21/01/2020
Thank you Luke's Album of the Day for both A.K.A reviews from last year
EPs of the Year 2019 Part 1
So I thought I would do an extra few posts about some good EPs that came out in the past year. This will be my number 30-22.
Before we get started properly lets define the criteria for the list. For me I am including long single releases with at least 3 tracks, regular EPs, short mix tapes and mini albums. To be more specific it is any release which is 3-7 songs and less than 30 minutes long. For me a list like this is a good chance to showcase some quite different stuff. This can be smaller bands which haven’t done big albums or something more experimental or in some way extreme where it might not work as a full length album. This should hopefully show you some pretty diverse and interesting acts. Also keep in mind I have not heard everything and there will be some good releases I have probably missed.
30 – The Freewheelin' – The Freewheelin
This is a band based locally to me. They have a kind of folky, bluesy, rock and roll sound. In the past year or so they made their comeback in released this EP/mini album. Six tracks or upbeat, really tight and super fun music. Also very well produced for a small local band. The playing is really good on here. I particularly like how they layer up the guitars with fingerpicking and slide guitar. It’s not the most original sounding music but I have enjoyed listening.
29 – portrayal of guilt – Suffering is Guilt
This is a short 6 track ep that only lasts just under 10 minutes. They describe themselves as punk but I see them as a fusion of black metal and hardcore music. There’s some really extreme heavy screaming but mixed with punk chants and guitars that go between that full on black metal wall of sound and chuggy, p***y sounds. The drumming is super fast and impressive too. This certainly won’t be for everyone but I’ve really gotten into these short but super heavy releases in the past year or so and enjoyed it. Although short the sounds are quite varied and this helps it flow well track by track. It’s quite melodic in parts too so not all heavy and noisy.
28 – Before Stories – Drifting Apart Without Drowning
This is one of the longer releases on the list being 7 tracks and coming in at 24 minutes. Before Stories are another band local to me who describe their sound as post-everything. They are a duo but they layer up sounds that seem so much more than 2 people. Their roots are definitely in alt-rock or some kind or punk but they experiment a lot around this looping layers of guitars, drums, electronics and vocals. Again I think it may be an acquired taste but give it a couple of listens and try to understand the concept they are going for and once it clicks it’s a lot more enjoyable. The mini album ranges from atmospheric experimental minimalist post-rock to fun quirky electronic songs. Although they definitely have their own sound they vary it up enough that there should be at least one track on here that you would enjoy.
27 – Kero Kero Bonito – Civilisation 1
Kero Kero Bonito mix indie-pop and electronic sounds. I’m sure there is a specific genre to call this but I can’t think what. They remind me of the band The Knife but with more rock music influences thrown in. There’s also a lot of j-pop influences in the mix. This release is more of an extended single or a short ep. Tonally it is all synths and some epic ambience and catchy percussion and lyrics. Super catchy and very well produced. I really enjoy the mix of different sounds on this release and how they manage to do so much in such a short ep.
26 – Chat pile – This Dungeon Earth
This is a really dark messed up 4 track metal ep. Genre with it’s kinda like sludge, doom or black metal mixed together but with a rough p***y edge that actually work well in the context. I don’t know if I could do a full album of this but it definitely fulfils a certain chaotic mental state that everyone gets into from time to time. It’s a good release. There the occasional awesome riff in the mix too. Generally it just sounds like the gates of hell have opened and you can hear all the tortured souls. I can’t catch all the lyrics but it is very expressive.
25 – Tru Parallels – Self-titled ep
Actually one of the first things I reviewed on my Facebook reviewing page. A great power trio who describe their sound as 90 rock influenced but I see them as a bit more than that. A bit of post-punk, grunge and more in the mix. Instrumentally it’s really solid. I love how they go from kinda heavy to more ambient and atmospheric. They are definitely going all out on this release. Great sound and looking forward to hearing more from them. If you want you see a more in depth review scroll down my page and you will find it.
24 – Carolina Eyck & Eversines – Waves
Caroline Eyck is famous for being classically trained but plays the theremin. She layers her voice along with her amazing theremin playing to create some epic experimental soundscapes. She did do an album this year too but this more compact ep/mini album seems to nail the sound and be a perfect demonstration of what she does without being too experimental or drawn out. It’s absolutely beautiful and very emotional and expressive. The title track waves is particularly amazing. It does get quite weird sounding in parts but I like the way they are totally out there. You really get drawn into it all.
23 - Black Dresses – Dreams Come True 2019
A really interesting due who do an experimental fuzz-pop/post punk/electronica fusion. Again it’s a bit out there and different but I like the vibe and it’s kinda catchy in its own way. It’s also quite dark in feel and themes. They have released what seems like a couple of albums this past year but they are a reasonably new band to me so I am yet to check out much more. I definitely will be though as they sound awesome.
22 – Black Stone Cherry – Back to Blues vol. 2
The southern hard-rock band have gone back to their bluesy roots. This ep is kind of a reworking of some of their songs with a bluesy vibe, I am unsure if it is all reworked songs or if some are unique to this release or covers. I think it’s a combination of things. Lyrically and thematically I am less into some of it but generally they are really good. They are a little closer in sound to some of their earlier work which is my favourite stuff they have done.
That’s all for now as I am going to reveal for now. Give them a listen. What do you think? What are some of your favourite eps of 2019?
Follow the link below to the first playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0RPESEWZaYtTtLflPRwrwU?si=qKbRD2gPRNWRozSmX1nwzA
