Motherlode’s Top 10 EP’s of 2020
10. Moonstone EP - Raveena [EMPIRE]
Raveena’s music is alluring and comforting in a way that not many other artists can harness. Her Moonstone EP proves once again to be a deeply calming and welcome piece of escapism. Serving up her usual psychedelia tinged soul, Raveena’s distinctly hypnotic and mystifying voice is capable of whisking the listener away to a serene realm.
Although, Moonstone does not showcase much of an evolution in Raveena’s overall sound, it does however highlight the merits of simplicity. By keeping things more succinct than on her debut full length, Raveena delivers yet another entrancing and laidback release, wrapped up in an indisputable and soothing charm that keeps drawing you back in.
9. Weird City - Jockstrap [Warp]
Wicked City, is London duo Jockstrap’s second EP and their debut for Warp Records. Of all the EP projects released this year, this is most likely the hardest to pin down.
Wicked City serves as a mesmerizing introduction to Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye’s hyperactive sound and unique compositional approach. Each track oscillates effortlessly between a variety of moods, energy levels and genres. This bizarre shapeshifting approach is simultaneously meticulous and playful, at once laidback then suddenly disorienting and chaotic.
If Jockstrap are capable of being this evasive and eclectic across only 4 tracks, one can only imagine what a full fledged LP from the duo might sound like.
8. How Can I - 박혜진 Park Hye Jin [Ninja Tune]
Two years after her captivating debut release, 박혜진 Park Hye Jin returns with her sophmore EP, How Can I. The albums sees the Seoul-born/L.A. based producer expand her sound as she trades in a variety of genre elements.
Her debut release for Ninja Tune takes a more daring and less conventional approach to Park’s debut. Making reference to a ton of different genres but never settling upon one for very long. Instead, Park traverses across house, techno, footwork, and even trap music in an osmotic haze.
Rife with catchy hooks and entrancing melodies, How Can I makes for an effortlessly cool, chilled-out and spacey house release.
7. They Call Me Disco - Ric Wilson & Terrace Martin [EMPIRE]
They Call Me Disco, is the rhythmically dynamic collaboration between rising Chicago rapper Ric Wilson and producer extraordinaire Terrace Martin.
Packing the nostalgia for the glittery freeness of the 70’s while still fitting into their respective genres of hip-hop and R&B. Wilson’s smooth lyricism complements the and slick summertime grooves and throwback funk.
The project offers up six jubilant tracks that exude enthusiasm and charisma and positivity. Yet, They Call Me Disco never lets itself slide into the sickly sweet or forced. Instead the duo provide a laidback, and effortlessly cool, warmth that truly evokes the joy of the summertime. Despite being sidelined by the virus ridden summer of 2020, this EP will no doubt be on our personal rotation for Summer ‘21.
6. Drop 6 - Little Simz [Age 101]
Little Simz made her Drop 6 EP during lockdown as a way to get back in touch with her roots. Doing away with fancy studios and recording engineers that have become commonplace across her recent LPs, Simz instead adopted a DIY approach to the production of her new EP.
Drop 6 may not have many moving parts but what is there is absolutely intoxicating. Where her prior release Grey Area concerned itself with broader themes and introspection, Drop 6 roots itself in the present. Providing punchy stripped back beats and a firm focus on lyricism the result is a tightly constructed, 12 minute, collection of assertive anthems. Yet, Simz never fully lowers her standards to shallow bravado, behind the self-assured delivery is the hint of vulnerability that makes Little Simz so incredibly earnest.
Drop 6, is a short but sweet reminder of Little Simz talents and further solidifies her growing reputation as one of the most reliable and consistent rappers in the UK.
5. Toner - PVA [Big Dada]
Yet another disciple of South London’s ingenious Speedy Wunderground, PVA’s debut EP for Ninja Tune’s taste-maker label Big Dada is pure techno-punk euphoria.
Although short in its run-time, and with a B-Side of remixes Toner’s glitchy synth grooves and rapturous production flourishes leave an impressively powerful impact on its audience. It is truly a testament to the talent of the group that a collection of three songs could capture the imagination of the listener and leave you yearning for more in such a way.
The glittery, effervescent production truly signpost that these tracks were constructed with a desire and focus on live performance. Where 2020 was supposed to be the year that PVA would take the underground scene by storm, we can only willfully hope that this year does not keep us waiting for much longer to witness these tracks in their intended form.
4. Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 - TKay Maidza [4AD]
Tkay Maidza's range is truly impressive. Where others may sound scattershot and muddled, Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 sees Maidza harness her different creative strengths into one cohesive release, or at least one that's confidence and charisma is able to carry all the way forward.
Last Year Was Weird is the kind of genre-hopping release one should expect from young artists who have developed within a streaming age; drawing from multiple styles and influences all pulled together in an impressive way.
Across only 8-songs Maidza is able to flaunt her versatility as an artist, blending ambitious, forward-thinking instrumentals and distinctly pop sensibilities. Across the album she serves us bouncy club-rap, slick funk and hazy R&B each just as infectious as the last.
3. I Can’t Go Outside - Channel Tres [Art For Good]
Channel Tres serves up another helping of his distinct fusion of classic house and West Coast rap.
A contender for the title of our favourite lockdown themed content of the year. I Can’t Go Outside is a collection of humourous reflections of life in perpetual enclosure and hazy nostalgia for the days before everything changed.
Delivered at the end of the year, Channel Tres provided us a reminder of the things we took for granted and a leisurely look back at a tumultuous year. A collection of groovy bops, smooth house, funk, and woozy R&B. Frustration has never sounded so laidback.
With this release marking the third EP in his career, it just makes us even more excited for what he’s got in store for his highly anticipated full length debut.
2. ALIAS - SHYGIRL [Because]
As the title would suggest, Shygirl's sophomore EP explores a variety of different facets of her personality. The result is a thrilling exploration into human duality and our darkest desires.
Bursting with one abrasive club-rap anthem after the other, ALIAS is an unabashed portal into the depravity behind performative personality. The EP boasts a twisted allure and intimidating sexuality that is both darkly salacious, confident, and glamourous all at once.
Reuniting with producer Sega Bodega, and boasting production credits from SOPHIE to Kai Whiston; the result is a shamelessly sordid and heavy modern Eurodance project that brings a degree of fetishism to the club.
1. PALIMPSEST - Hiatt DB [RHYTHM SECTION]
It’s particularly difficult to summarise quite how much Palimpsest captured our imagination this year. Perhaps due to lockdown, the well-balanced combination of re-listenability and infectious grooves just lent itself to endless replay value.
Rhythm Section’s first USA label recruit Hiatt Db’s debut release is quite simply an incredible breath of fresh air within breakbeat, adding an injection of psychedelia and acid house sensibilities to an. An album wall to wall with layered samples and danceable grooves that feel equally at home as a backdrop to your rainy day isolation as it would in a warehouse party.
A rhythmic masterpiece with no dull moments, Palimpsest is a tasty introduction to an artist that has you salivating at the thought of more and our personal favourite EP of 2020.
