Our Top 10 albums lists by genre are just around the corner — Country, Folk & Blues will go live on Monday (December 2) — but before we rank the albums, we've assembled a list of some of the best Extended Plays to come out this year.
Top 10 EPs of 2013:
10. Parquet Courts
Tally All The Things That You Broke
(What's Yr Rupture?)
After giving their sophomore album and breakthrough, Light Up Gold, a much-needed re-release at the beginning of the year, Brooklyn's Parquet Courts made a wise choice to strike while the iron was hot with an EP. Sure, the seven-minute-plus "He's Seeing Paths" might stray a bit from their usual ranting, Modern Lovers-style indie rock, but it doesn't change that the EP's other four tracks live up to Light Up Gold's promise. (Cam Lindsay)
9. Jhené Aiko
Sail Out
(Def Jam)
If you had doubts that Jhené Aiko wrote the best hook on Drake's "From Time," Sail Out is proof. Though the stunning seven-song R&B-noir outing features names like Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul and Vince Staples, the star here is unmistakably Aiko, whose doleful melodies stay with you long after the songs end. (Stephen Carlick)
8. Shad + Skratch Bastid
The Spring Up
(Independent)
Though it's sure to be eclipsed by the success of Flying Colours, Shad's first success this year was The Spring Up EP, an ebullient, old-school tour-de-force that finds him waxing enthusiastic over incredible beats served up by Nova Scotian producer Skratch Bastid. (Stephen Carlick)
7. Sampha
Dual
(Young Turks)
Although he sang vocals on SBTRKT's debut album and the hook on Drake's "Too Much," South London's Sampha was destined to break out on his own. His debut EP, Dual, is a deeply personal listen, an outlet for the singer/producer to address familial problems as well as his heavy romantic heart in his silky smooth, melancholy croon. As much a product of the post-dubstep era as it is R&B's current renaissance, Dual is a striking first crack, hinting at great things ahead. (Cam Lindsay)
6. Moon King
Obsession II
(One Big Silence)
Unlike the other acts to rise from the ashes of Toronto's Spiral Beach (Doldrums, Phedre), Moon King chose to follow up 2012's Obsession with another EP, issued as a second volume. Obsession II does what any fan would want, continuing on the same course of mood-swinging dream pop as its predecessor. Managing a perfect balance of Cocteau Twins' icy ethereality and the super blast of Lush's swirling guitars, they're primed to lead the way for shoegaze revivalists. And of course, if you combine the two EPs, you also get one very impressive full-length. (Cam Lindsay)
5. Blood Diamonds
Osaka
(OWSLA)
Montreal native Mike Tucker continues his winning streak, started in 2012 for his Grimes collaboration "Phone Sex," on this two-song EP of chopped-up, breathy micro-samples and skittering drum crests. Equal parts atmosphere and dance floor flair, Osaka promises big things from a producer just beginning to tap the well of his potential. (Stephen Carlick)
4. Default Genders
Stop Pretending
(Independent)
Though he was for mansplaining sexual abuse to women, former Elite Gymnastics musician James Brooks' intentions to confront thorny issues on his debut EP as Default Genders seem pure, and the music — dour, gentle folktronica half-sung, half-spoken — suits it perfectly. (Stephen Carlick)
3. Annie
A&R EP
(Pleasure Makers)
For a moment there, it felt like missing posters for Norwegian pop star Annie were necessary. After breaking free from an international deal with Warner, she released her second album on Smalltown Supersound in 2009 with a fraction of the attention. She came back strong this year, getting back with "Chewing Gum" producer Richard X for a full collaborative EP. Evoking the fizzy rush and rave culture of '90s dance music, the duo integrate house, both Chicago and Italo, with X's keen ear for chart-friendly pop. A&R fulfilled the appetites of all the hungry Annie fans out there. (Cam Lindsay)
2. FKA twigs
EP2
(Young Turks)
On her second EP, UK singer twigs changed her named and teamed up with Yeezus contributing producer Arca. The result, four tracks of spacious, snapping production that highlight FKA Twigs' haunting, icy-cool vocal delivery, sound like somebody dropped trip-hop and then tried to glue the pieces back together. And it sounds incredible. (Stephen Carlick)
1. Perfect Pussy
I have lost all desire for feeling
(self-released)
Syracuse, New York's Perfect Pussy didn't intend to have their demo become anything more than, well, a demo. But with their blown out, distorted lo-fi production, people are treating their debut EP, a cassette titled I have lost all desire for feeling, like a genuine first release. Vocalist Meredith Graves bares her heart and soul, and her fearlessness as a lyricist (i.e. confronting her best friend for sleeping with her boyfriend) elevates the intensity of the four strident punk tunes. (Cam Lindsay)
To see more of the best music of this year, head over to our Best of 2013 section.
Top 10 EPs of 2013:
10. Parquet Courts
Tally All The Things That You Broke
(What's Yr Rupture?)
After giving their sophomore album and breakthrough, Light Up Gold, a much-needed re-release at the beginning of the year, Brooklyn's Parquet Courts made a wise choice to strike while the iron was hot with an EP. Sure, the seven-minute-plus "He's Seeing Paths" might stray a bit from their usual ranting, Modern Lovers-style indie rock, but it doesn't change that the EP's other four tracks live up to Light Up Gold's promise. (Cam Lindsay)
9. Jhené Aiko
Sail Out
(Def Jam)
If you had doubts that Jhené Aiko wrote the best hook on Drake's "From Time," Sail Out is proof. Though the stunning seven-song R&B-noir outing features names like Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul and Vince Staples, the star here is unmistakably Aiko, whose doleful melodies stay with you long after the songs end. (Stephen Carlick)
8. Shad + Skratch Bastid
The Spring Up
(Independent)
Though it's sure to be eclipsed by the success of Flying Colours, Shad's first success this year was The Spring Up EP, an ebullient, old-school tour-de-force that finds him waxing enthusiastic over incredible beats served up by Nova Scotian producer Skratch Bastid. (Stephen Carlick)
7. Sampha
Dual
(Young Turks)
Although he sang vocals on SBTRKT's debut album and the hook on Drake's "Too Much," South London's Sampha was destined to break out on his own. His debut EP, Dual, is a deeply personal listen, an outlet for the singer/producer to address familial problems as well as his heavy romantic heart in his silky smooth, melancholy croon. As much a product of the post-dubstep era as it is R&B's current renaissance, Dual is a striking first crack, hinting at great things ahead. (Cam Lindsay)
6. Moon King
Obsession II
(One Big Silence)
Unlike the other acts to rise from the ashes of Toronto's Spiral Beach (Doldrums, Phedre), Moon King chose to follow up 2012's Obsession with another EP, issued as a second volume. Obsession II does what any fan would want, continuing on the same course of mood-swinging dream pop as its predecessor. Managing a perfect balance of Cocteau Twins' icy ethereality and the super blast of Lush's swirling guitars, they're primed to lead the way for shoegaze revivalists. And of course, if you combine the two EPs, you also get one very impressive full-length. (Cam Lindsay)
5. Blood Diamonds
Osaka
(OWSLA)
Montreal native Mike Tucker continues his winning streak, started in 2012 for his Grimes collaboration "Phone Sex," on this two-song EP of chopped-up, breathy micro-samples and skittering drum crests. Equal parts atmosphere and dance floor flair, Osaka promises big things from a producer just beginning to tap the well of his potential. (Stephen Carlick)
4. Default Genders
Stop Pretending
(Independent)
Though he was for mansplaining sexual abuse to women, former Elite Gymnastics musician James Brooks' intentions to confront thorny issues on his debut EP as Default Genders seem pure, and the music — dour, gentle folktronica half-sung, half-spoken — suits it perfectly. (Stephen Carlick)
3. Annie
A&R EP
(Pleasure Makers)
For a moment there, it felt like missing posters for Norwegian pop star Annie were necessary. After breaking free from an international deal with Warner, she released her second album on Smalltown Supersound in 2009 with a fraction of the attention. She came back strong this year, getting back with "Chewing Gum" producer Richard X for a full collaborative EP. Evoking the fizzy rush and rave culture of '90s dance music, the duo integrate house, both Chicago and Italo, with X's keen ear for chart-friendly pop. A&R fulfilled the appetites of all the hungry Annie fans out there. (Cam Lindsay)
2. FKA twigs
EP2
(Young Turks)
On her second EP, UK singer twigs changed her named and teamed up with Yeezus contributing producer Arca. The result, four tracks of spacious, snapping production that highlight FKA Twigs' haunting, icy-cool vocal delivery, sound like somebody dropped trip-hop and then tried to glue the pieces back together. And it sounds incredible. (Stephen Carlick)
1. Perfect Pussy
I have lost all desire for feeling
(self-released)
Syracuse, New York's Perfect Pussy didn't intend to have their demo become anything more than, well, a demo. But with their blown out, distorted lo-fi production, people are treating their debut EP, a cassette titled I have lost all desire for feeling, like a genuine first release. Vocalist Meredith Graves bares her heart and soul, and her fearlessness as a lyricist (i.e. confronting her best friend for sleeping with her boyfriend) elevates the intensity of the four strident punk tunes. (Cam Lindsay)
To see more of the best music of this year, head over to our Best of 2013 section.