Year Zero: The EPs




In some ways, these EPs are more exciting than the full albums list. Many of these are debuts from artists still testing the market and developing their sound, which leads them to take chances and do things that surprise.

Ask me tomorrow and the ranking would be completely different.

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burr oak — Annabelle

This often gentle indie band is as political as any punk rock record you’ll hear. burr oak’s EP follows Annabelle, a young woman in Texas and her unexpected pregnancy. The band embraces bluntness — the title track contains the repeated lyric “We are headed straight towards/A fascist government”.


little bit — Talk A Blue Streak

Hannah Liuzzo channels their inner Liz Phair on this debut EP. Talk A Blue Streak has a late-90s indie sound could fit in with the releases in the golden age of Matador Records. Melodic and propulsive indie rock with the occasional flute solo.


Shiv and the Carvers — Physical Capital

Brash, risqué and funny ‘roller skate punk’ from Toronto. Four songs and 12 minutes that earned Shiv and the Carvers a spot opening for Lambrini Girls last month. It’s killer 90s punk rock that would have fit in on a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack.


Shelf Lives — No Idea

A late addition to the list, No Idea was released October 25. The Toronto/London duo makes catchy electropunk. No Idea is only three songs, but I can’t help playing “Where Did I Go” a few times in a row with each listen. The B-side of the EP has the same songs but backwards, which is hilarious.


Work Wife — Waste Management

Meredith Lampe’s Brooklyn band’s second EP is full of thoughtful lyrics and gentle melodies that land somewhere between indie rock and Americana. “Coeur d’Alene” is the kind of song that feels familliar even on the first listen.


Warburton — Sad Songs for Happy People

This collection of songs about depression, failing relationships and despondency is almost too grim. Nathan Freeze-Mitchell’s unfiltered lyrics and downcast delivery pair with gorgeous and memorable harmonies for a cathartic listen. Closer “Make It Better” is stunningly beautiful.


Emma Philine — Hurricane

Emma Philine’s EP Hurricane is shockingly well-crafted. She combines dark pop and R&B with electro, hip hop and spoken word elements in 6 songs that explore romantic obsession, fear, sex and loss. Hurricane has a chaotic and noisy sound reminiscent of Downward Spiral-era Nine Inch Nails.


TTSSFU — Me, Jed and Andy

TTSSFU is the solo project of Tasmin Stephens. Their debut EP Me, Jed and Andy uses the destructive relationship between Jed Johnson and Andy Warhol as a mirror for Stephens’ own experiences. Come for the catchy melodies and stay for the trauma and fury in the lyrics.


lucky break — Biggest Thing

lucky break is from California and it comes through loud and clear in these four songs. Warm, melodies that feel familiar, with earnest, relatable lyrics made the songs from Biggest Thing some of the most-played of the year for me.


googly eyes — Starlet

googly eyes basically willed her way onto Tove Lo’s record label for this release. Starlet’s self-produced hyperpop is somehow minimalist and kitchen-sink at the same time, packed with ideas that burn fast.


Birds of Prrrey — Yet, We’re Still Growing in Place

This Montreal DIY punk band’s debut sounds like it was recorded live. Their fierce and kinetic garage punk songs draw from 90s grunge so well they could be mistaken for lost demos from Hole’s Live Through This.


Hornet — Feline

Another fully self-produced effort. Hornet is the stage name of Olivia Vered, and her EP Feline centres meditative, melancholy melodies against skittery and bass-heavy production to make this 4 song collection distinct and addictive.


Lip Filler — witchescrew

witchescrew is Lip Filler’s second EP, and the London group leans harder into their chaotic, genre-defying sound. It’s a noisy, dynamic and intense indie/nu-rock sound, and the single “Followup” is an instant classic.


Clothesline from Hell – Soon We’ll All Be Smoking

Toronto’s Adam LaFramboise combines acoustic instruments, samples and classic breakbeats for a distinctive and attention-grabbing sound. This 4 song collection pushes boundaries while maintaining an approachable, fun and engaging sound.


Slow Fiction – Crush

Slow Fiction from New York is probably my favourite band right now. Their sound combines the meditative and technical depth of early Interpol with Julia Vassallo’s urgent, stressed vocals. The result is compelling, immersive indie-rock with enough complexity to reveal more with each listen.