Time to show some love to the little things in life! All EPs must have been released after 1/1/23 to be eligible, and only one entry is allowed per artist
5. Redwood – The Offering
RATING: 85/100 – Mostly Excellent
A wonderfully wistful body of work, Redwood’s latest EP perfectly captures their notably gorgeous artistic interpretations of pop and indie perfectly.
From the fantastically catchy hooks of the opening track ‘Oh Love’, to the sweeping and atmospheric ‘Dahlia’, everything here is written and performed with immense heart and character, Redwood ensuring that their sound is both immense and grounded. It’s a glittering and cinematic affair from start to finish, and a superb release from one of the most underrated indie acts around today.
4. The Callous Daoboys – God Smiles Upon The Callous Daoboys
RATING: 87/100 – Mostly Excellent
Pure, brilliant, unadulterated chaos. If there’s a combination of musical genres that you can think of, then chances are, The Callous Daoboys can make it work.
This three-track EP is a wild and raucous experience from start to finish, with a blistering energy and creative flair that is rapidly becoming the signature of this fantastic band. Whether the dense, heavy musicianship of ‘Waco Jesus’, or the explosive collaboration with pulses. on ‘Designer Shroud of Turin’, The Callous Daoboys are certain not to waste a single moment given to them.
3. Followship – Stigma
RATING: 90/100 – Excellent
Modern post-hardcore doesn’t get much better than this. Following on from their debut record ‘Violet Teenage Violence’, Followship returned this year with a brilliant five-track EP that perfectly demonstrates what is so exciting about them.
This band’s musicianship is so far above what so many of their peers are producing, with complex riffs executed in a manner that perfectly compliments the high-energy grooves that permeate the whole affair. On top of that, the vocal work is consistently incredible, with Devin Hatcher possessing a not just a slick, powerful melodic voice, but some simply killer unclean vocals, alternating between them with unparalleled effortlessness.
2. Save Face – …Found Dead At The Crime Scene
RATING: 90/100 – Excellent
An EP dressed up for a good time whilst looking for a bad time; Save Face dropped one of the finest emo releases of the year with this killer three-track record.
Everything here is delivered with a fierce and frenzied manner, as this New Jersey outfit delivers track after track of unapologetically over-dramatic bangers. Features from The Callous Daoboys and Heart Attack Man are welcome additions, especially with the latter featuring on the highlight track ‘Song the Bullets Sing’. Save Face are here to help make a whole new generation of emos.
- the great nothing – no one.
RATING: 94/100 – Excellent
On the Top 50 Songs of 2023 list, the great nothing came a close second with their killer track ‘dirty dishes’. Here, however, there’s no denying that they are number one easily.
’no one.’ is a phenomenal EP. Constructed less as a small collection of tracks, and almost like a true album, the great nothing gifted us four of the strongest alternative releases of the year on this body of work. From the crushing heaviness of ‘the dirt’, to the straightforward, punchy anthem that is ‘coming clean’, every song here feeds into one another thematically and musically, culminating in a simply incredible title track that is a monstrous showcase of musical talent.
This isn’t just the best the EP of 2023, but the best EP I’ve had the privilege to listen to yet.
VINYL FANTASY REVIEW EP OF THE YEAR
2021: Bouquet – Cardinal
2022: nightlife – fallback
2023: the great nothing – no one.
Come back tomorrow, as we’ll be closing out 2023 with the big one: the Top 10 Albums of 2023!
VINYL FANTASY REVIEWS 
Leave a comment