Countdowns Wrap-Up: Top 5 EPs

The music industry is in continual change, and one of the things I've noticed (especially internationally) is that more and more artists are choosing to release EPs rather than albums. I don't think it's fair to pit them against full-length albums, as it's easier to have five awesome songs than it is to have twelve, but I also wanted to make sure that these amazing releases got their due on my blog. So here they are... my top five EPs of 2013.
 

1. The Fooo
I used to not be enthralled with the idea of a boyband, but that was before they started churning out some of the best pop music around. The Fooo are young, fresh and bring an extraordinarily high energy to the pop scene. Best of all? Each song is a solid gold hit and comes with its own promo video. There's no filler here.

2. Anton Ewald - A
Fresh off of his Melodifestivalen success, Ewald opted for an EP rather than a full-length, and that was a smart choice because it allowed him to distill what was great about his hit single Beggin' and craft a handful of other tracks that lived up to its promise. No dreary ballads here, just great Scandinavian pop music.And from the sound of his new track (which I'm sure I'll write about next week), this is just the tip of the iceberg.

3. Henry - Trap
Probably the most Americanized K-Pop release of the year (it even has a song entirely in English), this still manages to take the best from both worlds and work as a really solid endeavor in international radio pop. No pretensions beyond those of making some incredibly catchy tracks.

4. Diviney - Sex Games
The Short Stack frontman stepped out with an extension of the sound from his band's most recent album. Self-financed through a Kickstarter-like format, I was delighted that he was able to get the music out in this way.

5. Seungri - Let's Talk About Love
Big Bang's youngest member released his second EP, and it definitely improved on the first with a string of excellent r&b flavored dance tracks. Guest spots from fellow bandmates G-Dragon and Taeyang certainly didn't hurt.

Diviney - Skeleton

"I don't wanna go home"

I've been a little sluggish on writing about Diviney's new Sex Games EP (it was released over a week ago), but it's not due to a lack of excitement. The entire thing's very good. It's like a continuation of the (excellent) last Short Stack album. A welcome dose of sorta-funky, sorta-80's rock music. If you liked You're So Cool or the title track (and how could you not?), you'll love the other four new tracks that accompany them. Best of all is Skeleton, with its uptempo, bombastic production and INXS-esque melody. The instrumental bit after the chorus reminds me so much of another song... I just can't quite put my finger on it.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Diviney - Sex Games

"I stole a kiss from you, but I need more"

Diviney is back with a new single! I couldn't be more excited. The band is, of course, Shaun Diviney (formerly of Short Stack) and his cohorts. He/they released the brilliant You're So Cool last year, which had a funky INXS-vibe to it that I latched onto immediately. Sex Games follows suit, adding plenty of keyboards to the mix. It wouldn't sound out of place on Short Stack's last album, but he does seem to be going for a lighter, poppier sound. No complaints here. I still think he's one of the most charismatic frontmen out there right now and I can't wait to hear the rest of the EP, which is due to be released in a couple weeks. I hope Australia (and maybe the world) will embrace this as much as they did his former band. It's the kind of cool, catchy pop/rock that the radio could use more of nowadays.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 15-11

15. Mika - Celebrate



The most celebratory (obviously) single of Mika's career. It's him at his simple, melody-driven best.

14. EXO-K - History



One of the funkiest beats of the year, and a melody written by the always reliable Thomas Troelsen.

13. Diviney - You're So Cool



Went straight from Short Stack to 80's, INXS-style funk-pop. Totally irresistible.

12. Bigbang - Fantastic Baby



If only people knew that there was a 2012 K-Pop single with even more bombastic, earth-shaking dance beats than Gangnam Style...

11. Fun. - Some Nights 



Fun.'s masterpiece, and what I hope will be the template for every track from here on.

Diviney - You're So Cool

"You are the best I've ever had"

I love surprises, and this is definitely a great one. Now, it may not be a surprise to those who follow the band more closely than I do, but I had no idea that Shaun Diviney, leader of Australia's Short Stack, was releasing a solo album. Short Stack were responsible for one of my absolute favorite albums of 2010. I still play it today. Unfortunately, the band have since disbanded, but if this song is any indication, I'm not too upset. Diviney's solo work sounds a bit different from SS, but it's a welcome progression. I feel like he kind of went from Billy Idol to INXS. It's still in the wheelhouse for his charismatic voice, but the sound is brighter and dancier than before. You're So Cool is a HIT, perfect for the Summer and perfect for radio. Embrace it people, please! I need more music from him, because I am totally in love with this track.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Learn more about his music here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.