Feature

Maybe we’re making a separate list of our favourite EPs from our favourite full length albums of 2010 because we have commitment issues, but let’s go with the argument that we wanted to put focus on those short and sweet collections of tunes that are often better than a lot of full lengthers. Whether that’s because the pressure eases when artists can curate their tunes down to a few tracks or some of our favourite records are by artists that haven’t even written, produced or released enough tracks to constitute a full album is neither here nor there… No more defending this decision!
This year we had a lot of love for all these little pieces of gold…
(In no particular order)

Evan Voytes – Tomorrow Night We’ll Go Anywhere (Cascine)
L.A. based singer/multi-instrumentalist gave us easily one of the standout / catchiest sounds of the year. The combination of funk-inspired bass lines, hip hop beats, hazy synths and Evan’s sweet falsetto got us hooked on this superb EP.


Dream Cop – Mango (Tough Love Records)
Dream Cop is the solo project of bedroom musician Tommy Davidson. Beautiful, lo-fi electronic shoegaze with an aching opener “Beach City / Carol I know” that sets the pace. His sound is kinda warm and fuzzy - and make you feel the same way inside. He’s just released a new EP ‘Basement Tapes’ through Output Noise Records that’s a little more uptempo, a little more dancey, and we’re a little more excited about what’s to come from this guy.


Bleeding Knees Club – Virginity (I OH YOU)
Great garage/punk/surf sounds from the Gold Coast, Australia. Don’t let their careless who-gives-a-fuck vibe fool you – these dudes know how to write instantly addictive hooks that make for a fucking good time on the dancefloor. A next generation Black Lips perhaps?


Millionyoung – ‘Be So True’ (Arcade Sound Limited)
Florida-based producer MillionYoung became one of our favourite, most-listened-to discoveries of 2010. His amazingly addictive beachside-flavoured tunes have been floating around our playlist consistently since the first listen. MillionYoung is releasing his debut in early 2011 via Old Flame Records and we can't wait.


Beat Connection – ‘Surf Noir’ (Tender Age)
A real grower, this one. We didn’t think dance music from Seattle could sound this Ibiza-worthy. And we mean that in the best possible way. Gentle ocean breezes, dancefloors, moonlight, parties, chillin… We play it on the way to the beach as a salutation to summer holidays.


Star Slinger (Mexican Summer)
Okay, so he hasn’t put out an official EP of original music per se, but Darren Williams is a genius. It’s just the beginning of something big for this dazzling talent.


Cults – Cults (Forest Family)
The sixties-inspired unashamedly cute and addictive group singalong numbers that make up the EP was a guilt-free pleasure of 2010. Not surprisingly, the EP landed Cults a deal with a major (Columbia).


Teen Daze – Beach Dreams (Arcade Sound Ltd)
The fantastic Teen Daze already released a rad floating beat filled summer-esc EP ‘Four More years’ earlier this year (which could fit happily on this list), but liked the many recent lo-fi summer pop tunes so much he thought he would try his (talented) hand at it and the result is the addictive as hell ‘Beach Dreams’.


Games – That we can Play (Hippos in Tanks)
Games EP 'That we can Play' is brilliant, addictive electronic pop with a nostalgic edge. Still can’t stop listening to this one. And as an added bonus it reminds us of Double Dragon II in parts.


Lord Huron – Mighty and Into The Sun
Benji Schneider is Lord Huron who, to our disbelief, remains unsigned despite two fantastic 2010 EPs of tropical folk-pop. Lord Huron is very reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, which is no cause for complaint.


Stewrat – Summer
Another EP and artist we could not stop listening to this year was the fine hip hop / electronic beats from US producer Ryan Stewart.



Blackbird Blackbird - Modern Disbelief (Arcade Sound Ltd)
The prolific Blackbird Blackbird is one of the biggest musical artists on the internet this year and got a lot of the attention from this chill-wave infused hazy gem.


Porcelain Raft – Gone Blind (Acéphale)
Leading off with one of the more beautiful songs of the year ‘Tip of Your Tongue’ it's hard not to fall in love with Porcelain Raft’s passionate vocals, romantic melodies and atmospheric guitars.


Keep Shelley In Athens – Running out of You (Forest Family)
Gorgeous laid back sounds from the Grecian duo. Put this on if you want every one to be happy with your selection.


Tanlines – Settings (True Panther)
Another summer soaked EP on the list and why not, its good. Tropical sing-a-long danceable pop, forget the sunscreen.


Active Child – Curtis Lane (Filter / Merok)
Haunting melancholy vocals from Lead Pat Grossi who also plays the harp on this ridiculously beautiful EP. It has a wonderfully dramatic feel even on the more up-beat tracks. Definitely one of the highlights this year.


Wild Nothing - Golden Haze (Captured Tracks)
Already a big fan through the amazing 'Gemini' album earlier this year so the 'Golden Haze' EP was a welcome release and still filled with his wonderfully talented take on 80's influenced pop tunes. Can't get enough.


Coming Soon our top Albums. Get it together us!






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