The Top 20 EPs Of 2022
Here we share some of our favourite EPs of 2022 from new and old artists alike.
With so many incredible EPs released in 2022, it's hard to narrow it down to just 20. But we've done the hard work for you! 2022 has been a remarkable year in the music world, with an array of captivating EPs released. From For Breakfast's Trapped In The Big Room to English Teacher's Polyawkward to Cryalot's Icarus, there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for dreamy psych pop, post-punk, or hyper pop, these EPs have it all. Here, we've compiled a list of the top 20 EPs of 2022, featuring some of the most innovative and captivating music you'll hear all year.
20) iRis.EXE - SMiLE
SMiLE, the debut EP from industrial goth rock persona iRis.EXE, is a stunning exploration of death in its many forms. Drawing from historical monuments and great minds, the EP merges fear, loss, vitality and delicacy of existence into an array of sonic textures and soaring melodies. SMiLE features guest vocals from Mike Sugars (Vatican) and Emma Boster (Dying Wish), making for a unique and captivating listening experience. SMiLE is an impressive and innovative EP that showcases the power of artificial intelligence in art.
19) Play Dead - Mug Cake
The band recorded Mug Cake in an intensive weekend session at Brighton Electric last October. The energy of recording in such a short time infuses this EP with an energy that is missing from so much of this kind of music these days. As fast as it was recorded, the songs don’t lose any focus and are as sharp as a new junkie’s needle. From the humorous attempts to get a decent haircut on “Barbershop” to the nihilistic-rage-against-boredom EP closer, “Offy” — PLAY DEAD sticks to what makes Mug Cake great — rage.
18) Blunt Chunks - Blunt Chunks
On the Blunt Chunks debut self-titled EP, Toronto-based artist Caitlin Woelfle-O’Brien battles and copes with the conflicting emotions brought about by heart-rending experiences. The EP is a diverse and eclectic mix of genres, from folk to rock to pop, and showcases Woelfle-O’Brien’s impressive songwriting skill and versatility. From the uplifting “Going Back” to the heartbreaking “Part of Me” to the scathing “Natural Actors”, the EP is an emotional rollercoaster that captures the fragility and strength of the human spirit. Blunt Chunks is an impressive debut that will surely leave listeners in awe of Caitlin Woelfle-O’Brien’s immense talent.
17) Humour - pure misery
Glasgow band Humour’s debut EP, Pure Misery, sounds as if Hamlet was from Glasgow and decided to form a band with his mates. The insane charismatic incantations of frontman Andreas Christodoulidis strain and pull against the pulsing bass lines, gunshot drumbeats and soaring guitars. The songs oscillate from sordid and menacing discordant post-hardcore and post-punk to the almost transcendent clarity of indie-pop — a perfect blend of humour and pure misery.
16) Krush Puppies - Love Kills The Demons
Krush Puppies' debut EP Love Kills The Demons is an empowering and uplifting collection of songs that tackle the struggles of life head-on. From the title track's buoyant energy to the tender-hearted moodiness of "Why" to the fuzzed-up cataclysms of "Everybody Wants To Be A Cowboy", the EP is a perfect representation of the band's unique mix of punk, pop, and electronic elements. The EP is propelled by the powerful vocals of Alexa Daly and Jenny Wells, who provide a passionate and captivating performance. Love Kills The Demons is an impressive debut that speaks to the future of Krush Puppies and showcases their immense talent.
15) 100 gecs - Snake Eyes
The new EP Snake Eyes by 100 Gecs is a six-minute, three-song thrill ride that showcases the duo’s unique blend of punk, pop, and electronic elements. The EP opens with “Hey Big Man”, a cheeky number that features a bassline reminiscent of blink-182’s “Roller Coaster”. “Runaway” is a slower, more emotionally charged song with a hook that is reminiscent of “Hand Crushed by a Mallet”. The EP closes with “Torture Me”, a collaboration with Skrillex that features a mix of EDM and pop. All three songs showcase the duo’s knack for blending humor, experimentation, and pop sensibilities, while still maintaining a sense of accessibility. Snake Eyes is an exciting glimpse into the future of 100 Gecs and a must-listen for anyone interested in hearing the duo’s unique sound.
14) Sun’s Signature - Sun’s Signature
Sun's Signature, the self-titled debut EP from former Cocteau Twins vocalist Elizabeth Fraser and partner Damon Reece, is an enchanting and captivating collection of music that is both complex and accessible. With Fraser's iconic vocal style at the forefront, the EP fuses disparate elements of indie, neo-classical, and ambient music to create a soundscape that is both ethereal and mesmerizing. From the mesmerizing "Underwater" to the playful "Make Lovely the Day", the EP showcases the duo's knack for blending beautiful melodies and intricate instrumentation. Sun's Signature is an impressive debut that will leave listeners in awe of the duo's unique and captivating sound.
13) The Queen’s Head - Haunt
The audience is made up of two demographics; the swayers and the movers. Those whose movements remain small and consistent, and those who will wake up the next day with sore joints and mild whiplash. It is easier for some to let go of themselves in that type of setting. And yet, despite your anxieties and potentially sober system, The Queen’s Head debut EP acts as an invite to become a part of the latter, an audience full of unguarded movement.
12) Pom Poko - This Is Our House
Pom Poko's This Is Our House EP is a stunning collection of songs that showcases the Norwegian quartet's versatility and knack for combining fuzz-rock grooves, soft and yearning melodies, and deconstructed noisy explorations. From the title track's punchy energy to the dreamy, mellow "Enduro Corner" to the epic closer "Sonatina", the EP is a captivating listen that will leave listeners in awe of the band's immense talent.
11) Blood Orange - Four Songs
Blood Orange's Four Songs EP is a stunning showcase of the artist's ability to craft beautiful and evocative music. From the soulful "Charcoal Baby" to the dreamy "Something To Do" to the gorgeous "Beneath The Sea", the EP is a captivating collection of songs that highlights Dev Hynes' unique sonic palette. The EP is a masterful blend of lush production, intricate songwriting, and captivating melodies that will leave listeners mesmerized.
10) For Breakfast - Trapped In The Big Room
For Breakfast's Trapped In The Big Room EP is an impressive and unique collection of songs that continues the band's exploration of dream pop, post-rock, jazz, noise-rock, and psychedelia. Featuring four brand new tracks, the EP captures the band's momentous, multi-dimensional voice as they take their unique sonic identity one step further. From the soaring "Heavy Horse Museum" to the frantic "OK Roswell" to the eerie "Orfordness Lighthouse", the EP is a captivating and diverse listen that will leave listeners in awe of the band's immense talent.
9) English Teacher - Polyawkward
Leeds-based English Teacher's debut EP 'Polyawkward' is a lively and exciting blend of art-punk and indie rock. The EP features punchy and melodic songs that are both clever and witty, with lead vocalist Lily Fontaine's spoken-word delivery standing out as a highlight. From the clever and jittery 'A55' to the offbeat and nagging 'Good Grief', the EP is sure to please fans of post-punk and indie rock alike. 'Yorkshire Tapas' is a standout, a clever and jaunty tune that paints a portrait of a man seemingly on the brink of a comedown. 'Polyawkward' is an impressive debut from a young and rising band, and is sure to make a lasting impression.
8) Cryalot - Icarus
Cryalot's debut EP, Icarus, is a snapshot of the artist's alter-ego that doesn't explore every nook and cranny. Taking its name from the famous mythological character who flew too close to the sun, the five varied songs span 20 fairly intense minutes. With the Cryalot alter-ego, who as the name suggests symbolizes the antithesis of the upbeat artist we’ve come to know, Perry offers a darker version of herself. Balancing the familiar sweetness of her vocals against bruised club beats, the EP traverses frenetic hyperpop and bubblegum ballad, fat EDM beats, hellish and devastating cries, and melancholy tones. With striking production and clever lyricism, Icarus is a captivating project that adds a new chapter to Perry's growing musical legacy.
7) NewDad - Banshee
NewDad are comprised of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Julie Dawson, bassist Áindle O’Beirn, lead guitarist Sean O’Dowd and drummer Fiachra Parslow. They all grew up in Galway, on the West coast of Ireland and formed in Music class as Julie did not want to perform alone. They describe Galway as something of a contradiction, on the one hand, it’s a small and picturesque city with a close-knit community where forming a band and spending all your time making music is a great way to pass the time. On the other hand, this smallness brings its own issues; what do you do when you have played the two local venues enough times to know every inch of the stage and dodgy toilet set-up? “It can be hard to break out because it’s such a comfortable place that people don’t want to leave,” reasons Julie. “If you grow up here you have to get out eventually.” Well, the time has certainly come for NewDad to spread their wings and break free.
6) Medhane & JUNIE. - Sacrifices
Medhane and JUNIE.'s Sacrifices EP is an impressive and innovative release that will be sure to leave listeners in awe. Featuring six tracks that span East Coast hip hop, abstract hip hop, and a variety of other genres, the EP is a captivating and diverse listen. From the punchy "Ginger" to the eerie "I Wonder (What it Means)", the EP captures the duo's distinct and powerful voice. With a range of captivating production and clever lyrics, Sacrifices is an impressive and unique EP that is sure to be a standout release of the year.
5) Two Shell - Icons
Two Shell's new EP Icons is a captivating collection of electronic music. The five-track EP features a playful yet punchy sound, combining elements of Breakbeat, Techno, Bass, Hyper Pop and Hard Dance. From the opening track “Ghosts” to the closer “Mainframe,” Two Shell handle the dynamics of building tension masterfully. The EP's urgent energy and hypnotic, looping beats make for an entertaining and memorable listening experience. Icons is a must-listen for fans of electronic music.
4) The Umlauts - Another Fact
The electronic soundscape of the first track, “The Quickening”, morphs into the pulsing electro beat of “The Commuter” seamlessly — a song the band describe “as a journey from the bustle of a central London high street to the Garden of Eden.” The middle of the EP sees the songs move effortlessly between English, German, Italian and French as much as they do musical styles. This creates a simmering tension that comes to the fore in “Frightened”, where vocalists Faldini and Mödlinger argue in French and German over frenetic drumbeats, and culminates in the epic dark-techno of the title track, “Another Fact”, that closes the EP. It’s exciting to think what this band will do with a full-length record — hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long.
3) Ginger Root - Nisemono
Ginger Root's latest EP Nisemono is a masterful expression of what it feels like to be stuck in the present while in your twenties — longing for the past. With its slick, technological style, Nisemono blurs the lines between East and West, past and present, offering opportunities for creative and psychological rejuvenation. The EP's five tracks are a funky exploration of the paradoxes of authenticity and reproduction, of nostalgia and the pursuit of novelty. Mixing English with Japanese and featuring a visual homage to Masayoshi Takanaka, Nisemono is a captivating and unique release that will stay with listeners for a long time.
2) Daniela Lalita - Trececerotres
Daniela Lalita's debut EP Trececerotres is a beautiful and moving exploration of grief, faith, sex, and hope. Featuring five tracks that range from art pop and folktronica, the EP is a captivating and unique journey of vulnerability and introspection. From the abrasive opening track "Trececerotres", to the Kate Bush vocals on "Tenia Razón", Lalita's voice and production are mesmerizing.
1) UPSAHL - Sagittarius
UPSAHL's latest EP Sagittarius is the best EP of 2022 for many reasons. From its captivating blend of alt-pop, R&B, and indie rock, to its honest and reflective songwriting, Sagittarius is an EP that stands out from the rest. The EP's five tracks explore themes of power, intensity, and unbotheredness, offering listeners a unique and powerful listening experience. With its catchy pop soundscapes and meaningful lyrics, Sagittarius is an EP that will stay with listeners for a long time, making it one of the best of 2022.
