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.

I actually came to this show on a bit of a whim - a friend of mine was visiting and we wanted to go to a show but didn't want to pay too much, and here's where we ended up...

The first band up, Kondakova, were surprisingly great! Not that I was expecting them to be terrible but I just wasn't really expecting anything. They have huge potential. They needed a little development in terms of stage presence but being their second gig ever playing in the set up they were in - they played really well. Good instrumentalists, solid song-writers, and a very professional feel about them, especially being younger artists. I really look forward to hearing more of these boys in the future, and maybe even seeing them over on UK shores.

On the other hand, the second band - Jarrow - were pretty underwhelming. The band as a whole had terrible stage presence. All except the lead singer who really carried the band. The drummer looked liked he'd rather be a thousand other places and on top of that he was a little sloppy so it just came across as lazy. The band as a whole though had some real gems - Mac DeMarco/Jamie T type vibes - but this just didn't translate too well on stage. I need to give their studio recorded material a listen or maybe even see them in more of a festival environment because I think there's something there, it just wasn't coming across well on stage.

Before coming to the show I managed to listen to one When We Were Small (now called Soft Corporate) track ("Untied") and I liked the sound of it - I wasn't buzzing but I liked the sound. After seeing them live though, I was definitely buzzing! They have some amazing tracks in their arsenal. At the very least, they have a EPs worth of songs behind them. The only problem which I've been finding with Indie bands is that they always sound like other bands. WWWS reminded me most of Kins, Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Los Campesinos and Spring Offensive. If you like any of the bands that I just mentioned, definitely check these guys out. I feel like if this band was from the UK or the US they would already have quite a big underground following - we really need to get some people out to Australia to manage all of this hidden talent.

Overall Rating - 7.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

It's safe to say that I've missed a few things since working in Australia so now that I have Cup Day off, I thought it'd be the perfect time to catch up on a few things...


NARCS NEW SINGLE "BLUE BAGS"
It's been a while since I heard anything from the Leeds boys but I'm glad to have them back - now all that's left is a debut album! Until then, I'll jam to this new tune here. It feels like every time I hear something new from NARCS it sounds completely different from the last. This wasn't at all what I'd expected when I saw that they released a new track and sadly I don't think it's better than what I'd imagined. Nonetheless, I'll keep listening out for something I love.


DJ SNAKE NEW SINGLE "MIDDLE (FEAT. BIPOLAR SUNSHINE)"
DJ Snake is really chucking out radio bangers left, right and centre. In most places around the world, summer's coming to an end and this is a perfect song for that end of summer/beginning of autumn feeling. It's been a long while since I heard anything from Bipolar Sunshine too so it's interesting to have him back in a featuring role. Sampha might have suited this feature better but still a strong track here.


JAKE ISAAC NEW MUSIC VIDEO "HOME"
If I'm honest, I haven't really been following Jake Isaac intently this year but thank God I caught this track. What an absolute banger! I must say, Jake Isaac might be a little bit underrated. I don't hear his name uttered enough. Good track here - I'd say that it's time for me to start doing some research.


THE INTERNET NEW MUSIC VIDEO "GET AWAY"
I've been actively listening to The Internet's latest record since it was released in June earlier this year. This isn't even the best song on the record in my opinion and it's still made it's way to my top played list. Great album opener and although this video is more short than sweet, I still feel as great watching it as I do listening to the song. Check out the video here.


THE STONE ROSES ANNOUNCE 2016 TOUR DATES
After rumors year after year of Oasis reforming we have another old school juggernaut coming together for a couple of UK shows next year. Tickets to see The Stone Roses go on sale on the 6th of November and I can guarantee that these are going to fly. Grab one if you can because these going to be shows to remember!


KINS NEW SINGLE "MOST DEFINITELY"
Another band that I'm really waiting for a debut album from. Although, I am worried that as with Kins' EP, it'll get a little hard to listen to all the way through. Either way, it's the songs that make the record and this song is great. Kins have really come into their own now and the production on this song is awesome.


MØ NEW SINGLE "KAMIKAZE"
MØ seems to love a good Diplo collaboration. After their jam "XXX 88" in 2013, it's nice to hear them come together again, this time for something a little more different. I personally prefer "XXX 88" but I can see this track here being played heaps in the summer or just whenever the sun's out. I just love that MØ's finally getting the hype I said she deserved.


TONIGHT ALIVE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "HUMAN INTERACTION"
It's no secret how much I love Tonight Alive, so when I heard that they were releasing a new single you can say that I was a little bit excited. After two albums I thought I would've had TA somewhat pegged by now but this single actually caught me a little off guard. No doubt that this is a bit different from what they've done in the past, but I love it!! This track has been stuck in my head since I heard it and Jenna's vocals sound as strong as ever. Super stoked for the new record out on the 4th of March.


DRONES NEW SINGLE "FROM BIRTH TO GRAVE"
I heard about Drones on Punktastic a while back but haven't really been following them since then. When I saw this tweet about a new music video from them I thought I might as well check it out. Good choice. I love stumbling on a good track. I feel like they've still got some honing to do but they're solid. Have a listen to the pop punk tune here.


FOALS COVER FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE'S "WHAT KIND OF MAN"
The first thing I thought of when I saw that Foals were covering this track was "What Went Down". I think I was a bit too excited, because when they started off I was brought back down to earth. I didn't like the synths in the beginning, sounding very CHVRCHES-esque. However, when the guitars came in it picked up, and again when they mashed it up with "What Went Down". In the end though, it just wasn't enough for me - I think I just wanted more from that cover. Have a listen here.


KITE BASE NEW SINGLE "MIRACLE WAVES"
So... Savages' Ayşe Hassan and Blindness' Kendra Frost have formed a band. If you're not already as stoked as I was when I heard this, you probably need to go listen to both bands. After, you've done that and we're on the same page, have a listen here to what it sounds like when super talented bassists come together. Kite Base, my interest is piqued.


SAM SMITH NEW SINGLE "DROWNING SHADOWS"
Apparently this is Sam's "saddest song ever". All I could think during the first couple of minutes is how much it sounded like an old Whitney song that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It's going to grate on me until I figure out that track it sounds like but aside from that very good track. Although I agree that it's more of a bonus track than one for the main album; I'll definitely be listening to this one a few more times.

It's been a while since I gave you guys some musical goodies free of charge to get involved with so here you go...





KINS - It feels like an age since I've heard a new Kins song. I actually wrote about their debut EP in my first ever FMF post here and now, after a spectacular album, here we are with the first track from their upcoming second EP Cyclical. Have a listen to the new single "Young" here and pre-order the EP on iTunes here. It comes out on the 6th of July.






EGO ELLA MAY - So the songstress has released another EP and of course, being the generous artist that she is, we also get to receive the Zero EP for free. Some neo-soulful, easy listening vibes to get your hands on before the hectic summer tunes season comes out in full force. Download the new EP for free here.








TAMARA RENEE - Speaking of neo-soul, we have another free EP to download, laden with neo-soul and touched with influences from jazz, hip hop and electronica. Ultra Violet is a very interesting and diverse listen, definitely check it out if you're feeling the Ego Ella May EP above. New discovery for me too so join me and download the EP for free here.






MAJOR LAZER & DJ SNAKE - I wrote about "Lean On (feat. MØ)" a while ago here and ‪Tiësto and MOTi have gone and given us a sweet, summer, clubbing remix of it to sink our teeth into. Here comes the season of EDM and indie pop. Get your fix of the prior with this awesome remix here.







RATBOYS - This band was a very pleasant surprise for me. I didn't realise how much I judged a band by their name until I heard this band. When I heard the name Ratboys I figured possibly a male punk rock group along the lines of Iceage. I was shocked to hear a female lead over a post-country beat. Awesome band, and probably my favourite discovery of the week. Have a listen to "Collected" here and download it for free.




Have a look at what free downloads I was listening to the last time I posted a FMF here... You might find something you like.

I have been super quiet for a while, due to a crazily busy timetable at the moment, but while a had a spare minute, I thought I'd recap on some of the stuff that I've missed over the past week...

ZEDD NEW MUSIC VIDEO "FIND YOU"
After his success with club/party bangers "Clarity" and "Stay The Night", it's only right that Zedd brings out one more to make it a hat-trick. Despite the ridiculously cringe-worthy video, the song is something I can see myself getting into and as it'll be played in clubs, on the radio, etc... it'll be almost impossible to escape. Check it out here.


YOUTH MAN NEW MUSIC VIDEO "WIDE AWAKE"
I've been crazy about Youth Man ever since seeing them here and so after listening to both of their EPs I've just been keeping an eye out for anything else. Now they've put out this new video. I must admit that it is extremely strange but the song is cool nonetheless. Have a watch here.


WIDE EYED ANNOUNCE SPLIT
Whilst we're on the topic of brummy bands, I have to mention that Wide Eyed sadly announced that they were no more yesterday via Twitter. Since watching them here, although it was just the once I had been into them. Will be sad to know that I unfortunately won't have the chance to see them again. Reunion gig maybe?


PENTATONIX COVER PHARRELL'S "HAPPY"
Super acapella group Pentatonix have done it again. Since watching their video of the evolution of Beyoncé here, I've been a  strong supporter. Now they've gone and put their own twist on probably the most contagious song to come out this year. Have a listen here. They also did a full run-through of Beyoncé's new album here.


BRIAN HULL COVERS FROZEN'S "LET IT GO"
So this video has just taken over every news feed and timeline for the past couple of days. YouTuber Brian Hull has put out a video covering Oscar award winning song "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen - but with a twist. He sings the entire song in different Disney/Pixar characters voices. Hugely entertaining - here.


TOURS GALORE
As per usual, tours being announced left right and centre. A few that have me particularly interested and excited are Tonight Alive, Childhood, New Found Glory, Peace and Kins. There are a bunch more tours springing up and at this rate, before we know it summer will be here.


MR SCRUFF NEW SONG FEAT. DENIS JONES "RENDER ME"
After seeing Mr Scruff play a 6 hour set last week what more could I want but new music of his to jam to? Been going steady for so long and has not disappointed me once. Master of funk continues to impress here - dig it.


Check out some music news from a couple months ago here.