#5EUK Top 25 EPs of 2023
Welcome one and all to my EP list for the 2023 EOY SZN!
I have so many EPs to drop here it’s crazy. You’d think that the self-imposed parameter of “only pick EPs I feel motivated to write about” would filter things enough! But no… It really didn’t. As I write this, I am still gritting my teeth, wanting to write about these EPs that will inevitably end up in my honourable mentions at the end.
But that’s the game! I only have so much time to spin and less time to write. So let’s jump right into this list of my favourite EPs of the year! As always, this isn’t ranked and I’m going by the time of me listening to the EP.
So with that said, we begin with an EP that dropped in early February:
Nejma Nefertiti & Zenati — Rapoeira
One of my hidden Hip-Hop gems in Nejma Nefertiti connects with producer Zenati to create this balanced project with equal amounts of rapped tracks and instrumental tracks. Ever since I spun Eric B. & Rakim’s discography I have always appreciated projects of this nature. It’s a rarity and considering how little credit producers get in the grand scheme, this format is a breath of fresh air.
With the format recognised, what you get with Rapoeira is a tight 15 minutes of deep-toned beats with great samples and tight cuts, overlapped by a light-toned Nejma cutting through with supreme mic confidence. Always look out for Napoleon Da Legend when it comes to a Nejma Nefertiti project because the result is always a fire back and forth.
The quicker you spin Nejma Nefertiti, the better.
Favourite Track — Double Edged Dagger
Vitamin Cea — What A Day
Sometimes I like to hit up the ol’ Bandcamp for some projects, most of the time it’s out of necessity which I’m all for. But whilst I was spinning another EP, I saw this project suggested. I thought to myself “I got 20 minutes, let’s see what this has got.”
I was presented with a Mississippi artist that flows from rapping to singing effortlessly, all over airy Contemporary R&B production.
The songs themselves are very indulgent — evidenced by the fact that there’s only five tracks and the EP totals at just under 22 minutes - (you do the math) but I love the versatility that Vitamin Cea provides with her voice. The breathy vocals of “in the bed”, then the honest bars on “feel that” set precedent for what is an EP that does exactly what an EP should do for an artist on the come up: Showcase who they are and how good they are.
Vitamin Cea gained a new fan with this one…
Favourite Track — feel that
Nia Archives — Sunrise Bang Your Head Against The Wall
Ah ladies & gentlemen, the adoration I have for someone like the aptly named Nia Archives who plants her feet firmly in the roots of Jungle and brings it to the modern audience to a huge fanfare makes me so damn happy.
You will not hear a project with a more apt first track than “Baianá”. The energy on that track is such a tone setter for the rest of the project. The Speed, the sample, it’s begging to be blasted out of speakers.
You think that’s all the EP will be, right? Wrong. You then get a softer number in “No Need 2 Be Sorry, Call Me?” which includes not just great Nia vocals but assistance from Maverick Sabre. The BPM might be fast but the rest of the track is echoed & holds a sombreness you feel after an argument.
This will be the most obvious statement ever but Nia is so next. How can she not be next?
Favourite Track — Baianá
Adanna Duru — NAPPY HOUR
The former American Idol contestant Adanna Duru comes next with a warm & bouncy Contemporary R&B six pack that shines in its variety. The deeper you go in this 18 minute EP, the more impressed you’ll be with Duru’s artistry.
“BABIES” is foundationally an intro track that paves way for the real tunes, starting with “Boogie” that reminds me of Monica/Brandy era R&B. But then we get into my favourites in “ur a bitch” & “POP” the prior screams Artful Dodger-esque garage with Duru straight skating with a litany of flows. Then “POP” which might be one of the rare Afrobeat (I’m generalising) tracks I thoroughly enjoy.
Similar to Vitamin Cea, this is an EP that expresses ones artistry in the best light possible. Once again, new fan gained.
Favourite Track — POP!
Kay Young — We Meet At Last
The ever-evolving Kay Young adds another layer to her artistry with another cracking EP! Last time we left her, we were fawning over “Middle Matters”, so much so that I had that EP on my 2020 list.
It’s crazy that it has been three years since but it’s clear that out of all the artists I’ve enjoyed in that time-span, nobody has taken a bigger jump than Kay Young.
What was once a Bedroom Hip-Hop artist cutting her teeth, is now a true artist who has improved immensely on her singing, song writing and willingness to try something new.
“We Meet At Last” gives off this Winehouse-esque essence that I’ve never gotten from Young before now. Her storytelling in songs like “We Rich” are always so vivid and light-hearted. She keeps the Bedroom essence in the back-end of the EP but we get given a new fold in her artistic fabric.
This EP gets me so excited for what Kay Young is going to do next. Album? Time will tell.
Favourite Track — We Rich
ENNY — We Go Again
In the very aptly named “We Go Again”, ENNY… Goes again! With another EP in the belt — “Under Twenty Five” still fresh in my memory — ENNY drops another tight, high-quality EP.
Whilst none of the tracks will reach the popularity peak that “Peng Black Girls” and its coinciding remix had, it is worth saying that she is still only just getting started.
“We Go Again” continues her lyrical journey with varied and introspective subject matter; the production consists of soft melodies and solid drums. She switches flows effortlessly, to the point where she can go from rapping to singing without warning.
And you know I’ll never say no to a Loyle Carner feature! Maybe they’ll perform “Take It Slow” at All Points East next year?
Favourite Track — Champagne Problems
Venna — EQUINOX
Off the back of being heavily involved in the Yussef Dayes universe among other projects, Venna returns to the EP list in lockstep with ENNY to drop “EQUINOX”.
Whilst his previous EP in “VENOLOGY” was a firm balance of Hip-Hop and Jazz, “EQUINOX” leans much more to the Jazz side. It’s clear that this project came out of sessions Venna has been involved in over the past year, the appearance of the aforementioned Dayes, Rocco Palladino & Marco Bernadis on “Sicily’ Box” confirms that thought.
The project is calm overall, inviting you to sit back and just let the sounds take you on a wavy ride. “Misty” with Knucks further deepens my wanting for a Venna/Knucks project and the Masego/Mick Jenkins combo on “Casa Lopez” is a clutch track.
I just know that Venna has more in the tank, I expect something from him in the next year to go right off the back of this.
Favourite Track — ‘99
Terri Walker — MY LOVE STORY
20 years after her critically acclaimed debut, Terri Walker continues to be one of the UK’s best contemporary singer/songwriters of this century.
It feels kind of bittersweet that I merely tripped onto this project when it dropped. I don’t know many UK R&B talents that have been going for as long as Walker has; with the way UK R&B has exploded in recent years, you would think that Terri Walker would be getting some flowers.
With that said, I have some flowers for Walker! Through “MY LOVE STORY” — produced by Children of Zeus’ Tyler Daley — you get a vet sounding so fresh over some equally fresh production. The vocal stacks are subtle and effective; the subject matter simple but effective. “I’m not the one” contains these light keys, smooth drums and gives Terri the stage, rightly so. “Fearless” is deliciously bouncy and contains the womanist punch that Mary J. Blige has made routine. And you know I like that sample on “Rhythm of Change”!
All the flowers for a modern legend.
Favourite Track — Fearless
Aaron Taylor — HAVE A NICE DAY!
From a UK R&B legend, to in my mind one of the best UK R&B talents going right now. Off the back of his album “ICARUS” getting into the top 3 of my Album list for 2020, Taylor (no relation) returns with a nice care package that serves in my opinion as a great gateway to Taylor & his artistry.
Over the past few years I’ve regularly railed against male R&B artists and their lack of quality but upon discovering Aaron Taylor a few years ago, he’s given me hope that the males in the R&B space can get on the level the women have been on and then some.
This EP was originally five tracks upon release, but a few weeks later, Taylor put four more tracks onto it. The funny thing is that I already had this in EP list consideration when it was five! Nine tracks was overkill in my view.
But hey! Who am I to reject a Kota The Friend feature on “Can’t Be Bothered”?!
Past that, the title track is quintessential Taylor: smooth, positive and so easy to sing along to; “Ebbs and Flows” is dreamy and “Coffee in the Morning” is another instance of Aaron referencing himself as something inanimate, in this case it’s coffee.
With crispy production and vocal execution, I expect that Aaron Taylor will continue to feature heavily on my lists in some capacity.
Favourite Track — Have a Nice Day
JONES — Magic In My Head
Speaking of an artist that I’ll always have at minimum guaranteed consideration for my lists, one of my “I wish I heard from them more” All-Stars in JONES has blessed me with “Magic In My Head”, her first project since “Blue Sunshine” in 2021.
JONES is always a voice that I value. Since I spun her debut album “New Skin” in 2016, I have been left wanting every time. The airy nature of her music is always disarming and lowers my figurative guard. It’s no different when it comes to this five-track EP.
It may come as no surprise to you that when I saw that Aaron Taylor was featuring on “Razor Blades”, (he also produced it) I was very much hoping I would like it. It’s on my Songs list for this year…
Past that, we have the same warm tones that I got with Taylor’s EP; “Hard To Be Happy” has the simple message the title suggests but the verses makes a hopeful plea that we all get past that feeling. “Dynamite” is a track that’s begging to be remixed but even as an original is dynamic and injects a bit of energy into the project.
With the final two tracks produced by edbl, JONES continues to be one of my personal favourites, regardless how much I am always left wanting more.
Favourite Track — Razor Blades
Apex Zero — Drummer Warrior Storyteller Pt. 2
After being put onto him last year, Friend of 5E Apex Zero is always cooking something and when it comes to his music, we got the next instalment of his multi-format project “Drummer Warrior Storyteller”.
Compared to Part 1 which made my EP list last year, this year’s edition is much less fiery, not to say it doesn’t pack a punch of course! But the feeling for this one here is one of reflection. The titling of the tracks provide a great headline for the true reading within them: Gratitude, Perspective, Love & Livity are the topics on hand here and they’re handled by Apex Zero with plenty of care and attention.
The favourite of the bunch for me would be “Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)” which has this purposefully metronomic production that globetrots; buoyed by the Moussa Dembele vocals and of course a passionate prose from Apex Zero.
Favourite Track — Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)
Raelle — Bloodlines
We love an independent artist over here, so to give love to someone that’s doing it in the best way they can is forever appreciated.
Raelle was one of the many discoveries I made this year and her EP “Bloodlines” is rich in musicianship and a quality performance by the woman in question.
It begins with “Grace” that is reminiscent of something Joy Crookes would make, beginning with strings but unfurling to become an incredibly layered track. The next track “(Oh) My Days” gives Cleo Sol vibes with its minimal production (bloody love that harp) but to be honest I’m beating around the bush.
There’s something about Raelle’s voice man. It’s not light, it’s not deep. It’s something right in the middle and I just adore it. Can’t wait to see how she grows as an independent artist.
Favourite Track — (Oh) My Days
KYE — Ribena
Yet another discovery I made this year sits firmly into my EP list as soon as I spun it.
Anchored by one of my SOTY in “Bossin’”, “Ribena” harkens back to the good ol’ days of the late 90s/early 00s. It’s not everyday I spin an EP so laser-focused in being an assortment of poppy club bangers but here we are! As “Bossin’”, “180” & “Clique” fits the bill I’ve given, “Heavy Love” with Budjerah is a great duet that could easily be a viral TikTok duet.
I appreciate the small breaths in between like “Sunkist (Sugar St Demo)” that break up the project nicely and slows things down just for a little bit, to unveil the final track — the title track — that leaves you in the era of Craig David, Sugababes & Artful Dodger.
Favourite Track — Bossin’
Tayah — Still Wonders
If you listen to “What’s Good?” you would’ve probably guessed that Tayah’s “Still Wonders” was going to pop up on this list at some point!
After talking to her for the Pod, (you can listen here) it gave me a new appreciation for a project that I was already into before finally setting up a day to talk to her. Her personal feelings on this project was great context to add onto how I already felt about the project, which was one of loving the free nature this EP gives me. “Momentary High”, the Reggae infused “No Way, Nuh Bligh” & “Dedicated2Favourite” makes me want to spark up.
Her voice is soft and embracing; the production is varied but keeps a throughline; it’s one of the most consistent projects of this year, so much so that it’s hard to pick a favourite track! But I managed…
Favourite Track — The Sun Sets in the West
ECKOES — Fractals
One of the oldest Friends of 5E (One of the first I interviewed, not her age…) in ECKOES is back after some great milestones in the past year. I can vouch, because I’ve seen her twice live and it has been great to see her flourish as an artist.
“Fractals” is all but the beginning in my mind. Five tracks of the most layered songs you will hear. Her vision for her artistry is insurmountable, you will never guess what is coming next and a great example is “Fractals”.
“How To Run” is heart-wrenching, “Missing You” is soft in every facet excluding that fat bass drop and “Without Prejudice” sounds post-apocalyptic.
Add in one of the most unique vocals you’ll ever hear and you got yourself an EP bursting with emotion and an artist just beginning to gain significant momentum.
Favourite Track — Missing You
Backwood Sweetie — Ancestral Aspect
Finishing up the trifecta of Friends of 5E is Maryland’s own Backwood Sweetie who has frankly been on a tear this year with “Ancestral Aspect” being my favourite of the bunch.
I referenced Backwood Sweetie once as a lyricist reborn and it’s amazing watching someone start again and already providing top tier work.
In this four-track odyssey, you get just a taste of her artistic worldview: A lens of Blackness in all of its divine beauty. Purposeful imagery in every line, every word, every letter.
It’s a worldview that hasn’t been seen much when it comes to contemporary Hip-Hop, but damn do I appreciate her intent in bringing it back.
Favourite Track —Black August
She Who Won’t Be Named — Time To Change
Another Bandcamp discovery for this one! After spinning a different Backwood Sweetie project, I was suggested “Time To Change” by Memphis, Tennessee’s She Who Won’t Be Named. (Yes, that is her full artist name!) And like Vitamin Cea, I was intrigued, and here we are!
Considering this is her first EP & second drop of any form via her Bandcamp, damn is she impressive!
The immediate comparison I can make is Noname which is probably the first time I could make that about anyone; SWWBN walks us through her lyrical paintings with intimacy and a feeling of freedom, all over often time-jumping beats.
SWWBN gives off an infectious fun in her performance to the point where if I was an artist and I hosted a studio session, I would want her to come through. I rarely hear a free-feeling artist but I really appreciate the feelings that emanate from this EP.
Favourite Track —Time To Change (Intro)
Terrace Martin & James Fauntleroy — Nova
Has it been the year of Terrace Martin? For me it has.
To release SEVEN projects, all musically different from the one another? It’s honestly been so objectively impressive in how Terrace has put his name on seven projects and they’re all quality.
The only EP of the bunch — “Nova with James Fauntleroy — is one of the more edible of the bunch for the casual listener. “Online Shopping” is smooth and pacy, “Witchcraft” with Robert Glasper knocks on the door of Bossa Nova (pun intended?) but it’s the two tracks in “Chocolate For Dinner” and especially “Like It Like That” with Chief Adjuah that get me going. The latter is bright and colourful with the addition of Adjuah’s trumpet to cap the song off.
The EP is blissful; and if you haven’t spun any of the Terrace Martin’s — and I can’t stress this enough — SEVEN ’23 projects, start here.
Favourite Track — Like It Like That
Chip Wickham — Love & Life
In light of Andre 3000 coming back with what has bluntly been called “Flute Music”, it’s good to know that there’s an appetite for Flute!
With that said… Here’s a Flute-centred Jazz EP!
I’ve been a fan of the warm compositions of Chip Wickham for a few years now. The well-travelled Saxophonist/Flutist is a go-to for me when I need something that is soulful and more importantly calm. Enter “Love & Life”: A four-track, nearly 27 minute EP of quality Flute playing with Drums, Double Bass and Piano serving as a foundation throughout.
There are other instruments depending on the track — including some Chip Sax — but it can’t be overstated that this is one of my favourite Jazz projects of the year, regardless of length.
Favourite Track — Space Walk
Xenia Manasseh — LOVE / HATE Pt. 1
Editor’s Note: I have done a whoopsie and put an album on my EP list, but I still want to give love to this project, even when it’s firmly under half an hour!
I often think about the amount of things I miss out on simply because I don’t look in a certain place. I don’t even know how I came across Kenyan R&B rising star Xenia Manasseh (Zee-Nia) but I’m glad I could put some contemporary African work on this list.
With one of the strongest starts to a project in the beautiful “G.I’s Intro” which features Xenia doing a duet with her grandfather, this work begins with heart and continues on that path. The strings of “Soul Lovers” are delicious and the vocals on “Cheza Chini” are to die for.
Past that, you have yourself a high-quality Contemporary R&B project that should be on every R&B listener’s radar. And whilst I’ve (officially) put this on the wrong list, I’m still looking for a non-African to gass this up.
Favourite Track — Soul Lovers
Junkheart — In Gloom
Ever since I started going to live shows, I always valued the support act. I was given a great case of this in my first: Little Simz supporting Kano. With Little Simz as my favourite artist right now, I can vouch for how it is worth just getting to the venue and seeing what the support is like, you truly might gain your new favourite, even if they’re supporting the person you’re actually there for in that moment.
As I was talking about Friend of 5E ECKOES’ EP “Fractals”, I mentioned that I saw her twice live this year. The latter one @ The Grace brought me to this EP right here.
The one man operation in Junkheart — like many musicians — has attempted to build something many times. He told what I interpreted as his backstory during his set: starting bands, those bands breaking up and now it’s just him. It’s a story that many a musician can tell themselves.
And as someone that does a lot of things solo (which ironically includes going to shows) I can appreciate someone doing it themselves. I spun “In Gloom” soon after the show and loved the world he built here. In just under 20 minutes, you’re taken through a six-track EP of what I interpret as young love attempting to blossom under a cyberpunk backdrop. The visuals are so bright when I listen to this and I appreciate the juggling of mixing the old & new to make something unique.
Favourite Track — Black & Blue
KiLLOWEN — Pub Therapy
Big ups to my DITD Co-host Ben for throwing me this absolute banger of an EP. After he saw KiLLOWEN live over in Australia, he immediately put me onto “Pub Therapy” and it was pretty much an instant addition to the EP list.
In a similar way to KYE, if you reach back and bring some classic vibes to the modern sound, I will at minimum listen and at best laud you for bringing back some of my childhood motifs.
Hey! This is my damn list, I can add something with nostalgia glasses on okay! Let. Me. Cook!
In all seriousness, this EP is a breath of fresh air. With slow-dance tunes like “Landmines”, the acquired taste of “One Thing” which samples Amerie’s “1 Thing” and the absolutely beautiful “Holding On”, KiLLOWEN gets as introspective as anybody this year.
This entire EP is a lyrical diary entry, but he does find time to lay down a freestyle in a radio station near the end. Think The Streets with a less eccentricity and more embracing of sounds that peaked as far as 30 years ago.
Favourite Track — Holding On
Nicholson. — September Sky
Another near instant addition to the list, I dare you to find a rapper with the same voice as Nicholson.
But that’s only scratching the surface. How is man barring over string arrangements? This project sonically is some of the most chilled works I’ve heard in some time, and I know a thing or two about spinning chilled projects!
His flows go so good over the intimate production, the (I’m guessing) Midlands twang is so different compared to the usual landscape that we’re exposed to, especially when it comes to Black British music.
Come for some of the smoothest production this year, stay for the outstanding Nicholson. performance in every category.
Favourite Track — Woodgrain
BigXThaPlug — The Biggest
Texas’ own BigXThaPlug has stayed in the back of my mind all year. He started the year dropping his album “AMAR” and then out of nowhere, drops this care package in “The Biggest” with tracks that could’ve easily made the album!
Safe to say, the man is cooking right now. I go immediately to “Mmhmm” with that classic “And the Beat Goes On” sample. You may not know the name, but you’ll know the sample immediately. The way he just skates on these beats are something to behold. The flex bars hit, the beats are fat, what more can you want?
Along with an Offset feature on “Climate” & Ro$ama on “‘02 Lakers”, BigXThaPlug easily gets on this list with an effortless and charismatic performance.
Favourite Track — Mmhmm
Amaria — All For You
The final entry to my EP list is a project that I was spinning on the way home one day and simply couldn’t get over how great this project sounds from start to finish.
The Floridian talent Amaria bathes in mellow but layered production, letting loose her soft vocals, culminating in an intimate work that evokes the likes of Erykah and Amel.
The features in Destin Conrad, Amber Navran & PHABO fit nicely in this project but don’t get it twisted, this is an Amaria EP that put her silky vocals centre stage. Can’t wait to see what she’s going to do now that she has a couple EPs under her belt.
Favourite Track — Only
Honourable Mentions:
Kota The Friend — Lyrics To GO, Vol. 4
Bawo — Legitimate Cause
New Sector Movements — These Times
Vic Spencer & 38 Spesh — Greenthumbs Meets Trigger Fingers
Che Noir & Big Ghost Ltd — Noir Or Never
Tank and The Bangas — Pretty Poems
Yaya Bey — Exodus the North Star
Aza Lineage — Kingston To Cali
38 Spesh — Gunsmoke
Chelsea Reject — Bubble Grl
redveil — playing w/ fire
Dell Nellson — Charlotte’s Unfortunate Death
DEACON — What’s The Music Ting Saying
Tora-i — & what else?
Ashley Henry — My Voice
Mnelia — Closure Tapes
K.Zia — Kintsugi Heart
Marquis Hill — Rituals + Routines
Tainted Tazz — The Commencement
Miles. — Everywhere and Nowhere At All
Itee — PAPERS
Hamzaa & 1SRAEL — RUSH
Barney Artist — Just, My Demos…
AMAKA — OASIS
Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist — VOIR DIRE
Blu & Real Bad Man — Bad News
Ehua — Clouds
Khazali — Born For This
Lizzie Berchie — Am I An Adult Yet?
Safiyyah — Motions
muva of Earth — align with Nature’s Intelligence
femdot. — Free Samples, Vol. 1
Jaydonclover — room service? volume two
2nd Exit & Imaginary Friend — All Out
All Day Breakfast Café — Have You Seen This Queen
Joel Culpepper — Happiness Is Only A Few Miles Away
Mega — Honour and Glory
Ego Ella May — FIELDNOTES PT III
douniah — A Lot, Not Too Much
Backwood Sweetie & K!NG jvmes — Syzygy
Layfullstop — RUGGED
Karl Benjamin — There In 5
Zino Vinci — Filthy & Disgusting
