In the streaming age, the lines between albums, mixtapes, EPs, and whatever else you may want to call a project are increasingly blurred and often indistinguishable. So, for the sake of the nitpickers amongst you; yes, some of these aren’t technically EPs, but it makes a snappier title than ‘short projects’. The qualifying criteria was any project explicitly labelled as an EP, or any other multi-track project of 20 minutes or less.
20
EsDeeKid Rebel
Top Track: LV Sandals
The enigmatic Scouse sensation enjoyed a breakout 2025. Tied to the UK hip-hop underground’s emerging jerk scene, EsDeeKid’s debut is a murky concoction of trap, drill, synth gloss, and a heavy Liverpudlian accent as the key ingredient. His bars never stray too far from designer gear (both of the wearable and the white powder variety), so depth isn’t really the point here. Nor is it necessary given the TikTok generation’s low attention span tendencies; across 11 tracks, rarely cracking the 2-minute mark, it’s an almost all-killer blast of raw attitude and menacingly memorable hooks.
Although, if the Chalamet conspiracy theories do somehow turn out to be true, then I still reserve the right to consider this terrible.
Update: So this happened👇 to fully quash the rumours (I think?), and I can only applaud all involved.
19
54 Ultra First Works
Top Track: Upside Down
54 Ultra (aka New Jersey singer/ songwriter/ producer, JohnAnthony Rodriguez) presents as a throwback; a dapper Latin crooner belonging to a bygone era. But his debut EP suggests this project is far more than an exercise in nostalgia. Fusing inspirations from the alternative R&B of the likes of Frank Ocean and Blood Orange, with the light dreamy psych of Tame Impala or Beach House. The androgyny of his vocals allows these yearning tales to tread a line between lovesick innocence and heavy-hearted anguish. Smooth modern pop with classic soul sensibilities.
18
Perfect Chicken Pecking Order
Top Track: Comet
The boiler-suited, balackava’d Teeside trio capture the surrealist chaos of their live shows with this rapid-fire 15-minute debut. Serving up a ragtag assortment of lo-fi garage punk, ramshackle country lullabies, and psychedelic freakouts. Beyond their self-styled brand of ‘regressive rock’, they know their way around a hook and you suspect there may just be a great band in waiting here. But enjoy them while you can in all their absurdist glory; like a bizzaro comedy troupe turned punk band. (Read More)
17
The Toxic Crusaders The Toxic Crusaders
Top Track: Safe to Say
Mashing boom-bap grit with woozy lo-fi haze, The Toxic Crusaders’ self-titled debut EP finds Pacific Northwest MCs Araless and Hash Adams stepping into a comic book dystopia inspired by the cult 90s cartoon they’re named after. Samples from the series are spliced through Thad Wenatchee’s breezy, bouncy, and occasionally warped production. Tongue-twisting bars are exchanged cipher-style, while Araless showcases his knack for effortlessly soulful hooks. A playful throwback offering some mutated nostalgia.
16
Āthmaan The Eternal Spirit
Top Track: Threepeat
The up-and-coming Toronto producer builds on the promise of his 2024 solo LP with this collection of vibrant, pop-leaning hip-hop. His Indian-inspired beats pulse with the addition of increasing house elements. A rotating cast of trusted collaborators bring a mix of youthful exuberance and gruff introspection. The project’s hints of mystic spiritualism give the feel that these young MCs are delivering their bars as offerings laid at the altar of a higher power. Another promising showcase for Āthmaan and the Secret Scriptures crew.
15
Westside Gunn HEELS HAVE EYES
Top Track: EGYPT
The ever-prolific Buffalo rapper has already spun out this wrestling-inspired project into a trilogy. While the subsequent album-length releases may include higher highs, Gunn is better served by the shorter EP runtime at this point in his career; naturally curtailing the samey-ness of his well-worn formula. But what a formula it can still be. With his endlessly inventive illustrations of ostentatious wealth, backed here by a demonstration of his often impeccable ear for beats. There’s classic cinematic coke-rap, smoky soul, and the hard boom-bap banger, EGYPT (which spawned an even better Doechii-featuring remix). A brief reminder of why Westside Gunn is still so good at what he does. (Read more)
14
Lex Vervain Lex Vervain
Top Track: Made In Heaven
Lex Vervaine’s debut EP deals in dreamy, indie-folk elegance with dark, foreboding undertones; echoing the likes of Jeff Buckley and Ryan Adams (I know, I know; but he did do some pretty great stuff once upon a time). The London songwriter’s quavering falsetto and confessional lyrics give the impression he’s whispering poetic proclamations directly to you. But there’s also an off-kilter, sinister edge, like the nervous motorik beat of Made in Heaven, or the piercing, accusatory piano stabs amidst the drunken, jealous outpouring of Digital Sink. Vervaine offers a window into moments of intimate beauty, while also exposing raw, ugly truths.
13
Swimming Bell Somnia
Top Track: I’m Always Down
Just as its aquatic cover image suggests, Swimming Bell’s Somnia offers a brief submersion away from the weight of the world. The latest project from LA-based songwriter, Katie Schottland, drifts with the gentle sun-drenched harmonies of 70s Laurel Canyon folk, wrapped in a haze of dream-pop serenity. Doleful twangs of Americana hint at worries that may await, but this is a tranquil, transformative listen that lets you briefly forget the surface.
12
Burial Comafields / Imaginary Festival
Top Track: Comafields
The influential London electro producer returned with a two-track ambient suite of slow-release euphoria laced with an undercurrent of brooding tension. The grainy textures of Burial’s masterful sound design allows blissful echoes to fitfully emerge from the fog, only to quickly evaporate away. Half-remembered remnants of past joy suspended in a haunted, uneasy limbo.
11
Moletrap Mid Welsh, Pt. 1
Top Track: Nation of Sanctuary
Moletrap’s Mid Welsh Pt. 1 finds the Welsh trio seeking to connect with their Cambrian Mountain roots. That may sound like the pre-amble for a misty-eyed ambient meditation, but Moletrap immediately blast away that notion. Delivering heavy-hitting alt-rock packed with big choruses, as they explore Welsh identity with a pronounced absurdist streak. Across five tracks, the band’s eclectic instincts shine as grunge, folk, and jangle pop collide, before culminating in the excellent funk-tinged standout, Nation of Sanctuary. An uproarious first instalment proving that honouring your heritage doesn’t have to be boring.
10
The Null Club The Null Club EP
Top Track: Frameshift
On The Null Club EP, Gilla Band’s Alan Duggan Borges stages electrifying duels between his harsh soundscapes and their respective guest stars. Frameshift pulsates punishingly, before Armand Hammer MC, ELUCID hacks through the static like a lone preacher prophesising into the void. The Horrors’ Faris Badwan counters the chaos with a cool goth-rock croon as the industrial storm intensifies around him. While Parisian firebrand, Valentine Caulfield meets the challenge head-on; spitting sharp, urgent lines that push the noise into overdrive. Across these three tracks, Borges engineers volatile showdowns; the sound of humanity locked in combat with the machines.
9
Magana Bad News
Top Track: I’m Not Doing Anything
Bad News closes out a trilogy of releases from LA’s Jeni Magaña; threading the line between the eclectic indie explorations of 2024’s impressive Teeth LP, and ambient project, DREAMS. Landing on what she describes as ‘winter pop’; these are stark, delicate indie folk songs that find comfort in the stillness. Lush strings wrap around her feather-light vocals, which hover like warm breath in the cold air. This takes Magana’s sound into its most fragile and focused form; intimate storytelling that twinkles with a mystical glint.
8
Chiedu Oraka Undeniable EP
Top Track: Kid On The Estate
Undeniable is another self-assured statement from ‘The Black Yorkshireman’; an MC building a growing reputation through his distinct regional identity. Expanding beyond long-time collaborator, Deezkid, Oraka taps multiple producers without losing the core of raw UK grime and garage beats that fuel his sound. With his thick Hull accent and near 30-year-old football references, he’s certainly no trend chaser, and that’s exactly the point. Swaggering, punchy, and proudly Northern; Oraka shows that authenticity hits harder than hype.
7
La Reezy LAREEZYANA SHAKEDOWN
Top Track: Hardhead
In a productive and near-breakout year for the rising New Orleans star, LAREEZYANA SHAKEDOWN acts as a perfect introduction to La Reezy’s infectious style, which splits the difference between booming southern hip-hop and soulful pop-rap. The EP’s stylistic eclecticism gives each track its own flavour, from smooth chipmunk soul, bouncy dirty south throwbacks, to the horn-inflected joy of the brilliant, HARDHEAD. Tied together by Reezy’s sharp, introspective lyricism, this is a vibrant and thoughtful effort from an artist surely on the verge of bigger things.
6
The Dream Machine Fort Perch Rock
Top Track: Smells Like Rain
Previewing their upcoming third album, one of Britain’s most underrated young bands prove even their B-sides can stand up with their best work. This is a short, sharp showcase for their uncanny balance of freak-flecked psych-pop and baroque pop craftsmanship. A reverb-soaked cover of 60s rock ’n’ roll crooner, Dion’s Daddy Rollin typifies their vintage inspirations colliding with their chaotic instincts. Zak McDonnell’s songwriting swings from wild-eyed mania to doe-eyed yearning; you’re never quite sure whether you’ll get something completely heartfelt or completely unhinged.
5
Ro$ama Orange Tape
Top Track: Microwave
Dallas rapper, BigXthaPlug, has been one of the past few years’ biggest breakout names, but his 2025 detours into bro-country left a lot to be desired (while probably leaving a lot of money in his pockets). Fortunately, his right-hand man, Ro$ama, picks up the mantle with a tape full of hard-edged, soulful Southern rap. With features from BigX himself, Duke Deuce, and That Mexican OT, Ro$ama doesn’t just hold his own, but outshines his guest stars with his high-energy delivery. The subject matter sticks to classic trap-dreams-come-true lore, but thanks to thunderous production and Ro$ama’s gift for instantly sticky hooks, he makes sure to seize his moment in the spotlight with style.
4
PUNCHBAG I’m Not Your Punchbag
Top Track: Fuck It
Sounding something like Charli XCX meets Sleigh Bells, this South London sibling duo straddle the line between insufferable youthful obnoxiousness and infectious youthful energy. Their debut EP with legendary independent label, Mute Records, captures that dichotomy. Their sheer in-your-face earnestness is almost overwhelming, but this exhilarating 10-minute sugar rush of euphoric, frenetic electro-pop is simply irresistible.
3
Grace Ives Singles
Top Track: My Mans
Following the success of 2022’s Janky Star LP, Grace Ives’ long-anticipated return demonstrates she’s still a leading light in modern alt-pop. Her breathy vocals perch delicately atop stuttering beats and glitchy, distorted synths; inevitably crescendoing into contagious chorus hooks. Avalanche peaks with her buoyant, wavering trill, while on Dance With Me she spits out words in a ball of nervous energy. And My Mans is one of her best efforts yet, an epic electro ballad, making her case for full-blown pop stardom; a track that should really be an absolute cultural juggernaut.
2
Arkayla DON’T LOOK FOR ANSWERS
Top Track: Waste of Time
Manchester four-piece, ARKAYLA, channel the North-West’s musical DNA; from The Beatles’ 60s psych-pop classics through to Oasis’ 90s stadium indie anthems. It’s a well-worn path of many a young band, but there’s not many that do it as well as this. This is an undeniably catchy four-track collection, with each feeling like a future indie essential. The influence of The La’s looms large, with heavy hints of their gorgeous jangle-pop melodies, and Cal Blakebrough’s vocals carrying the rough and ready charm of a young Lee Mavers. But they’re also capable of firing off bright, spirited indie-pop in the vein of early Vampire Weekend. Potentially the UK’s next big indie stars in waiting.
1
Westside Cowboy This Better Be Something Great
Top Track: Alright Alright Alright
That tag of ‘UK’s next big indie stars’ currently rests with Westside Cowboy; their debut EP’s title offering a playful wink to the surrounding hype. This Manchester quartet look a little further afield to shape their self-styled brand of ‘Britainica’; a mishmash of largely American influences, bastardised into their own uniquely anglicised form. Classic indie rock touchstones are evident; from the quiet-loud dynamics of Pixies, to Pavement’s weary slacker-dom, alongside hints of the recent Americana-tinged indie wave coming from across the Atlantic. While the closing country ballad sounds like a newly uncovered relic (in the best way). The result is something that’s always captivatingly raw and sometimes gloriously raucous (shoutout the manic rumbling of drummer, Paddy Murphy). ‘Britainica’ might make a tidy tagline, but Westside Cowboy sound like they can be whatever they want to be at any given moment.
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