In Review: Top 10 EPs of 2023
A list of my favourite non-albums of the year.
It’s End-of-Year list season, folks. You know what it is. I could quite easily make this illustrious list ten times as long, and there are any number of releases I’ve featured in this newsletter over the last 12 months that could easily land here.
However, ten is the magic number (cheers, Decimal system), and so tough choices were made. Were they the right ones? Let me know in the comments.
On with the list!
Top 10 EPs of 2023
Better Lovers – God Made Me An Animal
“I had no doubt that when metalcore supergroup Better Lovers got around to dropping their first official release, it would absolutely crush.… What we get on this four-track EP is exactly what the above scenario spells out for you: aggressive mathcore ragers that swerve and dive with a mix of technical ferocity, Southern rock swagger, and soaring melodic heft, anchored at all times by Puciato’s sultry croon and piercing shriek. It’s insanely good stuff, and I immediately want more.” (Weekly Roundup)
Listen to my chat with Greg Puciato on The Pitch pod here. (Spotify)
R.U.B – ONE OUT
“Earlier this year, I was gushing about the demo release from ferocious Naarm quartet R.U.B. Well, I am pleased to report that the group have now come through with their debut EP, One Out (get it?), and it absolutely fucking bangs. The band—Soph (vox, guitar), Liv (guitar), Marc (drums), and now Peri (bass)—describe their sound as “90’s femme punk with a hardcore bite,” and this EP delivers on that mission in spades. These four tracks are raw and aggressive with clean production that sounds massive, making every gnarly riff and vocal hook undeniably catchy and earwormy. Trust me, this shit rocks. (Weekly Roundup)
Scowl – Psychic Dance Routine
“I’m confident in stating right now that 2023 will be the year of Scowl. While their 2021 debut album, Where The Flowers Grow, received rave reviews (including yours truly) and was a firm indicator of potential, the band’s new EP Psychic Dance Routine activates that potential and levels up the band’s sound to dizzying heights.” (Best of the Year)
Listen to my chat with Kat Moss on The Pitch pod here. (Spotify)
The Hope Conspiracy – Confusion/Chaos/Misery
“The Hope Conspiracy have roared back to activity after 14 years with a brand new four-track EP, Confusion/Chaos/Misery. The band are one of the seminal hardcore acts of the 2000s, with their 2002 Endnote LP being an underrated classic, in my humble opinion. Since their last release in 2009, members of the group have been active in a multitude of other acts: All Pigs Must Die, Hesitation Wounds, Lies, Paint It Black, Spiral Heads, Ways Away, and more.” (Weekly Roundup)
Half Man – Man Proposes, But God Disposes
“While notable reference points are diverse–the concrete stomp of Cold As Life; Gulch’s dog-off-the-leash vocal ferocity; the turbulent d-beat of All Pigs Must Die; floor-clearing riff breaks of the Nails variety–the listening experience found on Half Man’s debut 7-inch is dialled into a frequency of unrelenting, seething aggression.” (No Echo)
Listen to my chats with Keldon & Mick on The Pitch pod here. (Spotify/Spotify).
Spiritbox – The Fear of Fear
“Metalcore all-stars Spiritbox have announced their brand new EP, The Fear of Fear, set for release on November 3rd via Rise Records/Pale Chord. This comes off the back of their massively successful 2021 debut album Eternal Blue, last year’s three-track Rotoscope single, and their debut Australian performances at Knotfest in March. The group’s latest single pairs familiar palm-muted chaos with vocalist Courtney LaPlante’s soaring clean register and formidable heavy screams alongside the thrumming low-end destruction of new member and former As I Lay Dying/Wovenwar bassist Josh Gilbert.” (Weekly Roundup)
Peach PRC – Manic Dream Pixie
“Girly pop princess Shaylee Jade Curnow, aka Peach PRC, recently celebrated the release of her debut EP, Manic Dream Pixie, which hit the #1 spot on the Australian charts last week. While TikTok has certainly been instrumental to Peach’s viral success story, this collection of tracks cements her position as a bonafide songwriter and recording artist.” (Weekly Roundup)
Balance and Composure – Too Quick to Forgive
“Alt-rock outfit Balance and Composure went on hiatus back in 2017 after being at the forefront of the “nu-grunge” revival for much of the 2010s, releasing two of the best records of that decade with 2011’s Separation and 2013’s The Things We Think We’re Missing. Well, after six years, they’re officially back, and they’ve dropped a surprise release titled Too Quick To Forgive. These new tracks are gorgeous, dark, and moody, and everything I have ever wanted from them.” (Weekly Roundup).
Listen to my chat with Jon Simmons on The Pitch pod here. (Spotify)
Softcult – see you in the dark
“Formed by twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn,… the [Ontario] duo's latest offering, see you in the dark, continues their descent into heavier subject matter with an air of raw vulnerability, diving headfirst into a metaphorical abyss to confront personal demons, social frustrations and their innermost fears.” (Exclaim!)
Listen to my chat with Mercedes Arn-Horn on The Pitch pod here. (Spotify)
Béton Armé – Second Souffle
“Ever since I stumbled across the spectacular Puffer demo from last year, I’ve been obsessed with Montreal punk. Drawing influence from 80s French Oi!, streetwise quartet Béton Armé come through with four utterly infectious tracks packed with razor-sharp riffs, anthemic gang vocal hooks, and fist-pumping, pint-spillin’ rhythms. Proof that good punk makes you feel invincible.” (Best of the Year)
Love the Spiritbox and softcult picks - I’ll have to listen to the interview, so rad!