as well as some of their best music. My favourite songs here include 'Not In The Mood', 'Cosmic Coming Of Age' and 'Won't Hurt Myself' which could possibly be my favourite Fickle Friends song to date.
For Fans Of: Indie Pop, MUNA, CHVRCHES
Listen to 'Weird Years, Season 2' here.
7
Meet Me @ The Altar - Model Citizen
2021 has been the year for Meet Me@The Altar's breakthrough, from tours with All Time Low, The Used and Nothing Nowhere, to articles in the New York Times, The Guardian, and Vogue and covers on Rocksound and Kerrang magazines, it's safe to say it's been a big year for the band. They also have the music to back up their success, with the release of Model Citizen. It's fresh pop punk that will get stuck in your head for days, full of modern attitudes and strong lyrics. My favourite songs on this EP are 'Feel A Thing', 'Brighter Days' and 'Never Gonna Change'.
For Fans Of: Pop-Punk, Doll Skin, Stand Atlantic
Listen to Model Citizen here.
6
Girlhouse - the girlhouse ep
Girlhouse was an artist I discovered earlier this year when I heard the song 'knuckle tattoo' on a discover weekly playlist. So when the first of two Girlhouse EP's dropped this year I decided to give it a listen, and I am so happy I did. The songs on this EP are incredible and it's a great listen from start to finish. I love the bedroom pop feel to it mixed with the introspective lyrics and incredible vocals. My favourite songs from the EP are 'pretty girl in la', 'knuckle tattoo', 'the fatalist', and 'loaded gun'.
For Fans Of: Pom Pom Squad, Snail Mail, Indie Pop
Listen to 'the girlhouse ep' here.
5
Frank Iero and The Future Violence - Heaven Is A Place, This Is A Place
This EP was the first release I was anticipating from this year when it was released back in January. Frank Iero is someone who most you probably know, from his work with My Chemical Romance, Death Spells, Leathermouth or his solo music. This EP is almost like an add on to his 2019 album 'Barriers' with Frank Iero & The Future Violents, as it includes songs previously unreleased songs from the recording sessions at that time. However these songs make sense together in a separate EP, as I don't think they would have fit on 'Barriers', but I still think that some of these songs are the best that this iteration of the group have released. My favourite songs are the whole EP, however I must give a special mention to 'Record Ender' as it's one of my favourite songs from the year.
For Fans Of: Punk Rock, R.E.M,
Listen to 'Heaven Is A Place, This Is A Place' here.
4
Hot Milk - I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DEAD
Powerful, loud and unashamed are words that come to mind when I think of Hot Milk. They are another band who I've been following for a while now, and I have been anticipating this release from them. It's a rush of emotion, guitars and amazing vocals that blends alternative rock sensibilities with modern production. Hot Milk are a band you don't want to be missing out on, especially when they have support slots lined up with Pale Waves and Foo Fighters next year. my favourite songs from the EP include the title track, 'The Good Life', and 'I Think I Hate Myself'.
For Fans Of: Stand Atlantic, Alternative Rock, Trash Boat
Listen to I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DEAD here.
3
Boston Manor - Desperate Times Desperate Pleasures
Boston Manor are quite easily one of my favourite bands at the moment. Last years 'GLUE' was my album of the year and I am still not tired of listening to it, along with their earlier albums as well. This is a band who knows how to evolve, and know how to do it well. Everything they release is a step up from the last thing without being scared to try something new. 'Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures' was a release I wasn't expecting this year, however it's one I'll take with open arms. If you have been meaning to listen to Boston Manor but haven't yet, this is your chance. My favourite songs from the EP are Carbon Mono, Algorithm, and Desperate Pleasures.
For Fans of: Trash Boat, Linkin Park, Alternative Rock.
Listen to 'Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures' here.
2
Holly Humberstone - The Walls Are Way Too Thin
Holly Humberstone has to be one of my favourite breakthrough artists of the last 2 years, I have loved everything she has released since a friend showed me 'Deep End'. I love her songwriting and how this blends with her music as well, she manages to encapsulate everything we feel at this age into her songs flawlessly. This is her second EP and she is making waves with it, even winning a Brit Award. Holly Humberstone is not an artists to sleep on. My favourite songs from this EP are 'Haunted House', 'The Walls Are Way Too Thin', and 'Scarlett'.
For Fans Of: Maisie Peters, Bedroom Pop, The 1975
Listen to 'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' here.
1
Creeper - American Noir
Creeper never disappoint. American Noir is a follow up EP to last years 'Sex, Death & The Infinite Void' where the story of the two characters Roe and Annabelle is continued after the events that lead to their unfortunate demise at the end of the last album. This EP holds some of Creeper's best songs to date, from both a lyrical and musical standpoint. They have pushed the boat out further again and it works so well for them, from the theatrics of 'Midnight' to the heartfelt 'Damned and Doomed'. I am also really pleased that we got to hear more from Hannah Greenwood's vocals in this EP, as it really showcases the range of talent in this band. This EP has everything you could want from Creeper and it's one that I revisit often, deserving of the 1st place spot on this list. My favourite songs include 'Midnight', 'Ghosts Over Calvary', 'One Of Us' and 'Damned And Doomed'.
For Fans Of: My Chemical Romance, Glam Rock, Punk Rock
Listen to 'American Noir' here.
Well there you have our list, let me know if any of these releases have hit your radar this year, or which ones you will be giving more of a listen in the comments or on our social media pages, I would love to hear from you!
Don't forget to share this post as putting these lists together take a lot of time, and give our social media pages a follow so you don't miss the next one! We have a few more end of year lists on the way for you including the big ones, best songs, and best albums.
Thanks for taking the time to read, until next time...
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