best of Tom Vercetti's Best Of 2017 | Finished

[Lucas32]

ugh, I barely listened to EPs this year. Will be checking what you'll be recommending.

[Wondy Lust]

Quote

Yaeji - Yaeji - EP

Nikakoi - Raise Your Head And Smell The Air

Sam Gellaitry - Escapism III

Amber Mark - 3:33am

Talent! bookmarked the bottom two on the left. 

[Unoriginal]

I've listened to none of these  I was going to listen to Amber Mark but I guess I just... forgot?  

[Dilettante]

I was surprised to see Yaeji out so soon, but then I saw that there's another Yaeji EP 

[Red]

How ya doin', Tommy? I see that you're not less than. 

[Tom Vercetti]

10 minutes ago, Unoriginal said:

I've listened to none of these  I was going to listen to Amber Mark but I guess I just... forgot?  

That's okay, maybe you'll recognize at least one on my main countdown. 

 

10 minutes ago, Dilettante said:

I was surprised to see Yaeji out so soon, but then I saw that there's another Yaeji EP 

 

7 minutes ago, Red said:

How ya doin', Tommy? I see that you're not less than. 

I'm alright. NIN provided a little less of what I was expecting but I did like the title track and This Isn't The Place. Trent's 52 loop on the closer was something notable if I must admit. 

[Unoriginal]

Just now, Tom Vercetti said:

That's okay, maybe you'll recognize at least one on my main countdown. 

which out of your 15 would you recommend most? I'm basic so I'd probably most enjoy the more pop-leaning ones 

[Tom Vercetti]

Just now, Unoriginal said:

which out of your 15 would you recommend most? I'm basic so I'd probably most enjoy the more pop-leaning ones 

Give Maggie Rogers a try.

 

Specifically this

 

[Unoriginal]

2 minutes ago, Tom Vercetti said:

Give Maggie Rogers a try.

 

Specifically this

 

I've saved yaeji's EPs, Amber and Maggie to my library so I'll give them a go  

[Wicked]

So far, so good.

[Escape]

 

[Escape]

I just started to really like Yaeji's first EP. Too bad it didn't make it.

[Tremor Christ]

Can't wait for your list 

[TRF.]

Yaeji, NIN, Palm, Maggie all out of the top 20??? it better be ****ing excellent then!

[Tom Vercetti]

Let me get started with my first official update. Top EPs #20-11

[Sunderland 4ever]

Hooked on Blonde Redhead's EP, haha. Missle Me from their 2016 EP managed to squeeze through and now it's on repeat.

[Tom Vercetti]

 

20. oranssi pazuzu - kevät / värimyrsky 

 

 

Of all the metal EPs I heard, this one did the trick for me. Even though it's only two tracks, Kevat serves as an acceptable appetizer while värimyrsky is the main course. Kevat nothing's overwhelming but it does get the job done at setting the atmosphere with its slow instrumental buildup and toned back vocals. Varimsysky is where the EP becomes more aggressive halfway through and its conclusion was satisfying. Oranssi Pazuzu are categorized as a mix of psychedelic rock & black metal and this EP captures their sound quite appropriately. .

 

Spoiler

 

 

19. Sudan Archives - Sudan Archives

 

 

Sudan is a newcomer alt r&b artist that combines electronic elements with Violin play. There's also hints of African influences in her music. Her voice sounds smooth to me, making this EP an easy listen. In one of the highlights, Come Meh Way, the Violin provides an undeniable charm of freshness. The rest of the EP is aided with electronic textures and vocal layering and while I did like the EP, there were a couple of songs that could've been fleshed out more. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

18. Earthgang - Rags

 

 

The Altantic Rap Duo EarthGang released a duo of EPs this year of their supposed trilogy, Rags and Robots, and while both were near quality I felt Rags had the slight edge due to consistency. I haven't heard of them before this year so this was one of my discoveries. I saw the features list (J.I.D, Mick Jenkins) and was pretty much interested on checking this out. I wasn't disappointed. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

17. Exit Someone - Dry Your Eyes

 

 

Dry Your Eyes is an indie/sophisti pop hidden gem with traces of the 80s sound. Both June Moon and Thom Gillies provide and share the soft pop melodies that work with in hand with the guitar & drum production. I also dig some of the background jazzy elements it contains. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

16. The Garden - U Want The Scoop?

 

 

As soon as I saw the cover, I wasn't completely sure what I was getting myself into. I thought it would be some kind of parody. Turns out, it was plain fun post punk jams. The goofy and random lyrics this possesses made me chuckle a bit (I like cereal but I ain't no serial killer) They even have their own Death Grips moment on "Have A Good Day Sir", with the main vocalist sounding like an MC Ride impression. This EP certainly isn't for everyone though and shouldn't be taken with an over serious perspective. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[Tom Vercetti]

 

 

15.  Street Sects – Rat Jacket

 

 

Rat jacket is a more melodic industrial approach compared to their previous lp end position. Their synth punk sound is still in touch throughout the ep and the climax track “in prison, at least I heard you” shows their aggressive and melancholic side.

 

Spoiler

 

 

14. Injury Reserve – Drive it Like it’s Stolen

 

 

A lot of solid songs here with different directions (sweet you sweat being a light banger, north pole having a grim and introspective mood). The ep would’ve been improved had the track list been rearranged a bit and have a slightly more consistent approach. It’s not as hard hitting as floss but it does show possibilities of where the trio is going next with their sound.

 

Spoiler

 

 

13. Samantha Urbani – Policies of Power

 

 

Samantha was a cool discovery that delivered some enjoyable 80s synth-pop tunes.  If you're a fan of synthwave/retro production then check it out. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

12. Buddy & Kaytranada – Ocean & Montana

 

 

Here’s a joint ep between Compton rapper buddy and kaytranada. As a kaytranada fan, I had to cop this ep for his production alone, and he certainly didn’t disappoint for me in delivering a summery vibe. I think the two made a solid team effort. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

11. Death Grips - Steroids (Crouching Tiger Hidden Gabber Megamix)

 

 

Death Grips were unable to release an album this year but they did drop off a 22 minute aggressive experience that oddly worked in one singular track. 

 

Spoiler

 

[Escape]

Whew, loving the Finnish representation

 

[madonnas]

Wow I don't know anything here except the Samantha one which was really good.

Am taking notes! 

[Unoriginal]

I'll check out Samantha and Sudan Archives

[Tom Vercetti]

List so far:

20. oranssi pazuzu - kevät / värimyrsky 

19. Sudan Archives - Sudan Archives

18. Earthgang - Rags

17. Exit Someone - Dry Your Eyes

16. The Garden - U Want The Scoop? 

15. Street Sects - Rat Jacket

14. Injury Reserve - Drive Like It's Stolen

13. Samantha Urbani - Policies of Power

12. Buddy & Kaytranada - Ocean & Montana

11. Death Grips - Steroids (Crouching Tiger Hidden Gabber Megamix)

 

Top 10 will be revealed tomorrow. 

[World Eater]

Samantha's EP was really good, 1 2 3 4 is such an excellent sing  Still waiting for a proper LP from Death Grips, I didn't care that much for Steroids 

[volition]

I LOVED that Sudan Archives EP, Oatmeal is amazing (will be in my songs list hehe)

[Sunderland 4ever]

Digging Exit Someone - Dry Your Eyes. The opening guitar and bassline remind me of Ducktails. Vocals are a different story.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Sunderland 4ever