We all are used to reading and anticipating and composing lists like ‘Best Music Albums of 2022’ and so on. But less attention is given to the equally brilliant extended plays and mixtapes that artistes work hard on. Though shorter in length and accompanied by a less buzzy rollout of singles, and made possible with relatively lower production budgets, these EPs and mixtapes can often boast of songs equal or even superior in sound and songwriting than songs in major albums.
So let’s look at fifteen “eepees” and “mixies” of this year that are randomly picked to be put under the pop culture microscope (an exaggeration), and see what I think of them and if they are worth the listen. What did you think of them?
- Baby Tate – Mani/Pedi
For fans of Hip hop, R&B, Megan Thee Stallion
A potpourri of tracks mainly representing two sides of a woman: the Baddie and the Softie….
- PinkPantheress – Take me home
For fans of DNB, garage, KAYTRANADA, Mura Masa
Only three songs on this DnB/garage EP but it’s oh-so-worth-it.
- Jaz Karis – Dear Jaz
For fans of R&B, Ella Mai, AWA
Jaz Karis declares herself the suzerain of serene R&B music with Dear Jaz’s soothing sound until you give the lyrics a listen. Then it breaks your heart.
- Doechii – she / her / black / b***h
For fans of Rap, electro-rap, R&B, Rico Nasty, SZA
While we wait for the Florida rapper’s debut studio album, let’s feast on her 5-song extended play that sees her stretch her rap skills and genres to the limit.
- Bree Runway – Woah, What a Blur!
For fans of House, club, rap, pop
Just like the above-mentioned Doechii, British it-girl Bree Runway gives us something to chew on as she prepares for her major entrance. It’s an EP with one banger after another.
- Saweetie – The Single Life
For fans of Rap, R&B, pop, Doja Cat, H.E.R.
Controversies regarding its low sales notwithstanding, The Single Life is actually a blast: pretty, confident and sexy, just like the single life many women desire.
- Lava La Rue – Hi-Fidelity
For fans of R&B, Greentea Peng
Psychedelic R&B and rap converge in this groovy, sexy and mournful record.
- FLO – The Lead
For fans of R&B, Destiny’s Child, Cheetah Girls
The British trio consisting of Renee, Jorja and Stella emulate ’90s R&B and girl group glamour in what is a victorious banger of an EP.
- Bella Poarch – Dolls
For fans of Dance pop, electro pop, Grimes, Sub Urban, Mia Rodriguez
Girlboss feminism and spooky sounds collide in this cute 6-track EP by TikTok sensation Bella Poarch.
- Fazerdaze – Break!
For fans of Indie rock, grunge
Musician Amelia Murray fashionably declares her quarter-life crisis in this delicate, breezy and grungy record.
- Dee MC – MMM
For fans of Indian hip hop, Hakim
Mumbai-based emcee Deepa Unnikrishnan’s MMM (Money. Made. Maniac.) is equal parts spacey, searching and badass.
- Sevdaliza – Raving Dahlia
For fans of Electronica, club, grunge rock
The Iranian-Dutch artiste’s February release is a practice of precision in sound, abstract social commentary, restrained emotions and the “less is more” aesthetic.
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- Billie Eilish – Guitar Songs
For fans of Acoustic pop
Billie’s new EP only has two songs in them. And the guitar riffs in both sound a lot like Clairo’s Sling record. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
- Trillary Banks – 90s Baby
For fans of Old school hip hop, R&B
Owing to the seamless transitions of tracks, get ready for a near-authentic ’90s brainchild, with the tracks sampling classic ’90s R&B and rap music to make what is mainly a nostalgic mixtape curated for the purest old skewl hip hop heads.
- Natania – Take a Look
For fans of Bubblegum pop
All tracks of this triad are cut from the same cloth of commercial-friendly, self-confident, bubblegum-popping, hip-strutting pop.
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