Pipjr3927’s Top 25 EP’s of 2021
25. Benny the Butcher & Harry Fraud - The Plugs I Met II
Griselda have held the Hip-Hop game in their hands in recent years. Release after release and no sign of slowing down, Benny the Butcher returns to the 'Plugs I Met' series - this time partnered with Harry Fraud on production duties - to produce grit-laced rhymes over a cleaner set of instrumentals and backdrops. The more ethereal/dreamy headspace that this release fills is beautiful.
24. Tim Reaper - Teletext
One of many - when I say many, I mean MANY - projects released this year from Lobster Theremin's own Tim Reaper - the 'Teletext' EP - pumps out breakbeats for fun without diluting their impact through reliance. Sensual atmospheres, in tandem with refreshing instrumental manipulation, add character and flare across the board. The Teletext EP doesn't venture too far from the conventions of Jungle, but it does enough to raise ears and eyebrows. 'Anytime' and 'Give It 2 Me' are some of the best electronic tunes of the year.
23. Sprints - Manifesto
The Dublin post-punk scene continues to produce acts of a worthy nature, none so more than Sprints and their 'Manifesto' EP. Witty lyricism’s from lead role 'Karla Chubb' sets the tone for a sarcastic affair, one of bluntness and dry as desert sand humour. Filling the void with cavernous basslines and raucous riffery seems like the right thing to do. Big things are in store from the Sprints sector.
22. Skullcrusher - Storm In Summer
An example of an artist with a name that doesn't represent the music in any sense - a bit of a dichotomy on the naming plane. An interesting choice to say the least, but one that sticks. Skullcrusher's 'Storm in Summer' EP is an intimate affair - with Nick Drake's name appearing in the tracklist it was always going to be. Ghostly vocals - beamed in from another realm - sit atop of light acoustic passages sprinkled with decorative niceties. Lovely stuff.
21. VR SEX - Cyber Crimes
Sullen sounds with a swing in its step, the dichotomy in sound and feel make the 'Cyber Crimes' EP a compelling piece of material. The upbeat essence which envelopes the tracks undoubtedly juxtaposes the subject matter, making the Cyber Crimes a bit of a guilty pleasure of sorts - how can something this deviant and promiscuous be so fun, danceable and free?
20. Courting - Grand National
The 'Grand National ' EP takes notes from post-punks past, while fitting in with the contemporary surge in the aesthetic. Grand National and its seeming simplicity harks back to simpler times - back to basics of sorts. Complexities can get in the way. It's difficult to keep things simple, while remaining simultaneously effective. If anyone can, Courting can!
19. Yves Tumor - The Asymptotical World
Hot off the heels of 2020's 'Heaven to a Tortured Mind' Yves Tumor runs right back around with the tantalizing 'Asymptotical World' EP. The fun fair nightmare nature of the EP makes it captivating in it's see-saw essence. Playful with a sinister underbelly, the Asymptotical World EP stands in an ambivalent stance.
18. Serpent Column - Katartisis
Serpent Column's rise to the forefront of the avant-garde metal scene has been an absolute joy to witness. 2020's unforgiving output in 'Endless Detainment' and 'Kathodos' blazed a fortuitous track for 2021's more musical offering to fully find its feet. One man with a plan is worth a thousand half arse bands, and Serpent Column is the literal embodiment of this. The rise in multi-instrumentalists as of late has been wholeheartedly inspiring.
17. Octo Octa - She’s Calling
Reverberated through a chasm of reflections and hypnotic breakbeat bliss, Octo Octa's 'She's Calling' EP is something of a celebration. Pulsating in fluid, forward motion the material takes on a sentient quality - manoeuvring in and of its own accord. Euphoric dancefloors await the listener on this joyous occasion. Lighthearted elation sweeps you off your feet.
16. Dungeon Serpent - World of Sorrows
Something of a blitz on the listeners being, Dungeon Serpent's 'World of Sorrows' EP rains caustic tones and a relentless barrage of blast beats through a vicious set of soundscapes straight through anything on its receiving end. Little empathy is shown for things left lifeless in its trail. A fascinating blend of raucous riffery, the occasional melodious breakthrough, and the eventual return to barbaric beatings leaves the World of Sorrows EP a scornful affair.
15. Kullnes - The Opener
2020's 'Technicolour' EP succinctly set the stage for up and coming Scottish musician Jamie Mickel AKA 'Kullnes' to flourish. Mistakes all inclusive make this project something of a human affair. Building blocks to future endeavours - a window into how things sound before reaching a point of complete competence. You get the feeling that the best is yet to come. One to watch, for sure. Opening the EP with a 10 minute exhibition is a sign in itself.
14. Silverbacks - She Cut Her Hair
Serving as a warm up of sorts for 2022's sophomore project 'Archive Material', the 'She Cut Her Hair' EP showcases The Silverbacks characteristic dry wit - lyrically, stylistically and metaphysically. The Dublin dour doesn't cease as the interweaving guitarwork takes its toll. Archived Material is sure to be something special.
13. Vegyn - Like A Good Old Friend
Delicate atmospheres. Soothing soundscapes. Let the light, lush and luring sounds of Vegyn wash over your being. Cleanse your soul, psyche and mental scenery with the help of the 'Like A Good Old Friend' EP. Serene is an understatement.
12. Effluence - Ballistic Bloodspray
Pretty much what you'd expect from a project titled 'Ballistic Bloodspray' coming from an act called 'Effluence', but the carnage is irreparable and the material is something very special and unique - it sounds like nothing you're going to hear anywhere else. It's about as impenetrable and unforgiving as it gets. If anyone can explain just what's happening on Ballistic Bloodspray I would be forever grateful. Meticulously arranged amidst utter chaos, Effluence ain't nothing to mess with.
11. Pilotredsky - Medallion/Edition
Picking between the 'Medallion' EP and the 'Edition' EP isn't too far off picking your favourite child. Both have their merits, but honing in your love for only one would only dismiss the existence of the other. Pilotredsky taps into the abstract essence of virtual reality in sonic form. Medallion and Edition are companion pieces to each other's pixelated spheres.
10. Luna Li - Jams
Multi-instrumental instrumentals delivered through Luna Li - a prodigious talent on the contemporary scene - sees the Jams EP reach peak levels of chill through funky chords, syrupy basslines and topped with a light touch of 70's cinematic strings to add a flare of larger than life dynamics. Lighthearted and never-endingly fun, the Jams EP hits a spot that feels enlightened in essence.
9. Nouns - Lonely Place of Dyin
The 'Lonely Place of Dyin' EP covers a multitude of genre - Noise Rock, Post-Hardcore, Post-Rock - in its journey from start to finish. From utter chaos to meandering beauty in an instant the EP flips at the drop of a hat in capricious, rapacious style. Read the Bandcamp page for this release to get a glimpse at the backstory to its creation. It's essential reading in understanding the material and its overbearing/heartfelt nature. Incredible work from Nouns.
8. BLOODSLIDE
The meeting of AJ Lambert, Michael Wallace of Women/Viet Cong/Preoccupations and Greg Ahee of Protomartyr proved to be a partnership of insurmountable strength and stride. Bolstering an unassailable sound full of cavernous regions, the BLOODSLIDE collective make their colossal entrance into the world of music. Is a full length on the horizon?? One can wish!
7. The Alchemist - This Thing of Ours
The Alchemist has been on a bit of a resounding run over the course of the last few years. Records with Armand Hammer, Freddie Gibbs and Boldy James have all served up incredible output, but nothing is as short and sweet - packaged to perfection - as the 'This Thing of Ours' EP. Vivid, vibrant pictures are painted over the course of four tracks making 'This Thing of Ours' an incredibly rewarding concise project.
6. Kessler - Ambivalent
EP's the length of albums - extended extended plays - have a place in my world as long as they're as good as the 'Ambivalent' EP from Shall Not Fade's very own Kessler. Mood music with subatomic soundscapes - akin to Burial - reverberate to life leaving the essence of city nightlife instilled in the listeners mind. 'Moonlight Branches' sits safely among the best tracks of the year.
5. NewDad - Waves
The debut EP from Galway based band 'NewDad' sees the current uprising of Irish rock-centric acts take a dreamy turn. Tethered only by prominent basslines, the Waves EP branches into light atmospheres with wisping ease - the material dissolves into itself in the most beautiful of ways. 'I Don’t Recognise You' may just be the finest track by an Irish act this year. A full length will certainly serve up some must-hear music.
4. Naked Flames - binc rinse repeat
The only artist in 2021 to make it onto both the albums and EP's list goes to Naked Flames. What other label this year has produced as many solid projects on the electronic front than No Agreements? Naked Flames' first release of the year captured a resounding stream of thought in motion. Hop aboard the one way train to outsider house heaven, fill your psyche with reverb drenched hypnotic grooves and let go of your ego for just a second. Float forth on a wholly immersive experience.
3. MESH - Mesh
Philly-based Post-Punk comes to fulfilling Lo-Fi life through 'Mesh' and their seance-like sound - conjuring up spirits covered in grit and grime, only to infuse their essence in sonic form. Layered in what can only be seen as a 'buried alive' aesthetic, Mesh certainly have a lot to offer on the creative front. The Mesh EP is a substantial offering of incredibly catchy, downright dirty delights.
2. Codex - Knifemaw Wildstyle
Codex's compelling 'Knifemaw Wildstyle' EP evades all tropes - it's not music for music's sake. Under the umbrella of abstraction Codex has created a project that is hard to define and evasive by definition - alluring in uniqueness. A front-runner for what has been a huge year for the 'No Agreements' label, Codex splits the psyche straight in two.
1. Julie - Pushing Daisies
My choice for the Number 1 spot - the sound, style and overall aura of 'Julie' is hard to deny. Drenched in feedback and running on despair, Julie are clearly inspired by the greats of the noise realms - shoegaze being an explicit influence on their sound. Short, sharp and densely populated tunes leave me with no other choice. The debut album from Julie will be sure to shake the foundations of their chosen lane. Will 2022 be their year?.......