[REPOST] The 5 Best EPs of 2021
My favorite short form projects of 2021.
Continuing my monthlong quest to repost all of my old music lists on this blog, we have the best extended plays of 2021, first published on January 7th, 2022. Only minute changes to grammar and context were changed. As always, a link to every track and record is included with each entry.
Check out the original website here!
ORIGINAL FOREWARD: A year full of great releases also featured plenty of great EPs. The EP is almost a lost art form in the era of bloated album releases, and these artists did their best to continue the tradition of the short release.
An interesting take on some 80’s staples, Aisles is a surprising but pretty good sidestep from Angel Olsen. These songs bathe in the synths they use, slowing down some greats to portray them in a new way. It’s another example of Angel’s wide array of talents. LISTEN
WJSN might just be my favorite k-pop group at this point, and EPs like UNNATURAL are why. It’s a party from beginning to end, with multiple songs that easily could’ve been the title track. Put this on and let your body move to the groove. LISTEN
With a name as fantastical as its predecessor, The Asymptomatical World is a great continuation of Yves Tumor’s experimental leanings. Their performance is as stellar as it was on the previous LP, and the instrumentals are wildly entertaining at every turn. It’s another winner for one of experimental music’s finest. LISTEN
A sequel that improves on the original in every way, Civilisation II looks into the past, present and future for inspiration. Each track nails its respective moment in time, with finale “Well Rested” being an apocalyptic epic that signals a new direction for the trio. They’re still one of synthpop’s most exciting bands, and this EP only fans the flames of excitement for their next LP. LISTEN
Is this a bit of a cheat? Yes, but I don’t care. This first of four parts to Beach House’s 2022 record Once Twice Melody sees the band operating at their absolute best. Each song builds off the hazy, intoxicating nature of 7, but this stuff is on a whole other level. Allow yourself to get lost in these songs as you wait for what could be Beach House’s best album yet early next year. LISTEN
Top 50 Albums of 2021: https://cfreemon.substack.com/p/repost-the-best-50-albums-of-2021
Top 100 Songs of 2021: https://cfreemon.substack.com/p/repost-the-best-100-songs-of-2021
2021 Honorable Mentions: https://cfreemon.substack.com/p/repost-2021-honorable-mentions-songs
Worst Music of 2021: https://cfreemon.substack.com/p/repost-the-worst-songs-and-albums-fd5