The Top 20 EPs Of 2024
Presenting our favourite EPs of 2024.
Extended plays, or EPs, often slip under the radar, overshadowed by full-length albums and standalone singles. Yet, within this compact and often experimental format lies a treasure trove of musical creativity. EPs provide a unique space for artists, particularly those in the early stages of their careers, to craft some of their most raw, imaginative, and engaging work.
In this collection, we've highlighted a range of standout EPs that have captured our attention. From rising stars like Hank, Slow Fiction, Skydaddy, and Ugly to innovators such as Fcukers, Marina Satti, Nourished By Time, these releases represent the pulse of emerging talent and the unfiltered essence of artistry. Some of these names may already be familiar to readers of our print magazine, where their stories and sounds have graced our pages.
Whether you're discovering these artists for the first time or revisiting their work, we hope this selection showcases the boundless potential and beauty of the EP format.
20) Pem - cloud work
Once you’ve heard Pem’s voice, you can never go back. A musician / singer songwriter and gardener who grew up in a small town in Hampshire, Pem has mastered the soulful, ethereal, almost-folk sound. Expect lilting, sometimes sparse yet always poignant guitars, poetic icy blue imagery and a soft, delicate sound that seems to balance you as if a fragile gift in the palm of its hand. ‘awe’, the second track on this EP, is a heart-wrenching and candid exploration of grief that finds solace in repetition and simplicity.
19) Natalie Red - Silence Through These Walls
Hyper-pop took over the music world in 2024. Adding to this celebrative, futuristic sound is Natalie Red, an emerging force in the hyperpop and electronic music scenes, hailing from the vibrant city of Tallinn, Estonia. Silence Through These Walls is an underrated addition to the genre. Cool, hip and fresh, Natalie struts through harsh synths and trap influences on fan favourite ‘Official’ and skips rope with the likes of Shygirl and Pinkpantheress on ‘U Been On My Mind’. Tired of the charts but still craving that booty-shaking sound? Natalie Red awaits.
18) Maruja - Connla's Well
Manchester-based quartet Maruja push boundaries on their EP, Connla’s Well, blending post-punk urgency with the dynamic textures of jazz. Named after an Irish mythological spring of wisdom, the record channels this spirit with intense, sprawling compositions that traverse themes of identity, resilience, and catharsis. Intricate saxophone lines twist through brooding bass grooves and relentless drum patterns, while searing guitar riffs punctuate the chaos, creating a sound both hypnotic and defiant. Connla’s Well is a bold statement of intent from a band unafraid to blur genres, delivering a musical experience as cerebral as it is electrifying.
17) mary in the junkyard - this old house
mary in the junkyard might just be the most exciting band on the Windmill circuit. Fresh from a tour with Sports Team (odd choice, really), mary prove they are masters at thick instrumental texture, creepy lyricism and imbuing see-sawing strings with a light, airy touch, like a scent you can’t quite grasp. Their is certainly more to come from this band, with follow-up tracks ‘this is my california / bear walk’ building upon the poetics of melancholy evidenced with surprising dexterity for such a new band. The trio offer a rewarding listen on their first EP.
16) Getdown Services - Your Medal's In The Post
Unlikely art-pop due from Bristol deliver an ambitious and deliriously satirical dish of an EP. Their most confident offering to date, the duo delve into themes of toxic masculinity, the rise of austerity, internet phenomenon’s and capitalism. From gut-punch opener ‘Caeser’ to the melancholic ‘Crabbers’, all the way to strut-phenomenon ‘Dog Dribble’ with its funky guitar riffs, this is certainly not to be missed off your party playlist.
15) lobby - nightdriving
South London slowcore trio Lobby. featuring members of Goat Girl and leather.head, deliver a brooding, atmospheric debut with Nightdriving. Produced by Jamie Neville at Teeth Studios, the EP intertwines tender dual vocals, spidery guitars, melodic basslines, and haunting banjo and saxophone accents, creating richly layered soundscapes that ebb and flow with emotional intensity. Tracks like “Folding Out” showcase the band’s talent for blending DIY intimacy with cinematic depth, evoking comparisons to Alex G and Horse Jumper of Love.
14) Freddie J Watts - At Every Turn
Brighton’s psych-folk maestro Freddie J Watts delivers a stunning celebration of community and collaboration with his EP At Every Turn. Featuring contributions from members of The New Eves, Wax Machine, and Strong Island Recordings labelmate Woody Green, this five-track journey intertwines baroque pop, celestial folk, Americana, glam rock, and 60s and 70s psychedelia. Laden with ethereal vocals, enchanting flutes, heavenly cellos, and trippy guitar solos, Watts crafts a kaleidoscopic soundscape reminiscent of Kevin Morby, Leonard Cohen, and The Velvet Underground. At Every Turn is a sun-drenched, cinematic odyssey, rich with nostalgia and brimming with the vibrant artistry of Brighton’s creative scene.
13) Hang Linton - Demonstrations
Overflowing with raw vitality, Demonstrations delivers an audacious and immersive EP. Linton masterfully fuses elements of two-tone, post-punk, acid jazz, indie rock, and psychedelic hip-hop. Through avant-electro-funk textures and infectious grooves, the album interlaces a deeply personal and politically charged narrative that confronts societal apathy head-on. Each track is a call to action, a celebration of resilience, and a challenge to engage with the complexities of the modern world, making Demonstrations as thought-provoking as it is electrifying.
12) Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Eazy Peazy
Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s debut EP, Eazy Peazy, is an ambitious and dynamic introduction to the London quintet’s genre-defying sound. Blending intricate orchestral arrangements with post-punk energy, tracks like Ode To Clio and EZPZ showcase their exceptional musicianship, with Clio Harwood’s agitated violin and Emmie Avery’s piano adding a distinct texture to their layered compositions. While some tracks, like Maegan and The Boss, feel slightly underdeveloped, the band’s knack for polyphonic interplay and clever lyricism shines through on highlights like Sports Day. Eazy Peazy is a confident, experimental debut that teases the immense potential of this young and fiercely creative group.
11) Friktion - Friktion
Self-described as ‘hot and sticky’, this EP masters a loud, bouncy chaos that may otherwise come across as overwhelmingly hectic. Music for the over-caffeinated, the three-man band hailing from the impressive Brighton music scene paint a picture of the degenerate life with a rawness that translates to shockingly good live shows. ‘Music Gurl’ exemplifies masterful and at times humorous storytelling whilst ‘DEAD!’ explores the reality of the end of meaning. Not bad, for the space of five minutes. The EP is a surprising delight that promises to keep you on your toes.
10) LA Priest - LA Fusion
On La Fusion, LA Priest (Sam Eastgate) continues his streak of boundary-pushing creativity with a collection of tracks that fuse jungle-inspired escapism with metropolitan longing. Written during his time in the Costa Rican jungle and completed in his Welsh garden shed studio, the EP brims with inventive grooves, highlighted by the standout single City Warm Heart. Mixed by French touch maestro Alan Braxe, the track radiates optimism while channeling nostalgia. With his handmade drum machine, GENE, lending a unique sonic character, La Fusion captures Eastgate’s signature blend of introspection and innovation, offering a fresh and joyful chapter in his ever-evolving sound.
9) Tomo Katsurada - Dream of the Egg
Renowned for his work with Kikagaku Moyo, Tomo Katsurada begins a deeply personal solo journey with Dream of the Egg, an EP inspired by the 1920s Japanese children’s book Yume No Tamago. The first release from Amsterdam’s Future Days, Katsurada’s concept store and workshop, this 20-minute record merges music and visual storytelling, embracing raw, handmade sounds and eschewing digital precision. Tracks like “Moshimo,” featuring ethereal guitar by Jonny Nash, and “Zen Bungalow,” a reimagining of Gabriel Yared’s Betty Blue classic, blend dreamy atmospheres with intimate narratives of love and rebirth.
8) wonderbug - scrap
London's own Wonderbug captures the tangled mess of love, longing, and life in their debut EP, Scrap. With themes of doubt, friendship, and finding joy in impermanence, Scrap reflects the highs and lows of growing up and searching for purpose in the chaos of modern life. The lead single, “What a Waste of Time” exemplifies Wonderbug’s knack for pairing introspective lyrics with irresistible melodies. Fueled by Ollie’s shouted refrain and fuzzy guitars, the track transforms from a tongue-in-cheek outburst into an anthemic expression of heartbreak and growth.
7) Ugly - Twice Around The Sun
Ugly’s Twice Around The Sun is a 36-minute journey through the Cambridge sextet’s unique blend of complex, campfire-like storytelling and cataclysmic charm. From the spiraling theatrics of opener The Wheel to the tenderly absurd Icy Windy Sky and the euphoric crescendo of I’m Happy You’re Here, the EP is an assertive showcase of the band’s ability to balance chaos with heartfelt sincerity. With intricate arrangements, standout performances, and a flair for the dramatic, Ugly delivers an exhilarating listen that leaves you eagerly awaiting their debut LP.
6) Slow Fiction - Crush
The New York-based five-piece delivers a riotous whirlwind of life’s most complicated moments, all packed into a sharp, exhilarating 20 minutes. Aptly titled Crush, the EP captures the dual meaning of the word—channeling both the electrifying rush of infatuation and the crushing weight of emotions that can upend everyday life. Opening tracks Monday and Apollo set the tone with irresistible indie-rock anthems that beg to be screamed at the top of your lungs. With its raw energy, heartfelt lyricism, and infectious melodies, Crush is a masterful snapshot of the chaos and beauty of being alive.
5) Fcukers - Baggy$$
Fcukers have had one hell of a year. ‘Bon Bon’, this EP’s opener, has almost 2 million listens on spotify, and the ecstatic ‘Homie Don’t Shake’ is not far behind. The New York electronic band offer intricately produced tunes brimming with the eclectic influence of 90s dance. Music for the grimy underground clubs, music for the afterparty, music for the come down, music that no doubt projects the band into a wild and successful future. Don’t say we didn’t tell you so.
4) Nourished By Time - Catching Chickens
Baltimore's Nourished By Time continues to redefine pop with Catching Chickens, an EP bursting with genre-blurring creativity and emotional depth. From the dreamy, OutKast-tinged Hell of a Ride to the synth-heavy 80s throwback of Hand On Me and the R&B croon of Romance In Me, every track offers a new surprise. Highlights like Had Ya Called fuse funk grooves with shimmering synths, while Poison Soaked delivers raw balladry with heartfelt lyrics. Beneath the playful genre collaging lies a heartfelt homage to Black musical traditions, making this EP as bold as it is soulful—a testament to why Nourished By Time is a boundary-pushing force in modern music.
3) Marina Satti - P.O.P
Marina Satti's P.O.P is a radiant celebration of cultural fusion, drawing on her Greek roots while embracing global influences. The EP vibrates with life, blending traditional Mediterranean folk melodies with modern pop and electronic textures. Tracks like "LALALALA" showcase her skill in layering traditional greek folk influences with lush vocals. P.O.P is a refreshing, boundary-pushing release that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Fans of experimental pop music will find plenty to admire here.
2) Skydaddy - Pilot
Rachid Amado Fakhre, aka Skydaddy, takes listeners on a heartfelt journey with Pilot, his debut EP. Leaving behind the band Spang Sisters, Fakhre crafts an intimate, five-track collection rich with delicate piano, strings, and woodwinds. The result is a warm, emotionally charged exploration of vulnerability and connection. With lush production and evocative arrangements, Pilot offers a soothing yet introspective experience, showcasing Fakhre's artistry and emotional depth - a perfect companion for contemplative moments.
1) Hank - Twist Grip
North-East London’s Hank debut with Twist Grip, a four-track EP that turns shoegazers into stargazers with its Post-Punk grit and ethereal Shoegaze atmospherics. Drawing clear inspiration from genre legends like My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins, Hank masterfully balance dreamy vocals and distorted, layered instrumentals to create a sound both nostalgic and fresh. Twist Grip is a compelling debut that captures the essence of Shoegaze’s revival while carving out Hank’s place in the genre. They may just be the next My Bloody Valentine.