My Favorite EPs, 2020
My Favorite EPs, 2020
Small projects that made big impacts
After scoping the landscape of the music scene and interwebs I’ve decided that there aren’t enough end of year lists. Fear not, I will be feeding you all my lists of 2020 favorites for the next week and a half. Starting here with my favorite EPs that came out this year! I’ve also compiled my standout song from each EP into a playlist
25. sensitive by Serena Isioma
Released: March 18th, 2020
Features: Hatesonny
Producers: C. Medina, Cullen Wagner-Roach, Gus Chvany, Frankie Scoca
Genres: Alternative, R&B, Bedroom Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Orion Sun, Arlo Parks
Serena Isioma has the range to hang with your favorite bedroom pop artist, then also step back and hit you with a slower R&B jam. This debut EP puts both styles on full display. Isioma also dropped another EP at the beginning of December called The Leo Sun Sets that I might have ranked higher than this one had I gotten to spend more time with it.
Standout Track: Valentina
24. Cabin Fever by Sophiethehomie
Released: March 27th, 2020
Producers: Q
Genres: Indie, Bedroom R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Steve Lacy, Ambré, Asi Kemera
What better time than the heart of quarantine to drop an EP called Cabin Fever? On Instagram, Sophie noted this EP was released just 3 weeks after stepping in front of a mic for the first time. That’s something you’d never have guessed from listening. All three tracks were produced by rising artist Q.
Standout Track: fall
23. Take It, Leave It by Jackie Hayes
Released: July 15th, 2020
Producers: Billy Lemos
Genres: Alternative, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Harry Teardrop, Jordana
Formerly releasing under the name Family Reunion, Take It, Leave It marks the first release under the name Jackie Hayes. Those Family Reunion tracks were known for their catchy guitar riffs. The presence of guitars is certainly felt on this, but it also leans a lot more electronic with prominent fuzzy synths and vocal effects, particularly on the track Enemy. Billy Lemos, who I featured in an earlier post, produced all the tracks on here.
Standout Track: Headache
22. TO FEEL ALIVE by Kali Uchis
Released: April 24th, 2020
Producers: Austen Jux-Chandler, Aja Grant, Vegyn, Kali Uchis, Bunx Dadda, Sounwave, Rogét Chahayed
Genres: R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Abra, Tei Shi
When this EP was released, Kali Uchis tweeted that it was recorded alone during quarantine, making it the perfect EP for the times. Or at least this represents what people probably wanted to get out of that first month of quarantine (you know, when we actually just stayed in the house and only left to hit the grocery store). That being honest self reflection and realization. Wether you achieved that for yourself or not, you can still enjoy these tracks.
Standout Track: honey baby (SPOILED!)
21. Moonstone by Raveena
Released: February 8th, 2020
Producers: Everett Orr
Genres: R&B, Soul
Recommended For Fans Of: Joyce Wrice, Snoh Aalegra
Coming off the lovely 2019 album Lucid, Raveena brings us a small collection of songs that didn’t make the album. I’ve always felt like Raveena has a unique vocal style that is very soft and gentle but at the same time is mixed to be up front and in your face, and this EP is no exception. That vocal style enriches the music’s tenderness.
Standout Track: Headaches
20. EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS TRUE by Odunsi (The Engine)
Released: May 13th, 2020
Features: Maison2500, Amaarae, DETO BLACK, Gigi Atlantis
Producers: Odunsi (The Engine), Tochi Bedford, Tochukwu Bedford, Kingsley Chukwudi Okorie
Genres: Alt-Pop, Funk, Trapsoul
Recommended For Fans Of: Amaarae, Cruel Santino, MadeinTYO
This is one of those projects that can’t be defined by one genre in the way it effortlessly fuses styles. You can dance to these tracks, fall in love to them, turn up to them, there’s a lot of range and it all feels very fluid. Odunsi, from Nigeria, has already dropped another single since this project came out, and appears to be just getting started.
Standout Track: nü finesse
19. Ruled by Venus, Unfortunately by SOLIS
Released: July 31st, 2020
Producers: Omgsora, Eric Godlow, Do0zybeatz, 8ROKEBOY, Fantom
Genres: R&B, Bedroom Pop, Indie
Recommended For Fans Of: Clairo, beabadoobee
AUDIOMACK | SOUNDCLOUD (not on streaming)
I wrote about how this EP embraces bedroom pop in What I’ve Been Listening To, 9/30/20.
Standout Track: don’t fall in love with a libra woman
18. Halo by GRIP
Released: April 9th, 2020
Producers: Tu!
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Deante’ Hitchcock, Kembe X
Grip has been on a super consistent run dating back to his 2019 album Snubnose, ongoing through his second EP of 2020 PROBOSCIDEA. Right in-between those two projects we have Halo. Grip is an accomplished lyricist and storyteller which shines over the soulful sample based production throughout this 5 track project. If the momentum continues, I think the next album from him will be incredible.
Standout Track: Cassius
17. 4K by O.L.I.V.I.A.
Released: February 14th, 2020
Producers: O.L.I.V.I.A., Bursz, Ro Stambuk, OKTE
Genres: Experimental, Electronic, Noise, Punk, Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Arca, Isabella Lovestory
This project is highlighted by its stuttering experimental production. The label, Deathbomb Arc, describes the project better than I ever could, “The thriving Argentinian netlabel scene centers around finding grace in bleeding edge experimentation. O.L.I.V.I.A. is one of the scene's stand out composers and performers, blending angelic vocals and stage show with a deeply sophisticated computer science approach to production.” At 37 minutes, it’s longer than most of the EPs on this list, but trust it’s not a project you’ll want to skip over.
Standout Track: Cómo Se Apaga?
16. I Was Wrong by Crystal Murray
Released: April 15th, 2020
Producers: Sacha Rudy, Bamao Yendé, Adrien Lietar, Lonely Band
Genres: R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Jorja Smith, NAO
I Was Wrong is Crystal Murray’s debut EP that delivers on the hype of the single Princess that was released in 2019. The 18 year old singer first gained notoriety at 13 being an integral part of Gucci Gang, a Paris based collective of female fashion creatives. This EP has been in the works for the last two years and is one you can’t afford to miss. Princess was recently featured in a Dior campaign and Murray is only going to go up from here.
Standout Track: Princess
15. ROSETTA by Dua Saleh
Released: June 12th, 2020
Producers: Psymun, Sir Dylan, Andrew Broder
Genres: Hip-Hop, Alternative, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: 070 Shake, early Travis Scott, Kid Cudi
You can read what I had to say about this genre blending EP in my first every Death By Algorithm post!
Standout Track: hellbound
14. EPHEMERA by Jim-E Stack
Released: October 30th, 2020
Features: Empress Of, Bon Iver, Dijon, Octavian, Bearface, Ant Clemons, Kacy Hill
Producers: Jim-E Stack, BJ Burton, Buddy Ross, Ariel Rechtshaid
Genres: Electronic, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Mura Masa, Bon Iver
Producer Jim-E Stack is able to utilize features in a way that lets their unique sounds shine without diverting from the overall sound and tone Jim-E is going for with the project as a whole. In that way it’s similar to Mura Masa’s self titled album and Calvin Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1, not a lot of producer projects are able to accomplish that. Stack’s credits range through a wide variety of artists like HAIM, Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek, and more. But with this project he utilizes his collaborators to help him establish his own sound.
Standout Track: Jeanie (Feat. Bon Iver)
13. Wasted Youth by Diana Gordon
Released: April 3rd, 2020
Producers: BNJMN, Noise Club, Smash David, Wallis Lane, FALLEN, Mike Soffa,
Genres: R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, Singer/Songwriter
Recommended For Fans Of: Amber Mark, DaniLeigh
If you think this is your first time hearing Diana Gordon, it probably isn’t. Maybe you’re familiar with their work under the name Wynter Gordon releasing a few projects and singing the hook on Flo Rida’s 2009 hit Sugar. Or maybe you’ve heard one of the songs she has writing credits on with artists like Danity Kane, J-Lo, and most recently Beyoncé’s Lemonade. That ability to switch between different sounds and styles is apparent in her own work as she moves easily between catchy pop/hip-hop tracks and softer acoustic cuts.
Standout Track: Once A Friend
12. Industry Games by CHIKA
Released: March 13th, 2020
Producers: Mark Batson, Lido, Sean Momberger, Ye Ali, Deaf Heff, Sugi Dakks, Todd Bergman
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Tierra Whack, Leikeli47
2020 was a massive year for CHIKA, releasing their first project, which garnered plenty of acclaim, a tiny desk concert, and a Grammy nomination. It’s easy to see why when you listen to the project. CHIKA comes through with bars and catchy hooks, all over hard hitting trap production while dropping truths about the music industry and how hard it was to reach this point.
Standout Track: BALENCIES
11. Sis. by KIRBY
Released: January 31st, 2020
Genres: Soul, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Joy Denalane, Leon Bridges
Sis is the debut project for Memphis-born, Mississippi-raised singer Kirby, but they’ve been around longer than that. Kirby started out writing a song a day on Youtube for 275 days straight, which ended up leading to opportunities writing Beyoncé’s Die For You and the Kanye/Rihanna/McCartney single FourFiveSeconds. The standout single Velvet received a Lucky Daye remix that was featured on the soundtrack of Insecure Season 4.
Standout Track: Velvet
10. Push//Pull by Sweater Curse
Released: September 25th, 2020
Producers: Sam Cromack
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative
Recommended For Fans Of: Pity Sex, Julia Jacklin, The Beths
I wrote about this irresistible EP in What I’ve Been Listening To, 10/13/20.
Standout Track: I Wish I Was a Better Person Sometimes
9. Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 by Tkay Maidza
Released: August 7th, 2020
Features: JPEGMAFIA, Kari Faux
Producers: Dan Farber, Erik Shiboski, Jah Loon
Genres: Hip-Hop, R&B
Recommended For Fans Of: Kari Faux, Azealia Banks, Leikeli47
I wrote about the range this EP has in What I’ve Been Listening To, 8/20/20.
Standout Track: Don’t Call Again (Feat. Kari Faux)
8. Summer 2020 by The Paul Institute
Released: August 4th, 2020
Features: A.K. Paul, HIRA, REINEN, Ruthven, Fabiana Palladino, Pen Pals
Producers: A.K. Paul, Harry Craze, Mahir Mistry, Aamir Hira, REINEN, Jai Paul, Fabiana Palladino, Keen Collard
Genres: Electronic, R&B, Synth-Pop
Recommended For Fans Of: Jai Paul, Francis & The Lights
The ever mysterious Jai and A.K. Paul returned in the form of an EP by their collective of artists known as The Paul Institute. What the institute is or does besides release music once in a blue moon is unclear, but I’m still happy to have this lovely batch of electro-R&B with a sound that no one else really replicates right now. A.K. Paul performs or writes/produces on 3 of the six tracks, and Jai Paul has a sole production credit on the song Waiting. Otherwise this is a showcase for the lesser known members of the Institute, who rise to the occasion.
Standout Track: Waiting by Fabiana Palladino
7. Lowkey Superstar by Kari Faux
Released: April 7th, 2020
Producers: Danio, Kari Faux
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Junglepussy, bLAck pARty
This is the latest in a string of 3 EPs that Kari Faux has been trickling out dating back to 2017’s Primary. Contrary to the other two, this EP is brief, with the longest track (linked below) clocking in at 2:44. But Faux proves she doesn’t need much time at all to get off her carefree braggadocios bars, solidifying her reputation as the “rap game Daria.”
Standout Track: McGrady
6. THEBOOFMOBILE by Jahmed
Released: March 25th, 2020
Features: ICECOLDBISHOP
Producers: Bregma, David Emmanuel
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Baby Keem, IDK
Another short EP here, with the longest track being 2:43. Jahmed’s tracks hit like an 808 sugar rush. The whole EP is short and sweet but leaves you wanting more of his flow, catchy melodies, and hard hitting production. Guarantee you’ll immediately want to hit the replay button after listening to this 13 minute project.
Standout Track: REDLIGHT
5. Suga by Megan Thee Stallion
Released: March 6th, 2020
Features: Kehlani, Gunna
Producers: Helluva, J. White Did It, Lil Ju, Jake One, Pop Wansel, Swish, Tommy Brown, The Neptunes, Timbaland, J Tabb
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Cardi B, City Girls
Is this an EP? Or a short album? Or a mixtape? The labeling was unclear, but based on the length (9 songs in 24 minutes) I decided to count it as a EP for my lists. While the popularity of Savage on TikTok lead to a Beyoncé Remix leading to Megan’s takeover of 2020, don’t let that distract from the other songs on this project! Like, she got two Neptunes beats on here! The whole EP tries out some different sounds and styles without diverting from the confident and freaky bars that got here to where she is (or where she was at the time of release, cause she’s gone even higher since then).
Standout Track: Captain Hook
4. Watch This! by Jean Deaux
Released: May 4th, 2020
Features: Yung Baby Tate, Saba
Producers: Ambi Lyrics, prodxvzn, Renzell, Jean Deaux, daedaePIVOT, letmode, 1Mind, Mike Robbins, & ROMderful
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: Kari Faux, Yung Baby Tate
Another EP with no song over 3 minutes (I’m not sure if that speaks more to how music is trending or what my attention span is). Jean Deaux (pronounced John Doe) has dropped a few EPs and singles before this, but Watch This! feels like her most concise and consistent project to date. As I mentioned with the length, this EP wastes no time getting its point across that Deaux is a force to be reckoned with. The fit with the boxing gloves is a perfect visual for the album because these songs will knock you out.
Standout Track: Moody! (Feat. Saba)
3. UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats
Released: February 7th, 2020
Producers: Kenny Beats
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Recommended For Fans Of: JPEGMAFIA, Danny Brown
I like that this EP feels like Denzel pushed Kenny out of his comfort zone a little bit. It’s not a shocking change of pace, and Kenny’s proved on The Cave that he can adapted to whatever style an artist asks for, but the beats on UNLOCKED feel like they lean more eclectic and experimental his usual productions. And Curry picks up right where he left off on 2019’s ZUU with unmatched aggression. It’s a match made in heaven.
Standout Track: Lay_Up.m4a
2. G-E-T-O-U-T!! The Ghetto by standing on the corner
Released: July 7th, 2020
Producers: Shamel Cee Mystery
Genres: Experimental, Jazz
Recommended For Fans Of: Herbie Hancock, Slauson Malone
A sprawling, largely instrumental, EP that feels like one 15 minute track with a clear message. You won’t hear anything else like this all year. If you enjoy, be sure to check out the video with an alternate live version of the title tracks.
Standout Track: G-E-T-O-U-T!! The Ghetto (Pt.I)
1. How Do You Feel About Getting Married? by Dijon
Released: May 15th, 2020
Producers: Dijon, Henry Kwapis, Jack Karaszewski
Genres: Indie, Electronic, Country
Recommended For Fans Of: Zack Villere, Choker
With each new release, Dijon defies expectations. He refuses to be boxed in with his contemporaries, wether its the ones he came up with on the blog scene as half of Abhi//Dijon, or the new ones he’s made in the modern indie scene since going solo. How Do You Feel About Getting Married? is full of surprises, with some of Dijon’s most electronic solo work (rock n roll) and also some of his sparsest productions (alley-oop, jesse). Between the unique vocal production, the genre fusing, and the melodies, no one is doing what Dijon is doing right now.
Standout Track: rock n roll