Riley’s Top Non-LP’s of 2015
Posted: by Riley
Despite pretty much everyone releasing an album this year, the short-form releases were pretty high-caliber. There were some seriously exciting EPs and splits. Here are my 10 favorites. Hope you find something new to start bumping in 2016.
10. The Boy I Used To Be – Grip EP
Rising UK rock trio The Boy I Used To Be surprised me with this charming assembly of lo-fi indie rock charmers
Best Track: “Deth”
FFO: Alex G, Yuck, Teen Suicide
9. Moving Mountains / Prawn Split
A predictably awesome split found Moving Mountains and Prawn offering extraordinary songs in their respective wheelhouses – even if the best one kinda starts out sounding like “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Best Track: “Deathless”
FFO: O’Brother, Foxing, Pianos Become the Teeth
8. Bliss Nova – Do You Feel EP
Toledo indie dance new-comers Bliss Nova dazzled me with this chill-wave inspired, colorful EP; I am so excited to hear more from these guys.
Best Track: “Nothing To Lose”
FFO: Washed Out, Neon Indian, Brothertiger
7. Modern Baseball – MOBO Presents: The Perfect Cast EP
Philly’s favorite goofballs return with a surprise EP which offers some of the best material in their catalogue to-date, and indicates a promising forthcoming album scheduled for early 2016.
Best Track: “…And Beyond”
FFO: The Front Bottoms, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Joyce Manor
6. FKA Twigs – M3LL155X
The dark art-pop of FKA Twigs has never been as radiant as it is on this unexpected EP; she seems to have really carved out her own space on this project.
Best Track: “In Time”
FFO: Jessie Ware, Purity Ring, James Blake
5. Fluffer – OwlPatDan
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Cincinnati’s Fluffer are making music like nothing else you’ve ever heard – you could call it future-pop beat-rock, danceable trap-metal, hip-hop-informed super-music. (just listen)
P.S. They’ve got an album even better than this one in the can and ready for 2016. (Editor’s Note: can confirm, album is ridiculously great)
Best Track: “Halle”
FFO: Chromeo, Discovery, Deerhoof, TLC (album artwork)
4. The Japanese House – Clean EP
One of the most promising artists in music right now, The Japanese House combines savvy hip-hop production with lush vocals and spacious instrumentation – and their best track from the year (“Still”) isn’t even on this EP.
Best Track: “Cool Blue”
FFO: Imogen Heap, Twin Sister, FKA Twigs
3. Jacob Sigman – Living Room EP
I’ve written about this EP a lot this year, and Jacob is a close friend of mine so I’ll keep it short: this EP is charming revival-pop your parents will love, and only a hint of what’s to come in the future.
Also, check out his saucy new Christmas track right here
Best Track: “Shiloh”
FFO: The Beatles, Diane Coffee, Ariel Pink
2. Masego x Medasin – Pink Polo EP
Prediction: Masego will explode next year, and emerge as one of the most electrifying talents in hip-hop; here, the rapper/saxophonist/singer/scatter joins forces with producer Medasin for a stacked EP they affectionately call ‘trap-house jazz.’
Best Track: “Sego Hotline”
FFO: Goldlink, Chance The Rapper, Theophilus London
1. Secret Space – Secret Space EP
The newest Equal Vision records roster-boys, Toledo’s Secret Space, are responsible for my favorite EP of 2015, and it really wasn’t close; the dynamic trio creates an emotive indie-rock 4-song project more well-rounded and spectacular than many bands achieve in a full-length record – not to mention, it’s their first real release. My final prediction of 2015: Secret Space will have a HUGE 2016.
Best Track: “New Heights”
FFO: Hum, Citizen, Elliot Smith
