Category: EP reviews

Hot Summer singles and EPs: The Martial Arts, The Shang Hi Los, The Mediocre Friends, Teenage Tom Petties, Bad Moves, Shake Some Action!

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A cool new video for The Martial Arts (aka Paul Kelly) for the single “Exploding Crushing Inevitable” from his upcoming album ‘In There Like Swimwear.’ It’s tough not to love The Shang Hi Los, with its bouncy rocker “Op-Operator” they continue the party with, “Morganatic Panic,” proving these guys have a big hit album in the making. Remember Gay Elvis from Readymade Breakup? Well, he has a new project, The Mediocre Friends and it’s the opposite of mediocre. Plus, it’s a freebie! I also enjoyed “Kissed Me in Seattle,” by Teenage Tom Petties, with its catchy fuzzy melody, it sounds like a keeper. Two bands I follow are back; Bad Moves has a new album coming out, and Shake Some Action! gives us a great-sounding EP with a crisper retro sound. Check out “I Want You,” and pick this gem up today!





May singles and more: The Martial Arts, Speedfossil, Goodman, Vanilla, Sad About Girls, The Fuzzy Berries

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The Martial Arts‘ new album, is due in August of this year. The Martial Arts is Paul Kelly, who for over 15 years has been a mainstay of the Scottish music scene as a member of BMX Bandits (nice pedigree). “No Victory” is the first big single. Speedfossil is also back with a cool EP, all good songs, so check out “Magic Trick.” NYC’s own Goodman also returns with a new single, “Only Testimony,” from his 7th album. Vanilla continues to grow Pish Posh, and I enjoyed the yacht rock groove of “She Loves Me Not.” Another crunchy EP is Sad About Girls, check out the Keith Moon drum rolls on the epic “As Another Minute Passes By,” Finally, Melbourne kids The Fuzzy Berries will simply charm you with those melodies. Listen to “Clarence In Wonderland.” A great start to May!




Spring singles, EPs: Yoasobi, Lolas, Red Dwarf Star, Daz & The Demons, Sam Evian, The Armoires

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I’ve been a fan of J-pop (it’s a guilty pleasure), and I’ve enjoyed YOASOBI since I first heard their “Monster” about three years ago in the Netflix Beastars anime. They are poised to break out since their English songs are just as good as the Japanese language versions. “Adventure” is a great example of that sunny J-pop melody loaded with catchy hooks. E-Side-3 is the very latest from this talented artist. Next, the criminally underrated Lolas have been very active lately, and they deserve props for the rich jangling melody, “Work is the Blackmail of Survival.” Red Dwarf Star is something I don’t always feature (psychedelic heavy rock), but I just love this deeply atmospheric track, that reminds me of Pink Floyd and Soundgarden. Daz & The Demons have a great power pop sound, check out “You Wait For Something” and “Barcelona.” Sam Evian‘s new LP is only 9 tracks (so it’s like a big EP), and it embraces a spontaneous spirit; listen to “Wild Days” and my fave here, “Jacket,” with its “la la la” drops. Don’t look now, but The Armoires are back, and they “Absolutely Mean It.” A great advance single – enjoy!




Marching on more EPs and Singles: Kanak, The Second Summer, Round Corners, Nerd Magnet, Tony Low, Big City

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New Jersey band Kanak, produced by the legendary Ed Stasium (The Ramones, Talking Heads, Motörhead) made a good impression – and their new EP is out next week. One of the best EPs I’ve heard is The Second Summer, with each song a winner from their debut undertow. Fans of The Posies and Teenage Fanclub will love this highly recommended EP. Round Corners is Greek artist Elias Papastamatiou with a slick 70s-styled pop on “How Do You Do?” Japanese band Nerd Magnet attracted me to their new single “Take A Walk.” Native New Yorker Tony Low returns with an EP of Covid-inspired songs (that was a while ago, right)? Finally, New York City’s Big City has a terrific alt-rock swagger and cool on “Full Service” a very Thin Lizzy-inspired band.





Top 20 EPs of 2023 and some January gifts

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The 2023 EP list

This year’s top EP list had to grow in several respects. To begin, there has been a marked decline in the release of albums compared to the explosive growth of singles and EPs, and this trend is likely to continue; moreover, the melodies produced by EP performers are often more lively and experimental. BTW, my definition of an EP is an album with 9 songs or less. Most of these have been featured, and a few I just never got around to posting. All are listenable on Bandcamp! Thanks for your patience!

  1. Gizmo “Buddy System”
  2. Half Catholic “Art In Heaven”
  3. The Shang Hi Los “Aces Eights & Heartbreaks”
  4. Råttanson “Trebled Region”
  5. Girl with a Hawk “Keep ‘er Lit”
  6. The Blakes “New Tattoo Outtakes”
  7. House of Jed “House of Jed”
  8. Dazy “Otherbody”
  9. Strange Neighbors “Party of None”
  10. Kid Gulliver “Kiss & Tell”
  11. Einstein’s Sister “Exit Strategies”
  12. Clone “Knock Out Drops Vol. 2”
  13. The Photocopiers – Million Sellers
  14. Jamie Hoover “Top Banana”
  15. Dave Birk “Fool Around”
  16. Julez and The Rollerz “Is There Where The Party Is?”
  17. Andy Bopp “Space Camp”
  18. Ken Kase “Ken Kase”
  19. Peter Hall “About Last Night”
  20. Grand Drifter “Paradise Window” 

As a bonus I have some new freebies! Mostly from 2023 All these albums are “name-your-price” but these are all high quality. I know music fans appreciate this pricing model, and I hope you donate to them so they can continue making great music.