Every year I put out a list of my favourite albums to come out that year but I never show love for the best EPs I've heard. Seeing as there's been a crazy amount of good music to come out this year (particularly in the later half), I figured I couldn't simply talk about LPs.

Here's a rundown of some of my most memorable EPs this year, in no particular order...

BONZAI - Lunacy
It took me a little while to get into this one. For the longest time I just kept listening to the first song "I Did" and ignoring the rest, simply because they didn't capture me as much as the first. However, after returning to it more recently I can definitely appreciate how innovative Bonzai is and how many intricate details have gone into making just these few tracks. This EP would go OFF live!



JORJA SMITH - Project 11
I spoke about Jorja a little bit on the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist but not too much on this EP. The only criticism I can give to this EP is that they should have put "Where Did I Go?" on it too. Other than that, I love her voice, I love her sound, and I'm excited to hear something unforgettable on her full length debut.


TASH SULTANA - Notion
I was very lucky to come across this one. It all sort of happened by chance; one minute I was listening to Bloc Party or whatever new thing I downloaded on my Spotify that week, and the next minute I was halfway through "Synergy". I have to say I was so impressed that I had to put it on repeat. At first the track sounded like some kind of Foals live interlude but when Tash started singing it was a whole different energy. Loved this find.



TOM MISCH - Reverie
After having heard and loved Tom's debut I have to say, it had some influence on my thoughts of the EP. Tom still has that signature sound but I guess once you hear a full length, an EP is just never quite the same. Still, as always a fabulous vibe, great features and perfect for road trips - I just wanted more of it!



CAN'T SWIM - Death Deserves A Name
This and Seaway might just be my two favourite "rock" discoveries this year! I love this EP. Chris' voice is really memorable and backed up by the band's fantastic songwriting abilities - I can definitely see exciting things around the corner for them. Especially now that they're signed to Pure Noise - most of my favourite pop punk/rock comes out of this label so I know they're in good hands.



ELLA MAI - Time
This was a Shazam discovery - I heard her song "No Rush" being played and when I listened to her EP some time later I was wildly impressed. Particularly at the fact that she was British, I had no idea from her singing voice - a part of me is always proud when I find great British talent. With artists like Jhene Aiko and Tinashe kind of taking a backseat in the mainstream at the moment, this is the perfect time for a voice like Ella's to rise up.



ARDYN - The Valley 
First thing I thought after hearing the title track was "this reminds me of so many different artists - Kins, Junip, Nick Mulvey, etc..." but at the same time, this is something wildly different. This EP really caught me and I love the lead singer's voice, such a fascinating tone and edge to it - it really adds a uniqueness to the songs. I could happily have listened to a full record from Ardyn and hope to soon.



RAYE - Second
After discovering her through the BBC Sound Of list I had a listen to the EP. After hearing the single "I, U, Us" I could hear that Raye had a voice with the potential to move pretty easily across genres, and so when I heard the second song on the album "Shhh" I was already expecting the EP to have a lot of different influences. Unfortunately it played it a little safe on the rest of the songs but safe was still skillful.



SHAKKA - The Island
Okay, here's a voice that definitely didn't play it safe! I've had my eye on Shakka for a couple years now but never really latched on until listening to this EP. He's done a lot with just a few tracks - dropping tracks with multiple influences, from dancehall to trap to soul, I expect I'll be hearing a lot of him in years to come. I'm gobsmacked he's never been on a BBC Sound Of longlist.

FLUME - Skin Companion
Flume's just been great this year all round. Skin was great and this EP was certainly a companion that held it's own. If the album needed more tracks some of these could have been great as interludes. I've been a fan of Flume since the self-titled so it's always great to hear new music where his production skills have grown - he's undeniably become a household name now. This EP couldn't have come from anyone else.

The first day was the hardest, simply because there were so many acts that I wanted to see and therefore, so many clashes. We spent most of the day stage hopping but managed to catch a lot of great sets...

TEI SHI
I'd heard the name Tei Shi floating about for a while now and I'm really glad that I went to check her out. I actually thought she was British, especially because her sound isn't one that you hear coming out of The States much these days. I loved her cover of Beyonce's "No Angel". Catching her live has made me excited to listen to a full body of work. I'll definitely be keeping an ear out for this songstress this year and after chatting to her, it's only made me like her more.


SPECTOR
I've known about Spector for a few years and I've never really thought that there was much unique about them and even watching their live set I didn't see or hear anything that really stuck out to me or hit me in the gut. However, they played an enjoyable summer set - songs that you can move to and shout along to. I'd never pay money to see them myself but I'm glad I caught their set.


FLOATING POINTS
After seeing him DJ with Mr Scruff last year here I knew we were in for some funky jams. I did actually get him confused with Catching Flies at first but the jazzy vibe soon brought me back on the right track. Non stop tunes, everyone was just in the perfect mood.


KINDNESS
Another name that I'd been seeing around for that longest while and I had the completely wrong idea about what he was going to sound like - I was expecting a Kurt Vile type sound. When he stepped on stage with his amazing band I was blown away by how soulful he was. Amazing vibes and beautiful songs! If you don't already know his stuff - get on it.


SHURA
After hearing Warpaint's remix of her song "2Shy" I was totally up for catching a live set of hers especially in a festival setting. Unfortunately, it wasn't the most memorable set of the weekend but she did her thing and I didn't realise how many fans she had! There was a much bigger crowd than I'd expected. Cool set - I'm interested to see her once there's more material in her arsenal.
 

CHET FAKER
I was super excited for this set which made it all the more stressful that it clashed with Django Django. I only managed to catch about 20 minute of the show before heading to the main stage. However, luckily we managed to squeeze our way into the jam packed tent close enough to hear him play "Drop The Game" - what a moment! Would love to see him again live asap.


DJANGO DJANGO
Finally!!! I have wanted to see this band live since hearing their debut record in 2013 here so even though it's two years on and I couldn't even catch the whole set, I'm just glad that I got to see them with my own eyes. It was nice to hear their new singles "Reflections" and "First Light" live, but they couldn't hold a candle to their older tracks. I just wish I could've stayed for the entire set.


FKA TWIGS
FKA Twigs, in the flesh... wow! Her album isn't actually the easiest to listen through beginning to end but live, I could've watched her all night. She really knows how to put on a show! I wanted to close my eyes and just feel the music but I just could not take my eyes off her - she was mesmerising. She had the whole crowd in the palms of her hands. The whole experience seemed surreal, all I can say is - believe the hype.


CARIBOU
The set that I was looking forward to the most and I didn't even get to see half of it. I was so upset. Bittersweet to be honest because I did catch "Odessa", "Your Love Will Set You Free", "Can't Do Without You" and "Sun", which were some of the biggest moments of the set but I just wish I'd been there from start to finish. "Sun" in particular is an encore that I'll remember for a lifetime. Perfect headline set.