21 EPs for 2021 Part 2: Here Are My Ten Favorite Shortplayers of the Year
Rounding out my list of the best quick sets of the year.
There’s plenty to listen to here, so let’s get right to it! If you missed Part One, be sure to read it here.
10. Gianni Brezzo - The Awakening
What I said in my review: “My favorite track is the Americanism ‘Home Run,’ one that sounds like the listener is floating along the ocean floor amongst the coral. The only thing it’s missing is a narration from Jacque Cousteau.”
The Awakening is available now on Jakarta Records.
9. Felipe Gordon - Keepin’ It Jazz
Colombian-based DJ and producer Felipe Gordon had a prolific year, releasing multiple EPs, singles, and remixes - Keepin’ It Jazz is the one that you have to hear, though. This five-track outing lives up to its name, as Gordon combines his deep house roots with some chilled-out jazz riffs. There’s so much to get lost in here, but the title track and “Continuous Develop” hit just right, with the latter building a funky bassline into an intergalactic trip.
Keepin’ It Jazz is one of three releases in my Top Ten EPs from Bristol-based label Shall Not Fade. If you are into house or electronic music or want a great entry point to the genre, I highly recommend giving them a follow on Bandcamp. They release something enjoyable almost weekly, often in lovely bite-sized pieces that are a balm at the end of a long day. Honestly, I could probably make a top ten records list just from this year’s Shall Not Fade releases!
Keepin’ It Jazz is available now on Shall Not Fade.
8. Triptides - So Many Days
What I said in my review: “Triptides have cited the Byrds, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles as influences, but this batch of songs sounds more akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The title track is a sunny throwback full of twelve-string and pedal steel guitar that falls somewhere between cosmic country and Full Moon Fever.”
So Many Days is available now on Curation Records.
7. Ricky Razu - Happiness Therapy 10: Power of Love
One of the biggest bummer music stories of the past few years has been 80s hit king Huey Lewis losing his hearing to a rare disease. On this EP by Belgian DJ and producer Ricky Razu, it’s easy to remember how deceptively soulful Lewis is as Razu samples the chart-topping song from the Back to The Future soundtrack. Razu throws in some soft piano and wah-laced guitar samples over a jumpy beat while leaving behind the News and their synths and horns. “The Power of Love” has turned out to be one of my favorite singles of the year, and the rest of the EP is just as good, with the funky “Break Up” and “In the Moment” being other highlights.
Happiness Therapy 10: Power of Love is available now on Happiness Therapy.
6. Swim School - Making Sense of It All
What I said in my review: “Catchy licks and anthemic choruses are abundant on these five songs, kicking off with ‘Let Me Inside Your Head,’ which soars thanks to singer Alice Johnson and guitarist Lewis Bunting’s knack for writing something familiar that still defies expectations.”
Making Sense of It All is self-released and available now.
5. Hotel Pools - Baked
Baked dropped in mid-October, and while everyone was knee-deep in pumpkin spice lattes, Hotel Pools was making me pine for the summer that had quickly passed. From the cover by frequent collaborator and Stratford Ct. label head Andrew Walker to the pulsating synths of the opener “Mist,” Baked is a new dreamy chillwave essential. I previously reviewed Palmscapes from earlier this year, which will make my year-end list later this month.
Baked is available now on Stratford Ct.
4. GospelbeacH - Jam Jam
Shoutout to Curation Records, another label with multiple entries on my list. If you dig their retro good-time vibes, give Uni Boys and their double singles “Long Time No See” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream” a listen.
What I said in my review: “A covers album inspired this time by glam rock and bubblegum music, Rademaker and company channel Marc Bolan and T. Rex while also lending a fun version of Crazy Elephant’s ‘Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’.’
I always look forward to anything Brent Rademaker releases, and Jam Jam has me wanting to rollerskate or go bowling… or maybe both at the same time?”
Jam Jam is available now on Curation Records.
3. Laurence Guy - Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing
What I said in my review: “Returning on the Bristol indie label Shall Not Fade, Guy has put out a set of three great pieces with Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing. Written and recorded over a week last November, Mutual Excitement came to fruition while Guy dealt with pandemic life in his own way - by releasing plush soundscapes that will make you feel again.
Next time you need 15 minutes away from reality, Laurence Guy has you covered.”
Mutual Excitement is a Wonderful Thing is available now on Shall Not Fade.
2. Big Thief - Change
Sure, this set of Big Thief songs will come out on next year’s double album Dragon Mountain I Believe in You, but these four songs purely represent 2021. Plus, if the entire album is this good, it would be my best-loved record of the year.
What I said in my review: “‘Certainty’ is a charming lofi stomper, written and recorded during a power outage. As Adrienne Lenker and guitarist Buck Meek were writing the tune, the crew set up a four-track recorder connected to the cigarette lighter of an F-250. It’s hard to believe that the version on the EP is only the third take while the band learned the chords. My favorite is ‘Little Things,’ which finds the group working in propulsive unison while building towards a wordless freakout.”
Change is available now on 4AD.
1. Barry Can’t Swim - Amor Fati
Since its release in July, Barry Can’t Swim and his EP, Amor Fati was destined for the top of this list. Quite possibly my favorite 16 minutes in music this year, the jazz-influenced house producer has continued his hot streak by following up this outing with “Blackpool Boulevard,” which also features Anish Kumar.
What I said in my review: “A few weeks later, ‘Jazz Club After Hours’ was unleashed, which confirmed that while Barry Can’t Swim, he can make a helluva dandy house track. With more organic instrumentation, the piece skips around the lounge led by strings and woodwinds before a tasteful break opens up with sophisticated jazz instrumentation.”
Amor Fati is available now on Shall Not Fade.