List Week Chapter 2: Top 10 EPs Of 2017

Top 10 EPs Of 2017:

Here we have yet another list that may need some adjustments in years to come, but not quite yet. With the rise of the "Mixtape" in the Soundcloud crowd and the short 20-30 minute album making a comeback in a post Desiigner's "New English" world the EPs list is coming down to a very specific classification section. It's to be determined where it will go in the future and we can decide as a whole next year. We just have to understand that an EP is anything that's called an EP and leave it at that.  Catch XXXTENTACION'S "17" and Ski Mask The Slump God's "You Will Regret" in the album list as that's what they were marketed as, despite the fact that some of these EPs significantly out last them in length, technicalities.

10. David Bowie - No Plan EP

David Bowie's posthumous EP came out very early in the year but that's no reason to forget about it as it brings the house on its 3 new tracks, proving Bowie went out on a creative peak far beyond just what we heard on Blackstar. Even though it contains "Lazarus" a song originally found on Blackstar the other 3 tracks hold their weight and could easily be an extension of Bowie's best album since the 70's, which is high praise coming from someone who believes there are gems in the Bowie "middle years".

Essential Tracks: Killing A Little Time, No Plan

9. Beach Slang (Quiet Slang) - We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags EP 

James Alex adopts a new monicer for Beach Slang's 3rd project in 4 years. Under "Quiet Slang" Alex covers 2 classic Beach Slang tunes as well as Big Star's "Thirteen" and The Replacements "Androgynous". The latter of which is by far the highlight of the short project. The typical energy and crazyness is replaced with intimacy and a fantastic tension created by James vocal power being muted to a near whisper. He seems seconds away from breaking out in his typical powerful voice at all times and it drives the projects interesting change of pace.

Essential Tracks: Androgynous, Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas

8. DJ Shadow - The Mountain Has Fallen

EPs are such a short medium that one REALLY good song can almost land you in the bottom half of the list, with just a little help. DJ Shadow has been so underwhelming since his timeless debut in 1996 but hearing Danny Brown rapid fire verses over a dynamite beat in "Horror Show" reminded us all why we know Shadows name in the first place. The opening track is pretty solid as well and Nas delivers a good performance, even though it falls off in the second half it did, after all, provide us with some of the best DJ Shadow songs in years.

Essential Tracks: Horror Show, Systematic

7. ANOHNI - Paradise

Last year ANOHNI turned over a new career chapter with her fantastic solo debut "Hopelessness" and the dark, apocalyptic and tortured atmosphere returns on the Paradise EP. A song titled "Jesus Will Kill You" would fit right in on that tracklist after all. Producers Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never return and their knack for knowing what ANOHNI sounds good over is poignant. Everything that made "Hopelessness" good returns, all it lacks is a centerpiece to take it to the next level, a "Drone Bomb Me" for instance.

Essential Tracks: Paradise, She Doesn't Mourn Her Loss

6. Alice Glass - Alice Glass

I miss growing up on Crystal Castles music, no sketchy allegations, no lawsuits, just great hyper electronica. But in a post CC world former singer Alice Glass took some time off to prepare for a comeback, and who can blame her. Crystal Castles returned last year with a new singer in a slightly underwhelming way but Alice gave her namesake to this EP and it's easy to see why from it's very first track. The projects only downfall is that there's really nothing we haven't heard from Alice at one point or another, other than that she delivers well on what she's become known for over the years. And let's not forget Atticus Ross has a writing credit on the EPs second song.

Essential Tracks: Without Love, The Altar

5. Denzel Curry- 13

In 2016 Denzel proved he could get past the super memed verse on "Ultimate" with a great studio debut. In 2017 he proved he's not slowing down, not even close. He provides 13 minutes or wall to wall bangers, rapid fire verses and badass wordplay, only briefly interrupted by a great Lil Ugly Mane feature in the final song. Curry has already dropped a handful of instant classics and this is no different, just take the chorus of "Zeltron 6 Billion" for example. Icon.

Essential Tracks: Zeltron 6 Billion, Bloodshed

4. The Neighbourhood - Hard

Jesse Rutherford and the boys are back to the medium that gave them their start. 2 albums and a "mixtape" since then finds them at an even more matured stage. The music is somber, passionate and relaxed all collectively.  Ears up for the "Sweater Weather" crowd as this project calls for late night, long sleeves and strong teas.

Essential Tracks: Sadderdaze, You Get Me So High

3. Kamasi Washington - Harmony Of Difference

Kamasi dropped an instant classic with "The Epic" that captivated listeners with gorgeously arranged compositions centered around his magnificent saxaphoning. Harmony Of Difference picks up right where Epic left off  and provides a 40 minute extension with moral and conscious themes running throughout. Each song is a fresh and interesting set ending in the vast climax "Truth". Kamasi owns a corner of the music industry and many eyes wait patiently for whatever he will do next.

Essential Tracks: Truth, Desire

2. Flume - Skin Companion EP 2

What else can you say about Flume. He has a knack for production that walks a great line between electronica and pop. But he covers even more ground on this fantastic EP, including one of the best features of the year in Enough. Flume makes great fun music that is both engaging and enjoying. Depth Charge proves to be one of the best Flume instrumentals ever and I'm surprised it hasn't been remixed yet, but there's a gold mine waiting. Flume was on last year's list with the Skin Companion EP1 as well as the albums list with Skin, don't be surprised to hear his name even more next year.
Essential Tracks: Enough, Depth Charge



And At #1!

1. Young Thug & Carnage - Young Martha 

This is an essential piece of the constantly expanding Thugger cannon. Super Slimey and Beautiful Thugger Girls fell short of the legacy of JEFFERY for VERY different reasons, but this collaborative 4 track EP is exactly on the line of best fit coming from Thuggers critically acclaimed 2016 album. Homie is an easy candidate for banger of the year and Meek Mill of all people is featured and kills it, Liger is the most typical sounding on the project but still is a dynamite trap song staying interesting, catchy and hilarious. And speaking of hilarious 10,000 Slimes displays Thugger character as well as anything. Ultimately the top 2 EPs were very close but Young Thug just edges out a victory with his characterisrically wild trap and soon to be iconic demeanor.