best of Ewan Chaos's Best of 2020! | Done!

[Sunderland 4ever]

8 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

Top 10 EPs of 2020

 

10.) Khruangbin, Leon Bridges - Texas Sun (Psychedelic Rock/Country Soul)

This is a cute collaboration EP that I (spoiler alert) enjoy more than Khruangbin's full LP. A great listen to in the car on a sunny day.

Listen to: Texas Song, C-Side

Cool! That was my first encounter with Khruangbin. A nice EP indeed; however, his 2020 LP blew me away.

[madonnas]

I LOOOVE ok crazy but the rest of the EP was cute only.  I need to check out the io and Kirby EPs.. cuz they sound up my alley (rip )

[Psycho]

I don't know any of those people but I support it

[Pink Matter]

I see Khruangbin and I save to my AM library 

[Delta]

I have a new list of EPs to discover 

[K$Ellie]

welp the way I almost never listen to (non-kpop) EPs, I hope Shygirl makes it though which she should judging by your taste

 

 

17 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

Also I watch this meme every year and try to show it to someone new, this year it's my poor bf

I hope he liked it, dump him if not

 

[Ewan Chaos]

Yeah my EPs section (I think even the additional 11 EPs you won't see nn) are mostly unknowns, but definitely worthy of being checked out! I also don't usually listen to EPs so it's kinda odd I got more than 10 even here.

 

Let's finish this up! I also finalized my worst 10 albums list and best 50 albums list. Can't wait! (full EP list in next post, I'll check out yalls Best Ofs later!)

 

5.) India Jordan - For You (French House/UK Garage)

House BOPS baby! I actually didn't even realize some of these had strong samples, so I discovered some classic jams too. I always have one house-centric EP that I wind up loving in a year; if you're looking for the same then check this out!

Listen to: I'm Waiting (Just 4 U), For You, Dear Nan King

 

4.) Troye Sivan - In a Dream (Synthpop)

Troye is kinda gay excellence since Bloom, no? IN A DREAM is pop excellence in the vein of RAWM and STUD carries on the tradition of Troye's gayest songs being his best (I couldn't believe people said they didn't like it in the ATRL thread?!).

Listen to: IN A DREAM, STUD, Easy

 

3.) Shygirl - Alias (UK Bass/Experimental Hip Hop)

Honestly, I still need more time to get into this EP and can see it pushing its way to #2 down the line, but this is a pretty damn flawless EP even from my first few listens. Clearly, I preferred the "bass" stuff over the "hip hop" stuff. I ****ing hate the MOISTURIZE ME album cover though.

Listen to: SIREN, FREAK, TASTY

 

2.) Highasakite - The Bare Romantic Pt. 2 (Indie Pop/Synthpop)

This is an interesting one to have so high (teehee) up here in my ranking (even in my opinion), but these 4 songs sound like the best songs on Highasakite's 2014 album AKA their best one. I adore the message of Under the Sun especially. Check this out if you're looking for a fix while waiting for Lykke Li's 4th album to drop; the singer sounds very similar!

Listen to: Under the Sun, All for Love, The Bare Romantic

 

1.) Christine and the Queens - La Vita Nuova (Synthpop/Art Pop)

A visual EP that contains a mix of French, English, Spanish and Italian singing and has a Caroline feature? I have no choice but to stan. She's really a queen of the dirty pop as exemplified by her album Chris and continued with the incredible title track, but People I've Been Sad just continues to strike a chord with me as this ****ing pandemic rages on. You know the feeling.

Listen to: People I've Been Sad, La Vita Nuova (feat. Caroline Polachek), Mountains (We Met)

[Ewan Chaos]

Full Ranked List of 2020 EPs

 

Ranking	Artist	Top Song Choice	Good Songs	Meh Songs	Notes
1	Christine and the Queens	People, I've been sad	La Vita Nuova (feat. Caroline Polachek), Mountains (We Met)		A visual EP, mix of French, English, Spanish and Italian singing, Caroline feature, Christine just being a legend in GENERAL? I have no choice but to stan
2	Highasakite	Under The Sun	All for Love, The Bare Romantic		This is an interesting one to have so high (teehee) up here, but these 4 songs sound like Highasakite's best songs from their 2014 album AKA their best one
3	Shygirl	SIREN	FREAK, TASTY		Honestly, I still need more time to get into this EP but it's pretty damn flawless even from my first few listens
4	Troye Sivan	IN A DREAM	STUD, Easy		Troye is kinda gay excellence since Bloom, no?
5	India Jordan	I'm Waiting (Just 4 U)	For You, Dear Nan King		House BOPS baby! I actually didn't even realize some of these were samples, so I discovered some classic jams too
6	Michi	Night Moves	Sugarbaby, Estranged		I heard the sexy Night Moves back in March and admittedly this EP is still a bit new, but this and Sugarbaby alone are so luxurious I just know I'm gonna be playing this for a while
7	Tei Shi	Die 4 Ur Love	Johnny, OK crazy	Goodbye	Happy she seems to be doing better on a new label. This is good!
8	i_o, Lights	Drift Away	Annihilation		RIP i_o; was happy Lights did a bit of experimenting since this is quite a new sound for her
9	KIRBY	We Don't Funk	Apple, Penny		Funky queen
10	Khruangbin, Leon Bridges	Texas Sun	C-Side		I like this quite a bit more than Khruangbin's actual album honestly
11	Bullion	We Had A Good Time	Hula, O Vermona		You know we had a good time, chile!
12	Orville Peck	Legends Never Die (feat. Shania Twain)	Kids		Doesn't touch last year's album, but it's pretty cute
13	Angel Du$t	Turn Off The Guitar	Lil House		I really liked their album last year, so still being into that made me play this a bit more
14	Mickey Guyton	Black Like Me	Rose		I think this would be higher up if I listened to it earlier than like 3 days ago
15	Bibio	Sleep On The Wing	Oakmoss		I only really listen to the first song but it's a pretty good EP overall
16	Clare Maguire	Emilie	Tokyo With You		Cute, doesn't touch the 2016 album tho come on Clare I neeeeeeed more of THAT
17	Chromeo	Cabin Fever	Clorox Wipe	Roni Got Me Stressed Out	I wish I liked this more because I kinda stan Chromeo
18	Kali Uchis	To Feel Alive			Let's just say I'm glad that LP2 was good!
19	UMI	Pretty Girl hi!			This is the only song I like, I forgot the rest
20	RAT BOY	TIME ON MY MIND			This was the first thing I listened to in 2020! Namely because he is a RAT and it's the year of the rat - you'll see many more RATS in the album category
21	Pink Sweat$	17			Spotify fodder. Cute voice!

 

Comments under the spoiler~
  

Spoiler

18 hours ago, mokitsu said:

Die 4 Ur Love was great, so much better than her album i'm glad she's free from her label but it seems kinda traumatic for her nn

 

Let me check out Kirby and Michi

Yeah REALLY seems traumatic for her, poor thing. Yeah I think you'd like those two; Michi especially!

17 hours ago, Mezik said:

All these EPs intrigue me quite a bit. Thank God the Holidays are coming up and I have time to listen to new artist.  

 

16 hours ago, Reinvention said:

IDK any of these sorry lol. But I'll be back.

 

Haha yeah yall may recognize some more EPs in this new list but don't worry; you'll definitely recognize folks in the standalone songs/albums section!

16 hours ago, BlackoutZone said:

Have no heard these, but I assume they are amazing, great taste etc etc. I listened to 1 Tei Shi song this year and it was nice, but beat me I have no idea which one

sksksksks poor Tei Shi. Check out Michi if you plan to check any of them out!

12 hours ago, Blue Rose said:

I liked Mordechai but never bothered with this. Gonna listen to it today 

Let me know your thoughts! 

11 hours ago, jpow said:

Me neither tbh.  I heard the first song released and it was too country for me . I'll try to listen to it again with more of an open mind soon.

Mmmmmm you may not like it then haha it definitely is like... Mordechai in country/soul EP form (I kinda like that though).

11 hours ago, jpow said:

Also RIP i_o, I've been listening to his cover of Castles in the Sky so much recently. 

Yes that is a good cover! Talented man, really such a shame.

11 hours ago, Sunderland 4ever said:

Cool! That was my first encounter with Khruangbin. A nice EP indeed; however, his 2020 LP blew me away.

I'm finding lots of folks were so into Mordechai and I really wasn't! I gotta give it another REAL chance I think.

8 hours ago, Madame X said:

I LOOOVE ok crazy but the rest of the EP was cute only.  I need to check out the io and Kirby EPs.. cuz they sound up my alley (rip )

OK crazy is so good! So many people trashed it when the EP dropped I was like ??? Yeah I'd recommend those 2 for ya, actually you... MAY like Michi more than Kirby, but I'd still think you may prefer Kirby.

5 hours ago, Psycho said:

I don't know any of those people but I support it

ksjdlksjd thanks queen! You'll see more familiar faces later on I promise!

5 hours ago, Pink Matter said:

I see Khruangbin and I save to my AM library 

YAS lmk your thoughts.

3 hours ago, Delta said:

I have a new list of EPs to discover 

Michi is the one I keep recommending the most... or at least check out Night Moves and go for the full EP if you like it.

1 hour ago, K$Ellie said:

welp the way I almost never listen to (non-kpop) EPs, I hope Shygirl makes it though which she should judging by your taste

 

 

I hope he liked it, dump him if not

 

God this GIF is ****ing killing me  The way we're different sides of the coin for EPs but I REALLY need to get more into KPOP (spoiler... there will be a KPOP artist in the albums section!).

 

And I'll let you know after this weekend  

 

 

[madonnas]

WHAT AN EXCELLENT TOP 5!!!! No complaints at all.  I dunno #2 tho.  
 

troyes EP is far better than bloom the album if I’m being honest.  

[Legend E]

okay there are some other EPs I enjoyed than these lol

 

but Troye's was quite decent

 

[khalyan]

Christine snatching like she should  

[Into The Void]

1 hour ago, Madame X said:

WHAT AN EXCELLENT TOP 5!!!! No complaints at all.  I dunno #2 tho.  
 

troyes EP is far better than bloom the album if I’m being honest.  

I agree Bloom isn't as good as this EP although My My My is better than the EP lol

[Tom Vercetti]

Haven't checked out many EPs this year as I usually did in previous years. Heard some India Jordan tracks, I think the first two you mentioned actually, and they were solid. There's something about Shygirl that I just cannot really get into *shrug*. I saw Christine coming  at #1 from a mile away :eye: 

[potent]

Yas Christine we stan

I didn't realize everyone liked Troye's EP better than Bloom album, In a Dream is one of his best songs for sure tho

[Tropical]

I haven't actually even checked out In A Dream - it's high time I do.

[Mr. Blue_Shirt]

Yes Troye serving excellence after Bloom era. Even the Blue Neighbourhood had great songs but it kinda aged for me. But i didn't say the same with his two previous projects 

 

Christine and the gays always serving classic after classic wow  Even though people had mix feelings about "Chris" but i enjoy it.

 

I can't wait for La Vita Nuova: Full Album – The Re-Up 

[BlackoutZone]

Ahhh perfect #1

Troye reaching new career peaks every "era" we love to see it

[DoctorIce]

9 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

 

5.) India Jordan - For You (French House/UK Garage)

House BOPS baby! I actually didn't even realize some of these had strong samples, so I discovered some classic jams too. I always have one house-centric EP that I wind up loving in a year; if you're looking for the same then check this out!

Listen to: I'm Waiting (Just 4 U), For You, Dear Nan King

Not an India Jordan reference on ATRL.  I would never have thought, small world. These bops. 

[mokitsu]

i loved Troye's. Shygirl and Xtine's were MEH to me though.

 

checking out India atm

[Lazuli]

Troye  Rager teenager! was the highlight for me

Christine, of course undoubtedly the best EP this year  

[KasioKas]

Havne't heard any of the eps but Troye's was a disappointment for me

[Sunderland 4ever]

13 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

Alias

That must be the gnarliest cover I've ever seen this year. A bit meme worthy too.

 

Chromeo! I haven't heard from them in such a long time. Let me check out that EP.

[Delta]

IN A DREAM    

[Ewan Chaos]

Right, let's get started on the standalone songs! As a reminder, these are all for one-off singles that artists randomly released without any EP or album planned, singles that are part of an EP/album coming out NEXT year, or random songs I wanted to highlight (such as songs from a deluxe edition of an album). Here we go!

 

Top 25 Standalone Songs of 2020

 

25.) Rosalia - Juro Que (Flamenco Nuevo/Art Pop)

She released a lot this year, but flamenco bops from Ms. Rosalia are my favorite... so naturally this was gonna be my favorite of her releases. Are you gonna release a new album or naw girl?

 

24.) Lykke Li - BRON (Art Pop/Synthpop)

Okay... can we all pretend that So Sad So Lykke didn't happen now that we have this/a new album hopefully coming?

 

23.) Nao, Lianne La Havas - Woman (Neo-Soul/Synth Funk)

I was honestly expecting a bit more from Nao and Lianne because I think both are great, but after a few listens this track grew on me and it's a pretty perfect collab between the two.

 

22.) King Princess - Only Time Makes It Human (Dance-Pop/Funktronica)

My favorite rich girl! I was actually quite surprised when I first heard this song because it totally slaps. Pain is a good song too, but if a new album is imminent then I hope it's a bit more in the vein of this track.

 

21.) Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Crying at the Discotheque (Dance-Pop/Nu-Disco)

I was just saying this in another thread that ideally this and the iconic Kitchen Discos she was doing push her away from that crappy Familia album bull**** and back into disco music (kinda like Kylie).

 

20.) Florence and the Machine - Light of Love (Art Pop/Chamber Pop)

I honestly wish this had been on High As Hope, either just slotted in towards the end or replacing something like 100 Years. Something about the ending gets me misty-eyed.

 

19.) Classixx, Roosevelt - One More Song (Electropop/House)

****ing BOPS babe! I played this jam a lot. They also had a song with Local Natives about a month ago that's quite good.

 

18.) Cory Wong, Kimbra - Design (Funk/Jazz Fusion)

There's another Kimbra collab on this list, but it won't show up on the top 25. I prefer this one because it's more funky and jazzy and fun (and she kinda sounds funny on this). Check it out if you dig Kimbra!

 

17.) The Knocks, MUNA - Bodies (Dance-Pop/Electropop)

This is a tiny bit basic, but I'm honestly happy that The Knocks are kinda coming back to form/their debut days instead of their second album here. And I see MUNA, I hit the play button.

 

16.) Yebba - Distance (Soul/R&B)

This is exactly something I can imagine my queen Emily King slaying, so of course I love this.

 

15.) felice bauer - Disappear (Ambient Pop/Wonky)

I discovered this cute little PC Music bop through a Caroline Polachek story of all things. A bit surprised it hasn't made its rounds a bit more in the hyperpop sphere, but it's good; very Hannah Diamond.

 

14.) Bat for Lashes - The Boys of Summer (Art Pop/Piano Live)

Bat For Lashes was one of the few people I got to see live before lockdown, and she KILLED this cover live so I'm glad there's a version available on Spotify. However, if she had put her This Woman's Work cover up for streaming then that would be my pick instead. It was a cute acoustic concert btw.

 

13.) Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion - WAP (Trap/Hardcore Hip Hop)

Duh this is gonna be on my list... I love me my Cardi B and am starting to really enjoy Megan too so this is a great collaboration. I think their cadence together has possibility to be off a bit but it works really well. Silly ass lyrics too. Just check out the Todd in the Shadows review of this song and that's basically my exact thoughts on this track. 

[BlackoutZone]

Some good shite

Crying at the Discotheque snapped so much, even if it's just a basic cover if fits her voice so well and whole Kitchen Disco idea absolutely brought her career back on the right track! I actually loved Familia a bit (especially Come With Us and Wild Forever), but we all know the true groove in her heart  I need her to fully cover Moloko's Sing it Back next, she used to mashup it with Groovejet on her tours

 

Light of Love is really nice, but Moderation was definitely the stronger HAH stand alone, however LOL  would be for sure more fitting on te album